Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Kris McGregor
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Twelve: Rule Ten – Preparing for Desolation in Times of Consolation Episode 12-The Tenth Rule: Let him who is in consolation think how he will be in the desolation which will come after, taking new strength for then. Episode Twelve of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free focuses on Rule Ten, which turns attention to what a person can do during times of spiritual consolation. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains that this rule is still ultimately about facing spiritual desolation with strength and freedom. Fr. Gallagher begins by noting that Ignatius never loses sight of the real struggle in the spiritual life. The greatest danger often arises when discouragement returns. For this reason, Ignatius teaches that times of consolation are not only gifts to be received, but opportunities to prepare. Consolation strengthens the heart. It also provides clarity and foresight. Ignatius urges the person in consolation to think ahead. Desolation will return. This is normal in the spiritual life. The question is not whether it will come, but whether we will be ready. Fr. Gallagher compares this wisdom to the story of Joseph, who stored grain during years of abundance so that there would be food during famine. Consolation is a season of abundance meant to sustain future struggle. To show how this works in lived experience, Fr. Gallagher reflects on a moving account from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As a young woman, Elizabeth experienced an overwhelming sense of God’s love while alone in nature. She described God as her Father and her All. That moment of deep peace and joy became a source of lasting spiritual growth. Fr. Gallagher explains that the first and primary response to consolation is exactly this. We receive it fully. We allow God’s love to take root. Only after this does Ignatius add a second counsel. In times of consolation, we can consciously store strength for future desolation. Fr. Gallagher uses simple images to explain this. A sailor who anticipates changes in the wind braces himself. A passenger who sees a sharp turn ahead steadies his grip. Awareness makes the difference between falling and remaining secure. Fr. Gallagher then offers practical ways to live Rule Ten. One is to ask God directly for help for future desolation while still in consolation. Another is to recall Scriptures and truths that have sustained us in past trials. These truths become readily available later, when clarity feels harder to find. Reflecting again on the reasons God may allow desolation, as taught in Rule Nine, also prepares the heart to endure it with trust. The episode highlights the value of remembering past desolations. When we look back with God and see how growth came through struggle, confidence grows. The heart learns that God remains faithful even when consolation fades. This memory becomes a source of strength when darkness returns. Fr. Gallagher and Kris McGregor also discuss the practice of journaling. Writing during times of consolation can preserve clarity. When desolation comes, those written words serve as a reminder of truth. They counter forgetfulness and discouragement. Journaling also helps patterns emerge and deepens self-awareness. Finally, Fr. Gallagher encourages regular review of the rules themselves. Learning the rules once is not enough. They must be revisited and kept close. Some people post them visibly. Others carry summaries. The form matters less than the habit. What matters is keeping Ignatius’s wisdom within reach. Episode Twelve presents Rule Ten as a rule of foresight and hope. Consolation is not only a moment of joy. It is a gift meant to strengthen the heart for future trials. When consolation is received fully and lived wisely, desolation loses its power. The spiritual life grows steady and resilient. Captives are set free. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. How do you usually respond when you experience spiritual consolation? 2. Have you ever prepared for future struggles during a time of peace? 3. What Scriptures or truths strengthen you most during difficulty? 4. How does remembering past desolations change your outlook on current trials? 5. Would journaling help you retain clarity during times of consolation?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius place Rule Ten after the rules on desolation? 2. How does the image of storing grain help explain this rule? 3. Why is it important to receive consolation fully before trying to prepare? 4. How can journaling or review strengthen communal spiritual life? 5. How might Rule Ten help parish leaders and retreat participants remain steady?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul," as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series, visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 12:24-26 One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’ What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’ What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.
When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Oh yes’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners’, Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so as not to offend these people, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that bites, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for you.’ What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
“Why Did You Doubt?” Growing in Faith and Trust in Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on what it truly means to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.” Drawing from the Gospel account of Peter walking on the water, he asks whether faith remains something we profess with our lips or becomes a living reality that changes the way we act, pray, trust, and respond when Christ calls. Peter gets out of the boat because Jesus says, “Come.” When fear takes hold, he begins to sink, revealing the struggle between faith and doubt that can arise in every Christian life. Msgr. Esseff recalls his experiences with St. Teresa of Calcutta as a powerful witness to this living faith. In war-torn Beirut, Mother Teresa prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for the shelling to cease so abandoned children could be rescued. He also remembers her radical trust in Albania, where she insisted that stored food be given to the hungry, trusting God to provide what would be needed the following day. For Msgr. Esseff, these encounters transformed an intellectual understanding of faith into a deeper awareness of the power of prayer, the Eucharist, and trust in Jesus Christ. Msgr. Esseff returns to Peter’s decision to leave the safety of the boat. Faith requires a response to Christ’s invitation, even when the winds of fear, uncertainty, worry, and the voices around us tempt us to turn away. Mother Teresa’s life shows how this relationship is nurtured through continual prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the Mass. The challenges that arise after stepping out in faith can become opportunities for deeper trust as Christ draws us beyond a merely cultural Christianity into a life rooted in Him. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. What does it mean in my daily life to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God”? 2. Where is Jesus asking me to “get out of the boat” and trust Him more deeply? 3. What fears or worries cause me to take my eyes away from Christ? 4. How does Mother Teresa’s trust in Jesus challenge my understanding of faith and prayer? 5. How can Eucharistic adoration, the Mass, and daily prayer deepen my relationship with Jesus? 6. Where has worry about the future prevented me from trusting God for my “daily bread”? 7. How might the difficulties I encounter after responding to Christ become opportunities for my faith to grow?
Episode 3: God at Work in the Young St. Francis – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles In this episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor begin Chapter One of St. Bonaventure's The Life of St. Francis, encountering Francis before his conversion and discovering that God was already quietly at work within him. The young Francis lived comfortably in the world of his prosperous merchant family, enjoying good things, friendship and the pleasures available to him. Yet Bonaventure also reveals qualities already present in Francis that grace would eventually bring to extraordinary maturity. He was compassionate toward the poor, generous beyond his means, gentle, patient, affable and deeply moved whenever he heard words expressing the love of God. His later holiness would not erase everything that came before. God was already preparing, protecting and drawing Francis long before he understood the life to which he would eventually be called. Dr. Lilles reflects on the mysterious ways God works through both our natural gifts and our weaknesses. Francis' relationship with money and the expectations of his merchant family would eventually require profound conversion, while the generosity, compassion and openness to God already within him would become instruments of his vocation. Bonaventure even recounts the unusual figure in Assisi who repeatedly spread his cloak before the young Francis, recognizing something in him that Francis himself could not yet see. This early portrait invites us to consider God's hidden providence in our own lives and to recognize how service to the poor can open the heart to discernment. In young Francis, we begin to see how God receives the whole person and patiently prepares natural gifts for a purpose far greater than we could have imagined. Excerpts from Chapter One of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure: "In the city of Assisi there lived a man named Francis. Blessed in memory, he was mercifully prevented by God from the beginning by Divine blessing, delivered from the perils of this present life and filled abundantly with the gifts of His heavenly grace. Although in his youth he was brought up among the vain children of worldly men in the vanities of the world, and was employed by his father after some knowledge of letters had been acquired in the pursuit of worldly gain, yet by the continual presence of God, he never allowed himself to be carried away like the lawless youths around him by sensual pleasure, although he was of a cheerful and joyful spirit. Nor, though dwelling among covetous traders, was he intent upon gain, nor did he set his heart and hopes on money. For in the soul of this young man there lived, by the gift of God, a certain innate and natural love for the poor of Christ. Growing with him from his earliest childhood, this so filled his heart with such kindness that, in obedience to the words of the Gospel, he resolved within himself to give to everyone who asked of him, especially if the request was made in the name of God." "So he used to say, after he had perfectly put on Christ, that even while he was still wearing the secular habit, he could never hear words expressing the love of God without being deeply moved and touched in heart. And it is certain that in the sweetness and mildness of his bearing, the gentleness of his manners, his patience and docility, far beyond the ordinary custom of men, the generosity of his bounty exceeding even the extent of his means, all these things shone forth as signs of the beauty of this young man’s soul, clearly indicating the abundant outpouring of Divine blessing reserved for him in the days to come." "In those days there lived in Assisi a certain man of great simplicity who, by a knowledge divinely infused, whenever he met Francis in the street, would take off his cloak and spread it upon the ground before him, declaring that he did this because Francis was worthy of all honor and reverence, for he would shortly perform great works and marvelous deeds and therefore should be highly honored and praised by all faithful Christians. But Francis did not yet know or understand the great purpose of God toward him. Because, by the will of his father, he was occupied with outward affairs, and also by reason of the original corruption of our nature, he was drawn downward by earthly things. He had not yet learned to contemplate heavenly mysteries, nor did he yet know the sweetness of Divine consolation." Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Bonaventure shows God working within Francis long before Francis understands his vocation. Looking back on your own life, where can you now recognize a grace or preparation that you did not understand at the time? 2. Francis possessed generosity, compassion, gentleness, patience and affability before his conversion. What natural gifts has God given you that He may desire to deepen and place more fully at the service of others? 3. Francis was deeply moved whenever he heard words about the love of God. What happens within your own heart when you hear about God's love for you? 4. Francis' relationship with wealth would eventually become an important place of conversion. What attachment in your own life might God be inviting you to place more completely into His hands? 5. The simple man of Assisi recognized something in Francis that Francis himself could not yet see. Has God ever used another person to recognize or affirm a gift, calling or possibility in you before you could recognize it yourself? 6. Dr. Lilles connects generosity toward the poor with greater freedom to discern God's call. How might serving someone who is poor, elderly, vulnerable or forgotten help you become more attentive to God's movements in your own heart? 7. Bonaventure makes God the principal actor in Francis' story. How might your understanding of your own spiritual life change if you became more attentive to what God is doing rather than concentrating primarily on what you are accomplishing?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure's classic biography as a trusted companion.
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’ What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’ What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’ What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 3 – Responding to the Call – And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss: 1. Responding to the Call
2. How is God Present?
3. The Need for More Teachers
4. Give God Permission
5. Letting Go of the Baggage Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description: Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Eleven: Rule Nine – Why God Allows Spiritual Desolation The Ninth Rule: There are three principal reasons why we find ourselves desolate. The first is, because of our being tepid, lazy or negligent in our spiritual exercises; and so through our faults, spiritual consolation withdraws from us. The second, to try us and see how much we are and how much we let ourselves out in His service and praise without such great pay of consolation and great graces. The third, to give us true acquaintance and knowledge, that we may interiorly feel that it is not ours to get or keep great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation, but that all is the gift and grace of God our Lord, and that we may not build a nest in a thing not ours, raising our intellect into some pride or vainglory, attributing to us devotion or the other things of the spiritual consolation. Episode Eleven of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free focuses on Rule Nine, where St. Ignatius addresses one of the most important questions in the spiritual life. If God loves us and we love God, why does He allow spiritual desolation? Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains why this rule completes and deepens the earlier teachings on desolation. Fr. Gallagher begins by naming the problem directly. A person is sincere. Prayer has been faithful. Growth has been real. Then suddenly, consolation disappears. Prayer becomes difficult. God feels distant. Without Rule Nine, the spiritual life would be left with an unanswered wound. Ignatius does not avoid the question. He gives reasons. Ignatius teaches that there are three principal causes for spiritual desolation. The first is straightforward. At times, desolation comes because of negligence or sloth in spiritual practices. Something has slipped. Prayer has been shortened. Attention has wandered. Desolation acts as a wake-up call. It alerts the heart so that healthy adjustments can be made and communion with God restored. Fr. Gallagher offers a concrete example. A person begins daily prayer with Scripture and grows steadily. Life then becomes chaotic. Illness. Work pressures. Fatigue. Prayer is set aside for understandable reasons. When life settles again, prayer is not resumed. Over time, the sense of God’s closeness fades. Desolation reveals what has been lost and invites renewal. Ignatius himself reflects on this in his spiritual diary. He recognizes that consolation withdrew when his attentiveness to God slipped. He concludes that it was better not to be consoled for his faults. God, who loves him more than he loves himself, permitted desolation for his greater good. The second reason Ignatius gives is trial. God allows desolation to test the heart. The trial reveals how much a person seeks God apart from spiritual rewards. Growth occurs here. Something is learned that could not be learned otherwise. Fr. Gallagher notes that many people look back on periods of spiritual darkness and later recognize how much they grew through them. To illustrate this, Fr. Gallagher recalls earlier examples and everyday spiritual life. Discernment is not lived only in peak moments or major decisions. It is lived while driving home, sitting at a kitchen table, or facing discouragement at the end of an ordinary day. This is where Ignatius’s wisdom meets real life. Fr. Gallagher then turns to the words of St. Francis of Assisi. A brother approaches Francis during a time of temptation and heaviness. Francis responds with astonishing tenderness. He tells the brother that the more he is tempted, the more he is loved. Temptation overcome, Francis says, is like a ring by which the Lord espouses the soul to Himself. Trial becomes intimacy. The third reason Ignatius gives is humility. Spiritual consolation is not something we produce. It is pure gift. Desolation teaches this truth in the flesh. When consolation is absent, the heart learns that devotion, tears, and love are not possessions. They belong to God. This protects the soul from subtle pride and roots it in humility. Fr. Gallagher draws on the spiritual journal of St Peter Faber. Faber describes repeated experiences of discouragement followed closely by God’s remedy. Each trial became a stimulus to deeper growth. Desolation never left him lukewarm. It called him forward. The episode concludes with a personal reflection from Fr. Gallagher. Looking back on a painful season of darkness, he recognizes that it compelled him to grow, study, and take new steps that shaped his entire vocation. What felt destructive at the time became formative in hindsight. Episode Eleven presents Rule Nine as a rule of deep reassurance. Spiritual desolation is never meaningless. God may allow it to correct, to strengthen, or to humble. In every case, God acts out of love. The God who allows desolation is the God who loves us more than we love ourselves. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. How do you usually interpret spiritual heaviness when it appears? 2. Have you ever noticed desolation revealing an area of neglect in your spiritual life? 3. Can you recall growth that came through a time of trial or darkness? 4. How does knowing that consolation is a pure gift change your perspective? 5. Which of the three reasons for desolation speaks most to your current experience?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why is Rule Nine essential to understanding spiritual desolation? 2. How does Ignatius prevent us from assuming desolation always means failure? 3. What role does trial play in spiritual maturity? 4. How do the stories of St. Francis and Blessed Peter Faber illuminate this rule? 5. How can this teaching help parish leaders accompany others through discouragement?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series, visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured. What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured. What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Sacred Heart and the Contemplative Life – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this reflection, Msgr. John Esseff explores the Sacred Heart through the lens of the contemplative life, asking why so many people fail to recognize God's immense love. He explains that God continually calls every person into a deeper relationship with Him, yet the noise of self-centeredness often prevents us from hearing His voice. The contemplative, whether living in a monastery or in the ordinary circumstances of daily life, becomes a living bridge between heaven and earth by listening to God and responding with love. Drawing from the witness of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and above all the Blessed Virgin Mary, Msgr. Esseff describes contemplation as a gift of the Holy Spirit rather than simply the study of theology. True prayer begins by recognizing God's presence within, where the Holy Trinity already dwells through baptism. As the soul turns inward in humility and attentive listening, it discovers that every grace, every act of love, and every response to God flows from Christ living within. The reflection concludes with a call to recover contemplation as the foundation of Christian life and evangelization. Msgr. Esseff teaches that the world's deepest need is not more activity but more souls who truly know God through prayer. Only those transformed by the love of the Sacred Heart can become authentic witnesses, bringing Christ's light to a world longing for hope, mercy, and communion with the Father. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What distractions keep me from hearing God's voice in the silence of my heart? 2. How can I become more attentive to the presence of the Holy Trinity dwelling within me? 3. What does true contemplation mean in my daily life? 4. How does humility open my heart to receive God's love more fully? 5. In what ways is God inviting me to become a witness to His love through a deeper life of prayer?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Sunday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 14:13-21 When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children. What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children. What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 2: A Living Witness to Christ – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles In this second episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor continue their exploration of St. Bonaventure's Prologue to The Life of St. Francis. Bonaventure reveals St. Francis not simply as an extraordinary saint, but as a living witness who reflects the mystery of Jesus Christ. Through rich biblical imagery drawn from John the Baptist, the Prophet Elijah, the angels, and the Book of Revelation, Bonaventure presents Francis as God's messenger of peace, repentance, and hope, whose life continues to illuminate the Church. Dr. Lilles explains how the saints preserve the fullness of the Gospel by drawing believers beyond intellectual arguments into a living encounter with Christ. The conversation also explores the profoundly Eucharistic heart of St. Francis' spirituality. Bonaventure portrays Francis as one who continually points others toward Christ crucified and present in the Eucharist, inviting every Christian to a life of repentance, humility, and loving penance. Dr. Lilles concludes by offering practical ways to begin walking with St. Francis through pilgrimage, prayerful reading of Bonaventure's biography, Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This episode deepens our understanding of Francis as both a model of holiness and a guide who leads every soul more fully into the mystery of Jesus Christ. Excerpts from the Prologue of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure: "We may also say that he was truly foreshadowed by that other friend of Christ, the Apostle and Evangelist St. John, under the likeness of the angel whom he saw ascending from the east with the sign of the living God. Under this figure we may assuredly discern Francis, the servant, herald and messenger of God, the beloved of Christ, the pattern for our imitation, the wonder of the world, if we carefully observe and mark the excellence of his marvelous sanctity. During his life, he imitated the purity of the angels, so that he may be set forth as an example to all the perfect followers of Christ. And we are moved not only to believe this firmly, but also to affirm it confidently by the office which he exercised in his own person, inviting all men to tears and penance, clothing himself in sackcloth, girding himself with a cord, shaving his head and signing the saving sign of the cross. We are moved still more by the indelible seal of likeness to the living God, even of Jesus Christ crucified, which was impressed upon his body, not by natural power nor by artificial contrivance, but by the marvelous efficacy of the Spirit of the living God. I know myself, then, to be most unworthy and unequal to describe the life of this most venerable man, that life most worthy of imitation by the faithful. Nor should I ever have attempted such a task except for my ardent love for my brethren, by which I was moved, and by the urgent request of our General Chapter. No less was I bound to this by the devotion which I owe to our holy Father, by whose merits and invocation I was, as I well remember, delivered from the jaws of death. Were I to be silent in his praise, I would rightly fear being charged with ingratitude." Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Bonaventure presents St. Francis as a living witness to Christ rather than simply a historical figure. How does this change the way you approach his life and example? 2. Throughout the Prologue, Francis is described using images drawn from Sacred Scripture. What do these biblical images reveal about his mission within the Church? 3. Dr. Lilles emphasizes that the saints help preserve the mystery of Christ beyond merely intellectual understanding. How have the lives of the saints strengthened your own faith? 4. St. Francis' deep love for the Eucharist shaped every aspect of his life. How might greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament transform your own relationship with Christ? 5. Bonaventure describes repentance and penance as pathways to deeper communion with God. What practical step can you take this week to embrace that invitation? 6. Dr. Lilles encourages pilgrimage, Eucharistic adoration, and prayerful reading as ways of entering into Franciscan spirituality. Which of these practices is God inviting you to begin or renew?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure's classic biography as a trusted companion.
Episode 2 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss:
1. The Maternal Nurturer
2. Where Are The Women?
3. The Call to Teach
4. The Presence of a Sister
5. The Importance of Grandparents Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description: Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
The 14 Rules of the Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Ten: Rule Eight – Patience in Time of Spiritual Desolation Episode 10 -The Eighth Rule: Let him who is in desolation labor to be in patience, which is contrary to the vexations which come to him: and let him think that he will soon be consoled, employing against the desolation the devices, as is said in the sixth Rule. Episode Ten of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free focuses on Rule Eight, which teaches that patience is the key virtue in time of spiritual desolation. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains how Ignatian patience is not passive endurance but an active, hope-filled perseverance. Fr. Gallagher begins by clarifying what Ignatius means by patience. The word comes from the Latin patior, meaning to suffer, to bear, and to endure without giving up. In desolation, patience means staying the course. Prayer continues even when it feels dry. Commitments remain even when energy is gone. Love is chosen even when it requires great effort. To illustrate this virtue, Fr. Gallagher turns to the spiritual journal of Elizabeth Leseur. In the midst of physical suffering, emotional struggle, and deep interior darkness, Elizabeth writes of a will unshakably turned toward God. Though she feels no consolation, she continues in prayer, work, charity, and love. Her example reveals the deep strength that patience forms in the soul. Fr. Gallagher explains that Rule Eight applies in very concrete situations. A person begins a time of prayer and immediately feels dryness. Everything urges shortening the prayer or giving up altogether. Another feels tempted to withdraw from a parish commitment or retreat that once brought great joy. In these moments, Ignatius gives clear guidance. Stay. Finish. Do not abandon what was freely chosen before the desolation began. Ignatius then offers a powerful help for perseverance. The person in desolation is to think that consolation will soon return. Desolation lies by telling the heart that the darkness will last forever. Ignatius counters this lie with truth. Consolation does return. It returns much sooner than desolation suggests. Fr. Gallagher uses a striking image to explain this. Two patients experience similar discomfort. One is told healing will take weeks. The other is told relief will come tomorrow. The second endures far more easily. In the same way, hope sustains patience when the heart knows desolation will pass. The episode also clarifies an important distinction. Rule Eight does not describe the dark night spoken of by St. John of the Cross. The dark night is a purifying work of God and must be accepted. Spiritual desolation, by contrast, is the work of the enemy and must be resisted. Most people experience ordinary spiritual desolation, not the dark night. Fr. Gallagher emphasizes that alternation between consolation and desolation is normal in the spiritual life. No one is exempt. There is no shame in desolation. Growth occurs on both sides of this movement. Consolation strengthens love and clarity. Desolation, when resisted with patience, strengthens perseverance and maturity. The episode concludes by returning to Ignatius’s central insight. Patience in desolation is an act of faith and hope. It chooses truth over feeling. When patience is joined to prayer, examination, and small acts of courage, desolation loses its power. Consolation returns. The heart grows strong. Captives are set free. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. How do you usually respond when prayer feels dry or difficult? 2. Have you noticed thoughts urging you to give up during discouragement? 3. What helps you stay faithful when spiritual energy is low? 4. How does remembering that desolation will pass affect your perseverance? 5. Where might God be inviting you to practice patience today?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius call patience the key virtue in desolation? 2. How does Elizabeth Leseur’s example illuminate Rule Eight? 3. Why is hope essential for perseverance in spiritual struggle? 4. How does this rule protect parish leaders and volunteers from burnout? 5. What practices help communities remain faithful during difficult seasons?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola
The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff shares a personal and profound connection with Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite saint from Lebanon, whose feast day is being celebrated. Msgr. Esseff recounts his experience in Lebanon as the Pontifical Mission Director, where he visited Saint Charbel's shrine and learned about his life and influence. Saint Charbel was a Maronite monk known for his deep spirituality and ascetic life, who eventually chose a hermit’s life for 27 years of prayer and fasting. His life and miraculous incorrupt body, which glowed after his death, drew many pilgrims, including Muslims and Christians. Msgr. Esseff discusses the significance of Saint Charbel for both Eastern and Western Christians, and the importance for unity in Christ despite historical and political division and the need for holiness and true leadership rooted in Christ rather than worldly power. Saint Charbel Makhluf, O.L.M. (or Sharbel Maklouf) St Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Reflect on how the lives of saints, particularly Saint Charbel, can inspire and guide your spiritual journey. 2. Consider the importance of personal holiness and how you can strive to be more Christ-like in your daily life. 3. Examine the qualities of true leadership in the Church, as exemplified by Saint Charbel, and how they differ from worldly power and prestige. 4. Contemplate the common foundation of faith in Christ that unites Eastern and Western Christians, despite historical and political differences. 5. Reflect on the role of prayer and fasting in deepening your relationship with God, inspired by Saint Charbel's example. 6. Think about the significance of miracles in the Church, such as the incorrupt body of Saint Charbel, and what they reveal about God's presence and power. 7. Consider how you can be a witness to Christ in your community, following the example of Saint Charbel's humble and devoted life.
Reading 1 JER 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 This word of the LORD came to me:
Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear! I remember the devotion of your youth,
how you loved me as a bride,
Following me in the desert,
in a land unsown.
Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
the first fruits of his harvest;
Should any presume to partake of them,
evil would befall them, says the LORD. When I brought you into the garden land
to eat its goodly fruits,
You entered and defiled my land,
you made my heritage loathsome.
The priests asked not,
“Where is the LORD?”
Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
the shepherds rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after useless idols. Be amazed at this, O heavens,
and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water. Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Fighting the Demons – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor explore the spiritual battle described in the opening chapter of the Rule and the Benedictine understanding of fighting the demons. Drawing on the wisdom of the Desert Fathers, Fr. Mauritius explains that these "demons" are often the destructive thoughts, temptations, and inner movements that draw us away from Christ. Rather than becoming preoccupied with evil itself, St. Benedict calls us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, recognizing that the Christian life is ultimately a battle for holiness and freedom. Following the example of Jesus in the desert, believers learn to identify harmful thoughts and overcome them through the power of the Holy Spirit and Sacred Scripture. Fr. Mauritius highlights the practical wisdom of the early monks, especially Evagrius Ponticus, who identified recurring patterns of temptation and taught the importance of recognizing them before they take root. By naming these inner struggles and responding with God's Word, Christians learn to replace fear, anger, sadness, pride, and other destructive thoughts with the truth of the Gospel. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and the steady rhythms of spiritual life, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms the heart, bringing peace where there was turmoil and freedom where there was once spiritual bondage. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 1: From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict: CHAPTER I The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts. Special note: Fr. Mauritius speaks of a book by Evagrius of Pontus, the link is below : Evagrius Of Pontus: Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons (Cistercian Studies) Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What recurring thoughts or temptations most often distract me from God's peace and draw me away from Christ? 2. Fr. Mauritius encourages us to identify harmful thoughts before they take root. How attentive am I to what is happening in my own heart and mind? 3. What passages of Sacred Scripture have become sources of strength and encouragement during times of temptation or discouragement? 4. How does regular prayer help me recognize the difference between the movements of the Holy Spirit and the voices that lead me away from God? 5. Are there areas of my life where fear, anger, sadness, pride, or another destructive pattern has gained too much influence? 6. How can I more intentionally "talk back" to temptation by responding with the truth of God's Word, following the example of Jesus in the desert? 7. What practical changes can I make to create a daily rhythm of prayer, Scripture, and silence that strengthens me for the spiritual battle?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Episode 1 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss the founding and charism of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. We discuss: 1. The need for the Eucharist and how to foster a deeper relationship with God in prayer. 2. The Nurturing of "presence" 3. The role of Mary of bringing us to her son in the Eucharist. 4. The spousal receptivity and the sharing of maternal love the God's children. 5. The beauty of community life…in religious life and in the family 6. The gift of self
Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 30: Weavers of Hope In this final episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to consider what kind of world we are building. In the conclusion of Magnifica Humanitas, the Holy Father returns to Saint Paul’s instruction: “Let each builder choose with care how to build.” In an age of artificial intelligence, digital power, rapid change, and deep human vulnerability, every choice, word, habit, relationship, and use of technology becomes part of what we are building. Pope Leo XIV brings the whole journey back to the mystery of the Incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Because Christ entered our humanity, no human person can be treated as disposable, forgotten, or reduced to a function. The child, the elderly, the sick, the poor, the worker, the victim, the lonely, the wounded, and the silenced all belong within the concern of Christ. This reflection also considers the Eucharistic spirituality needed for our time. The Amen we speak at Mass should shape our daily life, teaching us to recognize the Body of Christ in those around us and to build communion where division would be easier. With Mary, the Woman of the Magnificat, we are invited to become weavers of hope, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and His Kingdom may take shape. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Conclusion, nos. 229, 231, 234-235 and 245: “‘Let each builder choose with care how to build’ (1 Cor 3:10). With these words, Saint Paul encouraged the Christians of Corinth to preserve unity. Dear brothers and sisters, we have reflected on the world we are building, and we asked ourselves what it means to safeguard the human person in the era of artificial intelligence.” “At the heart of everything is the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.” “The spirituality that we need is a Eucharistic spirituality, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity in love… The ‘Amen’ that we say in the liturgy, the Body we eat and the Blood we drink shape our entire lives.” “With the same faith as Mary, let us become ‘weavers of hope’ in our world, sharing who we are and what we have, so that the presence of Jesus may grow among us and his Kingdom take shape.” 1 Corinthians 3:10, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Let each builder choose with care how to build.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What has the Lord shown me during this journey with Magnifica Humanitas?
2. Where is Christ inviting me to build with greater care in my words, choices, relationships, or use of technology?
3. How can my Eucharistic Amen become more visible in the way I treat the poor, the wounded, the hidden, and the silenced?
4. Where is Mary, the Woman of the Magnificat, teaching me to trust God’s mercy and bear hope?
5. What concrete act can I offer today as a weaver of hope in my family, parish, work, or digital life?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The 14 Rules of the Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Nine: Rule Seven – Trusting God’s Grace in Spiritual Desolation Episode 9 -The Seventh Rule: Let him who is in desolation consider how the Lord has left him in trial in his natural powers, in order to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy; since he can with the Divine help, which always remains to him, though he does not clearly perceive it: because the Lord has taken from him his great fervor, great love and intense grace, leaving him, however, grace enough for eternal salvation. Episode Nine of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free focuses on Rule Seven, which teaches how to endure spiritual desolation with trust, courage, and faith. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains why this rule transforms desolation from a meaningless burden into a moment of spiritual growth. Fr. Gallagher begins by describing a familiar experience. Prayer feels dry. Energy for spiritual things is low. Commitments that once brought joy now feel heavy. Without understanding, these moments seem pointless and exhausting. Rule Seven changes everything by revealing the meaning of desolation within God’s loving providence. Ignatius invites the person in desolation to consider. This is a conscious act. The desolation is a trial permitted by God. It is not random. It is not abandonment. When the heart understands this, the burden becomes lighter. Suffering gains meaning. Endurance becomes possible. To illuminate this truth, Fr. Gallagher turns to the life of Blessed Angela of Foligno. During a prolonged period of desolation, Angela felt abandoned by God. She could not pray. She could not praise God. Yet beneath the desolation, something remained untouched. Her firm resolve never to consent to sin endured. Grace was at work on a level deeper than feeling. Fr. Gallagher explains that this is the heart of Rule Seven. In desolation, spiritual consolation may be taken away. Fervor may fade. Warmth may disappear. Yet God never withdraws the grace needed for salvation. Divine help always remains, even when it cannot be felt. Ignatius teaches that desolation is permitted so the person may learn to resist it. Resistance strengthens the soul. Each time discouragement is resisted, spiritual capacity grows. Over time, the heart becomes rooted. Stability develops. A quiet strength forms that nothing can easily shake. Fr. Gallagher shares personal experiences of encountering deeply peaceful and grounded individuals. These are often people who have passed through many trials. Their serenity is not accidental. It is the fruit of resisting desolation again and again with God’s help. A recurring lie of desolation is the voice that says, “I can’t.” I can’t pray. I can’t persevere. I can’t continue. Rule Seven exposes this lie. Even when consolation is absent, sufficient grace remains. The heart can continue. Fidelity is possible. Love can still be chosen. The episode also clarifies an important distinction. On the non-spiritual level, exhaustion or emotional strain may truly require rest. On the spiritual level, desolation never removes the grace needed to remain faithful. Recognizing this difference restores courage and confidence. This presents Rule Seven as a powerful source of hope. Desolation is never empty time. God is always at work. Grace is always present. When these truths are recalled in the moment of trial, trust grows. The heart is strengthened. Captives are set free. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Have you experienced times when prayer felt dry or burdensome? 2. How do you usually interpret spiritual heaviness when it arises? 3. Can you recall moments when you continued faithfully despite feeling empty? 4. What helps you remember that God’s grace remains even when it is not felt? 5. How does Rule Seven change your understanding of perseverance?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius ask the person in desolation to consider specific truths? 2. How does the story of Blessed Angela help clarify Rule Seven? 3. What does it mean to say that desolation is a trial permitted by God? 4. How does resisting desolation strengthen the spiritual life over time? 5. How can this rule help parish leaders support others in discouragement?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola"
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 29: The Faces That Call Us to Peace In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to look at war, violence, and division from the perspective of those who suffer. The Holy Father reminds us that, to remain human, we must not allow victims to disappear behind arguments, statistics, policies, or headlines. This reflection considers how peace begins when we recover the face, the story, and the dignity of the wounded person. Pope Leo XIV invites us to draw near to those who suffer, listen to their stories, and acknowledge their wounds. This is not sentimentality. It is a Christian way of seeing, rooted in the example of Christ, who never treats suffering as an abstraction. Through the light of Matthew 5:9, this episode invites us to become peacemakers in the wounded places of the world, and in the smaller histories of our homes, parishes, friendships, and ministries. A discerning heart resists indifference, cynicism, and fear. It receives the peace of the risen Christ, listens with patience, seeks justice with humility, and allows dialogue to become a path toward healing. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Five, no. 218, 218, and 220: “There are times when, in order to remain human, we must set aside our reservations and take a stand… Pope Francis encouraged us to ‘touch the wounded flesh’ of those who suffer, look at their faces, listen to their stories and acknowledge their wounds.” “We are in need of a healthy realism that avoids both political idealism and cynicism… Authentic realism does not give up on changing the world.” “Dialogue is an ordinary part of human life and does not only concern relations between States. It involves acquiring an attitude that seeks to forge bonds of fraternity built on listening, an open demeanor, making time for each other and even wasting time together.” Matthew 5:9, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Whose suffering have I kept at a distance because it felt too painful, complicated, or overwhelming?
2. Where have I allowed a wounded person to become an issue, argument, category, or statistic?
3. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to listen more patiently to someone’s story?
4. Where do I need to resist indifference, cynicism, fear, or the temptation to withdraw from dialogue?
5. What concrete act of peace can I offer today in my home, parish, workplace, online life, or community?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 28: Disarming Words In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to disarm our words. The Holy Father reminds us that no one is without responsibility. Each of us has an area of action, whether in the home, the workplace, the parish, the digital world, or the next sentence we choose to speak. This reflection considers how words can either fuel the mentality of force or preserve the mindset of peace. A sarcastic comment, a rumor, a careless label, or a harsh post can wound another person and weaken communion. A truthful word spoken with charity, a gentle correction, an apology, or a refusal to repeat gossip can help protect dignity and become a small foundation for peace. Through the light of Ephesians 4:29, this episode invites us to let our speech become a channel of grace. A discerning heart asks whether its words serve truth, justice, peace, and the dignity of the person. The civilization of love begins close to home, in the way we look at others, listen to others, speak about others, and choose whether our words will build up or tear down. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Five, no. 212-215: “Yet, no one is without responsibility. We all have our own areas for action, and it is precisely there — and nowhere else — that we must choose whether to fuel the mentality of force (even if only through indifference, cynicism, lies or hatred), or to preserve the mindset of peace (with truth, moderation, closeness and care).” “The first contribution we can make toward a more humane civilization is to be mindful of our words. ‘Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world.’” “All of us, at every level, can contribute to building the foundation of peace, which is justice… Let us never grow weary of seeking justice!” Ephesians 4:29, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What words of mine helped build peace today?
2. Where did my speech carry irritation, contempt, cynicism, or hidden aggression?
3. Before speaking, posting, or forwarding something difficult, do I ask whether my words will protect another person’s dignity?
4. Who needs truth from me spoken with charity, courage, and restraint?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to let my words become a channel of grace, justice, and peace?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 27: The Civilization of Love In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on the civilization of love. The Holy Father reminds us that this vision is not naïve or sentimental. It is a demanding project in which charity takes flesh in justice, fraternity, shared responsibility, and the common good. This reflection considers how the civilization of love begins in ordinary places: the family, the parish, the workplace, public life, and the digital spaces we enter each day. A culture of power teaches us to see others as rivals, threats, obstacles, or strangers. Pope Leo XIV invites us to recover the truth that the other person is not an enemy to be managed, but a person to be received, respected, and loved. Through the light of 1 Corinthians 16:14, this episode invites us to let all that we do be done in love. Digital connection alone is not communion, and efficiency alone is not progress. A discerning heart asks whether its words, choices, and use of technology are helping build encounter, mutual care, justice, fraternity, and peace. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Five, no. 186-187: “Today, we must resolutely recover this vision, for the civilization of love is no naïve utopia, but a demanding project, which consists in translating charity into structures of justice, giving institutional form to fraternity and regarding others — whether individuals or peoples — as allies necessary for building the common good.” “It is not enough for artificial intelligence to make us more efficient or connected; it must also serve to build a universal human family, with shared rights and duties, where digital proximity becomes a real opportunity for encounter and mutual care.” 1 Corinthians 16:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Let all that you do be done in love.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did I see another person as a rival, obstacle, threat, or stranger?
2. How did my words build communion, or weaken it?
3. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to turn digital connection into real care?
4. How can I choose charity in a place where power, fear, or contempt is trying to shape my response?
5. What concrete act can I offer today to help build justice, fraternity, peace, and the common good?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 26: Interior Freedom in a Digital Age In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on freedom in the digital age. The Holy Father warns that the digital attention economy can capture time and attention, exploit vulnerability, and weaken interior freedom. This reflection considers how ordinary digital habits can shape the heart. A phone, platform, app, or notification may begin as a tool, but it can become something that feeds restlessness, comparison, agitation, or compulsion. Pope Leo XIV invites us to notice when a system is designed to capture the person rather than serve the person. Through the light of Galatians 5:1, this episode invites us to guard the freedom Christ has given us. A discerning heart asks where attention is being taken, where vulnerability is being exploited, and where the Holy Spirit is inviting greater digital sobriety. True freedom is not the ability to follow every impulse, but the strength to choose the good, protect silence, remain present, and love with an undivided heart. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Four, no. 170: “The subtler forms of addiction linked to the ‘digital attention economy’ should not be underestimated, since platforms and services are often designed to capture users’ time and attention, exploiting their vulnerabilities and weakening their inner freedom.” “When business models thrive on human weakness, the person is treated as a means rather than as an end; those who design or finance such systems bear a moral responsibility that cannot be ignored.” Galatians 5:1, RSV–Catholic Edition
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did my attention go most easily today?
2. What digital habit weakened my peace, prayer, or presence?
3. Where am I most vulnerable to distraction, comparison, agitation, or compulsion?
4. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to set limits that protect silence, freedom, and love?
5. What concrete act of digital sobriety can I choose today, so that my heart remains open to God and present to others?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 25: The Dignity of Work In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on the dignity of work in a time of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The Holy Father reminds us that work is more than income. It is a place where the human person can grow, serve, create, cooperate, and contribute to the common good. This reflection considers work in the light of creation. Since the human person is made in the image of the Creator, honest work can share in God’s creative action. A task may be hidden, ordinary, or repetitive, yet it can still carry faithfulness, responsibility, and love. The dignity of work is not measured only by salary, status, speed, or public recognition. It begins with the dignity of the person who works and the good that work serves. Pope Leo XIV also warns that new systems must be centered on the human person, not solely on performance. Automation, robotics, and AI can support human effort, but they can also reduce workers to measurable units when dignity is forgotten. Through the light of Colossians 3:23, this episode invites us to offer our work to the Lord, honor the labor of others, and defend the dignity of every worker. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Four, nos. 148 – 150: “Created in the image of the Creator, our own work in some way continues his, for thereby we contribute to the progress of society and the common good, put to good use the capabilities we have received, improve and beautify the world, support our families, engage in cooperative relationships and, through listening and dialogue, learn to build together something that no one could achieve alone.” “For these reasons, work is not simply an instrument; it expresses and enhances the dignity of our lives. It is a requirement of the human condition, a normal path toward maturity, development and personal fulfilment.” “Today, the convergence of automation, robotics and AI is rapidly transforming the very structure of work… Precisely in order to avoid this drift, it is necessary to design systems that are centered on the human person and not solely on performance.” Colossians 3:23, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How did I see my work today: as a burden, performance, service, or offering?
2. Where did I measure myself or another person by productivity, success, or status?
3. How can I offer one ordinary or hidden task to the Lord as an act of love?
4. Who around me needs their labor, service, or hidden sacrifice to be honored?
5. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to defend the dignity of the worker over the demands of performance?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Episode 1: Introducing St. Francis Through St. Bonaventure – St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality with Dr. Anthony Lilles The first episode of St. Francis of Assisi: His Life and Spirituality begins by introducing the remarkable guide who will accompany this journey: St. Bonaventure, the Franciscan theologian, Doctor of the Church, and Minister General of the Franciscan Order. Drawing from his classic work, The Life of St. Francis, Dr. Anthony Lilles explains why Bonaventure's account is far more than a historical biography. Written by one entrusted with preserving the Franciscan charism, Bonaventure presents St. Francis as God's gift to the Church, a saint whose life reveals the light of Christ and continues to inspire believers to holiness centuries later. Rather than beginning with the familiar events of Francis' life, Bonaventure first prepares readers to encounter the saint with humility and a love for holy poverty. Dr. Lilles explores how Francis offers a prophetic witness for every generation, especially in a culture tempted by materialism, self-reliance, and worldly ambition. Through his joyful conformity to Christ, St. Francis becomes a beacon of hope, leading others toward deeper trust in God's providence and the peace found in the Gospel. This opening conversation lays the spiritual foundation for the entire series, inviting listeners to discover not only who St. Francis was, but why his life remains a powerful guide for Christians today. Excerpts from the Prologue of The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure: "The grace of God our Savior has appeared in these last days in His faithful and devout servant Francis. Through him, it has taught all who are truly humble and lovers of holy poverty to look upon the overflowing abundance of Divine mercy, which was so richly poured out upon him. By his example they have learned to forsake all impiety and worldly desires, to conform their lives to the life of Christ and, with untiring longing, to thirst after the hope of heavenly blessedness." "For so graciously did God look upon this truly poor and contrite man that He not only raised the poor and needy from the dust of worldly conversation, but also set him to be a light to the faithful, making him a true professor, leader and herald of evangelical perfection. Bearing witness to the light, he might prepare before the Lord a way of light and peace in the hearts of the faithful." "For, shining like the morning star in the midst of a dark cloud, he enlightened, by the bright rays of his pure doctrine and holy life, those who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death, and thus guided them onward by his bright shining to the perfect day. And, like the glorious rainbow set in the darkness of the clouds, he came forth as the angel of true peace and the sign of the covenant between God and man, bringing glad tidings of peace and salvation." Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Why do you think St. Bonaventure begins by inviting us to behold who St. Francis is before recounting the events of his life? 2. St. Francis embraced humility and holy poverty as the path to Christ. What attachments or attitudes keep you from relying more completely on God? 3. Dr. Lilles describes St. Francis as a light shining in a dark world. Where do you most need the light of Christ to illuminate your own life today? 4. In what ways does the example of St. Francis challenge our culture's pursuit of comfort, success, and self-sufficiency? 5. How can the witness of the saints, especially St. Francis, strengthen your hope and deepen your trust in God's providence? 6. As you begin this series, what grace do you hope to receive through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi?
About Dr. Anthony Lilles
Dr. Anthony Lilles is Professor of Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. A longtime friend and contributor to Discerning Hearts, he has helped form countless listeners through his podcast series, retreats, and spiritual conferences exploring the wisdom of the saints and the Catholic spiritual tradition. An accomplished author of numerous books on the spiritual life, including Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden, and Fire from Above. Dr. Lilles is widely respected for making the profound riches of spiritual theology accessible to everyday Catholics. In this series, he guides listeners through the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi using St. Bonaventure's classic biography as a trusted companion.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 24: Education for a Discerning Heart In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on education in the digital age. The Holy Father reminds us that children, adolescents, and young people need more than access to technology. They need formation in truth, dignity, relationship, judgment, and freedom. This reflection considers why education cannot be reduced to a technical skill. A child may know how to search, click, post, message, and create, while still needing help to recognize manipulation, falsehood, cruelty, exploitation, and pressure. Pope Leo XIV teaches that young people must learn to defend their own dignity, respect the dignity of others, and seek the truth in digital environments that often shape identity, imagination, and relationships. Through the light of Proverbs 22:6, this episode invites parents, teachers, pastors, and mentors to form young hearts with courage and patience. A discerning heart asks whether digital habits are helping young people grow in wisdom, reverence, prayer, self-control, and love. Education for a discerning heart begins when truth is loved, dignity is protected, and the young are helped to live with freedom before God. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Four, nos. 142 – 143: “It is also necessary to teach children, adolescents and young people how to recognize manipulation, defend their dignity and respect that of others in digital environments.” “School is the place where new generations can learn to seek and love the truth, to reflect on the meaning of life and to recognize the dignity of every person.” “Yet parents have the primary and inalienable right to choose the kind of education and formation for their children, in a manner consistent with their moral, cultural and religious convictions.” Proverbs 22:6, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I need greater wisdom in helping children or young people navigate digital life?
2. What digital habit is shaping the imagination in my home, school, parish, or ministry?
3. How can I help a child or young person recognize manipulation, falsehood, cruelty, or pressure without shame?
4. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to protect silence, prayer, family conversation, and real friendship?
5. What concrete act of formation can I offer today to help a young heart grow in truth, dignity, judgment, and freedom?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor talks with Dr. Matthew Bunson about St. Kateri: Lily of the Mohawks, published by Our Sunday Visitor. Dr. Bunson reflects on the life and witness of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the young Native American woman whose heroic faith made her one of the most beloved saints of North America. Though she died at only 24 and was a Christian for just a few years, Kateri’s life revealed extraordinary courage, purity, perseverance, and love for Christ. Dr. Bunson explains how her conversion, her refusal to marry, her vow of chastity, and her willingness to endure rejection from her own community all point to a soul entirely given to Jesus. The conversation also places St. Kateri within the larger story of the North American martyrs, the Jesuit missionaries known as the black robes, and the spiritual legacy of the Church in New France. Dr. Bunson highlights Kateri’s mystical depth, her suffering after smallpox, her devotion to Christ, and the way her sanctity was recognized almost immediately after her death. Her life remains a powerful witness for young people, for those who suffer, for those who face rejection because of faith, and for anyone seeking courage in a culture often hostile to holiness. This episode invites listeners not only to learn about St. Kateri but also to pray with her and ask her intercession as part of the great cloud of witnesses. You can find the book here From the book description: This authoritative account of the first Native American woman to be declared a saint by the Church is sure to inspire you. Discover an extraordinary young woman who was called by Pope Blessed John Paul II, God's "bountiful gift" to His Church and a "sweet, frail yet strong figure of a young woman who died when she was only twenty-four years old: Kateri Tekakwitha, the ‘Lily of the Mohawks.'" Kateri was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Kateri Tekakwitha's faith and love for Christ in the face of overwhelming hostility and her own debilitating illnesses will encourage you as you seek God's grace to overcome challenges in your own life! She is a powerful role model for converts to the Church, young people striving for chastity, and anyone looking to deepen their own prayer life. She is also a shining example that God's call to holiness is truly universal and is heard by men and women in all walks of life and all ages. Written by experienced and prolific authors Matthew and Margaret Bunson, St. Kateri: Lily of the Mohawks is the most definitive biography of Kateri Tekakwitha. Experience the extraordinary stories of the French Jesuit missionaries, the famed Blackrobes," in the wilderness of North America and the heroic conversions of the Native Americans to the Catholic faith. Follow Kateri's life from when she contracted smallpox as a toddler – a disease that swept through her village – claiming her family and leaving her severely disfigured and half-blinded. Drawn to the Catholic faith by the Bible stories and teachings of the French Jesuits, Kateri amazed them by her perfection of the virtues, her mystical prayer life, and her total love for Christ. Kateri Tekakwitha's life of faith is an inspiration to everyone! Discerning Hearts Reflection questions 1. What does St. Kateri’s courage teach me about remaining faithful when faith brings misunderstanding or rejection? 2. How does Kateri’s joy as a convert challenge me to renew my own gratitude for the gift of faith? 3. In what ways am I called to stand firm in Christ even when family, culture or circumstances make that difficult? 4. How does St. Kateri’s suffering after smallpox help me reflect on the dignity and spiritual fruitfulness of those who suffer? 5. What does her refusal to marry and her consecration to Christ reveal about the freedom of a heart given completely to God? 6. How can the witness of the North American martyrs deepen my appreciation for the sacrifices that brought the faith to this continent? 7. Where in my life do I need greater courage to live as a witness to Christ? 8. How can St. Kateri become a companion in prayer for young people, for those who feel different or for those who are mocked for their faith? 9. What does it mean for me to “stand firm in the faith” in today’s culture? 10. How might I ask St. Kateri’s intercession for deeper purity, courage, perseverance and love for Jesus?
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 23: Truth as a Common Good In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on truth as a common good. The Holy Father reminds us that the digital transformation is reshaping the way we communicate, learn, work, argue, search for answers, and form opinions. In this environment, truth must be sought, protected, and shared with responsibility. This reflection considers how digital platforms and artificial intelligence can foster dialogue and participation, but can also blur the line between truth and falsehood. A headline, video, post, rumor, fabricated quote, or misleading summary can move quickly before anyone has time to examine it. Pope Leo XIV warns that disinformation did not begin with AI, but AI can make it more powerful. Through the light of Ephesians 4:25, this episode invites us to speak truthfully because we belong to one another in Christ. A discerning heart slows down before sharing, verifies before repeating, distinguishes fact from opinion, and asks whether its words serve charity, communion, and the dignity of the person. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Four, nos. 131 – 132: “In light of the principles of the Church’s Social Doctrine, the digital transformation invites us to rediscover truth as a common good, to protect the dignity of work and to safeguard freedom against all forms of dependence and commercialization.” “The use of digital platforms and AI systems is driving profound changes in public and political communication. Tools that could foster dialogue and participation are often used to construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood, mixing facts with opinions.” “Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI.” Ephesians 4:25, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did I react before seeking the truth?
2. Did I repeat, share, or believe something without enough care?
3. How do digital platforms or artificial intelligence shape what I trust, fear, or pass along?
4. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to speak with greater honesty, patience, and restraint?
5. What act of truthfulness can I choose today to protect charity, communion, and another person’s dignity?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Episode Eight explains Rule Six of the Discernment of Spirits and how prayer, examination, and courage resist desolation.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 22: Limits, Wounds and Grace In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on human limitation, weakness, and grace. The Holy Father warns that our age often sees incapacity, illness, old age, suffering, and vulnerability as defects to be corrected, rather than realities through which our humanity can mature and open itself to relationship. This reflection considers how easily weakness can become a place of shame. A person may fear needing help, feel embarrassed by dependence, resent the limits of illness, or believe that failure has become the final word. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the Christian answer is not enhanced self-sufficiency, but a relationship that liberates and a communion that transforms. Through the light of 2 Corinthians 12:9, this episode invites us to bring our limits honestly before Christ. A discerning heart learns that shame and isolation do not come from the Lord. Grace does not erase our humanity. Grace heals, lifts, and transforms it, allowing even our wounds and limitations to become places where love can enter. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Three, nos. 118 and 124: “Our relationship with life seems to be in crisis today. Everything that appears as a ‘limit’ — incapacity, illness, old age, suffering, vulnerability — tends to be seen primarily as a defect to be corrected, rather than as a reality through which our humanity matures and opens itself to relationship.” “When we embrace the possibility of transcending ourselves through God’s grace, we do not deny our nature, nor do we become less human.” “What saves humanity is not enhanced self-sufficiency, but a relationship that liberates, a communion that transforms.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, RSV–Catholic Edition
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did I feel ashamed of weakness, dependence, or limitation?
2. How did I respond to someone else’s vulnerability, suffering, or need for patience?
3. Where am I tempted to grasp for control instead of receiving grace?
4. What wound, limit, or repeated weakness needs to be brought honestly before Christ?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to receive care, offer patience, and trust that grace can transform what I cannot control?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Sower and the Seed – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this reflection on the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Msgr. John Esseff contemplates Jesus as the divine Sower who plants the seed of the Kingdom of God throughout the world. Through the parables of the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast, he reveals that Christ continually sows goodness while the devil seeks to sow evil. Rather than becoming discouraged or quick to judge, Christians are called to trust God's wisdom as his Kingdom quietly grows within human hearts and throughout the world. Drawing on the insights of St. Augustine and Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Msgr. Esseff explains that the visible Church contains both saints and sinners, while the true Kingdom of God is found wherever Christ reigns within the soul. Through moving stories of a child strengthened by suffering, a father who grew steadily in holiness, and a seminarian who discovered Christ after years away from the faith, he shows how God's grace often works in hidden and unexpected ways. The reflection concludes with a message of hope and perseverance. The Kingdom frequently begins like a tiny seed and grows slowly through faith, suffering, prayer, and daily conversion. Rather than despairing over the darkness of the world or the struggles within our own families, we are invited to continue praying, trusting that Christ never stops sowing the good seed and that his Kingdom will reach its fullness in God's perfect time. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How is Christ sowing the seed of his Kingdom in my life today? 2. What keeps me from trusting God when I see evil or confusion in the world or the Church? 3. Where have I witnessed God's grace quietly growing through suffering, patience, or perseverance? 4. Who in my family or among my friends needs my faithful prayer rather than my judgment? 5. How can I cooperate more fully with Christ as he continues to sow the good seed in my heart?
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 21: What Must Not Be Lost In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s warning about what must not be lost in the age of artificial intelligence. The Holy Father teaches that the danger is not only the misuse of certain technologies, but the spread of an anti-human vision in which efficiency, control, and optimization become the measure of life. This reflection considers how easily the human person can be reduced to a project to be improved, managed, or measured. A worker can become a set of performance numbers. A student can see learning only as competition. A caregiver can feel the frustration of love that cannot be made efficient. Even a ministry can be tempted to measure spiritual fruit only by reach, data, response, or growth. Pope Leo XIV gives us a different measure: the quality of a civilization is seen in the care it is able to offer. Through the light of Matthew 9:36, this episode invites us to recover the human gestures that keep love alive. A discerning heart asks where it has treated someone as a task, interruption, or function, and where the Holy Spirit is inviting real care, patient presence, and recognition of the face before us. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Three, nos. 112-114: “The risk extends beyond the misuse of certain technologies. More gravely, the pervasive technocratic paradigm in which we are immersed, and that is amplified by the digital revolution and AI, threatens to normalize an anti-human vision.” “When efficiency becomes the ultimate measure of value, human beings are tempted to see themselves as a project to be optimized rather than as persons called to relationship and communion.” “The quality of a civilization is measured not by the power of its means, but by the care it is able to offer, by its ability to recognize the other as a face not merely as a function.” Matthew 9:36, RSV–Catholic Edition
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where have I treated myself as a project to be optimized, improved, or measured?
2. Where did I see someone as a task, interruption, or function rather than as a face?
3. How has efficiency, control, or constant improvement weakened my capacity for patience and care?
4. What ordinary gesture of love is the Holy Spirit inviting me to recover today?
5. Who needs my real presence, attention, and compassion, so that they may know they are seen and loved?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 20: Disarming AI In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to “disarm” artificial intelligence. The Holy Father is not calling for the rejection of technology, but for technological power to be freed from rivalry, secrecy, monopolistic control, and domination, so that it may truly serve the human person. This reflection considers why responsibility, transparency, oversight, participation, and subsidiarity matter in the development and use of AI. People and communities should not be passive recipients of decisions made by distant systems, powerful platforms, or hidden algorithms. When technology affects access, work, medical care, services, communication, or daily life, human dignity requires that people have a voice, a way to ask questions, and a path to correct what harms the vulnerable. Through the light of Micah 6:8, this episode invites us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God wherever power touches human life. A discerning heart asks who is affected, who has a voice, who is protected, and whether technology is helping us become more responsible, more humane, and more attentive to the person behind the system. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Three, nos. 108-110: “Communities and intermediary organizations must not be reduced to passive recipients of decisions made elsewhere; they must be able to contribute to discernment and oversight.” “To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity. It means freeing technology from monopolistic control and opening it to discussion and debate, therefore making it human-friendly and restoring it to the plurality of human cultures and ways of life.” Micah 6:8, RSV–Catholic Edition
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where have I encountered hidden power in a system, platform, algorithm or decision?
2. How do I respond when technology makes it harder for someone to be heard, helped or treated with dignity?
3. Where might convenience be making me less attentive to the person behind the system?
4. How can I use knowledge, access or influence in a way that serves justice, kindness and human dignity?
5. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to take greater responsibility for the human effects of the tools I use?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
G. K. Chesterton and The Man Who Was Thursday – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore G.K. Chesterton’s The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare, one of the most imaginative and philosophically rich novels of the twentieth century. Through the adventures of Gabriel Syme, a poet recruited as an undercover detective to infiltrate a secret anarchist council, Chesterton weaves together mystery, paradox, humor, and theological insight. Pearce explains that beneath the detective story lies a profound exploration of nihilism, the search for objective truth, and the ultimate question of whether the universe is governed by chaos or by divine order. The discussion highlights how Chesterton uses paradox to awaken readers to the wonder of reality and to challenge the assumptions of modern skepticism. As Syme's journey unfolds, appearances continually prove deceptive, inviting both the characters and the reader to see the world with new eyes. Pearce also reflects on the novel’s close relationship to Chesterton’s Orthodoxy, noting that both works celebrate humility, surprise, and the joyful discovery that beneath the apparent confusion of life lies the goodness and providence of God. Though initially perplexing, The Man Who Was Thursday rewards careful reading with profound insights into faith, reason, freedom, and the Christian vision of reality. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Gabriel Syme discovers that reality is often very different from first appearances. When have you experienced a situation where God revealed a deeper truth than you first perceived? 2. Chesterton contrasts the chaos of nihilism with the order and goodness of creation. How does our culture today struggle with similar questions about truth and meaning? 3. The novel repeatedly invites readers to embrace surprise and wonder. How can cultivating gratitude and humility help us recognize God's presence in ordinary life? 4. Chesterton suggests that bad philosophy can be more destructive than individual wrongdoing. What ideas or assumptions in our culture most threaten an authentic understanding of the human person? 5. Throughout the story, characters undergo unexpected moments of conversion and deeper understanding. How has God used confusion, uncertainty, or even suffering to deepen your own faith? 6. Pearce notes that The Man Who Was Thursday shares many themes with Orthodoxy, especially the discovery that beneath the apparent chaos of life lies divine providence. How does trusting God's providence change the way we face uncertainty and fear?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 19: What AI Can and Cannot Be In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that artificial intelligence can imitate certain functions of human intelligence, while remaining profoundly different from the human person. The Holy Father recognizes the real benefits of AI, especially its ability to process information quickly, assist with complex tasks, and offer practical help in many fields. This reflection considers why discernment is needed when a tool becomes impressive enough to imitate language, empathy, and understanding. AI can summarize, analyze, draft, translate, and generate responses, but it does not love, suffer, forgive, pray, take responsibility, or grow through grace. It has no body, conscience, or personal relationship with God. Through the light of Psalm 119:66, this episode invites us to ask God for good judgment and knowledge. A discerning heart uses tools with freedom and vigilance. It does not surrender thinking, prayer, study, conscience, or real human relationship to the search for ready-made answers. AI may assist the human person, but it cannot replace the human journey of becoming wise in Christ. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 99-100: “These systems merely imitate certain functions of human intelligence. In doing so, they often surpass human intelligence in speed and computational capacity, offering tangible benefits across many fields. Yet this power remains entirely tied to data processing.” “AI can be a valuable tool and, at the same time, calls for a measured and vigilant approach… The speed and simplicity with which information, complex analyses, media content and practical assistance can be accessed undoubtedly makes life easier. Yet they can also encourage excessive reliance and the search for ready-made answers, and weaken personal creativity and judgment.” Psalm 119:66, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where have I looked for a ready-made answer instead of taking time to think, pray or discern?
2. How can I use artificial intelligence as a tool without surrendering my judgment, conscience or responsibility?
3. Where might a digital tool be making me more passive, less creative or less attentive to real relationships?
4. What human act is the Lord asking of me today that no machine can replace?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to use technology with greater freedom, vigilance and love?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Listening to God's Voice…Obedience – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on one of the central themes of the Rule: obedience as the art of deep listening. Drawing from Chapter 5, St. Benedict teaches that obedience is far more than external compliance. Rooted in the Latin oboedire, meaning "to listen," it is an attentive response to the voice of God. Fr. Mauritius explains that this kind of obedience is not blind or slavish but a lifelong process of learning to surrender one's own will in love and trust. As humility deepens, obedience becomes less about obligation and more about freely responding to God's invitation. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius explores the relationship between obedience, trust, discernment, and freedom. He acknowledges that obedience can involve struggle, sacrifice, and even suffering, especially when authority is imperfect. Yet St. Benedict's wisdom encourages careful discernment while reminding us that Christ can speak through others and through the circumstances of our lives. Sharing stories from monastic life and the witness of the saints, Fr. Mauritius illustrates how faithful obedience often reveals God's providence in ways that only become clear with time, leading the believer toward greater freedom, maturity, and love. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 5: From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict: CHAPTER V Of Obedience
The first degree of humility is obedience without delay. This becometh those who, on account of the holy subjection which they have promised, or of the fear of hell, or the glory of life everlasting, hold nothing dearer than Christ. As soon as anything hath been commanded by the Superior they permit no delay in the execution, as if the matter had been commanded by God Himself. Of these the Lord saith: "At the hearing of the ear he hath obeyed Me" (Ps 17[18]:45). And again He saith to the teachers: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16).Such as these, therefore, instantly quitting their own work and giving up their own will, with hands disengaged, and leaving unfinished what they were doing, follow up, with the ready step of obedience, the work of command with deeds; and thus, as if in the same moment, both matters — the master's command and the disciple's finished work — are, in the swiftness of the fear of God, speedily finished together, whereunto the desire of advancing to eternal life urgeth them. They, therefore, seize upon the narrow way whereof the Lord saith: "Narrow is the way which leadeth to life" (Mt 7:14), so that, not living according to their own desires and pleasures but walking according to the judgment and will of another, they live in monasteries, and desire an Abbot to be over them. Such as these truly live up to the maxim of the Lord in which He saith: "I came not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38). This obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men then only, if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling or complaint, because the obedience which is rendered to Superiors is rendered to God. For He Himself hath said: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16). And it must be rendered by the disciples with a good will, "for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). " For if the disciple obeyeth with an ill will, and murmureth, not only with lips but also in his heart, even though he fulfil the command, yet it will not be acceptable to God, who regardeth the heart of the murmurer. And for such an action he acquireth no reward; rather he incurreth the penalty of murmurers, unless he maketh satisfactory amendment. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that obedience begins with listening. How attentive am I to God's voice in prayer, Scripture, and the people He places in my life?
2. When I encounter guidance or correction, is my first response resistance, openness, or discernment?
3. How has trust, or the lack of it, shaped my willingness to follow God's direction through others?
4. Have there been moments when obedience seemed difficult but later revealed God's providence in ways I could not have anticipated?
5. In what areas of my life is God inviting me to surrender my own will more fully to His loving purposes?
6. How can I grow in the kind of joyful obedience that flows not from fear or obligation, but from love for Christ?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 18: When Efficiency Becomes the Measure In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s warning about the technocratic paradigm. The Holy Father teaches that technology is not simply a tool when it becomes the standard by which everything is judged. When efficiency, control, profit, and measurable results become the main measure of decisions, the dignity of the human person can be pushed aside. This reflection considers how the technocratic mindset enters ordinary life. Workplaces can prize productivity while ignoring exhaustion. Schools can reduce a struggling child to a score. Health systems can become efficient while leaving the elderly unseen. Even ministry can be tempted to measure fruit only by numbers, clicks, downloads, or reach, rather than by the hidden work of grace in the soul. Through the light of Matthew 16:26, this episode invites us to ask what truly measures a human life. A discerning heart notices where efficiency has become more important than love, where technology has begun to shape impatience, and where the Holy Spirit is calling us back to the slower, deeper measure of Christ. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 92-94: “Technology is not simply a tool. When it becomes the standard by which everything is judged, it begins to dictate what matters and what can be discarded, reducing creation to an object of exploitation and human beings to mere cogs in a system driven toward ever greater efficiency.” “Technological progress, valuable in itself, requires careful discernment of the anthropological vision that guides it and the ends it pursues. If technological development advances without a corresponding ethical and social progress, the result may be an increase in means without a growth in humanity: ‘having more’ without ‘being more.’” Matthew 16:26, RSV–Catholic Edition
“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did efficiency become more important than love today?
2. Who did I treat as an interruption, an obstacle, or a task instead of a person?
3. Where am I tempted to measure my worth by productivity, usefulness, or visible results?
4. What tool, habit, system, or expectation needs to be placed again under the light of Christ?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to slow down, choose presence, and measure my life by love?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 17: Justice That Begins with the Least Among Us In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. The Holy Father reminds us that Christ identifies Himself with the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the stranger, and the vulnerable. Justice begins when the “least among us” is no longer an idea, but a person placed before us. This reflection considers how the Gospel sharpens our sight and asks us to notice those who are easily overlooked. The elderly neighbor, the family embarrassed to ask for help, the person who stands alone after Mass, the worker treated as disposable, and the person excluded by poverty, illness, or lack of access all belong within the concern of Christian love. Pope Leo XIV also brings this teaching into the world of technology and artificial intelligence. Innovations can foster participation and justice, or they can deepen inequality, control, and exclusion. Through the light of Matthew 25:40, this episode invites us to ask whether our choices help others live with greater dignity, deeper communion, and more room for God. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 77 and 85: “For the Christian community, social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims the ‘good news to the poor’ (Lk 4:18) and identifies himself with the lowly, the sick, the imprisoned and strangers (cf. Mt 25:31-46).” “Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, are not neutral, for they can either foster participation and justice or exacerbate inequality, control and exclusion. For this reason, they must be evaluated by asking a crucial question: Do they truly help individuals and peoples to become more humane and fraternal, while respecting our common home and future generations?” Matthew 25:40, RSV–Catholic Edition
“As you did it to one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it to me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Who was easy for me to overlook today?
2. Where did I notice someone being treated as a problem, a burden, or an inconvenience instead of a brother or sister?
3. How is the Lord asking me to recognize Him in the poor, the sick, the stranger, or the vulnerable?
4. Where might technology, convenience, or efficiency be making someone less visible to me?
5. What concrete choice can I make today to help another person live with greater dignity, justice, and belonging?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
This reflection on Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas considers the common good as the social expression of every person’s dignity.
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Seven: Rule Five – Never Make a Change in Time of Desolation Episode 7 -The Fifth Rule: In time of desolation never to make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly. Episode Seven of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free focuses on Rule Five, one of the most decisive and practical rules in Ignatian discernment. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains why this rule has the power to protect the spiritual life over an entire lifetime. Rule Five is direct and uncompromising. In times of spiritual desolation, never make a change. The rule applies to any spiritual proposal that was in place before the desolation began. Prayer commitments. Retreat plans. Parish involvement. Spiritual direction. Even major vocational decisions. When desolation is present, change must wait. Fr. Gallagher explains why Ignatius insists on this rule without exception. In spiritual consolation, the good spirit guides and counsels. In spiritual desolation, it is the enemy who guides and counsels. The thoughts that arise during desolation may feel convincing. They may sound reasonable. Yet they do not lead to clarity or peace. They lead away from it. Through concrete examples, Fr. Gallagher shows how Rule Five works in daily life. A person feels heaviness in prayer and considers canceling a meeting with a pastor. Another feels discouraged and wants to abandon a retreat planned months earlier. In each case, the questions are the same. Am I in a time of spiritual desolation? Am I considering changing something that was decided before the desolation began? When the answer to both is yes, the response is firm. Do not change. The episode carefully distinguishes spiritual desolation from non-spiritual desolation. Physical exhaustion, anxiety, or emotional strain may require practical changes, such as rest or balance. Yet even here, Ignatius’s wisdom often applies. Many discouraging thoughts still arise from desolation and must be resisted, not obeyed. Fr. Gallagher explains that Rule Five does not mean changes are never made. Changes may be considered in times of peace, tranquility, or spiritual consolation. They must be made prayerfully and wisely. What Ignatius forbids is change during desolation, when judgment is clouded, and discouragement distorts reality. To illuminate the rule, Fr. Gallagher draws on an image from J. R. R. Tolkien. He recalls the scene in which Frodo receives a small light with the words, “This will be a light when all other lights go out.” Rule Five serves the same purpose. When darkness presses in and everything urges change, this rule becomes a steady light that preserves freedom. Fr. Gallagher concludes by returning to Ignatius himself. Even at the height of his sanctity, Ignatius experienced profound spiritual desolation. Thoughts arose urging him to abandon plans already discerned. Because he recognized desolation and remained firm, clarity returned. The discernment was completed. Peace followed. Episode Seven presents Rule Five as a lifelong companion. It is a rule that saves the heart from confusion. It protects decisions made in grace. It becomes a steady guide when all other lights seem to fail. DOS7-REV Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Can you recall moments when discouragement urged you to abandon a spiritual commitment? 2. How do you recognize heaviness of heart in your own experience of prayer? 3. What spiritual proposals were in place in your life before recent struggles began? 4. How does knowing Rule Five change the way you interpret discouraging thoughts? 5. Where might firmness and fidelity bring freedom rather than rigidity?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius insist that Rule Five admits no exceptions? 2. How do the examples in this episode help clarify the danger of change in desolation? 3. Why do discouraging thoughts often feel convincing during desolation? 4. How does the Tolkien image help illuminate the purpose of Rule Five? 5. How might this rule protect parish communities and leaders from burnout or retreat?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola, click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola"
This reflection on Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas considers the common good as the social expression of every person’s dignity.
This reflection on Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas considers the common good as the social expression of every person’s dignity.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 13: A Dignity That Cannot Be Earned In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that human dignity cannot be earned, purchased, produced, or justified. The Holy Father warns against the dangerous idea that a person’s worth depends on efficiency, achievement, usefulness, or success. This reflection considers how easily that lie enters ordinary life. A person may feel valuable only when performing well, serving constantly, being praised, staying strong, or keeping pace with others. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every human being has ontological dignity, the dignity that belongs to each person simply by existing, and by being willed, created, and loved by God. Through the light of Isaiah 43:1, this episode invites us to receive our worth from the Father, not from performance or approval. A discerning heart notices where it is trying to prove its worth, where it is measuring others by usefulness, and where the Holy Spirit is inviting reverence for the dignity that no sin, failure, humiliation, or exclusion can erase. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 51-53: “Among these ideologies, I consider particularly insidious the one that suggests that every person must earn or justify his or her own worth, to the point of attributing greater value to those who are more efficient or effective. From this perspective, persons end up being reduced to a means of achieving results, a resource to be used and exploited, and are no longer recognized as a proper end in themselves who should never be instrumentalized. The value of persons, however, does not depend on what they achieve or produce.” “In addition to these notions, there is also the more profound and important level of ontological dignity. This is the dignity that belongs to every human being simply by virtue of existing, of having been willed, created and loved by God. No sin, failure, humiliation or exclusion can diminish the profound value of a human life that God has willed and called into being.” “The fundamental dignity of each person, therefore, is neither acquired nor earned, nor does it need to be justified.” Isaiah 43:1, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where am I tempted to believe that my worth depends on usefulness, achievement, or approval?
2. How do I react when weakness, dependence, failure, or exhaustion makes me feel less valuable?
3. Where have I measured another person by efficiency, convenience, success, or how well they meet my expectations?
4. What wounded belief about my dignity needs to be brought before the Lord for healing?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to honor the dignity of someone who may be overlooked, dependent, difficult, or vulnerable?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 12: Created for Communion In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we enter Chapter Two of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas and reflect on the human person created in the image of the Triune God. The Holy Father teaches that Catholic Social Doctrine begins with the mystery of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is love in perfect relationship. This reflection considers what it means to be created for communion. Communion is deeper than contact, activity, or being surrounded by people. It is life opened to God and to others in truth, love, and self-giving. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every human person is planned and willed by God, and called into relationship with Him, with others, and with creation. Through the light of Genesis 1:26, this episode invites us to see every person as bearing the image of God. A discerning heart asks where communion has been weakened by isolation, fear, contempt, distraction, or impatience. In Christ, the human person is called back into relationship, reverence, mercy, and love. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 45: “The Church’s Social Doctrine brings us to the very heart of our faith: the mystery of the living God, revealed in Jesus Christ, who, as a communion of Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is love itself in relationship, expressed in the mutual gift of self and in sharing with the world… Created for relationship, every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with him, with others and with creation.” Genesis 1:26, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where did I experience true communion with God, another person, or creation today?
2. Where have I reduced someone to a role, an opinion, an inconvenience, or a disappointment?
3. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to see the person before the problem?
4. What relationship in my life needs patience, reverence, mercy, or healing?
5. How can I take one concrete step today toward deeper communion with God and others?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 11: Interpreting History in the Light of Faith In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that the Church’s Social Doctrine developed through a patient process of reading history in the light of the Gospel. The Church does not change the Gospel to fit the age. She brings the questions, sufferings, and challenges of each age before Christ, seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. This reflection considers how the Church has responded to the “new things” of history: labor struggles, war, poverty, inequality, development, technology, and now artificial intelligence. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that this teaching safeguards a single heritage: the dignity of the person, the value of work, the universal destination of goods, solidarity, subsidiarity, care for creation, peace, and fraternity. Through the light of Romans 8:28, this episode invites us to read our own history with faith. A discerning heart brings memories, wounds, responsibilities, and difficult changes before the Lord, asking where grace has been present, where healing is needed, and where God is patiently drawing good from what we place in His hands. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 45: “Considering this historical overview, it is clear that the Church’s Social Doctrine is not the result of a project devised at a desk, but rather the product of a patient process in which each pontiff, together with the Second Vatican Council, made a unique contribution in light of the ‘new things’ of each particular era. In response to the challenges of their time, each one interpreted historical changes according to the Gospel, bringing to light different aspects of a single heritage: the dignity of the person, the value of work, the universal destination of goods, solidarity and subsidiarity, care for creation and the centrality of peace and fraternity.” Romans 8:28, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How have I been interpreting the events of my life, especially the difficult or confusing ones?
2. Where has fear, discouragement, or accusation shaped the way I remember something?
3. What part of my personal history needs to be brought before the Lord in prayer?
4. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to see God’s patient work more clearly?
5. How can the Church’s Social Doctrine help me respond to this age with faith, hope, and love?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 10: Truth Shared, Not Possessed In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that truth is “a gift to be shared, not a possession to be monopolized.” The Holy Father reminds us that the Church’s Social Doctrine is not about domination, control, or cultural power. It is a service to communion, rooted in the Gospel and offered for the good of the human person. This reflection considers how even truth can be misused when it is separated from charity. In family life, ministry, parish conversations, and public debate, we may be tempted to use truth as a weapon, a shield, or a way to appear superior. Pope Leo XIV invites us to a different path: one marked by humility, patience, shared discernment, and trust in the slow work of grace. Through the light of Ephesians 4:15, this episode invites us to speak the truth in love. A discerning heart asks whether its words serve communion, whether correction is guided by charity, and whether truth is first allowed to judge and convert the heart before being offered to others. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 25 and 27: “Understanding that the truth is a gift to be shared, not a possession to be monopolized, frees the Church from the temptation of seeking forms of presence based on power… What matters most is not occupying positions of power or defending cultural strongholds, but initiating good processes and enabling them to mature.” “Social Doctrine can be seen more authentically. It is not a handbook of principles and norms to be applied, but a process of shared discernment. It is born from the encounter between the eternal truth of the Gospel and the questions of history.” Ephesians 4:15, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where am I tempted to use truth as a weapon, a shield, or a way to appear superior?
2. How can I speak truth more clearly, humbly, and lovingly in a difficult conversation?
3. Where do I need patience, rather than control, as grace begins its slower work?
4. Before I correct, respond, or post, do I ask whether my words will serve communion?
5. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to receive truth as a gift that first converts my own heart?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 9: Listening to the Voices of Our Time In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we enter Chapter One of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas. The Holy Father reminds us that the Church is present in the world as “a sign of unity for the entire human family.” She does not stand apart from the struggles of humanity, but walks with the human family through listening, dialogue, and service. This reflection considers why the Church speaks about technology, work, economics, family life, communication, politics, war, and peace. These concerns are not separate from the Gospel. They are the real places where people live, suffer, hope, choose, and search for meaning. The Church brings the light of Christ into these concrete realities because human dignity is always at stake. Through the light of Ephesians 2:17, this episode invites us to become signs of Christ’s peace in the world. A discerning heart listens before speaking, seeks communion before reaction, and serves the person before trying to control the outcome. Christ entered history and drew near to humanity. His Church, and each of His disciples, is called to carry that same nearness into the wounds, questions, and hopes of the human family. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 19: “Gaudium et Spes reminds us that ‘it is the task of the whole People of God, particularly of its pastors and theologians, to listen to and distinguish the many voices of our times and to interpret them in the light of God’s word, in order that the revealed Truth may be more deeply penetrated, better understood and more suitably presented.’ Listening to the ‘many voices’ is no mere sociological exercise, but instead requires spiritual discernment. Guided by the Spirit, the People of God come to recognize in cultural and social transformations both the signs of the presence of Christ, who comes and guides history toward its fulfilment, and those aberrations that obscure his face.” Ephesians 2:17, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What voices have been shaping my heart, my thoughts, and my reactions?
2. Where have I reacted quickly before testing what I heard in the light of Christ?
3. Does the voice I am listening to lead me toward faith, hope, charity, and peace?
4. Where do I need the Holy Spirit to help me distinguish truth from fear, confusion, or contempt?
5. What voice, habit, or repeated thought should I bring before the Lord today for discernment and healing?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Six: Rule Four – Understanding Spiritual Desolation Episode 6 -The Fourth Rule: Of Spiritual Desolation. I call desolation all the contrary of the third rule, such as darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly, the unquiet of different agitations and temptations, moving to want of confidence, without hope, without love, when one finds oneself all lazy, tepid, sad, and as if separated from his Creator and Lord. Because, as consolation is contrary to desolation, in the same way the thoughts which come from consolation are contrary to the thoughts which come from desolation. Episode Six of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free turns to Rule Four, which addresses the experience St. Ignatius of Loyola calls spiritual desolation. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains why this rule is one of the most valuable and practical teachings in Ignatian discernment. Fr. Gallagher begins by naming spiritual desolation as the direct opposite of spiritual consolation. Where consolation lifts the heart, desolation weighs it down. Ignatius describes it through lived experience rather than abstract definition. Spiritual desolation includes darkness of soul, interior disturbance, confusion, sadness, and a loss of confidence, hope, and love. The heart feels heavy. God feels distant. Prayer feels empty. To make this concrete, Fr. Gallagher shares the story of Alice. She is a woman who loves the Lord and has served faithfully in her parish for years. After moving to a new town, she struggles to connect in her new parish. Over time, discouragement grows. In prayer, she feels abandoned by God. Though she remains faithful, everything feels hopeless and meaningless. This lived experience captures what Ignatius means by spiritual desolation. Fr. Gallagher carefully distinguishes spiritual desolation from non-spiritual desolation. Non-spiritual desolation may arise from physical exhaustion, emotional strain, anxiety, or depression. These experiences are part of ordinary human life. Yet Ignatius warns that when non-spiritual desolation becomes excessive or prolonged, it easily spills into the spiritual life. Fatigue, imbalance, and emotional heaviness can weaken prayer and openness to grace. Because of this, Fr. Gallagher stresses the importance of wise care for the whole person. Attention to rest, balance, and physical well-being often resolves struggles that appear spiritual. He recalls the wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila, who once advised a sister struggling in prayer to sleep more. Caring for the human dimension strengthens the spiritual life. Ignatius then describes the specific signs of spiritual desolation. These include confusion, anxiety, a pull toward lower and earthly distractions, and a desire to abandon prayer and spiritual practices. Activities once loved become burdensome. The heart feels slothful, tepid, and sad. Above all, the person feels as if separated from God. Fr. Gallagher highlights Ignatius’s careful wording. God is not absent. The feeling of abandonment is real, but it is not true. This sense of isolation is the deepest lie of spiritual desolation. The enemy seeks to convince the heart that it is alone and powerless. Fr. Gallagher explains that recognizing this lie is the beginning of freedom. No saint has been spared from such experiences. Growth comes not from avoiding desolation, but from understanding it and responding wisely. Fr. Gallagher clarifies an important distinction. Spiritual desolation is not the same as the dark night described by St. John of the Cross. The dark night is a purifying work of God in prayer and must be accepted with trust. Spiritual desolation, by contrast, is always a work of the enemy. God never gives spiritual desolation. He permits it. Therefore, the correct response is always to reject it. The episode concludes by returning to Ignatius’s central teaching. The thoughts that arise in consolation and desolation are always contrary. When discouraging thoughts arise in desolation, they must not be trusted. When they are recognized and rejected, the heart regains freedom. Discernment restores hope. Captives are set free. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Can you recognize times when discouragement affected your prayer or desire to serve? 2. How do you experience heaviness of heart in your relationship with God? 3. Are there non-spiritual factors that may influence your spiritual life right now? 4. Have you noticed a pull toward distractions during difficult moments of prayer? 5. How does knowing that desolation is a lie change the way you respond to it?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius consider teaching on spiritual desolation so important?
2. How does the story of Alice help clarify Rule Four?
3. Why is it important to distinguish spiritual from non-spiritual desolation?
4. What dangers arise when decisions are made during times of desolation?
5. How does this rule bring hope to those facing discouragement in parish life? The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola"
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 8: The Church Walks with Humanity In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we enter Chapter One of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas. The Holy Father reminds us that the Church is present in the world as “a sign of unity for the entire human family.” She does not stand apart from the struggles of humanity, but walks with the human family through listening, dialogue, and service. This reflection considers why the Church speaks about technology, work, economics, family life, communication, politics, war, and peace. These concerns are not separate from the Gospel. They are the real places where people live, suffer, hope, choose, and search for meaning. The Church brings the light of Christ into these concrete realities because human dignity is always at stake. Through the light of Ephesians 2:17, this episode invites us to become signs of Christ’s peace in the world. A discerning heart listens before speaking, seeks communion before reaction, and serves the person before trying to control the outcome. Christ entered history and drew near to humanity. His Church, and each of His disciples, is called to carry that same nearness into the wounds, questions, and hopes of the human family. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 15: “The Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family. She recognizes today’s questions and challenges as the current setting in which to carry out her particular vocation of listening, dialogue and service, and of being responsive to everything concerning the lives of contemporary men and women.” Ephesians 2:17, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where is the Lord inviting me to listen more deeply before I speak?
2. Do others experience my presence as a sign of unity, peace, and charity?
3. Where am I tempted to withdraw in fear, react in anger, or dismiss someone before understanding them?
4. How can I bring the light of Christ into the concrete struggles of daily life?
5. What conversation today is asking me to listen with patience, speak with truth, and serve with love?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 7: Remaining Human In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to remain profoundly human in the era of artificial intelligence. The Holy Father warns that human dignity can be threatened by new forms of dehumanization, and he invites us to safeguard the grandeur of humanity revealed fully in Christ. This reflection considers how dehumanization can begin in ordinary moments. We may become less attentive, less patient, less merciful, or less present to the person before us. In a world shaped by speed, productivity, digital distraction, and constant reaction, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that no machine can replace the human heart made for God. Through the light of John 1:14, this episode invites us to look to Christ, the Word made flesh, as the full revelation of what it means to be human. A discerning heart asks whether it is becoming more open to others, more willing to listen, and more eager to seek what unites rather than what divides. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 15: “In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates.” John 1:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where have I become less attentive, less patient, or less present to the person before me?
2. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to listen more deeply today?
3. Where am I tempted toward distraction, reaction, impatience, or division?
4. Is my heart open to others, or has it become guarded, hurried, or dismissive?
5. What concrete act of human presence can I offer today, so that Christ may make my heart more attentive, merciful, and free?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 6: Where Are We Going? In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call for shared discernment in the face of rapid cultural and technological change. The Holy Father invites us to look beneath the surface of constant emergencies, daily pressures, and social transformation, so we can ask what is shaping the human heart. Pope Leo XIV warns that, when we live only from one crisis to the next, we can lose sight of the direction of our lives. The urgent can begin to rule over the important. A person can be busy, informed, anxious, and spiritually disoriented without ever asking where the heart is being led. Through the light of Psalm 86:11, this reflection invites us to pray, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” A discerning heart pauses before reacting, asks what spirit is moving within, and chooses the path that leads toward truth, charity, peace, and the dignity of every person. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 5: “For this reason it is necessary to begin a shared discernment process for identifying the spiritual and cultural roots of ongoing transformations. If we focus only on contingencies, we risk letting the succession of emergencies dictate the direction of our path… For this very reason, crucial questions impose themselves on our conscience and can no longer be avoided: Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?” Psalm 86:11, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where am I living from urgency, reaction, or fear instead of prayerful discernment?
2. What daily habits are shaping the direction of my heart, my thoughts, and my choices?
3. Before I speak, post, decide, or react, do I ask where this choice will lead?
4. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to choose with greater freedom, patience, and trust?
5. What response today would best serve truth, charity, peace, and the dignity of the person before me?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 5: Who Holds the Power? In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to face the challenges of technological power with “clarity of thought and responsibility.” The Holy Father invites us to ask not only what new tools can do, but who directs them, who benefits from them, and whether they serve the dignity of the human person. This reflection considers how technology often shapes daily life in hidden ways. Search engines, social media platforms, apps, online services, and artificial intelligence can influence what we see, read, buy, believe, and desire. These tools can serve the good, but convenience can also make power feel invisible. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that regulation matters, but the deeper question is moral and spiritual. Through the light of 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Test everything; hold fast what is good,” this episode invites us to practice discernment in our use of technology. A discerning heart does not reject every tool out of fear, and it does not accept every tool without thought. It asks whether technology is helping us become more truthful, more attentive, more responsible, and more free to love. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 5: “It now falls to us to face the challenges of our time with clarity of thought and responsibility. It is necessary to establish adequate regulatory tools capable of upholding justice and curbing the distorting effects of technological power. Nevertheless, the issue is not limited to regulation. As Pope Francis warned, we must realistically ask ourselves who holds this power today and how they use it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I allow convenience to replace discernment in my use of technology?
2. What digital tool, platform, or habit is shaping my attention, reactions, or desires more than I realize?
3. Where do I need to ask who benefits from the technology I use, and whether it truly serves the dignity of the human person?
4. How can I “test everything” before accepting, sharing, or reacting to what I encounter online?
5. What small choice can I make today to protect freedom of heart, truth, and love in my digital life?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 4: The New Things of Our Time n this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call to seek wisdom for the “new things” of our time. Just as Pope Leo XIII responded to the social, economic, and industrial upheavals of his age in Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIV invites us to look carefully at the powerful technological changes shaping our own age. This reflection considers the rapid growth of digital life, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. These tools can serve real human goods. They can help people communicate, learn, heal, connect, and pray. Yet Pope Leo XIV reminds us that technologies woven into daily life do more than complete tasks. They can shape habits, attention, desires, relationships, and even the way we imagine what it means to be human. Through the light of James 1:5, this episode invites us to ask God for wisdom. A discerning heart receives what is good without surrendering freedom, notices when technology begins to weaken love, and chooses silence, truth, presence, and prayer. The Lord teaches us to use the tools of this age without losing the heart. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 4: “While Leo XIII spoke in his time of ‘new things’ (rerum novarum), today we cannot limit ourselves simply to repeating his insightful teachings. Instead, we must ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly technological advances… Today, however, we find ourselves facing a new situation. The power and prevalence of emerging technologies are interwoven into the fabric of daily life, shaping decision-making processes and deeply affecting the collective imagination.” James 1:5 , RSV–Catholic Edition
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I need wisdom in the way I use technology, digital media, and artificial intelligence?
2. What habit or tool helps me become more attentive to God, more present to others, and more free to love?
3. Where am I being drawn into distraction, anxiety, comparison, or false urgency?
4. How can I pause before reacting, sharing, or responding, so that my heart remains rooted in Christ?
5. What is one concrete way I can use the tools of this age, while still protecting silence, prayer, and human dignity?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
"The Souls Upward Yearning: : Clues to Our Transcendent Nature from Experience and Reason (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence)" has become one of my favorite books of all-time! Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. once again offers an incredible work that "feeds" not only the mind but also the heart. As a matter of fact, the beauty of this book, on the transcendental nature of our souls, is that it begins with the experience of the heart and then moves us to the head (which is an important flip from how we typically travel the beginnings of the spiritual journey). In part two of our conversation, we discuss, among other things, understanding the role of suffering and the spiritual battle involved in our transcendent understanding. Now why is this topic so vitally important today? Because the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting our entire society. It has robbed us of our happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and a sense of our eternal destiny. We were created for greater things and we must believe in that fundamental truth and we must help others to come to that understanding as well! This is a classic work, in its truest sense, of Christian apologetics! Absolutely not to be missed! You can find the book here “Father Spitzer displays a broad range of arguments in favor of the reality and the compelling importance of the transcendent dimension of our existence on the basis of religious literature, our interior awareness of transcendent reality, the cosmic struggle between good and evil, metaphysics, our natural desire to experience perfect goodness, love and beauty, the evidence of near-death experiences, and contemporary science, especially astrophysics.”
— Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York Take a listen to our episode we feature the first book in this great series:
Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – Finding True Happiness on Inside the Pages
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 3: A Living Wisdom for Discernment In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that the Social Doctrine of the Church is a living “legacy of wisdom.” It is not merely a set of abstract principles, but a gift given to help us see the challenges of our time in the light of Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Gospel. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the Church’s Social Doctrine gives us principles for thought, criteria for discernment and judgment, and concrete guidelines for action. In a world marked by confusion, rapid technological change, injustice, fear, and division, the Church helps us pause, pray, and ask deeper questions about the dignity of the human person, the common good, and our Christian witness. This reflection invites us to resist quick reactions, fear, contempt, and discouragement. The Holy Spirit forms the heart in wisdom so that we may see clearly, judge rightly, and act with charity. Through the light of Wisdom 9:4, we ask the Lord to give us a discerning heart that can serve truth, dignity, and peace with joy. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 3: “Today, the Social Doctrine of the Church is a legacy of wisdom, where we find principles for thought, criteria for discernment and judgment, and concrete guidelines for action. Founded on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, and in engagement with the sciences, it helps us clearly interpret the challenges of the present and identify appropriate ways for living out a clear Christian witness, with joy and in service to the world.” Wisdom 9:4, RSV–Catholic Edition
“Give me wisdom, the consort at your throne, and do not reject me from among your children.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I tend to react quickly instead of pausing to pray and discern?
2. How can the Social Doctrine of the Church help me see the dignity of the human person more clearly?
3. Where do I need the Holy Spirit to purify my judgment from fear, contempt, or discouragement?
4. What situation in my life is asking for wisdom rather than reaction?
5. How is the Lord inviting me to serve truth, dignity, or peace with joy today?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Souls Upward Yearning: Clues to Our Transcendent Nature from Experience and Reason (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence) has become one of my favorite books of all-time! Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. once again offers an incredible work that "feeds" not only the mind but also the heart. As a matter of fact, the beauty of this book, on the transcendental nature of our souls, is that it begins with the experience of the heart and then moves us to the head (which is an important flip from how we typically travel the beginnings of the spiritual journey). In part one of our conversation, we discuss how contemporary evidence indicates how we are built by God, invited by God, from the very beginning of our creation, to receive God. Fr. Spitzer, in this particular episode, sites the work of Carl Jung (psychiatrist) and Mircea Eliade (historian of religion) along with many other experts in their fields to make the case for the beauty of the transcendent soul. Now why is this topic so vitally important today? Because the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting our entire society. It has robbed us of our happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and a sense of our eternal destiny. We were created for greater things and we must believe in that fundamental truth and we must help others to come to that understanding as well! This is a classic work, in its truest sense, of Christian apologetics! Absolutely not to be missed! You can find the book here “Father Spitzer displays a broad range of arguments in favor of the reality and the compelling importance of the transcendent dimension of our existence on the basis of religious literature, our interior awareness of transcendent reality, the cosmic struggle between good and evil, metaphysics, our natural desire to experience perfect goodness, love and beauty, the evidence of near-death experiences, and contemporary science, especially astrophysics.”
— Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York Take a listen to our episode, we feature the first book in this great series:
Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – Finding True Happiness on Inside the Pages
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 2 – Cooperating with Grace In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, Kris McGregor reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that the Christian life is founded on Christ, the living stone. The Holy Father reminds us that we are not asked to build the good by our own strength alone. The Holy Spirit is already acting powerfully and mysteriously, inviting us to cooperate with grace in the real circumstances of daily life. This reflection considers how discouragement can enter when the needs around us feel overwhelming. Family struggles, cultural confusion, suffering in the world and rapid technological change can make our small acts seem insignificant. Yet Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every authentic human effort to cooperate with God for the good will be blessed by the Father. Through the light of 1 Peter 2:4, this episode invites listeners to build on Christ, trust the hidden work of grace, and respond to the good that is close at hand. A patient word, a quiet prayer, a faithful duty, or one act of love can become part of God’s work for the integral development of every human being. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 2: “Founded on Christ, the living stone, we experience the powerful and mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, and we believe that every authentic human effort to cooperate with him for the good will be blessed by our heavenly Father, in whom we place our hope. For this reason, we can diligently contribute to every initiative that builds a more just world, and we can call others to collaborate in promoting the integral development of every human being.” John 1:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I feel overwhelmed by the needs, responsibilities, or suffering around me?
2. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to cooperate with grace in one concrete situation today?
3. Where am I tempted to believe that my small act of faithfulness does not matter?
4. What good is actually before me right now, in my family, work, relationships, or prayer?
5. How does building my life on Christ, the living stone, change the way I respond to discouragement?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 2 – Cooperating with Grace In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, Kris McGregor reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that the Christian life is founded on Christ, the living stone. The Holy Father reminds us that we are not asked to build the good by our own strength alone. The Holy Spirit is already acting powerfully and mysteriously, inviting us to cooperate with grace in the real circumstances of daily life. This reflection considers how discouragement can enter when the needs around us feel overwhelming. Family struggles, cultural confusion, suffering in the world and rapid technological change can make our small acts seem insignificant. Yet Pope Leo XIV reminds us that every authentic human effort to cooperate with God for the good will be blessed by the Father. Through the light of 1 Peter 2:4, this episode invites listeners to build on Christ, trust the hidden work of grace, and respond to the good that is close at hand. A patient word, a quiet prayer, a faithful duty, or one act of love can become part of God’s work for the integral development of every human being. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 2: “Founded on Christ, the living stone, we experience the powerful and mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, and we believe that every authentic human effort to cooperate with him for the good will be blessed by our heavenly Father, in whom we place our hope. For this reason, we can diligently contribute to every initiative that builds a more just world, and we can call others to collaborate in promoting the integral development of every human being.” John 1:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I feel overwhelmed by the needs, responsibilities, or suffering around me?
2. How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to cooperate with grace in one concrete situation today?
3. Where am I tempted to believe that my small act of faithfulness does not matter?
4. What good is actually before me right now, in my family, work, relationships, or prayer?
5. How does building my life on Christ, the living stone, change the way I respond to discouragement?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor A 30-Day Journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas Episode 1 – Created by God in All Our Grandeur In this opening episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, Kris McGregor begins a 30-day prayerful journey with Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas. The reflection begins with the foundational truth that humanity is created by God “in all its grandeur.” Before considering artificial intelligence, technology or the pressures of the modern world, Pope Leo invites us to return to the mystery of the human person revealed in Christ. Drawing from the Tower of Babel, this episode reflects on the danger of building without God. Human achievement can appear impressive while the heart loses communion, humility, and reverence for the dignity of the person. Through the light of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” we are reminded that Christ reveals the true meaning of humanity. This episode invites listeners to notice where they may be tempted to measure themselves or others by usefulness, productivity or approval. Through discernment, prayer, and one simple act of love, the heart can begin again to build with God and for communion. Citations Selection from Magnifica Humanitas Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, no. 1: “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together… Whenever humanity is in danger of marring its true identity, we Christians lift our eyes to the Incarnate God, knowing that it is ‘only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear.’” John 1:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where am I tempted to build something in my life without first asking the Lord to guide me?
2. How do I sometimes measure my own worth by productivity, usefulness, approval or success?
3. Where have I failed to recognize the dignity of another person because of impatience, fear or convenience?
4. What movement of the Holy Spirit is inviting me toward humility, reverence and love today?
5. How does the mystery of the Word made flesh help me see the dignity of my own humanity more clearly?
For other episodes in this series, visit Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor To read the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas visit Vatican.va Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Five: Rule Three – Understanding Spiritual Consolation Episode 5 -The Third Rule: Of Spiritual Consolation. I call it consolation when some interior movement in the soul is caused, through which the soul comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord; and when it can in consequence love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but in the Creator of them all. Likewise, when it sheds tears that move to love of its Lord, whether out of sorrow for one’s sins, or for the Passion of Christ our Lord, or because of other things directly connected with His service and praise. Finally, I call consolation every increase of hope, faith and charity, and all interior joy which calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one’s soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord. Episode Five of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free turns to Rule Three, which addresses the experience St. Ignatius of Loyola calls spiritual consolation. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, in conversation with Kris McGregor, explains how Ignatius describes consolation through lived spiritual experience rather than abstract definition. Fr. Gallagher begins by reading Ignatius’s text, which describes consolation as an interior movement that inflames the heart with love for its Creator and Lord. This love brings peace. It draws the soul toward heavenly things. It quiets the heart in God. Ignatius lists concrete signs of this grace, including tears, joy, and an increase of faith, hope, and charity. To help listeners recognize these experiences, Fr. Gallagher shares vivid examples. He reflects on the spiritual journals of Raïssa Maritain, whose prayer reveals tenderness, nearness, and deep joy in God. He also points to moments in Scripture, such as Peter’s encounter with Christ in the boat, where the heart is gently warmed and drawn closer to the Lord. Fr. Gallagher explains that spiritual consolation can vary greatly. It may be gentle or intense. It may last only a moment or remain for a longer season. Tears may come quietly or with great force. What remains constant is the fruit. Consolation strengthens the soul. It gives peace. It draws the heart toward God and the things of salvation. The episode also clarifies an important distinction. Ignatius speaks specifically of spiritual consolation. This differs from healthy non-spiritual consolation, such as rest, beauty, friendship, or accomplishment. These natural joys are gifts from God. Yet they are not, in themselves, the basis for discernment. Discernment concerns the spiritual movements that draw the soul into a deeper relationship with God. At the same time, Fr. Gallagher shows how God often uses non-spiritual consolation as the place where spiritual consolation arises. He reflects on the experience of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whose delight in a simple scene of nature became the doorway to a profound awareness of God’s faithful and protecting love throughout her life. Episode Five helps listeners learn to recognize spiritual consolation when God gives it. It teaches how to name these experiences. It clarifies their meaning. Most importantly, it shows that the proper response to consolation is simple. It is to receive it with gratitude and allow it to strengthen the heart for the journey ahead. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Can you recall moments when your heart felt gently warmed or lifted in prayer? 2. How do you recognize peace that comes from God rather than from circumstances? 3. Have you experienced consolation that was brief but left a lasting effect? 4. What signs help you distinguish spiritual consolation from natural enjoyment? 5. How do times of consolation strengthen you for moments of difficulty?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius describe consolation through examples rather than a strict definition? 2. How do the examples shared in this episode help clarify Rule Three? 3. Why is peace such an important sign of spiritual consolation? 4. How can non-spiritual consolation become a doorway to spiritual grace? 5. What is the proper response to consolation according to Ignatian discernment?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola"
The Value of Listening and Silence – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on fear, love, and the spiritual journey toward trust in God. Drawing from Chapter 6 of the Rule on humility, St. Benedict teaches that the goal of the Christian life is to arrive at that "perfect love of God which casts out fear." Fr. Mauritius explains that fear is a natural part of being human and even plays an important role in our relationship with God. Yet the monastic path seeks to transform fear through love, allowing the soul to move from anxiety, dread, and self-protection toward confidence, reverence, and trust. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius explores how fear often arises from past wounds, vulnerability, and uncertainty about the future. Rather than denying fear or being ashamed of it, St. Benedict encourages us to acknowledge it honestly and bring it before God. Through prayer, humility, loving relationships, and perseverance, fear gradually loses its power. Sharing personal experiences from his own life, Fr. Mauritius reveals that spiritual maturity is not the absence of fear but the growth of a love so rooted in God that it can face fear with courage, hope, and trust. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 42: From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict: CHAPTER XLII That No One Speak after Complin Monks should always be given to silence, especially, however, during the hours of the night. Therefore, on every day, whether of fast or of a mid-day meal, as soon as they have risen from their evening meal, let all sit together in one place, and let one read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers, or something else that will edify the hearers; not, however, the Heptateuch or the Books of the Kings, because it would not be wholesome for weak minds to hear this part of the Scripture at that hour; they should, however, be read at other times. But if it was a fast-day, then, when Vespers have been said, and after a short interval, let them next come together for the reading of the Conferences, as we have said; and when the four or five pages have been read, or as much as the hour will permit, and all have assembled in one place during the time of the reading, let him also come who was perchance engaged in work enjoined on him. All, therefore, having assembled in one place, let them say Complin, and after going out from Complin, let there be no more permission from that time on for anyone to say anything. If, however, anyone is found to break this rule, let him undergo heavy punishment, unless the needs of guests should arise, or the Abbot should perhaps give a command to anyone. But let even this be done with the utmost gravity and moderation. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict understood that we need nourishment for both body and soul. What sources are feeding my spiritual and intellectual life? 2. How often do I set aside time for thoughtful reading, reflection, and learning? 3. Am I more inclined to collect information or to allow wisdom to shape the way I live? 4. Who have been the teachers, mentors, or spiritual guides that have helped me grow in faith? 5. In an age of constant information, how do I discern what is truly beneficial for my mind and soul? 6. What book, teaching, or spiritual practice has recently challenged me to grow closer to God? 7. How can I become more attentive to the voice of God speaking through Scripture, spiritual reading, and the wisdom of others?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Episode 6 – Know your Weapons pt. 1 – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen begin a rich discussion on one of the most hopeful themes in the spiritual life: the weapons God has given His people for the battle. Far from leaving Christians defenseless, the Lord equips them with divine means to overcome the enemy’s strongholds. Dr. Thigpen explains that these strongholds can take many forms, including sinful habits, spiritual wounds, unhealthy relationships, and patterns of thought that give the enemy a foothold. Yet the answer is not fear or frantic effort. It begins with prayer, the essential weapon that keeps the soul in living communion with God and opens the heart to His strength, wisdom, and protection. The conversation goes on to explore several foundational weapons in spiritual warfare: prayer, worship, Eucharistic adoration, fasting, and Sacred Scripture. Dr. Thigpen emphasizes that prayer is not merely asking for help, but entering more deeply into adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession. He also reflects on the power of fasting as a way of strengthening prayer and loosening the bonds of evil, and on the example of Christ in the desert, who used the Word of God as a sword against temptation. This episode is both practical and encouraging, reminding listeners that the spiritual battle is real, but so are the divine gifts placed in our hands for victory in Christ. A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Chapter 4: The weapon of prayer In writing to the Ephesians, St. Paul goes on to identify several specific pieces of armor, and weapons as well. Indispensable in this list of the spiritual warrior’s equipment is prayer. “With all prayer and supplication,” he insists, “pray at all times in the Spirit, and . . . be vigilant in all perseverance and all supplication for all the saints” (Eph 6: 18). The weapon of worship Of course, prayer isn’t just a private matter. Praying not just for others, but with others, forms an important part of spiritual warfare. And the most perfect prayer in which we can join with our fellow warriors is the prayer of the Mass. Worship is a spiritual weapon. When we worship God, we enter into His presence in a powerful way. Because demons tremble at His presence, they are reluctant to follow us there. The weapon of Eucharistic adoration Outside of Mass, the other great refuge from the Devil and his wiles is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The weapon of fasting Throughout Sacred Scripture, we find that when God’s people fast, the power of their prayers is increased, especially when they are engaged in spiritual warfare. In the Old Testament, the Lord told Isaiah that a fast properly undertaken would “loose the bonds of wickedness . . . undo the thongs of the yoke . . . let the oppressed go free” (Is 58: 6). Discerning Hearts questions for reflection 1. What stood out to you most in Dr. Thigpen’s description of spiritual strongholds? 2. Why is prayer the first and most essential weapon in spiritual warfare? 3. How does prayer keep the soul connected to God’s strength and guidance? 4. What did you find most helpful in the discussion of adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession? 5. Why is Eucharistic adoration such a powerful help in the spiritual battle? 6. How does fasting strengthen prayer and sharpen spiritual vigilance? 7. What does Jesus’ response to Satan in the desert teach us about using Sacred Scripture? 8. Which of these spiritual weapons do you most need to grow in right now? 9. What practical step can you take this week to deepen your use of prayer, fasting, worship or Scripture?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D.The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Rule Two – When the Heart Is Moving Toward God Episode 4 -The Second Rule: In the persons who are going on intensely cleansing their sins and rising from good to better in the service of God our Lord, it is the method contrary to that in the first Rule, for then it is the way of the evil spirit to bite, sadden and put obstacles, disquieting with false reasons, that one may not go on; and it is proper to the good to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing, and putting away all obstacles, that one may go on in well-doing. Episode Four of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free turns to Rule Two of the Discernment of Spirits. Fr. Timothy Gallagher explains how the spiritual dynamics change when a person is sincerely striving to turn away from sin and grow in the service of God. Fr. Gallagher begins by recalling the contrast with Rule One. When a person is moving away from God, the enemy works to facilitate that movement. When a person’s life changes direction and begins to move toward God, the two spirits act in the opposite way. The enemy now works to hinder growth. The good spirit works to support it. St. Ignatius describes this person as one who is “intensely purifying” life from sin and rising from good to better in the service of God. This includes concrete changes. Sin is resisted. Prayer becomes more faithful. Participation in the sacraments deepens. Love is expressed more intentionally in family life, work, and parish involvement. This is the ordinary path of growth for someone who desires God sincerely. Fr. Gallagher explains that in this situation, the enemy seeks to disturb the heart. Ignatius names four tactics. The enemy bites and troubles the soul. He brings a heaviness that steals peace. He places obstacles that make growth seem too difficult. He disquiets the mind with false reasoning that drains courage and clarity. Through vivid examples, Fr. Gallagher shows how these tactics appear in daily life. A person may feel sadness without knowing why. Prayer may suddenly feel dry. Discouraging thoughts may arise just as a new spiritual practice is about to begin. These experiences are not signs of failure. They are signs of opposition. At the same time, the good spirit acts powerfully and creatively. The good spirit gives courage and strength. Consolation is offered. Tears may arise. Inspirations clarify the next step. Obstacles are quietly eased and removed. God strengthens the heart in ways that are often gentle and unexpected. Fr. Gallagher illustrates this through simple moments. A word heard at Mass. A smile offered at the right time. A remembered sign of God’s care. A child’s embrace. These moments restore courage and renew peace. They allow the person to continue forward in doing good. Episode Four shows why struggle often accompanies growth. God allows trials because they become moments of decision. When resisted with grace, they lead to deeper strength and lasting spiritual maturity. Discernment makes these moments intelligible and hope-filled. This episode offers a clear and hope-filled understanding of Rule Two. It helps listeners recognize both the enemy’s discouragement and the quiet, steady action of grace that carries the heart forward. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. When you have tried to grow closer to God, have you noticed new forms of discouragement arise? 2. Can you recognize moments when peace or joy seemed to fade without an obvious reason? 3. What obstacles tend to appear when you begin new spiritual practices? 4. Where have you experienced quiet encouragement or strength that helped you continue? 5. How does understanding Rule Two change the way you interpret spiritual struggle?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why does Ignatius describe Rule Two as the opposite of Rule One? 2. How do the enemy’s tactics in Rule Two differ from those in Rule One? 3. Why is discouragement such an effective way to hinder spiritual growth? 4. How do the examples in this episode show God’s action in ordinary life? 5. How can this rule help parish communities support those who are growing in faith?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series, visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Three: Rule One – When the Heart Is Moving Away from God Episode 3 -The First Rule: In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is commonly used to propose to them apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons the good spirit uses the opposite method, pricking them and biting their consciences through the process of reason. Episode Three of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free turns to Rule One of the Discernment of Spirits. Fr. Timothy Gallagher explains how this rule applies when a person’s life is moving away from God and toward serious sin. To illuminate the rule, Fr. Gallagher draws from the conversion story of St. Augustine. Augustine’s early life was marked by powerful desires and imagined pleasures. These thoughts were engaging and compelling. They promised satisfaction and fulfillment. Yet over time, they left his heart restless, empty, and unable to find peace. Fr. Gallagher explains that this pattern reveals the action described in Rule One. When a person is moving away from God, the enemy works primarily through the imagination. Apparent pleasures are proposed and entertained. They hold the heart in patterns of sin and keep it from turning toward what brings lasting joy. At the same time, the good spirit acts in a contrary way. God works through conscience and reason. He allows discomfort, restlessness, and unease to surface. This is not punishment. It is mercy. It is the loving refusal of God to abandon the heart to a path that cannot satisfy. Through contemporary examples, Fr. Gallagher shows how this rule applies in ordinary life today. This is especially true in a culture shaped by constant images and distraction. The good spirit works patiently through conscience, relationships, and grace. The purpose is to awaken the heart to the need for change. The restlessness and dissatisfaction that feel like distance from God may actually be signs of His nearness. They may be the quiet action of love calling the heart back. Episode Three offers a clear and compassionate understanding of Rule One. It helps listeners recognize both the tactics that lead the heart away from God and the grace that draws it home. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Have you noticed times when imagined pleasures promised satisfaction but left your heart unsettled afterward? 2. When have feelings of restlessness or dissatisfaction led you to deeper reflection about your life? 3. How do images and media influence your imagination and spiritual focus? 4. Can you recognize moments when discomfort or unease in conscience may have been an invitation to change? 5. Where might God be gently calling you back through experiences that feel like an interior struggle?
Group Reflection or Study 1. How does St. Augustine’s experience help clarify the meaning of Rule One? 2. Why does Ignatius describe the action of the good spirit as “stinging and biting” the conscience? 3. How can restlessness serve as a form of mercy rather than condemnation? 4. In what ways does modern culture intensify the dynamics described in Rule One? 5. How can understanding this rule foster hope for personal and communal conversion?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts”click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
The Remedy For Fear Is Love – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on fear, love, and the spiritual journey toward trust in God. Drawing from Chapter 6 of the Rule on humility, St. Benedict teaches that the goal of the Christian life is to arrive at that "perfect love of God which casts out fear." Fr. Mauritius explains that fear is a natural part of being human and even plays an important role in our relationship with God. Yet the monastic path seeks to transform fear through love, allowing the soul to move from anxiety, dread, and self-protection toward confidence, reverence, and trust. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius explores how fear often arises from past wounds, vulnerability, and uncertainty about the future. Rather than denying fear or being ashamed of it, St. Benedict encourages us to acknowledge it honestly and bring it before God. Through prayer, humility, loving relationships, and perseverance, fear gradually loses its power. Sharing personal experiences from his own life, Fr. Mauritius reveals that spiritual maturity is not the absence of fear but the growth of a love so rooted in God that it can face fear with courage, hope, and trust. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 6: CHAPTER VI “…Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What fears most often influence my thoughts, decisions, or relationships? 2. St. Benedict teaches that perfect love casts out fear. Where do I see God inviting me to grow in trust rather than anxiety? 3. Are there past wounds or experiences that continue to shape my fears today? 4. How do I typically respond when fear arises: with avoidance, control, prayer, or openness? 5. What would it look like to bring my fears honestly before God rather than trying to manage them alone? 6. How has God's love carried me through moments when fear seemed overwhelming? 7. In what ways might God be inviting me to become a source of courage, peace, and reassurance for others?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola Fr. Timothy Gallagher with Kris McGregor Episode Two: The life of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the foundational elements of the Spiritual Exercises In Episode Two of The Discernment of Spirits: Setting the Captives Free, Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues the foundational teaching by turning directly to the lived experience of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In conversation with Kris McGregor, Fr. Gallagher recounts the dramatic events surrounding Ignatius’s conversion and the quiet interior discovery that gave birth to the discernment of spirits. This episode traces Ignatius’s life before his conversion, marked by ambition, violence, and the pursuit of worldly honor, and the pivotal injury at Pamplona that forced him into a long season of recovery. During that time of convalescence, Ignatius began to notice something new. As he reflected on thoughts of worldly success, his heart was left dry and unsettled. When he imagined imitating the saints and serving God, his heart remained peaceful and content even after the thoughts passed. Fr. Gallagher explains how this simple but profound observation became a turning point. Ignatius’s “eyes were opened a little,” allowing him to recognize patterns within his interior life. Rather than dismissing the experience, Ignatius reflected on it, pondered it, and acted upon it. This moment of awareness marked the beginning of a new way of living and ultimately led to the development of the Spiritual Exercises and the fourteen rules for discernment. Episode Two introduces the core structure of discernment that will guide the rest of the series: becoming aware of interior spiritual movements, understanding their source, and responding with action by accepting what is of God and rejecting what is not. Fr. Gallagher invites listeners to recognize that this grace is not reserved for saints alone. These moments of clarity are available in ordinary life, wherever one is willing to notice and reflect on what is happening within. This episode prepares listeners to enter more deeply into the rules themselves by grounding discernment in real human experience and the transformative power of attentive spiritual awareness. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. Can you recall times when certain thoughts left your heart restless or empty after they passed? 2. When have thoughts centered on God or service brought a deeper and more lasting peace? 3. How attentive are you to what remains in your heart after prayer, reflection, or decision-making? 4. What might it mean for your life if your “eyes were opened a little” to interior spiritual movements? 5. Where might God be inviting you to reflect more deeply rather than move quickly to action?
Group Reflection or Study 1. Why is Ignatius’s convalescence such an important setting for the birth of discernment? 2. How does this episode challenge the idea that holiness depends on extraordinary experiences? 3. What role does reflection and patience play in Ignatius’s discovery? 4. How does Ignatius’s experience help us understand spiritual freedom? 5. Why is awareness the essential first step before understanding and action?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola click here For the other episodes in this series visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” click here Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
The Holy Trinity: God's Union in Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this Trinity Sunday reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners to renew their baptismal vows and enter more deeply into the mystery of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling within the baptized soul. Drawing from John 3:16 and the Church’s profession of faith, he reflects on the Father’s love, the saving mission of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit poured into the Church and the world. Msgr. Esseff explains that baptism brings the indwelling of the Holy Trinity, uniting each person with Christ and with the communion of saints. This union also places Christians within the Church militant, where the life of God within the soul must be guarded through prayer, repentance, love and resistance to temptation. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that the Gospel is the good news of God’s love. Salvation is not about how high humanity can reach, but how low God bends in mercy. Every person is loved by God and called into eternal communion with the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How often do I reflect on the Holy Trinity dwelling within me through baptism?
2. What does it mean for me to renew my baptismal vows today?
3. Where do I need to resist temptation and remain faithful to the life of God within me?
4. How does the communion of saints strengthen my faith?
5. How can I live more consciously as a child of the Father, united with Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Dr. Vincent Ryan joins us to discuss Sven Stolpe's "The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc" Dr. Vincent Ryan joins Kris McGregor to discuss The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc by Sven Stolpe, published by Ignatius Press. Dr. Ryan explains that although Joan of Arc is one of the most written-about figures of the Middle Ages, Stolpe’s book offers a fresh and compelling approach by focusing on her mystical life rather than reducing her to a political, national, or psychological symbol. Drawing from the trial records and the later rehabilitation trial, Stolpe presents Joan as a “typical mystic,” rooted in prayer, strengthened by grace, and united to Christ through suffering. Dr. Ryan notes that Joan’s own words, preserved through the legal proceedings surrounding her life and death, allow readers to encounter her spiritual depth with unusual clarity. The conversation explores Joan’s humble confidence, her concern for the sacramental life of the soldiers she led, and her steadfast fidelity amid misunderstanding, imprisonment, and trial. Dr. Ryan highlights how Stolpe avoids both overly sentimental hagiography and modern attempts to dismiss Joan’s spiritual experiences, instead portraying her in the fullness of her historical and spiritual reality. The discussion also considers the importance of the rehabilitation trial, which helped overturn the unjust charge of heresy and provided invaluable witness testimony about Joan’s faith. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to rediscover St. Joan of Arc not only as a courageous historical figure but as a soul profoundly shaped by prayer, obedience, suffering, and love for Christ.
You can find the book here "There have been many books about Joan of Arc, but none surpass this study by a Swedish biographer in its recreation of Joan's milieu, the vividness of its narrative, and its sensitive understanding of the mystery of her life and death." —James Hitchcock, Ph. D., Author, History of the Catholic Church "As an actress who portrayed Joan of Arc on stage, this beautiful work by Sven Stolpe made her come alive again, but in a much deeper, mystical way for me. Stolpe leads us through the complex and incredible journey Heaven asked of Joan the maid. He strips away the legends about her and gets to the heart of her profound sanctity." —Mother Dolores Hart, OSB, Author, The Ear of the Heart
In place of wanting the latest….sustainability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on sustainability, stewardship, and the Benedictine wisdom of resisting the constant desire for the newest and latest things. Drawing from Chapter 31 of the Rule, St. Benedict instructs the cellarer to care for the monastery’s goods with reverence, avoiding wastefulness and treating all possessions as “sacred vessels of the altar.” Fr. Mauritius explains that Benedictine life values durability, stewardship, and responsibility toward future generations. Rather than being driven by consumerism and endless acquisition, the monk learns to value what is lasting, useful, and capable of serving the community over time. Fr. Mauritius explores how modern culture often encourages constant consumption, tying identity and happiness to acquiring the latest products and trends. The Rule offers a different vision, one rooted in stability, gratitude, and thoughtful use of resources. By slowing down, caring for what we have, and considering the needs of those who will come after us, we grow in freedom and deepen our awareness of God's gifts. Benedictine sustainability is not simply an environmental concern but a spiritual practice that helps direct the heart away from possessions and toward God. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 31: CHAPTER XXXI The Kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monastery Ought to Be Let there be chosen from the brotherhood as Cellarer of the monastery a wise man, of settled habits, temperate and frugal, not conceited, irritable, resentful, sluggish, or wasteful, but fearing God, who may be as a father to the whole brotherhood. Let him have the charge of everything, let him do nothing without the command of the Abbot, let him do what hath been ordered him and not grieve the brethren. If a brother should perchance request anything of him unreasonably, let him not sadden the brother with a cold refusal, but politely and with humility refuse him who asketh amiss. Let him be watchful of his own soul, always mindful of the saying of the Apostle: "For they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degree" (1 Tm 3:13). Let him provide for the sick, the children, the guests, and the poor, with all care, knowing that, without doubt, he will have to give an account of all these things on judgment day. Let him regard all the vessels of the monastery and all its substance as if they were sacred vessels of the altar. Let him neglect nothing and let him not give way to avarice, nor let him be wasteful and a squanderer of the goods of the monastery; but let him do all things in due measure and according to the bidding of his Abbot. Above all things, let him be humble; and if he hath not the things to give, let him answer with a kind word, because it is written: "A good word is above the best gift" (Sir 18:17). Let him have under his charge everything that the Abbot hath entrusted to him, and not presume to meddle with matters forbidden him. Let him give the brethren their apportioned allowance without a ruffle or delay, that they may not be scandalized, mindful of what the Divine Word declareth that he deserveth who shall scandalize one of these little ones: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Mt 18:6). If the community is large, let assistants be given to him, that, with their help, he too may fulfil the office entrusted to him with an even temper. Let the things that are to be given be distributed, and the things that are to be gotten asked for at the proper times, so that nobody may be disturbed or grieved in the house of God. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that the goods entrusted to us should be treated with reverence. How do I view and use the possessions God has placed in my care? 2. Am I tempted to seek happiness or fulfillment through acquiring the newest things rather than appreciating what I already have? 3. How might slowing down and living more simply create greater freedom in my spiritual life? 4. In what ways do my choices today affect future generations and the resources entrusted to them? 5. How can I grow in gratitude for the ordinary gifts and tools that support my daily life? 6. Where might God be inviting me to practice greater stewardship, moderation, and trust in His providence?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
A Brief Reflection on Prudence – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor reflect on St. Joseph as a model of prudence, describing him as a man whose prayerful reflection naturally led to decisive action. Prudence is often misunderstood as hesitation or fearfulness, when in fact it involves seeing reality clearly, seeking God’s perspective, and responding faithfully to circumstances. Through examples such as Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy and the flight into Egypt, it presents Joseph as someone deeply rooted in faith, capable of making difficult decisions with humility, courage, and trust in God. They also exploresthe enduring devotion to St. Joseph throughout Christian history and in Aquilina’s own life. Aquilina recounts personal experiences of his family’s devotion to Joseph and discusses how reverence for him flourished particularly in Latin America and French Canada. Drawing connections between the Old Testament Joseph and St. Joseph of Nazareth, it shows Joseph’s role as protector, father, and faithful servant within salvation history. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does St. Joseph’s example challenge the way I make important decisions in my daily life? 2. In what ways can prayer and silence help me recognize God’s guidance more clearly? 3. How can I practice prudence by acting faithfully instead of remaining stuck in fear or hesitation? 4. What role does examination of conscience play in helping me see myself and others truthfully? 5. How do I respond when unexpected circumstances disrupt my plans or sense of security? 6. What can I learn from St. Joseph’s quiet faithfulness in ordinary work and family life? 7. How does devotion to St. Joseph deepen my trust in God’s providence and protection? 8. In what ways can the Holy Family serve as a model for peace and unity within my own relationships? 9. How can I become more attentive to God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life? 10. What areas of my life require greater trust, obedience, and courage before God?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
Introduction – The 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits – The First Week Rules as formulated by St. Ignatius of Loyola In this foundational episode, Fr. Gallagher shares how the Ignatian teaching on the Discernment of Spirits grew out of his own priestly formation and retreat ministry. He explains that discernment is not simply about making decisions, but about learning to notice and understand the interior spiritual experience that unfolds daily within the heart and mind. These interior movements include times of spiritual energy, clarity, and desire, as well as periods of heaviness, resistance, and discouragement. Drawing from the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Gallagher introduces the fourteen rules of discernment as practical guidelines meant to be lived. These rules help people recognize what draws them closer to God, identify what leads away from spiritual freedom, and respond wisely to both consolation and desolation. He describes how movements of the heart and patterns of thought work together, shaping prayer, relationships, and daily responsibilities. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Gallagher explains why this teaching speaks so powerfully to ordinary spiritual experience. Rather than focusing on extraordinary states of prayer, the discernment of spirits addresses the realities of family life, work, parish involvement, and personal prayer. The rules provide concrete tools for navigating spiritually difficult seasons, not only enduring them, but growing through them. This FREE Discerning Hearts podcast series is designed for individual spiritual formation and can also be used effectively for small groups, parish studies, retreats, and faith-sharing gatherings. Episode One invites listeners to begin slowly, with formation, patience, and trust, allowing clarity to unfold through daily awareness. Discerning Hearts Questions for Reflection and Study Personal Reflection 1. What interior movements do you notice most often in your daily prayer or spiritual life? 2. How do times of spiritual energy differ from times of heaviness or resistance for you? 3. How do your thoughts change when your heart feels close to God compared to when it feels distant? 4. What makes it difficult to pause and notice what is happening within before reacting? 5. Where might greater awareness of your interior spiritual experience lead to deeper freedom?
Group Reflection or Study 1. How does Fr. Gallagher describe discernment as different from simple decision-making? 2. Why is it important to attend to both movements of the heart and patterns of thought? 3. What challenges arise when people encounter spiritual desolation? 4. How can learning discernment together support perseverance in the spiritual life? 5. Why do you think this teaching resonates so strongly with ordinary daily experience?
The 14 Rules for Discerning Spirits –
"The Different Movements Which Are Caused In The Soul" as outlined by St. Ignatius of Loyola can be found here For the other episodes in this series visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
Episode 5 – Know Your Commander and Comrades – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen shift the focus from the enemy to the great help God has given His people in the battle. Dr. Thigpen reflects on Jesus Christ as the victorious commander who has already conquered Satan through His Passion, death, and Resurrection. Because of Christ’s triumph, Christians do not fight from fear or uncertainty, but from hope and confidence. The conversation highlights the power of Sacred Scripture in spiritual warfare, especially the words of Christ and the witness of St. Paul and St. John, which strengthen the soul to resist accusation, doubt, and intimidation. The episode also explores the heavenly and earthly comrades who accompany Christians in the struggle. Dr. Thigpen speaks beautifully about the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose humility crushes the pride of the ancient serpent, the saints who intercede as seasoned veterans of the spiritual battle, and the holy angels who guard and assist the faithful. He also gives needed attention to the support of fellow Christians, reminding listeners that no one is meant to fight alone. Through prayer, encouragement, wise counsel, and shared faith, the Body of Christ protects and strengthens its members. This is a deeply consoling episode that reminds us the battle is real, but so is the communion of help God has placed around us. A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Discerning Hearts questions for reflection 1. How does this episode deepen your confidence in Christ’s victory over evil? 2. Why is it important to remember that Christians fight from Christ’s triumph rather than from fear? 3. What part of the discussion on Scripture most stood out to you in facing temptation and accusation? 4. How does Mary’s humility reveal the way God overcomes the pride of the enemy? 5. What comfort do you find in the saints as companions and intercessors in spiritual warfare? 6. How has your understanding of the angels been shaped or corrected by this conversation? 7. Why is spiritual friendship so important in the Christian life and in times of battle? 8. Have you experienced the encouragement of a faithful Christian friend at a moment when you needed strength? 9. What practical step can you take this week to ask more intentionally for the help of Christ, Our Lady, the saints, the angels, and your fellow Christians?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D.The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
Bram Stoker – Dracula – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Bram Stoker’s Dracula, one of the most influential and misunderstood novels in modern literature. Far more than a gothic horror story, Dracula reveals a profound spiritual battle between good and evil, faith and skepticism, life and death. Pearce explains how modern culture has radically distorted Stoker’s original vision by transforming Dracula from a monstrous embodiment of evil into a romanticized antihero. In the novel itself, Dracula is presented as a deeply demonic figure whose power is ultimately confronted not merely through science or reason, but through the sacramental life and spiritual authority of the Church. The discussion highlights the rich Christian symbolism woven throughout the novel, especially in the role of Professor Van Helsing, whose understanding of both science and faith allows him to recognize the supernatural reality behind Dracula’s evil. Crucifixes, the Blessed Sacrament, and sacramental theology are portrayed as powerful weapons against darkness, revealing Stoker’s surprising respect for Catholicism despite his Protestant background. Pearce also reflects on how the modern inversion of the vampire myth mirrors a broader cultural confusion about sin, virtue, and redemption. Dracula ultimately stands as a cautionary tale about the seductive nature of evil and the enduring need for truth, holiness, and spiritual vigilance. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Dracula presents evil as something seductive yet destructive. How can we become more aware of subtle temptations that pull us away from truth and virtue? 2. Van Helsing recognizes that science alone cannot explain every reality. How can faith and reason work together rather than oppose one another? 3. The novel portrays sacramental signs such as the crucifix and Eucharist as powerful protections against evil. What role do the sacraments and sacramentals play in your own spiritual life? 4. Modern culture often romanticizes darkness and evil. How does Dracula challenge that tendency by showing the true nature of sin? 5. The characters must act together in courage and self-sacrifice to confront evil. What does this teach us about the importance of spiritual friendship and community? 6. Pearce notes that the vampire myth reflects humanity’s hunger for the supernatural. How can we direct that longing toward God rather than toward distorted substitutes?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
In place of idealistic spirituality…acknowledging one's needs – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on the challenge of balancing spiritual ideals with the honest acknowledgment of human needs. Drawing from several passages in the Rule, especially St. Benedict’s practical guidance concerning sleep, food, drink, and daily rhythms, Fr. Mauritius highlights the deeply human realism of Benedictine spirituality. St. Benedict does not separate prayer from the realities of bodily life, but weaves together the spiritual and human dimensions of the person with remarkable wisdom and compassion. Fr. Mauritius explains that idealistic spirituality can become rigid and even harmful when it loses touch with human weakness, limitation, and need. The Rule instead offers a path of balance, humility, and truthfulness, helping the monk remain connected both to God and to his own humanity. Through stories from monastic life, reflections on prayer, and insights from the Christian tradition, this conversation reveals that authentic holiness is not found in denying our humanity, but in allowing God to enter it fully with love, mercy, and grace. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 8: CHAPTER VIII Of the Divine Office during the Night Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn. But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict acknowledges both spiritual ideals and human needs. How do I respond to my own weaknesses and limitations? 2. Have I ever approached the spiritual life with unrealistic expectations of myself or others? 3. In what ways might rigidity or perfectionism be affecting my relationship with God or with those around me? 4. How can I allow my struggles, tiredness, or weakness to become part of my prayer rather than something I try to hide? 5. Do I compare my spiritual journey to others in ways that discourage or distort my perspective? 6. Where might God be inviting me to grow in balance, humility, and trust in His mercy?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Handing on the Passover – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the Finding in the Temple through the experience of Joseph and Mary, placing the event within the rich setting of Jewish pilgrimage and Passover tradition. Aquilina explains how twelve-year-old Jesus was entering adulthood according to Jewish custom, learning from Joseph how to participate fully in the Passover rites, including the offering of the lamb and the sacred meal that foreshadowed the Eucharist. Joseph’s role as teacher and father takes on deep significance as he guides Jesus into the rituals that point toward His future sacrifice and mission. This also reflects on the anguish Mary and Joseph experienced when Jesus was missing for three days; the fear, exhaustion, and heartbreak of searching through the crowded city, while also considering the emotional shift that occurred when Jesus spoke in the Temple among the teachers. Joseph and Mary begin to recognize that Jesus is moving into a new stage of His life and vocation, creating both wonder and sorrow for them as parents. It connects this moment to the deeper meaning of the Passover meal and Christ’s institution of the Eucharist, showing how the hidden years of Jesus’ youth reveal profound spiritual and historical connections rooted in Jewish worship and family life. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does viewing the Finding in the Temple through Joseph’s perspective deepen your understanding of his role as a father? 2. What can Joseph and Mary’s anxious search for Jesus teach you about trusting God during moments of fear or uncertainty? 3. How does the Jewish Passover tradition help you better understand the meaning of the Eucharist? 4. In what ways are parents called to guide children toward faith and spiritual maturity as Joseph did with Jesus? 5. How do pilgrimage, worship, and shared prayer strengthen families and communities in faith? 6. What does Jesus remaining in the Temple reveal about His awareness of His divine mission? 7. How can reflecting on the hidden years of Jesus’ life help you grow in holiness within ordinary daily responsibilities? 8. What emotions might Joseph have experienced as he realized Jesus was entering a new stage of life and purpose? 9. How does understanding the historical and religious setting of Scripture enrich your prayer and meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary? 10. What lessons about sacrifice, obedience, and trust can you draw from this Gospel event for your own spiritual journey?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor reflect on the lifelong formation involved in recognizing spiritual consolation and desolation through the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Gallagher explains that spiritual growth comes through learning to recognize the movements of God’s grace and the discouraging tactics of the enemy, allowing a person to respond with greater clarity and freedom. He describes Ignatian spirituality as practical, simple, and deeply respectful of the human heart, rooted in the way Christ Himself encounters wounded and searching souls in the Gospels—with patience, gentleness, and profound love. The Christian journey, he says, is not merely about following rules but about entering into communion with a God who desires intimacy with humanity and accompanies people tenderly through healing and transformation. Drawing from personal experiences after his ordination, Fr. Gallagher recounts how he came to understand authentic Christian joy through the teachings of St. Paul VI and the witness of Jesus Christ. True joy is ultimately found in communion with the Triune God—a deep resting of the heart in divine love that surpasses material comforts and natural pleasures. He connects this joy to the longing of every human heart not to feel alone, pointing to Jesus’ constant union with the Father as the source of His peace and happiness. Turning to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, it shows holiness as the shared goal of every vocation, reminding us that God grants the grace needed for each step of the spiritual journey. By courageously taking those first steps, the soul is strengthened “from victory to victory” as it moves toward sanctity and lasting union with God. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can I become more aware of the movements of consolation and desolation in my daily spiritual life? 2. In what ways have I experienced God meeting me gently in moments of weakness or suffering? 3. Do I approach prayer as a relationship of love with God or merely as an obligation to fulfill? 4. What discouraging thoughts or fears most often pull me away from hope and trust in God? 5. How does the example of Jesus’ tenderness toward others challenge the way I treat myself and those around me? 6. Where do I currently seek joy, and does it lead me closer to lasting peace in God? 7. Have I allowed natural joys such as friendship, family, or beauty in creation to deepen my gratitude toward God? 8. What does it mean for me personally to know that I am never alone because God is with me? 9. How can the witness of St. Thérèse inspire me to pursue holiness in my present vocation and circumstances? 10. What first step of courage might God be asking me to take on my spiritual journey today?
An excerpt from the chapter, "Conclusion": "The day was August 8, 1897, the month before her death. Thérèse lay on her sickbed. Her sister Pauline was with her in the room. As she lay there, Thérèse pondered her life. In particular, she remembered the Christmas night eleven years earlier when she received what she had called “the grace of my complete conversion.” On that “night of light,” God’s grace and an act of courage liberated her from the nervousness and sensitivity that had oppressed her for years. Thérèse thought, too, of Judith in the Old Testament and of the courage with which she had acted. Thérèse began to speak. Many, she told her sister, feel that they lack such courage. Then she said, “God never refuses that first grace that gives one the courage to act; afterwards, the heart is strengthened, and one advances from victory to victory.” That is the message of this book. A path to liberation from discouragement, confusion, and pain in the spiritual life exists. God has not called us to captivity but to freedom. Clarity regarding the struggle is possible, and remedies are available. Begin. Take the first step. Take it now. And take it knowing that “God never refuses that first grace that gives one the courage to act; afterwards, the heart is strengthened, and one advances from victory to victory.” May that grace and that courage bless our spiritual lives." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 144). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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"Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus" by Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor speaks with Fr. Christopher Collins, SJ, author of The Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus, about a simple yet profound rhythm of prayer that can shape the whole of daily life. Rooted in Eucharistic spirituality, Ignatian prayer, and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Collins reflects on three essential moments that can anchor the day: the morning offering, the Eucharist, and the evening examen. He explains how these moments open the heart to Christ, help us unite our daily joys and sufferings to His love, and draw us into a deeper awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary movements of life. Their conversation also explores the rich meaning of devotion to the Sacred Heart, not as a sentimental image from the past, but as a living doorway into the whole Christian mystery of the Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, and Eucharist. Fr. Collins offers practical insight into discernment, spiritual growth, and the healing that comes through honest dialogue with the Lord. He shows how the daily pattern of offering, receiving, and reviewing can become a lifelong path of transformation, especially for those who desire a deeper prayer life but may not know where to begin. This episode is a beautiful invitation to pray with the heart of Jesus and to discover how God meets us in the humility, vulnerability, and grace of each day. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * How do I begin and end my day, and what might change if I consciously offer both to the Heart of Jesus?
* What part of this conversation helped me better understand devotion to the Sacred Heart as a living reality and not simply a devotional image from the past?
* In what ways is the Eucharist truly the center of my day, my prayer, and my identity as a Christian?
* How might the morning offering help me place my ordinary tasks, relationships, and sufferings into the hands of Christ?
* When I look back on my day, where do I notice moments when my heart was open in love, trust, and generosity?
* Where do I notice the places in daily life where my heart closes off through fear, discouragement, pride, or self-protection?
* How does the practice of the examen help me become more honest with the Lord about both grace and struggle?
* Am I more likely to talk to the Lord about what is happening in my heart, or to remain trapped in my own inner monologue?
* What did I hear in this episode about discernment that helps me recognize the difference between movements toward isolation and movements toward love?
* How is Jesus inviting me to let Him shape the rhythm of my life more deeply through prayer, silence, and daily offering?
* From the book description: On the strength of the Apostleship of Prayer's worldwide reach, retreat master Christopher Collins introduces a powerful approach to both the Sacred Heart devotion and classic Ignatian spirituality.
In the tradition of Michael Gaitley's bestselling 33 Days to Morning Glory, Three Moments of the Day presents a classic Catholic tradition in a way that is fresh and compelling. Jesuit retreat master Christopher Collins introduces three simple, yet powerful prayer habits that are at the foundation of both the Sacred Heart devotion and Ignatian spirituality and that assist the reader in turning intentionally toward the Sacred Heart of Christ. Readers are guided through morning offering, evening reflection, and how to ponder the gift of the Eucharist throughout the day. You can find the book here "Fr. Collins has written a dynamic and entertaining invitation to the Church: Let Jesus love us and heal us at the depth of our wounds. Here, in this accessible source, we can encounter the fire of the Sacred Heart, a fire of love searching for us all." ––Deacon James Keating, Director of Theological Formation, Institute for Priestly Formation, Creighton University "This simple yet profound program of three moments a day will bless all who undertake it. In this book, a rich spiritual content is conveyed in heartfelt and accessible language." —Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., Author of The Discernment of Spirits
Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 17:1-11 Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Father, the hour has come:
glorify your Son
so that your Son may glorify you;
and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him,
let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
And eternal life is this:
to know you,
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I have glorified you on earth
and finished the work that you gave me to do.
Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me
with that glory I had with you
before ever the world was.
I have made your name known
to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now at last they know
that all you have given me comes indeed from you;
for I have given them the teaching you gave to me,
and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you,
and have believed that it was you who sent me.
I pray for them;
I am not praying for the world
but for those you have given me,
because they belong to you:
all I have is yours
and all you have is mine,
and in them I am glorified.
I am not in the world any longer,
but they are in the world,
and I am coming to you.’ What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Father, the hour has come:
glorify your Son
so that your Son may glorify you;
and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him,
let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
And eternal life is this:
to know you,
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I have glorified you on earth
and finished the work that you gave me to do.
Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me
with that glory I had with you
before ever the world was.
I have made your name known
to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now at last they know
that all you have given me comes indeed from you;
for I have given them the teaching you gave to me,
and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you,
and have believed that it was you who sent me.
I pray for them;
I am not praying for the world
but for those you have given me,
because they belong to you:
all I have is yours
and all you have is mine,
and in them I am glorified.
I am not in the world any longer,
but they are in the world,
and I am coming to you.’ What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Father, the hour has come:
glorify your Son
so that your Son may glorify you;
and, through the power over all mankind that you have given him,
let him give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him.
And eternal life is this:
to know you,
the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I have glorified you on earth
and finished the work that you gave me to do.
Now, Father, it is time for you to glorify me
with that glory I had with you
before ever the world was.
I have made your name known
to the men you took from the world to give me.
They were yours and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now at last they know
that all you have given me comes indeed from you;
for I have given them the teaching you gave to me,
and they have truly accepted this, that I came from you,
and have believed that it was you who sent me.
I pray for them;
I am not praying for the world
but for those you have given me,
because they belong to you:
all I have is yours
and all you have is mine,
and in them I am glorified.
I am not in the world any longer,
but they are in the world,
and I am coming to you.’ What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
In place of self-righteousness…seeking God – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on the danger of self-righteousness and the lifelong Christian call to seek God with humility. Drawing from Chapter 58 of the Rule, St. Benedict teaches that the true sign of spiritual maturity is not claiming to possess God, but remaining open to continually seeking Him. Fr. Mauritius explains that self-righteousness often grows from fear and the desire for control, while authentic spiritual life requires humility, trust, and openness to growth. The Rule forms the monk not to become rigid or self-assured, but to remain attentive to God’s presence and action throughout life. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius reflects on Gospel encounters, pilgrimage, and the mystical dimension of Christian life. Seeking God is not a sign of uncertainty or failure, but an ongoing relationship rooted in love and longing. Even moments of wandering, doubt, or incompleteness can become places where God draws near. Recounting his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Fr. Mauritius shares how he came to understand that the spiritual journey is ultimately not about grasping hold of God, but trusting that God Himself will find us and bring us home. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 58: CHAPTER LVIII
Of the Manner of Admitting Brethren Let easy admission not be given to one who newly cometh to change his life; but, as the Apostle saith, "Try the spirits, whether they be of God" (1 Jn 4:1). If, therefore, the newcomer keepeth on knocking, and after four or five days it is seen that he patiently beareth the harsh treatment offered him and the difficulty of admission, and that he persevereth in his request, let admission be granted him, and let him live for a few days in the apartment of the guests. But afterward let him live in the apartment of novices, and there let him meditate, eat, and sleep. Let a senior also be appointed for him, who is qualified to win souls, who will observe him with great care and see whether he really seeketh God, whether he is eager for the Work of God, obedience and humiliations. Let him be shown all the hard and rugged things through which we pass on to God. If he promiseth to remain steadfast, let this Rule be read to him in order after the lapse of two months, and let it be said to him: Behold the law under which thou desirest to combat. If thou canst keep it, enter; if, however, thou canst not, depart freely. If he still persevereth, then let him be taken back to the aforesaid apartment of the novices, and let him be tried again in all patience. And after the lapse of six months let the Rule be read over to him, that he may know for what purpose he entereth. And if he still remaineth firm, let the same Rule be read to him again after four months. And if, after having weighed the matter with himself he promiseth to keep everything, and to do everything that is commanded him, then let him be received into the community, knowing that he is now placed under the law of the Rule, and that from that day forward it is no longer permitted to him to wrest his neck from under the yoke of the Rule, which after so long a deliberation he was at liberty either to refuse or to accept. Let him who is received promise in the oratory, in the presence of all, before God and His saints, stability, the conversion of morals, and obedience, in order that, if he should ever do otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by God "Whom he mocketh." Let him make a written statement of his promise in the name of the saints whose relics are there, and of the Abbot there present. Let him write this document with his own hand; or at least, if he doth not know how to write, let another write it at his request, and let the novice make his mark, and with his own hand place it on the altar. When he hath placed it there, let the novice next begin the verse: "Uphold me, O Lord, according to Thy word and I shall live; and let me not be confounded in my expectations" (Ps 118[119]:116). Then let all the brotherhood repeat this verse three times, adding the Gloria Patri. The let that novice brother cast himself down at the feet of all, that they may pray for him; and from that day let him be counted in the brotherhood. If he hath any property, let him first either dispose of it to the poor or bestow it on the monastery by a formal donation, reserving nothing for himself as indeed he should know that from that day onward he will no longer have power even over his own body. Let him, therefore, be divested at once in the oratory of the garments with which he is clothed, and be vested in the garb of the monastery. But let the clothes of which he was divested by laid by in the wardrobe to be preserved, that, if on the devil's suasion he should ever consent to leave the monastery (which God forbid) he be then stripped of his monastic habit and cast out. But let him not receive the document of his profession which the Abbot took from the altar, but let it be preserved in the monastery. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict asks whether the monk truly seeks God. How would I answer that question in my own life today?
2. In what ways might fear or the desire for control contribute to self-righteousness in my relationships or spiritual life?
3. How open am I to being surprised or challenged by God’s presence and action?
4. Have I confused spiritual certainty with genuine trust in God?
5. What experiences in my life have taught me that faith is a journey rather than a possession?
6. How can prayer, humility, and openness help me continue seeking God more deeply each day?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Novena to the Holy Spirit Begin be reciting the following prayer… O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek… State your request here… O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts: DAY ONE O Holy Spirit,
bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts.
Enlighten our understanding that we may know You.
Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us
and that we may accept it.
Grant us the gift of counsel
that we may always perceive what is right.
Fortify us that we may always be capable
of fulfilling Your Divine Will.
Inspire us with the spirit of learning
that we may be able to penetrate more deeply
into the truths that You have revealed.
Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness
that we may bring You joy.
Let us have proper fear of God
that we may never grieve You
or wander from the path of goodness. Give us the fulness of Your gifts
that we may glorify You. Look with compassion upon us, O Holy Spirit,
and grant us the favor we seek in this novena… State your request here… if it be in accordance with Your Holy Will. Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Amen. For the complete novena visit : The Discerning Hearts' Holy Spirit Novena page
Joseph and His Work – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore how St. Joseph’s life reveals the sacred dignity of ordinary labor and the spiritual meaning of daily work. Through the example of St. Joseph, Christianity transformed the understanding of work into something noble and holy. Labor was not a punishment after Adam’s fall but part of humanity’s original vocation, since Adam himself was created to cultivate and guard creation. After sin entered the world, work became burdensome, yet through Christ, human labor can once again become an offering to God. Everyday responsibilities, whether physical or intellectual, can participate in a priestly act when united with prayer and sacrifice. St. Joseph is a model of fatherhood, humility, and faithful craftsmanship. This rejects apocryphal portrayals that diminished Joseph’s abilities and instead highlights the Gospel image of a capable, dignified worker who taught Jesus his trade. Joseph’s quiet witness came not through recorded speeches but through his actions, discipline, and virtue. The conversation reflects on how fathers pass on values through their example, how children absorb habits by observing daily labor, and how Jesus himself likely learned excellence and perseverance in Joseph’s workshop. St. Joseph continues to inspire the Church today as devotion to him grows, offering a timeless example of holiness lived through ordinary responsibilities and faithful service. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does reflecting on the hardships of the Holy Family’s journey deepen your understanding of trust in God during uncertain times? 2. In what ways can you practice seeking God’s guidance before making important decisions, as Joseph did? 3. How might imagining the ordinary daily life of the Holy Family influence your approach to your own family responsibilities? 4. What does Joseph’s willingness to act quickly in difficult circumstances teach you about courage and obedience? 5. How can you find a sense of spiritual stability when life requires you to step into unfamiliar or challenging situations? 6. In what ways can your work and daily tasks become a means of serving God and caring for others? 7. How does the idea of God providing through community shape your view of relationships and hospitality? 8. What anxieties in your life can be entrusted more fully to God’s care, following Joseph’s example? 9. How can you grow in prudence, balancing thoughtful discernment with decisive action when needed? 10. What lessons from the Holy Family’s experience can help you support others who are facing displacement or hardship?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
Image of God – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues the story of Bob to illustrate how the Ignatian spiritual exercises can reveal deeper wounds and foster healing. Bob experiences spiritual desolation while praying about sin and God's justice, which evokes unresolved feelings tied to his critical relationship with his earthly father. With the guidance of a retreat director, Bob uncovers how he has projected his father's image onto God. Through persistent prayer, especially with passages like Mark 1:11, Bob begins to see God as a loving Father, distinct from his earthly father, leading to transformative healing. This shows the importance of perseverance in prayer, even amid dryness, and the critical role of spiritual direction in fostering growth. Bob's journey demonstrates how engaging with difficult emotions in prayer can lead to profound encounters with God's unconditional love, ultimately transforming not only his spiritual life but also his relationships. Father Gallagher encourages listeners to embrace spiritual struggles as opportunities for deeper intimacy with God, trusting that they can lead to lasting peace and renewal. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do you perceive and respond to periods of dryness in your prayer life, and what might God be inviting you to learn during these times? 2. Have you ever noticed yourself projecting qualities or expectations from human relationships onto your image of God, and how does this affect your prayer and trust in Him? 3. How might regular spiritual direction or accompaniment help you navigate struggles in your spiritual life and uncover areas in need of healing? 4. In what ways does reflecting on Scripture, such as Mark 1:11, help you to experience God’s unconditional love as a Father, and how might this transform your relationship with Him? 5. What personal or spiritual growth have you experienced by staying with challenging themes in prayer, even when they feel difficult or unfruitful?
An excerpt from the chapter, "Image of God": "When Bob perceives that his image of God differs from the biblical image of God, his prayer ceases to be dry. He is now free to meet God as He is: loving, close, understanding, merciful, encouraging — the heavenly Father whom Jesus reveals to us. Through no fault of his own, Bob has absorbed an image of God as a demanding Father, quick to note faults, impatient, ready to criticize. Bob is not aware of this image, but it burdens his relationship with God, and so his prayer. When he prays with Genesis 3, Bob focuses on “all the harm that came from” this sin and “the way their sin was punished.” The message of mercy in that same chapter (Gen. 3:15) and, above all, in the Cross do not speak to him, and his prayer leaves him uneasy. He describes Romans 7:14–25 as “Paul’s struggle about not doing the good that he wants but doing the bad that he does not want,” again overlooking the message of freedom with which the passage concludes (Rom. 7:25). When he tries to pray, Bob writes, “I’m unsettled, I’m distracted, and God seems distant. . . . I try, but nothing moves me very much. It’s discouraging. Maybe I’m not made for this.” Bob’s prayer is dry. His prayer changes when Bob realizes that God is different — more loving, warm, close — than his image of God had led him to believe. Conversation with his director, prayer on biblical passages that reveal God as a loving Father, and his willingness — not without struggle — to share with God his experience of human fatherhood and the mixture of goodness and pain found in it, begin to set Bob free. Now he can meet his heavenly Father as God really is. Now a relationship based on a true image of the Father can develop. Now he knows himself to be a beloved son of this Father. Now his prayer is not dry." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 123-124). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. " To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Episode 4 – Extraordinary Activity – Put on The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor turn to the subject of extraordinary demonic activity and the Church’s response to it. Dr. Thigpen explains the distinctions often made between infestation, oppression, obsession and possession, while carefully stressing that these realities are far less common than ordinary temptation and must never be approached in a sensational or reckless way. He emphasizes the wisdom of the Church in requiring discernment, medical evaluation when needed and the guidance of trained priests and appointed exorcists. This conversation helps listeners understand that knowledge of the battle is important, but curiosity or spiritual bravado can open the door to serious danger. At the heart of the episode is a strong call to humility, order and trust in Christ’s authority working through His Church. Dr. Thigpen and Kris McGregor reflect on the difference between prayers that ask God for deliverance and those that directly address demonic powers, underscoring why authority matters in spiritual warfare. The discussion also highlights the strength given through baptismal identity, the sacraments, sacramentals, Scripture, prayer and the protection of the domestic church. The tone remains deeply hopeful throughout. Christians are not left helpless before evil. Christ has given His people real spiritual weapons and the Church stands ready to help those who suffer, always drawing them back toward healing, freedom and wholeness in Him. A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Discerning Hearts questions for reflection 1. Why is it important to distinguish ordinary temptation from extraordinary demonic activity? 2. What did you find most helpful in Dr. Thigpen’s explanation of infestation, oppression, obsession and possession? 3. Why does the Church insist on discernment and medical evaluation before concluding that a person is suffering demonic affliction? 4. How does this episode challenge sensational or fear-based approaches to spiritual warfare? 5. Why is humility so important when confronting evil? 6. What is the difference between prayers asking God for deliverance and prayers that directly address demonic powers? 7. How does the Church’s structure of authority protect both the afflicted person and those who are trying to help? 8. What role do the sacraments and sacramentals play in spiritual protection? 9. How does this episode strengthen your confidence in Christ’s care for those who suffer spiritual attack?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D.The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
William Shakespeare – Merchant of Venice and King Lear – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, two plays that continue to challenge readers with their profound moral, philosophical, and spiritual depth. Pearce explains that The Merchant of Venice, often misunderstood in modern productions, is fundamentally a comedy rooted in themes of mercy, justice, sacrifice, and fidelity. Through the contrasting worlds of Venice and Belmont, Shakespeare presents a vision of the human person caught between materialism and transcendent truth. Meanwhile, King Lear unfolds as a tragedy of pride and suffering that ultimately opens toward humility, wisdom, and redemption through the faithful love of Cordelia. The discussion highlights Shakespeare’s remarkable ability to portray the human struggle between pride and humility, worldly ambition and sacrificial love. Pearce also emphasizes the importance of understanding Shakespeare within the context of his Catholic worldview and the religious tensions of Elizabethan and Jacobean England. Both plays reveal how suffering can become a path toward wisdom and conversion, while Shakespeare’s powerful female characters, especially Portia and Cordelia, embody virtue, intelligence, and spiritual insight. Far from being relics of another age, these dramas remain deeply relevant, inviting readers to reflect on justice, mercy, authority, conscience, and the enduring need for humility before God. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. The Merchant of Venice contrasts mercy with strict justice. How does Portia’s “quality of mercy” speech challenge the way we respond to others? 2. King Lear’s suffering leads him toward humility and wisdom. How can suffering become an opportunity for spiritual growth in our own lives? 3. Cordelia refuses to flatter Lear falsely, even at great personal cost. What does her example teach us about truthfulness and integrity? 4. Shakespeare presents Venice as a world focused on materialism and Belmont as a place of higher truth. What “Venice-like” distractions can pull us away from what truly matters? 5. Lear discovers that power and possessions are ultimately temporary. How can humility help us hold worldly responsibilities more rightly? 6. Both plays reveal the consequences of pride and the healing power of sacrificial love. Where do you see the need for greater humility and mercy in your own relationships?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
In Place Of Relativism…Healing Consequences – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on the healing purpose of consequences within Christian community life. Drawing from Chapters 23–30 of the Rule, especially Chapter 27 concerning the care of the excommunicated brother, St. Benedict presents correction not as punishment for punishment’s sake, but as a path toward reconciliation and healing. Like a wise physician treating illness, the abbot and community are called to respond to faults with discernment, charity, and a genuine desire to restore the individual to wholeness and communion. Fr. Mauritius explains that modern culture often resists the idea of consequences, confusing mercy with the absence of accountability. Yet St. Benedict recognizes that actions affect the entire community and that unresolved wounds can spread division and distrust. Through loving correction, honest acknowledgment of faults, and reconciliation rooted in the Gospel, communities can be renewed and strengthened. This Benedictine wisdom reveals that authentic mercy does not ignore wrongdoing, but seeks healing, restoration, and the return of the lost sheep to the flock. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 27: CHAPTER XXVII How Concerned the Abbot Should Be about the Excommunicated Let the Abbot show all care and concern towards offending brethren because “they that are in health need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Mt 9:12). Therefore, like a prudent physician he ought to use every opportunity to send consolers, namely, discreet elderly brethren, to console the wavering brother, as it were, in secret, and induce him to make humble satisfaction; and let them cheer him up “lest he be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Cor 2:7); but, as the same Apostle saith, “confirm your charity towards him” (2 Cor 2:8); and let prayer be said for him by all. The Abbot must take the utmost pains, and strive with all prudence and zeal, that none of the flock entrusted to him perish. For the Abbot must know that he has taken upon himself the care of infirm souls, not a despotism over the strong; and let him fear the threat of the Prophet wherein the Lord saith: “What ye saw to be fat, that ye took to yourselves, and what was diseased you threw away” (Ezek 34:3-4). And let him follow the loving example of the Good Shepherd, who, leaving the ninety-nine sheep on the mountains, went to seek the one that had gone astray, on whose weakness He had such pity, that He was pleased to lay it on His sacred shoulders and thus carry it back to the fold (cf Lk 15:5). Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict views correction as a path toward healing rather than punishment. How do I respond when I am corrected by others? 2. Have I experienced situations where avoiding consequences actually caused deeper wounds within relationships or community life? 3. How do I balance mercy and accountability in my own relationships? 4. When conflict or failure occurs, do I seek reconciliation and healing, or do I withdraw and allow resentment to grow? 5. In what ways might God be inviting me to acknowledge my own faults more honestly and humbly? 6. How can I become an instrument of reconciliation and healing within my family, parish, workplace, or community?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Flight from Herod – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the historical and practical realities surrounding the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, inviting listeners to imagine daily life in a world without modern conveniences. Travel in that era was slow, risky, and uncertain, especially under the threat of Herod’s violence. Joseph, drawing on his experience as a craftsman, likely relied on known trade routes, nighttime travel for safety, and the hospitality of Jewish communities along the way. Egypt was a fitting destination due to its established Jewish population, allowing the family to maintain religious practices and find a sense of familiarity despite being far from home. Traditions and historical clues suggest a coastal route through regions less sympathetic to Herod, highlighting Joseph’s careful judgment and reliance on divine guidance. The book also reflects on Joseph’s role as a father navigating uncertainty, work, and family life in exile. While little is recorded about these hidden years, this is presented as a grounded picture of ordinary family rhythms: raising a child, teaching a trade, and practicing faith within a supportive community. Joseph’s actions reveal a pattern of seeking heavenly guidance and responding decisively, even amid anxiety and danger. His example offers insight into facing life’s disruptions, such as relocation or hardship, with prudence and trust. The Holy Family’s experience in Egypt, rather than being entirely foreign or isolated, likely included stability, work, and community, making their story both historically rich and relatable to the challenges families encounter today. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does reflecting on the hardships of the Holy Family’s journey deepen your understanding of trust in God during uncertain times? 2. In what ways can you practice seeking God’s guidance before making important decisions, as Joseph did? 3. How might imagining the ordinary daily life of the Holy Family influence your approach to your own family responsibilities? 4. What does Joseph’s willingness to act quickly in difficult circumstances teach you about courage and obedience? 5. How can you find a sense of spiritual stability when life requires you to step into unfamiliar or challenging situations? 6. In what ways can your work and daily tasks become a means of serving God and caring for others? 7. How does the idea of God providing through community shape your view of relationships and hospitality? 8. What anxieties in your life can be entrusted more fully to God’s care, following Joseph’s example? 9. How can you grow in prudence, balancing thoughtful discernment with decisive action when needed? 10. What lessons from the Holy Family’s experience can help you support others who are facing displacement or hardship?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
A Need to Share – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the experience of spiritual dryness in prayer, highlighting it as a potential sign of growth rather than failure. Using the story of a father and son, Fr. Gallagher illustrates how unresolved burdens, such as past sins or secrets, can hinder intimacy with God. God desires us to bring everything—our pain, shame, and struggles—into prayer, where healing and growth can occur. Spiritual dryness, rather than being discouraging, can be an invitation to deepen trust and intimacy with God. Fr. Gallagher advises seeking guidance from a spiritual director for navigating such struggles and reminds us hat God is infinitely patient, always ready to walk with us in our burdens. This message is one of hope: through honesty and trust, even the most challenging seasons of the spiritual life can lead to profound freedom and renewed connection with God. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What areas of your prayer life feel dry or disconnected, and could this indicate an invitation to deeper intimacy with God? 2. Are there unresolved struggles or hidden parts of your heart that you have not yet shared with God in prayer? 3. Who in your life could serve as a trusted spiritual director to help you navigate moments of spiritual dryness or doubt? 4. How might greater openness in your relationships with loved ones mirror the vulnerability God invites in prayer? 5. Can you view spiritual dryness not as failure but as a sign of God’s loving call for growth and healing in your life? 6. How does reflecting on God’s tenderness and patience encourage you to approach Him with your deepest fears and struggles? 7. In what ways can this episode inspire you to see your spiritual challenges as pathways to greater freedom and connection with God?
An excerpt from the chapter, "A Need to Share": "Most fundamentally, prayer is a relationship: the human person and the Divine together, in communication. Dryness may arise in prayer when we need to share something with the Lord but have not done so. We may feel ashamed, too angry, too hurt. And so we do not speak of it. Then our prayer feels superficial, dry. We have little to say. Little! The contrary is true: prayer is dry because we have so much to say and have not said it. Father Reed’s question is the right one: “Have you spoken about this with the Lord?” The Jesus who speaks so sensitively with the Samaritan woman (John 4:4–42), who meets with the nervous Nicodemus by night (John 3:1–2), who invites the two saddened disciples to tell him their burdens (Luke 24:13–35), who approaches the weeping Mary Magdalene and pronounces her name (John 20:16), who heals Peter’s threefold denial with the threefold question about love (John 21:15–17): this Jesus never “bulldozes” into human hearts. He is patient (Matt. 12:20) and gentle (Matt. 11:29). But he loves us too much to leave us alone with our fear and shame. He invites us to share the burden with him, to tell him about it, to allow him to accompany us in it. When we do, this form of dryness will pass, and prayer will flow." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 118). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Instead of circling around one’s self, hospitality – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on Chapter 53 of the Rule and the profound call to hospitality. St. Benedict teaches that every guest is to be welcomed as Christ Himself, a striking and transformative vision rooted in the Gospel. In a world where the stranger can be met with hesitation or fear, this teaching invites a deeper openness grounded in faith. Hospitality becomes more than an act of kindness; it becomes an encounter with Christ present in the other. Fr. Mauritius explains that this hospitality is not naive but deeply spiritual, shaped by prayer, reverence, and discernment. Guests bring not only interruption but also grace, new life, and the possibility of transformation. Whether in monasteries, homes, or daily encounters, this call extends to all who desire to live the Christian life more fully. Hospitality becomes a path of evangelization, opening the heart to Christ in unexpected ways and allowing Him to be both guest and host in our lives. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 53: CHAPTER LIII
Of the Reception of Guests Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: “I was a stranger and you took Me in” (Mt 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those “of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10) and to wayfarers. When, therefore, a guest is announced, let him be met by the Superior and the brethren with every mark of charity. And let them first pray together, and then let them associate with one another in peace. This kiss of peace should not be given before a prayer hath first been said, on account of satanic deception. In the greeting let all humility be shown to the guests, whether coming or going; with the head bowed down or the whole body prostrate on the ground, let Christ be adored in them as He is also received. When the guests have been received, let them be accompanied to prayer, and after that let the Superior, or whom he shall bid, sit down with them. Let the divine law be read to the guest that he may be edified, after which let every kindness be shown him. Let the fast be broken by the Superior in deference to the guest, unless, perchance, it be a day of solemn fast, which cannot be broken. Let the brethren, however, keep the customary fast. Let the Abbot pour the water on the guest’s hands, and let both the Abbot and the whole brotherhood wash the feet of all the guests. When they have been washed, let them say this verse: “We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple” (Ps 47[48]:10). Let the greatest care be taken, especially in the reception of the poor and travelers, because Christ is received more specially in them; whereas regard for the wealthy itself procureth them respect. Let the kitchen of the Abbot and the guests be apart, that the brethren may not be disturbed by the guests who arrive at uncertain times and who are never wanting in the monastery. Let two brothers who are able to fulfil this office well go into the kitchen for a year. Let help be given them as they need it, that they may serve without murmuring; and when they have not enough to do, let them go out again for work where it is commanded them. Let this course be followed, not only in this office, but in all the offices of the monastery — that whenever the brethren need help, it be given them, and that when they have nothing to do, they again obey orders. Moreover, let also a God-fearing brother have assigned to him the apartment of the guests, where there should be sufficient number of beds made up; and let the house of God be wisely managed by the wise. On no account let anyone who is not ordered to do so, associate or speak with guests; but if he meet or see them, having saluted them humbly, as we have said, and asked a blessing, let him pass on saying that he is not allowed to speak with a guest. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that every guest is to be welcomed as Christ. How do I respond to those who enter my life unexpectedly?
2. When I encounter someone who challenges me, am I able to look beyond first impressions and seek Christ in them?
3. What role does prayer play in preparing my heart to receive others with openness and reverence?
4. Where might fear be limiting my ability to practice true hospitality?
5. How can I create space in my daily life for encounters that are not planned or convenient?
6. In what ways might God be inviting me to grow in generosity and openness toward others?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Gretchen Crowe – Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Gretchen Crowe discusses her book Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II, which grew out of her earlier work on the relevance of the rosary in modern life. She explains her desire to bring readers into a closer connection with St. John Paul II’s deep Marian devotion and his love for the rosary, drawing heavily from his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae. Gretchen weaves together his reflections, biographical elements, and the spiritual fruits associated with each mystery, showing how his life embodied the virtues contemplated in the rosary. Through this approach, readers are invited to pray alongside him, discovering new insights with each repetition and gaining a richer understanding of both his spirituality and the mysteries of Christ’s life. The book highlights the need for simple, grounded devotional practices amid confusion and unrest, pointing to the rosary as a way to grow in relationship with Christ through Mary. The book incorporates carefully selected writings, images, and reflections that guide meditation without overwhelming it, allowing space for personal prayer. St. John Paul II’s witness continues to resonate, offering clarity, peace, and direction, especially in difficult times. By presenting his reflections alongside the mysteries, including the Luminous Mysteries he introduced, the book serves as both a devotional aid and a window into his holiness, encouraging readers to deepen their prayer life and find stability and hope through this tradition. You can find the book here Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can praying the rosary more regularly deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ in daily life? 2. In what ways can I look to Mary as a guide who leads me more fully to her Son? 3. What virtues from the mysteries of the rosary am I being called to grow in right now? 4. How does the example of St. John Paul II inspire me to trust God’s will more completely? 5. When I pray, do I allow space for new insights, or do I approach it as routine? 6. How can I remain rooted in Christ amid anxiety, confusion, or challenges within the Church or world? 7. What role do the saints play in strengthening my prayer life and sense of companionship in faith? 8. How can I approach the mysteries of the rosary with fresh attention and openness each time I pray them? 9. In what ways can I integrate simple devotional practices into my daily routine more faithfully? 10. How might I share the gift of the rosary or this spiritual tradition with others in my life?
From the book description: "Dear brothers and sisters! A prayer so easy and yet so rich truly deserves to be rediscovered by the Christian community." – Pope St. John Paul II During his papacy, Pope John Paul II ardently encouraged the faithful to return to the Rosary – his own favorite prayer. He demonstrated his love for it by praying all the mysteries every day, and by writing, speaking, and preaching about it. He knew from his personal experience of prayer that we come to know the person of Jesus Christ through Mary and the Rosary. With this book, you can pray the Rosary with the saint who loved it so much. For each mystery of the Rosary, you will find: * The spiritual fruit that accompanies each mystery * A short reflection on how Pope St. John Paul II embodied the spiritual fruit * A Scripture passage for reflection * An excerpt from a talk or writing of John Paul II
Whether the Rosary is already your favorite prayer or you're just learning to pray it, Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II will help you "rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives." About the Author Gretchen R. Crowe is editorial director for periodicals for Our Sunday Visitor, where she oversees the digital and print publication of OSV Newsweekly, The Priest, Deacon Digest and Simply Catholic. An award-winning writer and photographer, Crowe has been a member of the Catholic Press Association since 2005. Crowe joined Our Sunday Visitor in March 2013 as OSV Newsweekly editor. She is also the author of Why the Rosary, Why Now? (OSV, 2017). Crowe lives in Indiana with her husband and two children.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 11:25-30 Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Joseph and His Angels – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores the four angelic visitations to St. Joseph in Matthew’s Gospel, presenting them as unusually sustained encounters that guide Joseph’s decisions at critical moments. Within the Jewish religious world of the time, rich with awareness of spiritual beings, these appearances would have seemed natural and meaningful, not extraordinary curiosities. Angels are depicted throughout Scripture as active participants in God’s work, from Genesis through Revelation, serving as messengers who guide, protect, and intervene. Joseph’s quiet responsiveness to these messages , be it naming Jesus, fleeing to Egypt, returning to Israel, and settling in Nazareth, reveals a pattern of steady trust and decisive action shaped by divine guidance. Mike Aquilina reflects on how modern culture often reduces angels to sentimental or fictional figures, contrasting sharply with the biblical and early Christian understanding of their real and ongoing role. Guardian angels are deeply personal helpers who respect human freedom and invite cooperation rather than forcing outcomes. Joseph’s life becomes a model of discernment: he listens, waits for direction, and acts promptly when guidance comes, even amid danger and uncertainty. His experiences highlight both the tenderness and strength of angelic assistance, encouraging a renewed awareness of their presence and a return to traditional practices that foster attentiveness to God’s guidance in daily life. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does viewing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a real spiritual family shape your sense of belonging within the Church? 2. In what ways does the contrast between Herod’s life and the Holy Family challenge your understanding of true greatness? 3. How can you grow in trust when faced with situations that, like Joseph’s, do not immediately make sense? 4. Which of the interpretations of Joseph’s response—suspicion, perplexity, or reverence—resonates most with your own experiences of uncertainty before God? 5. What does Joseph’s humility teach you about your place in God’s plan, especially when you feel unworthy or inadequate? 6. How can you practice deeper faithfulness in ordinary duties, as seen in the quiet life of Mary and Joseph? 7. What role does imagination, grounded in scripture and tradition, play in helping you enter more fully into the Gospel stories? 8. How do you discern the difference between helpful spiritual reflections and authoritative teachings in your faith life? 9. What can the Holy Family’s obedience to civil obligations, even when difficult, teach you about your responsibilities in society? 10. How is God inviting you to respond more generously to His work unfolding in your life right now?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
Growth – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the spiritual challenges faced during prayer, using Cathy's journey as a case study to illustrate how prayer evolves over time. Cathy initially experiences deep spiritual consolation and healing by using reflective and imaginative methods of Ignatian prayer. However, as her prayer life matures, she finds these approaches less fulfilling and even distracting. This shift leads her to wonder if she's praying incorrectly. Cathy's transition to a simpler, quieter form of prayer reflects spiritual growth rather than failure. Drawing an analogy to the deepening intimacy in a long marriage, he emphasizes that prayer, at its core, is a relationship with God, and Cathy's increasing desire for silent communion signifies a deeper, richer connection with Him. This simplification of prayer is a natural progression for those who persevere in their spiritual journey. Whether through contemplative silence, liturgical prayer like the Liturgy of the Hours, or cherished devotions like the Rosary, the key is fidelity to daily prayer and attentiveness to the heart's movement toward God. Changes in prayer experiences are opportunities for growth and invites them to seek guidance, such as through spiritual direction, to navigate transitions. Perseverance remains the essential virtue that ensures continued progress toward a closer relationship with God. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can experiences of consolation and desolation guide your spiritual growth and reliance on God? 2. In what ways can remaining faithful to prayer, even during dryness or struggle, deepen your relationship with God? 3. How might God be inviting you to simplify or change the way you pray as your relationship with Him matures? 4. What can moments of quiet communion with God teach you about trust and intimacy in your spiritual life? 5. How could seeking guidance from a spiritual director help you navigate challenges or transitions in your prayer life? 6. In what ways do communal practices like the Rosary or Liturgy of the Hours support and enrich your individual prayer experiences? 7. How can you recognize and embrace God's work in your life, even in moments of dryness or change in prayer?
An excerpt from the chapter, "Growth": "Yes, this situation can be confusing. What is happening in Cathy’s prayer? It has become dry. Is this because she lacks formation (chapter 15), has grown negligent (chapter 16), or has permitted an inconsistency between her life and prayer (chapter 17)? None of this appears to be present: Cathy has received formation in prayer, is faithful to it, and shows no sign of inconsistency between her life and prayer. Yet her prayer is dry. Something else, then, is at work, and in this case, something blessed. Cathy finds herself less drawn than before to reflect on or imagine a scriptural text. She esteems this way of praying and has found it fruitful in the past. Now, however, when she reflects or imagines, she says that “it felt like work, ‘busier’ than I wanted to be in prayer.” On the other hand, at one point “I let the imagining go and just sat with the Lord. That felt better.” Very likely, Cathy’s prayer is simplifying. At times, her heart desires to relinquish the “busyness” of reflecting and imagining and simply be with the Lord, her heart with his heart, with little activity, simply together in a blessed and loving communion. She fears that when she gives her heart this freedom, she is not really praying — not thinking about the meaning of a text or participating imaginatively as it unfolds. On the contrary! Cathy, and anyone in her situation, needs to know that this silent, loving communion is genuine prayer." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 111). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Episode 3 – Temptation – Put on The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor continue their reflection on the Christian’s ongoing struggle with temptation. Even though Satan has already been decisively defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the spiritual battle continues in this present age as a time of testing, purification, and growth in holiness. Dr. Thigpen explains that temptation, in its most common form, is often subtle, ordinary, and persistent. Rather than dramatic manifestations, the enemy more often works through quiet suggestions, lies, doubts, distortions and discouragements meant to turn the soul away from trust in God. A central focus of this conversation is the importance of vigilance over the mind and senses. Dr. Thigpen describes how images, memories, wounds, and inner accusations can be manipulated by the enemy through deception and misinterpretation. Drawing on St. Francis de Sales and St. Ignatius of Loyola, the episode highlights how so-called “little temptations” can gradually form habits that shape the soul toward either vice or virtue. Yet the tone remains deeply hopeful. Scripture, prayer, humility and devotion to Our Lady remain powerful helps in resisting the enemy’s stealth and in strengthening the heart for faithful perseverance. Listeners are reminded that the battle is real, but so is the grace that leads to victory. A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Discerning Hearts questions for reflection 1. How does this episode help you understand why spiritual warfare continues even after Christ’s victory? 2. What did Dr. Thigpen mean by describing temptation as a form of testing? 3. Why are subtle temptations often more dangerous than dramatic or obvious ones? 4. How can memories, wounds, and past accusations become points of spiritual vulnerability? 5. What stood out to you in the teaching from St. Francis de Sales about “little temptations”? 6. How do repeated small choices gradually shape the soul toward either vice or virtue? 7. Why is guarding the senses so important in the spiritual life? 8. How can Scripture help answer the lies and accusations of the enemy? 9. What practical step can you take this week to become more vigilant over your thoughts and reactions?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D. The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
C.S. Lewis – The Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason, and Romanticism – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore C.S. Lewis’s often-overlooked work The Pilgrim’s Regress, a rich allegorical journey that reflects Lewis’s own path from atheism to Christian faith. Written shortly after his conversion, the story follows a young man named John as he leaves behind a distorted understanding of God and embarks on a quest to discover truth, meaning, and the source of his deepest desire. Through encounters with figures representing intellectual movements such as Enlightenment rationalism, romanticism, and modernism, Lewis reveals the spiritual confusion of the modern age and the longing at the heart of every human soul. The discussion highlights how The Pilgrim’s Regress presents conversion as both a journey forward and a return, requiring the unlearning of false ideas and the rediscovery of truth through reason, history, and ultimately the guidance of the Church. Pearce emphasizes Lewis’s insight into the harmony of faith and reason, as well as the necessity of humility in receiving truth as a gift rather than something to be grasped. Though less well known than Lewis’s other works, this powerful allegory offers profound insight into the intellectual and spiritual struggles of modern life, inviting readers to examine their own journey toward truth, virtue, and communion with God. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. John begins his journey with a distorted understanding of God. How can false ideas about God shape our spiritual struggles? 2. The story shows that desire can lead either to confusion or to truth. How can we discern whether our desires are guiding us toward what is truly good? 3. John encounters many intellectual movements that promise truth but fall short. What modern ideas or influences can lead us away from authentic faith? 4. Lewis presents conversion as a process of “unlearning” error. What beliefs or assumptions might you need to re-examine in your own life? 5. Reason, philosophy, and theology are shown to work together. How can we better integrate faith and reason in our search for truth? 6. The journey ultimately leads John toward the Church. What role does the Church play in guiding us toward a fuller understanding of God?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
Instead of leaning on others, standing on one's own feet – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor explore the wisdom behind Chapter 69 of the Rule, which cautions against defending another within the monastic community. At first glance, this teaching may seem surprising, even counterintuitive. Yet St. Benedict’s insight reveals a deeper spiritual purpose: fostering maturity, responsibility, and trust. By encouraging each monk to speak for himself, the Rule strengthens both the individual and the unity of the community, preventing division and the formation of factions. Fr. Mauritius explains that this principle extends beyond the monastery into everyday Christian life. Learning to “stand on one’s own feet” is part of spiritual growth, requiring trust in God, confidence in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s own words and actions. At the same time, the Rule provides safeguards for justice and care, ensuring that individuals can be heard while preserving unity. In a world increasingly dependent on external support systems and constant connection, Benedictine spirituality offers a path toward authentic freedom rooted in personal responsibility and trust in God. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 69: CHAPTER LXIX That in the Monastery No One Presume to Defend Another
Care must be taken that on no occasion one monk try to defend another in the monastery,
or to take his part, even though they be closely related by ties of blood. Let it not be
attempted by the monks in any way; because such conduct may give rise to very grave
scandal. If anyone overstep this rule, let him be severely punished. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict encourages each person to speak for themselves. How comfortable am I taking responsibility for my own words and actions?
2. In what situations do I tend to rely too heavily on others instead of stepping forward in trust?
3. How does my level of trust in others affect my ability to grow within a community?
4. Where might God be inviting me to mature in confidence, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide me?
5. Do I see personal responsibility as a burden or as a path to greater freedom?
6. How can I grow in both independence and unity, remaining rooted in Christ while living in relationship with others?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Marriage Amid The Madness – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore how the Holy Family reveals a deeply relational understanding of Christian life, where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph form a true spiritual household into which all are drawn. They reflect on the contrast between Herod’s corrupt, collapsing life and the quiet faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, whose marriage followed the customs of their small Nazareth community, including Mary’s journey to Elizabeth, likely accompanied by others, possibly Joseph, and the cultural realities of travel and hospitality at the time. Three traditional interpretations of Joseph’s reaction are examined: suspicion, perplexity, and reverence. The book leans toward a blend of perplexity and reverence, suggesting Joseph never doubted Mary’s virtue but grappled with a mystery beyond his understanding. It also addresses the role of historical context, encouraging thoughtful imagination grounded in scripture and scholarship rather than overreliance on private mystical writings, which can aid devotion but are not authoritative. Finally, there is the Roman census; its common purpose for taxation and noting the Holy Family’s compliance despite hardship, including the demanding journey to Bethlehem during Mary’s pregnancy, offering a glimpse into their obedience within the realities of their time. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does viewing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a real spiritual family shape your sense of belonging within the Church? 2. In what ways does the contrast between Herod’s life and the Holy Family challenge your understanding of true greatness? 3. How can you grow in trust when faced with situations that, like Joseph’s, do not immediately make sense? 4. Which of the interpretations of Joseph’s response—suspicion, perplexity, or reverence—resonates most with your own experiences of uncertainty before God? 5. What does Joseph’s humility teach you about your place in God’s plan, especially when you feel unworthy or inadequate? 6. How can you practice deeper faithfulness in ordinary duties, as seen in the quiet life of Mary and Joseph? 7. What role does imagination, grounded in scripture and tradition, play in helping you enter more fully into the Gospel stories? 8. How do you discern the difference between helpful spiritual reflections and authoritative teachings in your faith life? 9. What can the Holy Family’s obedience to civil obligations, even when difficult, teach you about your responsibilities in society? 10. How is God inviting you to respond more generously to His work unfolding in your life right now?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
Forms of Dryness – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor examine the struggles and remedies in the spiritual life, focusing on dryness in prayer. Through stories like Paul's father, who struggles with confusion and distraction as he begins praying with scripture. Learning how to meditate effectively, preparing in advance, and using resources like Bible studies or guided reflections can help deepen one’s prayer life. Spiritual dryness is natural, especially for beginners, and persistence is key. We must embrace the idea of "praying badly" as a necessary first step and to seek guidance through spiritual reading, retreats, or confession. There is a value in spiritual companionship, whether through friends, confessors, or spiritual directors. Stories like Julie’s show how a spiritual friend can gently help identify distractions and encourage a return to effective practices. Even without a formal spiritual director, forming a network of support is crucial for sustaining prayer. Fr. Gallagher advises adapting prayer practices to individual needs, reflecting deeply on scripture, and using interruptions as opportunities to refocus on God. With patience, persistence, and proper formation, the struggles of dryness can lead to a richer, more fulfilling spiritual life. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can you deepen your understanding of scripture and prayer practices to overcome confusion or dryness in your spiritual life? 2. Are you intentionally preparing for prayer, such as choosing a quiet time and space or reviewing scripture beforehand? 3. How do you respond to feelings of dryness or distraction in prayer—do you persevere or seek guidance? 4. Who are the spiritual friends, confessors, or mentors in your life who can offer encouragement and guidance in your journey? 5. How can you turn interruptions or challenges in prayer into opportunities to refocus on God? 6. Are you willing to embrace small struggles in prayer, trusting that God will bless your efforts as you grow in spiritual maturity? 7. Have you considered using tools like guided meditations, retreats, or spiritual readings to enrich your prayer life? 8. What adjustments can you make to your daily routines to foster a more fruitful and consistent prayer life?
An excerpt from the chapter, "A Need for Formation": "Paul’s father’s dryness in prayer does not arise from any fault on his part. On the contrary, he is diligent in preparing and approaches his prayer with goodwill. It derives, rather, from a lack of formation in prayer. Signs of this abound. When Paul’s father begins to pray, he chooses the Rosary because he saw his parents pray it. He knows little about the Rosary beyond its mechanics and, understandably, is easily distracted when he prays it. Paul’s father has never read the Bible. He has no formation in Scripture and, again unsurprisingly, struggles to comprehend it. When he tries to meditate, he encounters more questions than spiritual insight. He does not understand why given Gospel passages are chosen for given days. With good intentions but unwisely, he chooses a time and place that render prayer difficult. Most likely, if Paul’s father continues to pray in this way, his prayer will be dry. Even more likely, he will not persevere. This will change when he receives formation in prayer. Bible study will help him to understand the texts and so permit them to nourish him spiritually. Parish classes on prayer; spiritual books about meditation; resources on the web; meetings with a spiritual director, if possible; conversation with Paul, who is more experienced in prayer — all this will prepare Paul’s father to meditate fruitfully. As his schooling in prayer deepens, his meditation will no longer be dry. The Rosary, too, understood as contemplation of Jesus, will be less distracted. Formation in prayer resolves this form of dryness. Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 96-97). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. An excerpt from the chapter, "Something Has Slipped": "In this experience of dryness, the issue is negligence regarding prayer. The solution is to reverse that negligence. We all have routines, times of day, ways of choosing material, places, and the like that we know help us to pray. When we are faithful to them, this form of dryness resolves." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 100-101). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Living the Resurrection and Becoming Christ’s Witness – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff In this Third Sunday of Easter reflection, Msgr. John Esseff focuses on the Church’s journey from Easter to Pentecost, highlighting how the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel readings reveal a community transformed by the resurrection. The early Church becomes a living witness to Christ, moving from fear and confusion to bold proclamation through the power of the Holy Spirit. Msgr. Esseff connects this transformation to the lived experience of every baptized person. The suffering, confusion, and struggles found in daily life, especially among young people, are not separate from faith but part of the paschal mystery unfolding within them. Through Christ, suffering and loss can become a path to deeper union, as the resurrection life of Jesus takes root within the believer. The reflection calls the Church today to rediscover its mission. True hope is found not in worldly systems or identities but in Jesus Christ alone. As the apostles were sent to preach repentance and forgiveness to all nations, so every Christian is called to witness through their life. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the faithful become the hands and heart of Christ in the world, continuing his mission of salvation. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How have I experienced the movement from fear to faith in my own life after encountering Christ? 2. Where do I see the paschal mystery unfolding in my personal suffering or struggles? 3. What am I placing my hope in, and does it truly lead me to Christ? 4. How is God calling me to be a witness to the resurrection in my daily life? 5. In what ways can I become the hands and heart of Christ for others?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Herman Melville – Moby Dick – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, a towering work of American literature that moves far beyond a simple sea adventure into a profound meditation on the human soul. Pearce reflects on Melville’s life, noting how the author sacrificed popularity and financial success to pursue deeper truths about existence, suffering, and the mystery of good and evil. Through the contrasting figures of Ishmael and Captain Ahab, the novel presents a powerful study of the human journey, revealing the difference between a life open to growth and wisdom and one consumed by pride and obsession. The discussion highlights the spiritual and philosophical depth of Moby-Dick, particularly its engagement with questions of providence, suffering, and the limits of human understanding. Ahab’s relentless pursuit of the white whale becomes a symbol of destructive pride, while Ishmael’s survival points toward humility and the possibility of insight gained through experience. Pearce also emphasizes Melville’s exploration of the tension between material knowledge and deeper truth, showing how facts alone cannot satisfy the human search for meaning. Ultimately, the novel stands as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-absorption and the necessity of looking beyond oneself toward truth, grace, and wisdom. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Ahab’s obsession consumes his entire life. What does this reveal about the danger of allowing one desire or wound to dominate the heart? 2. Ishmael grows through suffering and experience, while Ahab remains fixed in pride. How do we remain open to growth rather than becoming spiritually stagnant? 3. The novel contrasts factual knowledge with deeper truth. How can we move beyond surface understanding to seek true wisdom? 4. Ahab projects evil onto the whale rather than confronting it within himself. How can we recognize when we are projecting our own struggles onto others? 5. Starbuck represents a voice of conscience but struggles to act decisively. When have you recognized truth but hesitated to act on it? 6. Moby-Dick presents a world filled with mystery, suffering, and providence. How does this story challenge you to trust God even when life seems chaotic or unclear?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
Episode 1 – "Why does God allow evil" – Put on The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor deepen the conversation by reflecting on St. Paul’s call in Ephesians to “put on the armor of God.” Dr. Thigpen explains that spiritual warfare is not reduced to a few prayers or techniques, but is bound up with the whole Christian life. Growth in holiness, communion with God, and the cultivation of virtue form the true armor of the disciple. Faith, hope, love, humility, and wisdom are not abstract ideals. They are concrete protections that help the soul resist the lies, temptations, and assaults of the enemy. The closer one draws to God, the less power deception has over the heart. The episode also takes up the difficult but necessary question of why God allows the devil to tempt and afflict human beings. Drawing from Scripture, St. Augustine, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Vianney, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Dr. Thigpen shows that God permits temptation not for our destruction but for our strengthening, purification, and deeper reliance on grace. Listeners are encouraged to use the Word of God as Christ did in the desert, to persevere in prayer, and to take refuge in Our Lady, whose obedience and maternal aid remain powerful in the spiritual battle. This conversation is sober but filled with hope, reminding us that the enemy is real, but Christ has conquered, and the faithful are never left defenseless A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Discerning Hearts questions for reflection 1. What does this episode teach about the relationship between virtue and spiritual protection? 2. How does Dr. Thigpen expand the meaning of the “armor of God” beyond simply saying prayers? 3. Why is it important to remember that our struggle is not ultimately against flesh and blood? 4. How does this episode help answer the question of why God allows temptation and evil? 5. What part of St. Catherine of Siena’s teaching most stood out to you and why? 6. How did Christ’s use of Scripture in the desert model a way for us to respond to temptation? 7. What role does prayer play in resisting the enemy, according to St. John Vianney? 8. How does devotion to Mary strengthen confidence in the spiritual battle? 9. In what area of your life do you most need to “put on the armor of God” right now?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D. The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
In place of idleness, work – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on Chapter 48 of the Rule and the teaching that “idleness is the enemy of the soul.” While modern culture often leans toward constant activity, St. Benedict offers a deeper understanding of work, not as mere productivity, but as a means of spiritual formation. He establishes a rhythm of manual labor, prayer, and sacred reading, ensuring that work does not dominate the heart but serves the life of prayer. Fr. Mauritius explains that work becomes spiritually fruitful when it is balanced, rooted in humility, and united with love. When work overtakes prayer or becomes a source of pride or identity, it can become spiritually harmful. Yet even the most ordinary or difficult tasks can be transformed when offered for others and united to God. In this way, Benedictine wisdom reveals that work is not the goal, but a tool that frees the heart for prayer, helping us live more fully in God’s presence. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 48: CHAPTER XLVIII Of the Daily Work Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading. Hence, we believe that the time for each will be properly ordered by the following arrangement; namely, that from Easter till the calends of October, they go out in the morning from the first till about the fourth hour, to do the necessary work, but that from the fourth till about the sixth hour they devote to reading. After the sixth hour, however, when they have risen from table, let them rest in their beds in complete silence; or if, perhaps, anyone desireth to read for himself, let him so read that he doth not disturb others. Let None be said somewhat earlier, about the middle of the eighth hour; and then let them work again at what is necessary until Vespers. If, however, the needs of the place, or poverty should require that they do the work of gathering the harvest themselves, let them not be downcast, for then are they monks in truth, if they live by the work of their hands, as did also our forefathers and the Apostles. However, on account of the faint-hearted let all things be done with moderation. From the calends of October till the beginning of Lent, let them apply themselves to reading until the second hour complete. At the second hour let Tierce be said, and then let all be employed in the work which hath been assigned to them till the ninth hour. When, however, the first signal for the hour of None hath been given, let each one leave off from work and be ready when the second signal shall strike. But after their repast, let them devote themselves to reading or the psalms. During the Lenten season let them be employed in reading from morning until the third hour, and till the tenth hour let them do the work which is imposed on them. During these days of Lent let all received books from the library, and let them read them through in order. These books are to be given out at the beginning of the Lenten season. Above all, let one or two of the seniors be appointed to go about the monastery during the time that the brethren devote to reading and take notice, lest perhaps a slothful brother be found who giveth himself up to idleness or vain talk, and doth not attend to his reading, and is unprofitable, not only to himself, but disturbeth also others. If such a one be found (which God forbid), let him be punished once and again. If he doth not amend, let him come under the correction of the Rule in such a way that others may fear. And let not brother join brother at undue times. On Sunday also let all devote themselves to reading, except those who are appointed to the various functions. But if anyone should be so careless and slothful that he will not or cannot meditate or read, let some work be given him to do, that he may not be idle. Let such work or charge be given to the weak and the sickly brethren, that they are neither idle, nor so wearied with the strain of work that they are driven away. Their weakness must be taken into account by the Abbot. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that idleness is the enemy of the soul. How do I experience this in my own daily life? 2. In what ways might my work be drawing me closer to God, or pulling me away from Him? 3. Do I struggle more with overwork or with distraction and lack of purpose? 4. How can I begin to unite even the smallest tasks of my day with prayer? 5. When work becomes difficult or burdensome, am I able to offer it for someone in love? 6. Where might God be inviting me to find greater balance between work, rest, and prayer?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Prosperity and It's Price – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores the broader world Joseph lived in, including the complex figure of Herod the Great—an accomplished but deeply troubled ruler whose achievements brought prosperity while his paranoia and cruelty alienated his people. He also explains the challenge of reconstructing Joseph’s life due to limited direct records, unlike more documented figures like Herod to bring his character into clearer view. This episode examines questions about Joseph’s lineage, age, and vocation, presenting historically plausible explanations and pushing back against exaggerated portrayals. Joseph is depicted as a strong, skilled craftsman shaped by a culture that valued labor and was marked by intense religious expectation. The book considers possible influences from groups like the Essenes, suggesting that elements such as celibacy within marriage and heightened spiritual awareness would not have been unusual in that time, helping illuminate the unique calling of the Holy Family. Joseph’s formation stands out: raised in a devout, working family, trained in both faith and trade, and shaped by traditions tied to King David. His life, though hidden, unfolds within a larger drama where divine purpose quietly advances despite political corruption and human ambition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does St. Joseph’s quiet faithfulness invite me to trust God more deeply in the hidden parts of my own life? 2. What can I learn from Mike Aquilina’s careful use of history about seeking truth with both faith and humility? 3. How does reflecting on the harsh world of Herod help me appreciate the courage and holiness of the Holy Family? 4. In what ways does St. Joseph’s life as a worker call me to see dignity in my daily labor? 5. How does the religious longing of Joseph’s time challenge me to recognize my own longing for the Messiah? 6. What does Joseph’s strength, skill, and obedience reveal about authentic spiritual fatherhood? 7. How might Mary and Joseph’s reverence before God’s plan inspire greater purity of heart in my own vocation? 8. What parts of my life need the kind of awe and surrender St. Joseph showed before the mystery of Christ? 9. How does the possibility of sacrifice within the Holy Family challenge my understanding of love and self-gift? 10. What steps can I take to become more attentive to God’s action in ordinary circumstances, as St. Joseph was?
About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
I Feel Alone – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher illustrates the struggles in the process of discernment with Kathy’s story, a woman who, after experiencing spiritual closeness with God, is confronted by a deeply buried pain triggered during prayer. Kathy feels abandoned by God, prompting her to stop praying and isolate herself emotionally. Guided by her spiritual director, Fr. Reed, Kathy learns that she can openly share her pain and anger with God, drawing on examples from the Psalms and the Book of Job, where people express their raw emotions before God. Through this honest dialogue, Kathy finds a path back to a real and growing relationship with God, learning that spiritual desolation can sometimes serve as a gateway to greater intimacy with Him. Fr. Gallagher emphasizes that while desolation may make us feel distant from God, the experience can deepen our relationship with Him if we remain faithful, seek guidance, and avoid making drastic changes to our spiritual practices. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How have you experienced feelings of isolation or distance from God, and how did you respond? 2. Who are the trusted individuals in your life whom you could approach for spiritual guidance during times of struggle? 3. In what ways could you bring your true feelings of pain or anger to God in prayer, as Kathy learned to do? 4. How can you recognize moments of consolation in your spiritual life, and how might they prepare you for future struggles? 5. What small steps or practices could help you stand firm in faith during times of spiritual desolation? 6. How might you grow in awareness of God’s closeness, even when feelings of distance prevail? 7. Which of the Ignatian tools for resisting spiritual desolation resonates most with you, and how can you integrate it into your daily spiritual life? 8. Reflect on a past pain or loss; how does the image of Jesus weeping with Lazarus’s sisters offer comfort in your own grief? 9. Are there areas in your spiritual journey where you feel “stuck,” and how could sharing with someone help you move forward? 10. How can you view spiritual desolation as an invitation to deeper intimacy with God rather than as a setback?
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Feel Alone ": "In a final form of spiritual desolation, Ignatius tells us, a person feels “as if separated from his Creator and Lord.” Cathy experiences this strongly in the weeks described: “All that closeness and warmth of God’s love? It’s gone like smoke. . . . I’m sitting in the kitchen as I write, and I feel like I’m here, and God is a million miles away.” I’m here, and God is a million miles away. I’m here, sitting in my kitchen, alone in my apartment, commuting to work, driving to pick up the children, sitting at my computer . . . and you are a million miles away, distant, remote. Have you ever felt that? Yes, certainly, you have, and I have. Once more: no shame, no surprise; be aware, identify, reject." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 89). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor speaks with Mike Pacer, author of Mercy and Hope, about the transforming power of God’s mercy and the deep Christian call to live in hope. Drawing from his own spiritual journey, Mike reflects on how many Catholics grow up with a sense of guilt, shame, and the feeling that God’s love must somehow be earned. In response, he offers a deeply biblical and sacramental vision of mercy, showing that God has always been merciful, from the Old Testament to the revelation of Divine Mercy and the life of the Church today. Kris and Mike explore how mercy, trust, and hope are inseparably connected and why authentic Christian hope rests not in self-reliance, but in surrender to the love of God. Their conversation also highlights the healing power of the sacraments, especially Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist, as privileged encounters with divine mercy. Mike speaks movingly about pride as an obstacle to receiving mercy, the beauty of trusting God’s plan, and the courage to hope even in the face of judgment, suffering, and fear for loved ones. With clarity and warmth, he reminds listeners that hope in God’s mercy is not wishful thinking but a confident trust in the Father's goodness. This episode is a rich invitation to rediscover the heart of the Gospel and to believe once again that God’s mercy is greater than sin, fear, and every human weakness. Discerning Hearts Reflections Questions: 1. Do I truly believe that God is merciful, or do I still carry the burden of trying to earn His love? 2. In what ways have guilt, shame or pride kept me from receiving the mercy God wants to pour into my life? 3. How did this conversation deepen my understanding that mercy is not a new message, but the revelation of who God has always been? 4. What does it mean for me personally to say, “Jesus, I trust in You”? 5. How have I experienced God’s mercy through the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist? 6. Am I more likely to rely on myself than to surrender in trust to God’s providence and love? 7. What fears do I carry about judgment, and how is the Lord inviting me to grow in hope rather than anxiety? 8. How might God be calling me not only to receive mercy, but to extend mercy more generously to others? 9. In what ways can I become more attentive to the small acts of kindness, patience and compassion that reveal God’s mercy in daily life? 10. Where is the Lord inviting me to hope more boldly in His mercy for myself and for those I love?
You can find the book here "Mike's book is not a theological treatise; his writing, like his personality, is real and down-to-earth. To me, the most wonderful and powerful thing Mike has done in this book is to show us the interconnectedness of mercy and hope."
–Vinny Flynn, author of 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy "In this book, Mike Pacer offers a loving, heartfelt account of the hope he's found in Divine Mercy. Through his personal reflections on Scripture, St. Faustina's writings, and the theological virtues, he offers fresh insights into the hope-filled mystery of God's merciful love."
–Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of 33 Days to Morning Glory
Ginny Kochis – Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this heartfelt episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor speaks with Ginny Kochis, author of Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy, about the challenges and graces of raising neurodivergent children in Catholic families. Drawing from her own life as a mother, writer, and advocate, Ginny reflects on autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and the often difficult journey toward understanding a child’s unique needs. Together, Kris and Ginny explore the fear, guilt, isolation, and uncertainty many parents experience, while also offering real hope, practical wisdom, and the reassurance that families are not alone. Their conversation also highlights the spiritual dimension of parenting quirky Catholic kids, especially the freedom that can come through diagnosis, the importance of community support, and the need for greater compassion in parishes and schools. Kris shares moving insights from her own family’s experience, while Ginny points listeners toward the dignity of every child and the beauty of seeing neurodivergence through the lens of faith. From meltdowns at Mass to the comfort of the saints, including Servant of God Léonie Martin, this episode offers encouragement for parents, grandparents, teachers, priests, and anyone who wants to better accompany families navigating neurodivergence with faith and joy. About the Author Ginny Kochis is a Catholic wife, mother, author, and neurodivergent parent coach from Northern Virginia. She writes for and about neurodivergent children, teens, and adults through a Catholic lens, and her author site describes her work as serving “the unique and unrepeatable.” Sophia Institute Press describes Quirky Catholic Kids as a book that shares her experience as a parent and educator, along with faith-filled strategies to help families thrive. About Her Ministry: Quirky Catholic Kids Ginny is also the founder of Quirky Catholic Kids, a ministry for Catholic moms raising neurodivergent children. The ministry says it helps mothers move “from overwhelm to confidence” through practical tools, faith, and community, and it offers support through coaching, resources, and encouragement for families raising children who do not fit neatly into conventional expectations Facebook Page Facebook: Not So Formulaic by Ginny Kochis
You can link to her Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/notsoformulaic/ Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. Have I ever felt fear, guilt, or isolation in loving and caring for someone whose needs did not fit my expectations?
2. In what ways have I struggled to accept that God’s plan for my family may look very different from what I once imagined?
3. How did this conversation help me better understand the difference between labeling a child and receiving a diagnosis that can become a tool for greater freedom?
4. Where have I seen the dignity and beauty of a child shine through, even in the midst of struggle, misunderstanding, or social pressure?
5. Have I ever judged a child or parent from the outside without understanding the deeper reality of what they were carrying?
6. How might God be calling me to become more patient, more attentive, and more compassionate toward neurodivergent children and their families?
7. What does it mean for me to trust that God can bring grace, beauty, and even joy through circumstances I would never have chosen?
8. How does the witness of saints such as Léonie Martin help me see that holiness can blossom in lives that others may misunderstand?
9. In my family, parish, or community, how can I help create a more welcoming place for those who feel different, overwhelmed, or unseen?
10. What part of this conversation most stirred my heart, and where might the Lord be inviting me to respond with greater faith, hope, and love?
From the book's description: You can find the book here: https://amzn.to/4cE8Wpl Quirky kids are more: more intense, more active, more emotive, and more sensitive — as much a parent’s or educator’s greatest challenge as they are their greatest joy. In Quirky Catholic Kids, Ginny Kochis explores the complex journey of parenting and educating “outside-the-box,” neurodivergent children — that is, those whose brains receive, process, and express information in unconventional ways — sharing her authentic, often vulnerable, experience as a parent and educator alongside faith-filled strategies designed to help families thrive. Drawing from scientific research, psychology, and her own personal faith journey, Kochis shows you how to turn hurdles into stepping stones of hope. You’ll learn effective approaches for processing the challenges, fears, and frustrations common in neurodivergent family life, affording you and your children powerful techniques for gaining trust and perseverance in the valleys. You’ll also discover: * Methods for channeling child behaviors, such as hyperfocusing, to make them fruitful * Step-by-step advice on how to respond to meltdowns and help children regulate their emotions * How to develop social skills through games, role-playing, and stories * Tips on fostering executive functioning skills and navigating difficulties with eating and sleeping * Five ways to evaluate whether inappropriate behavior is a matter of discipline or development * Ways to strike a balance with your child’s daily use of screen time * Guides for effective faith formation and parent-child interactions
Through the words of Scripture and intercessory prayers of the saints, you will also learn how to combat negative self-talk, grow in temperance yourself, and share these tools with others. Kochis includes several quirky saint examples, such as Carlo Acutis, Dymphna, Joseph of Cupertino, Ignatius of Loyola, Christina the Astonishing, and Servant of God Leonie Martin. A special appendix highlights the talents and struggles of one hundred saints to help you prayerfully discern your child’s patron. This invaluable resource also includes best practices for helping your family grow in faith, especially during times when your child is struggling.
Episode 1 – "Know Your Enemy" – Put on The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D In this opening conversation of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Kris McGregor and Dr. Paul Thigpen begin by addressing a truth too often ignored in modern Christian life: the reality of spiritual warfare. Dr. Thigpen explains that many people live unaware that a battle for the soul is taking place, even while Sacred Scripture clearly warns the faithful to remain sober, watchful, and steadfast against the attacks of the devil. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and his own experience, he speaks candidly about the danger of dismissing the existence of Satan and the demons, especially when Jesus Himself confronted and cast out demonic powers during His earthly ministry. This episode also lays an important foundation for understanding the difference between ordinary temptation and more extraordinary forms of demonic activity. Dr. Thigpen explains who demons are, how they work through deception and temptation, and why discernment, virtue, and fidelity to Christ are essential in resisting them. The conversation is both sober and hopeful. While the enemy is real, the greater truth is that Christ has already won the victory. For the Christian, spiritual warfare is never about fear but about living under the authority of Jesus Christ, using the weapons God has given His Church and trusting that “greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.” A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer. Discerning Hearts questions for reflection * Why do you think so many people, including Christians, resist speaking openly about the reality of spiritual warfare? * How does this episode help clarify the difference between fear of evil and confidence in Christ’s victory? * What struck you most in Dr. Thigpen’s explanation of why denying the devil can leave a person spiritually vulnerable? * How does Jesus’ direct confrontation with Satan in Scripture shape your understanding of spiritual warfare? * What does this conversation reveal about the importance of discernment in everyday Christian life? * How can the virtues help protect us against temptation and spiritual deception? * Why is it important to understand the Church’s role and authority in dealing with extraordinary demonic activity? * In what ways does this episode encourage you to rely more fully on Christ, prayer and the life of grace?
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Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D. The "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" can be found here Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., was the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, and fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977, summa cum laude, with Distinction in Religious Studies and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993, he was named a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008, Paul was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings, speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.
Living in Community – the benefits for all of society – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, reflect on the essential role of community life in the Benedictine tradition. Drawing from Chapter 1 of the Rule, St. Benedict distinguishes between different types of monastic life, highlighting the cenobites, those who live together under a rule and an abbot, as the “strong kind.” Community life is not the goal in itself, but a powerful means for growth in holiness. Through shared prayer, work, and daily life, individuals are formed, supported, and challenged in ways that cannot be experienced alone. Fr. Mauritius describes the monastery as both a home and a “support group,” where individuals help one another grow in virtue, face personal weaknesses, and encounter God more deeply. While community life brings joy, identity, and security, it also requires humility, forgiveness, and perseverance. The presence of others reveals both strengths and wounds, offering opportunities for healing and transformation. Rooted in prayer, mutual responsibility, and love, the Benedictine community becomes a living witness to the Gospel, showing that true growth in the spiritual life happens not in isolation, but together. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 1: CHAPTER I Of the Kinds or the Life of Monks It is well known that there are four kinds of monks. The first kind is that of Cenobites, that is, the monastic, who live under a rule and an Abbot. The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts. But a third and most vile class of monks is that of Sarabaites, who have been tried by no rule under the hand of a master, as gold is tried in the fire (cf Prov 27:21); but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their works, they are known to belie God by their tonsure. Living in two’s and three’s, or even singly, without a shepherd, enclosed, not in the Lord’s sheepfold, but in their own, the gratification of their desires is law unto them; because what they choose to do they call holy, but what they dislike they hold to be unlawful. But the fourth class of monks is that called Landlopers, who keep going their whole life long from one province to another, staying three or four days at a time in different cells as guests. Always roving and never settled, they indulge their passions and the cravings of their appetite, and are in every way worse than the Sarabaites. It is better to pass all these over in silence than to speak of their most wretched life. Therefore, passing these over, let us go on with the help of God to lay down a rule for that most valiant kind of monks, the Cenobites. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict presents community life as a path to holiness. How do I experience community as part of my spiritual growth? 2. In what ways do others help reveal both my strengths and my weaknesses? 3. How do I respond when community life becomes difficult or challenging? 4. What role does forgiveness play in my relationships, and am I willing to begin again when needed? 5. How might God be using the people around me as instruments of grace and transformation? 6. Where is God inviting me to grow in humility, patience, and love within my community?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
William Shakespeare – Hamlet and Macbeth – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore two of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Hamlet and Macbeth. Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in Western civilization, Shakespeare presents in these plays a profound exploration of the human soul, moral choice, and the consequences of sin. Pearce explains that while both works are often interpreted through a modern lens of despair or nihilism, they are, in fact, deeply rooted in a Christian understanding of reality. Hamlet traces a journey from confusion and despair toward truth, humility, and ultimately hope, while Macbeth reveals the destructive descent into ambition, pride, and spiritual darkness. The discussion highlights how these two plays serve as mirrors of the human condition, presenting two possible paths: one leading toward grace and redemption, and another toward isolation and despair. Shakespeare’s characters are richly human, reflecting the inner struggles between virtue and vice that shape every life. Pearce emphasizes the importance of reading these plays carefully, especially within the context of faithful interpretation, to uncover their true meaning. Far from being relics of the past, Hamlet and Macbeth remain timeless works that challenge readers to discern truth, resist temptation, and seek a deeper understanding of the moral life You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Hamlet and Macbeth present two very different responses to temptation. What do these contrasting paths reveal about the consequences of our choices? 2. Hamlet struggles to discern truth and act rightly, while Macbeth acts quickly on ambition. How do we discern when to act and when to pause in our own lives? 3. Macbeth’s downfall begins with a single temptation that he entertains. How can small compromises lead to larger moral failures? 4. Hamlet’s journey leads him toward humility and acceptance of God’s providence. What does it mean to trust in God’s will even in uncertainty? 5. Both plays explore the influence of voices around us. How can we recognize whether the voices we listen to are leading us toward truth or away from it? 6. Shakespeare shows that despair and hope are both real possibilities. What practices help us remain rooted in hope when facing suffering or confusion?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
Joseph and His King – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the historical and cultural setting surrounding the birth and early life of St. Joseph, placing him within a small, quiet Nazareth shaped by hope and rooted in the promises to Israel. Though seemingly insignificant, this setting was alive with religious diversity, as groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes offered different approaches to living out the law. Political and religious life were deeply intertwined, often creating tension and instability, especially as rulers manipulated these dynamics for power. This environment formed the backdrop of Joseph’s upbringing—a world both ordinary and quietly charged with expectation of God’s action. Mike Aquilina also examines the rule of Herod the Great, a brilliant yet deeply troubled leader whose reign combined architectural grandeur with brutality and fear. His attempts to secure power, including violent purges and even claims to messianic status, created an atmosphere of anxiety, particularly among descendants of David, from whom the true Messiah was expected. Against this turbulent background, Joseph’s formation stands out: raised in a devout, working family, trained in both faith and trade, and shaped by traditions tied to King David. His life, though hidden, unfolds within a larger drama where divine purpose quietly advances despite political corruption and human ambition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does understanding the historical and religious environment of Joseph’s time deepen your appreciation of his role in salvation history? 2. In what ways can God be working quietly in your own life, even in seemingly ordinary or unnoticed circumstances? 3. How do you respond to the presence of division or differing interpretations of faith within the Church or society today? 4. What lessons can you draw from Joseph’s hidden life about humility, work, and faithfulness in daily responsibilities? 5. How can you remain grounded in truth and integrity when leadership or culture around you is marked by confusion or corruption? 6. What does Joseph’s formation in both faith and practical skills teach you about raising or mentoring others? 7. How might fear and uncertainty, like those experienced under Herod’s rule, challenge or strengthen your trust in God? 8. In what ways are you called to prepare your heart, like Joseph, for the responsibilities God entrusts to you?
About the Book fsdfsd About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
I Have No Fervor & I Feel Sad – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses St. Ignatius of Loyola's insights on handling spiritual desolation with St. Ignatius' rule to remain steadfast in spiritual practices during desolation and not make changes, using Beth’s experience to illustrate this. Despite feeling no fervor during a Bible study, Beth remains committed, a choice Ignatius encourages as a response to desolation. Recognizing these feelings as a natural part of spiritual growth can prevent discouragement. Fr. Gallagher also touches on different desolation experiences. Returning to the character of Paul, Paul's prayer life is subtly disrupted by doubts and comparisons, which cause sadness and diminish his peace, although he can still identify and manage these negative thoughts. Through Paul's story, St. Ignatius' counsel is used to recognize and reject discouraging thoughts that intrude during prayer, likening these to “cold air” moments that disturb a peaceful, loving space with God. The use of Ignatian practices like the examen prayer to gain clarity in these struggles and the importance of knowing personal vulnerabilities in spiritual life. These insights from Ignatius aim to strengthen resilience, helping individuals to hold onto hope and joy in prayer despite ongoing spiritual challenges. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can you identify moments of spiritual desolation in your own life, similar to Beth's experience, and resist the urge to change your routine? 2. When you feel unmotivated in spiritual practices, what commitments can help you continue faithfully, as Ignatius advises? 3. Can you recognize the subtle ways in which thoughts of comparison or inadequacy, like Paul's, affect your prayer life? 4. How might the examen prayer or other Ignatian tools help you notice and counteract spiritual desolation? 5. What areas in your life feel most vulnerable to discouragement, and how can you turn them into places of hope, as Ignatius suggests? 6. How does comparing your spiritual journey to others diminish your sense of peace, and what steps can you take to embrace your unique path? 7. How does reflecting on God’s unique love for you help counteract feelings of sadness or inadequacy in prayer?
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Have No Fervor": "How should we understand Beth’s experience this Wednesday evening? We have no indication that Beth is at fault. She is faithful. She prepares and attends the class in her usual way. She does her best to participate — so well in fact, that none perceive her lack of enthusiasm. What, then, is Beth experiencing? Having followed Ignatius thus far, we can guess the answer! This Wednesday evening, Beth experiences a form of spiritual desolation. She feels, to use Ignatius’s words, “totally tepid,” that is, completely without fervor as she performs a spiritual practice. In this form of desolation, we feel spiritually lukewarm, indifferent, unenthusiastic, without affect. When we pray, serve the Lord, live our vocations, take new steps in our spiritual lives, seek holiness, but find ourselves tepid and without fervor as we do these things, we are experiencing spiritual desolation. The adverb “totally” is again expressive. Have you ever felt this form of spiritual desolation? Yes, certainly, we all have at times. Obviously, the enemy’s goal is that such tepidity cause us to question ourselves, to lose heart, to abandon these helpful practices. Beth responds well when she remains faithful, the right response for us as well. Once again, no shame! No surprise! Be aware, identify, reject." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 76-77). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. An excerpt from the chapter, "I Feel Sad": "Before Paul — or we — can answer these questions, we need to identify the sadness he feels. Paul is faithful to prayer and has been for years. He loves it, and he feels its fruits. Though the sadness weighs on him, Paul does not let it stop him. In fact, he is progressing in prayer, as his increased awareness of his experience reveals. Paul now notes spiritual movements, even this undramatic, nonclamorous sense of sadness. He can identify the thoughts from which it originates. Paul’s sadness, then, does not derive from negligence on his part. How, then, should we understand it? Paul experiences a form of spiritual desolation that Ignatius describes as finding oneself “totally sad.” Paul is not yet “totally” sad, but things appear to be moving in that direction. Once again, no shame, so surprise; be aware, identify, reject. This sadness is distinct from the healthy — even if painful — sadness we feel at the loss of a loved one, the termination of a rewarding occupation, and the like. This is a spiritual sadness with nothing healthy about it. It arises from lies of the enemy. He tells you that you should be ashamed to bring such “small” things to prayer — to the God who knows when a sparrow falls to the ground and counts the hairs on your head (Luke 12:6–7), the God to whom everything in your life is important. The enemy tells you that you are not really praying — when, in reality, God is calling you to a simpler and richer prayer. The enemy tells you that you have stopped at the threshold of deep prayer — when you have only encountered the dry and distracted moments that all who pray faithfully experience. All this is from the liar and father of lies! The only fitting response is to unmask the lies and reject them." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 81-82). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 45 – St. Frances of Rome- Fidelity in the Ordinary In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Frances of Rome, a wife, mother, widow and Benedictine oblate whose holiness was formed not in withdrawal from responsibility, but in the middle of it. Frances lived amid family duties, illness, grief, service to the poor and the demands of household life. Yet prayer was not lost there. It was carried within those realities and gradually deepened through them. Frances shows that ordinary duties are not outside the spiritual life. They can become the very place where love of God is tested and purified. Her famous insight, that a married woman may leave God at the altar to find Him in her domestic cares, does not diminish prayer. It reveals its fruit. What begins at the altar is meant to continue in charity, patience and fidelity toward the people already entrusted to us. This witness fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule forms the heart through prayer, psalmody and the liturgical rhythm of the Church, so that even when life becomes interrupted, demanding or heavy, the soul can remain steadier within. Frances reminds us that holiness is not found only in set-apart moments. It is also found where duty and charity meet. This episode invites listeners to see that real life is not an obstacle to sanctity. It is often the very place where Christ waits to be loved faithfully. Citations St. Frances of Rome “A married woman must leave God at the altar to find Him in her domestic cares.” Matthew 25:37-40, RSV–Catholic Edition Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I sometimes think my daily responsibilities keep me from prayer rather than offering a place to live it? 2. Where is God asking for my attention and love in the ordinary duties right in front of me? 3. How have interruptions, fatigue, or family responsibilities tested my fidelity? 4. In what ways can liturgical prayer and the rhythm of the Church continue shaping my heart even in busy seasons? 5. How is Christ inviting me to love Him more faithfully where duty and charity meet?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Mystery of Good Friday – A Special Conversation with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., and Kris McGregor During this podcast, Deacon Keating will offer his insights on the mystery of this Good Friday. Amidst the turmoil of the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, this recording captured Deacon Keating's profound insights. Remarkably, his words continue to resonate with timeless relevance, offering poignant guidance and wisdom that remains as crucial today as it was during those uncertain times. Here are a few of his comments: Deacon James Keating: "John is the one who gives us that famous line. It is finished. It is finished. What is finished? This creation, creation is finished. Everything after the crucifixion, the resurrection, everything after that is creation, a sort of groaning as Paul says, to catch up to what Jesus has already done, that perfect man, that perfection of God. And again, perfection is not as we understand it perhaps mathematically with no errors or faults, but scripturally, perfection is what Jesus said it was, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. And then he contextualized that within the sense of welcoming your enemies, welcoming the other, welcoming those who are not you. And of course, that's what Jesus was literally doing on the cross. He was welcoming those who were the enemy, who were not him, in other words, were against him, and this is what perfection is for the Christian. On the cross, Jesus was the perfect man because he was the man who was forgiven, welcoming of the enemy, welcoming of the one who was literally killing him, and still not calling down his angels to destroy them, but actually welcoming the one who is killing into his own heart. As scripture says, "God has the sun shine on the good and the evil", and that's what Jesus was doing from the cross. He was saying, "You're still welcome in me even as you're killing me because I am love itself." And so as we meditate on Good Friday and on the crucifixion, we're also meditating on our own dignity as Christians. We have, again, through the Holy Spirit, we have that spirit of perfection in us, the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of welcoming those who are not ourselves. In other words, to no longer live as extensions of our egos, but to literally be hospitable to the other, even the other who would hurt us through the process of forgiveness. Obviously, great mysteries here that the Holy Spirit must tutor us in real life. We can always think about them and write about them and speak about them, but when it comes to living them, we really need the incredible combustible power of the Holy Spirit moving our will to actually welcome the enemy and forgive those who are hurting us. But it's all there on the Cross. The perfect man, the forgiven man, the man who is in perfect harmony with God, all of those things Jesus is trying to gift us with as well." Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 44 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Guarding What Is Hidden In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gregory the Great and reflects on a quieter danger in the spiritual life: not open failure, but the slow erosion that can come through long responsibility, weariness, and the desire to be seen as good, dependable, or necessary. Gregory knows that what is at risk is not only the work itself, but the soul doing it. A person may continue serving faithfully on the outside while the hidden life with God begins to thin out within. Gregory’s warning is both sober and merciful. Good work becomes dangerous when the heart begins to feed on visibility, praise, or the comfort of being appreciated. Prayer grows thin, humility weakens, and service quietly shifts away from God. That is why Gregory insists that the interior life must be guarded even more carefully than the works others can see. Hidden fidelity protects the soul from this erosion and keeps the heart turned toward God rather than toward recognition. This teaching belongs deeply within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule trains a person not to build life on praise, notice, or self-importance. Stability keeps the heart in place before God. Humility checks the desire to be lifted up. Obedience keeps action ordered toward God’s will rather than self-satisfaction. This episode invites listeners to guard what is hidden, remain faithful where no one sees, and let prayer stay deeper than appearance, so that perseverance can endure in freedom and truth. Citations St. Gregory the Great: The Pastoral Rule “Often the mind is lifted up by the good it does,
and while it seeks the praise of men,
it loses the reward of God.
Therefore the shepherd must guard the interior life
more carefully than the works that are seen.” Matthew 6:6, RSV–Catholic Edition “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door
and pray to your Father who is in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my service or responsibilities am I tempted to draw strength from recognition or praise?
2. Has weariness or long responsibility thinned out my hidden life with God?
3. Do I notice disappointment or resentment when my sacrifices go unseen?
4. What helps keep my heart anchored in God rather than in results or approval?
5. How is Christ inviting me to remain faithful in what is hidden and unseen?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
A Special Holy Thursday Reflection – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects deeply on the meaning of Holy Thursday, focusing especially on Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet and the institution of the Eucharist. He describes the foot-washing as a sign of humility and love that all Christians are called to imitate, not just toward family and friends, but especially toward enemies and those most difficult to serve. This act, performed by Christ before his Passion, is framed as his last will and testament—a mandate to serve others with profound humility, as he did. Msgr. Esseff invites us to internalize this calling by examining their relationships and asking us whose feet we would struggle to wash. There is the unity between the Eucharist and this act of service. Receiving Christ in the Eucharist, especially during the Triduum, is meant to transform hearts to love as he loves. It's important to receive spiritual discernment in knowing when and how to engage with others in this sacrificial way. Msgr. Esseff recalls traditional Holy Thursday devotions and reflects on the Paschal Mystery—Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection—as the heart of Christian life, reminding the listener that Easter marks a beginning, not an end, in the journey of faith. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Whose feet in your life would be the hardest for you to wash, and why? 2. In what ways do you live out Christ’s call to humble service in your daily relationships? 3. How does your participation in the Eucharist transform the way you treat others, especially those who hurt you? 4. Are there people you need to forgive before entering into the Triduum more fully? 5. How do you discern when to serve and when to retreat in prayer, following Jesus’ example? 6. What does the washing of feet reveal to you about true greatness in the Kingdom of God? 7. Have you ever tried to serve someone with hidden resentment or pride—how can that change? 8. How does your Holy Thursday participation reflect your love for the Eucharist and your understanding of its meaning? 9. What spiritual traditions during Holy Thursday or the Triduum help you grow closer to Christ?
Gospel JN 13:1-15 "Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples' feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all."
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher' and ‘master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do." Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
In place of provincialism, respect and tolerance – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, explore the challenge of overcoming provincialism through the Benedictine virtues of respect and tolerance. Within the stability of monastic life, there exists a real temptation to turn inward and lose sight of the broader human family. St. Benedict addresses this by fostering communities composed of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, all united in Christ. By doing so, he creates not only a place of prayer but a model of unity rooted in the Gospel, where each person is valued as a child of God. Fr. Mauritius explains that respect flows from recognizing the presence of God in every person, while tolerance involves the difficult work of bearing with one another’s weaknesses. This does not mean accepting everything without discernment, but rather living together under a shared commitment to Christ and the Rule. In a world increasingly marked by division and cultural tension, Benedictine spirituality offers a powerful witness: unity is possible when hearts remain fixed on Christ. Through discipline, humility, and prayer, communities can become places of authentic peace, where differences reveal not division, but the richness of God’s presence. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 2: CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be “…..Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience. Let not a free-born be preferred to a freedman, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Abbot deemeth it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we are all one in Christ (cf Gal 3:28; Eph 6:8), and we all bear an equal burden of servitude under one Lord, “for there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom 2:11). We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict calls us to recognize Christ in one another. How do I respond to those who are different from me?
2. Where in my life do I struggle to show respect to others, especially when differences arise?
3. How do I understand tolerance? Do I see it as bearing with love, or merely ignoring differences?
4. In what ways might God be inviting me to grow in patience and humility within my relationships?
5. How can focusing more intentionally on Christ help bring unity into situations of division or tension?
6. Where might I be called to encounter Christ in the “stranger” in my life today?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a foundational work of American literature that offers a profound meditation on sin, repentance, and redemption. Set within a Puritan community, the novel examines the consequences of moral failure while also revealing the deeper Christian call to mercy and reconciliation. Pearce highlights how Hawthorne challenges both the self-righteousness of judgmental religion and the despair of hidden sin, presenting instead a vision of hope rooted in humility and transformation. The discussion highlights the novel's powerful symbolism, especially in the characters of Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl. Hester’s acceptance of her suffering becomes a path toward holiness, while Dimmesdale’s hidden guilt reveals the destructive burden of unconfessed sin. Pearl, as a symbol of innocence and grace, serves as a light of redemption within a broken world. Pearce emphasizes that The Scarlet Letter is not an anti-Christian work, but a deeply Christian one, calling readers to move beyond judgment toward compassion, repentance, and the healing power of truth. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. The Scarlet Letter contrasts public judgment with hidden sin. How does the novel challenge us to examine our own tendency toward self-righteousness? 2. Hester accepts the consequences of her sin and grows in holiness through suffering. What does her example teach us about repentance and transformation? 3. Dimmesdale’s hidden guilt causes deep interior suffering. How does this reflect the importance of bringing sin into the light for healing? 4. Pearl represents innocence, truth, and even grace within the story. How can innocence and honesty become instruments of conversion in our own lives? 5. Hawthorne critiques a form of religion that lacks mercy. How can we ensure that our faith is rooted in compassion rather than judgment? 6. The novel ultimately points toward hope and redemption. How does this story deepen your understanding of God’s mercy and the possibility of new life after sin?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 43 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Discretion and Self-Knowledge In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gregory the Great and turns to a danger that often follows responsibility: losing sight of one’s own soul while caring for others. Gregory understands how easily outward activity can create the illusion of fidelity while the interior life grows thin, neglected, or evasive. For that reason, he insists that anyone who guides, corrects, or serves others must remain rooted in self-knowledge. Gregory’s teaching is not about endless introspection. It is about truthfulness. The person entrusted with others must remain teachable, repentant, and aware of his own need for mercy. Discretion grows from that humility. It helps a person judge rightly, not only others but himself. It keeps authority from becoming harsh or blind and keeps correction from turning hypocritical. The one who remembers his own wounds is more likely to lead with patience and tenderness. This wisdom belongs naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule does not let a person hide behind duty, role or appearance for long. Humility brings the heart into truth. Stability keeps it from fleeing that truth. Obedience softens defensiveness and teaches the soul to listen even when the truth is uncomfortable. This episode invites listeners to see that self-knowledge does not weaken service. It purifies it. The heart that stays honest before God becomes safer for others. Citations St. Gregory the Great: The Pastoral Rule “The ruler must examine himself carefully, lest while correcting others he neglects his own wounds.” Luke 6:41, RSV–Catholic Edition “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life am I more aware of others’ faults than of my own wounds? 2. Do responsibility and busyness ever distract me from the condition of my own soul? 3. How does humility help me become more patient and truthful in the way I guide or correct others? 4. What defenses rise in me when God’s truth begins to touch something uncomfortable? 5. How might honest self-knowledge make my care for others more merciful and more faithful?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 42 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Compassion Rooted in Prayer In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Gregory the Great, monk, pope, and Doctor of the Church, whose Pastoral Rule speaks with unusual depth about the relationship between contemplation and responsibility. Gregory knew both the silence of monastic life and the heavy demands of pastoral office. Because of that, he writes with realism. He understands how easily caring for others can draw the heart outward, leaving the interior life thin, restless, or neglected. Gregory does not oppose compassion and contemplation. He insists they belong together. The shepherd must be close to others through sympathy, yet remain anchored in God through prayer. Without that rootedness, even sincere service can become anxious, reactive or subtly self-serving. Prayer does not remove a person from responsibility. It purifies responsibility and keeps it faithful. This teaching fits deeply within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule does not force a choice between prayer and duty. It teaches the soul to remain rooted in God while carrying what has been entrusted to it. Stability guards against interior scattering. Obedience keeps responsibility under God rather than under ego or fear. Humility protects authority from distortion. This episode invites listeners to see that the safest place for responsibility is in the hands of a person who still knows how to pray. Citations St. Gregory the Great: The Pastoral Rule “The shepherd should be close to everyone through compassion
and yet remain above all through contemplation,
so that he may pour himself out in sympathy
and still cling to the heights of prayer.” Mark 6:31, RSV–Catholic Edition “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life has responsibility begun to crowd out recollection and prayer?
2. Do I tend to serve others from union with God, or mostly from urgency, reaction, or pressure?
3. How does prayer purify my motives and steady my care for others?
4. In what ways do stability, obedience, and humility help me carry responsibility more faithfully?
5. How is Christ calling me to care for others from a deeper place rather than simply doing more?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
St. Joseph's World – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Kris McGregor and Mike Aquilina explore St. Joseph by placing him within the sweeping history of Israel, especially the lineage of Abraham and King David as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. This genealogy is not incidental but central, revealing a family story rooted in concrete historical events, carefully preserved over centuries. The people of Israel maintained detailed ancestral records because they trusted that God’s promises—though sometimes appearing delayed—would be fulfilled. This long view of history reveals a pattern: divine promises unfolding across generations, culminating in the arrival of the Messiah through David’s line, with Joseph playing a unique role within God’s family as a reflection of fatherhood. Mike also reflects on the flawed yet significant figures of David and Solomon, whose sins contributed to the collapse and exile of the kingdom, demonstrating both human weakness and the need for repentance. Despite apparent defeat—exile, loss of kingship, and the seeming end of David’s line—God’s plan continued quietly through preserved genealogies and faithful communities living in dispersion. Over time, movements like the Maccabean revolt and the return to the land reignited hope, leading descendants of David back to places like Nazareth, where Joseph would be born. This historical journey reveals how divine purposes unfold through both triumph and failure, preparing the way for fulfillment in unexpected ways. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does seeing St. Joseph within the long history of God’s promises deepen your trust in God’s timing in your own life? 2. What can Joseph’s place in the house of David teach you about accepting a mission that has been prepared by God long before you could see it? 3. How does the faithfulness of those who preserved their family history challenge you to remember and give thanks for the ways God has acted in your life? 4. What do the failures of David and Solomon reveal about the danger of power, pride, and forgetting dependence on God? 5. How does David’s repentance after grave sin invite you to return to God with greater honesty and humility? 6. In what ways do you find yourself measuring success by numbers, influence, or recognition instead of by fidelity to God? 7. How does the history of exile and restoration show you that God can still bring hope out of situations that seem ruined or lost? 8. What does this episode reveal about the importance of memory in the spiritual life, especially in remembering God’s faithfulness across time? 9. How might St. Joseph’s hidden place in salvation history encourage you to value quiet obedience and trust over visible achievement? 10. As God prepared the world for Christ through generations of waiting, how is He asking you to be patient with His work in your own heart today?
About the Book fsdfsd About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 41 – St. Anslem of Canterbury – Proslogion: Seeking the Face of God In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Anselm of Canterbury and turns from faith seeking understanding to the deeper patience of seeking God’s face. Anselm helps us see that the spiritual life is not sustained by insight alone. There are times when truth seems near and luminous, and times when it feels hidden. What matters then is not whether the soul can grasp God, but whether it will remain turned toward Him. This episode explores Anselm’s prayer as the language of holy desire. “Your face, Lord, I seek” is not the cry of someone who has solved the mystery of God, but of someone who knows that seeking is itself part of loving. Anselm teaches that prayer does not fail when understanding is incomplete. It becomes more reverent, more faithful, and more rooted in the continual turning of the heart toward God. In that sense, this episode also opens a deeper understanding of conversion, not as a single event left behind, but as an ongoing turning toward the One who is Love. This teaching fits deeply within the Benedictine way. Stability teaches the soul not to flee when prayer feels hidden. Humility teaches it not to demand mastery. Obedience keeps the heart anchored in what has already been given. Christ remains at the center, for in Him the face of God is made known, even though the mystery is never exhausted. This episode invites listeners to remain before God with patience, reverence, and holy longing, trusting that to seek His face and not turn away is already a form of love. Citations St. Anslem of Canterbury, The Proslogion “I seek your face, Lord.
Your face, Lord, I seek.
Do not turn your face away from me.” Psalm 27:8, RSV–Catholic Edition “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’
My heart says to you,
‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I respond when prayer feels hidden, quiet, or without clear consolation?
2. Am I tempted to abandon seeking when understanding or clarity doesn’t come quickly?
3. Do I think of conversion as something in the past, or as a continual turning of the heart toward God?
4. What helps me remain before the Lord with patience when I can’t yet see clearly?
5. How is Christ inviting me to seek His face today with greater reverence, desire, and fidelity?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
I Don’t Have the Energy – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss spiritual desolation and St. Ignatius of Loyola's guidance on overcoming it. Desolation often manifests as a lack of energy or motivation in one's spiritual life, as illustrated by Bob's story—a faithful man suddenly feeling weary in his spiritual commitments and tempted to give up leading a church group. It's important to recognize and reject these feelings without making changes during desolation, using St. Ignatius’ principles: “Be aware, identify, reject,” and “in desolation, make no change,” alongside the wisdom of staying connected with others for support. This approach mirrors St. Benedict's teaching on dismissing negative thoughts quickly to prevent them from taking root. We’re meant to face spiritual struggles with others. This unity in faith is essential for spiritual resilience in a challenging cultural environment. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When have you experienced a lack of motivation or heaviness in your spiritual practices? 2. Do you notice any recurring situations where you feel drawn away from prayer or other commitments? 3. Who in your life acts as a spiritual companion, helping you recognize and resist spiritual desolation? 4. Have you ever made changes to your spiritual life during times of spiritual dryness, and what were the outcomes? 5. How can you strengthen connections with others in faith to support your journey and resist isolation? 6. Which Ignatian principles, such as “Be aware, identify, reject,” could help you face future spiritual challenges? 7. How does the reminder to “make no change in desolation” encourage you to trust God’s timing over impulsive decisions? 8. In what areas of your life could you open the door more fully to Christ, allowing him to be the "divine physician"?
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Don’t Have the Energy": In this form of desolation, we feel spiritually sluggish, indolent, lazy, lackadaisical. The adverb “totally” is powerful: in time of spiritual desolation, we may feel totally sluggish, lazy, and slothful as regards various aspects of our spiritual lives. We feel no energy for prayer, for God’s service, for involvement in our parish, for holiness in our vocations, and the like. The feeling of slothfulness in spiritual desolation may contrast sharply with the energy we more habitually feel for these same things when not in desolation. There is no shame in experiencing this form of spiritual desolation. We all do at times. What is important — Julie is on target with this — is to be aware of it, understand it for the tactic of the enemy that it is, and firmly reject it. For Bob, this means that he should not renounce leadership of the group until he has greater clarity about his spiritual situation (rule 5: in time of desolation, never make a change). That change will not resolve his lack of energy; identifying and rejecting the desolation will. Bob may further apply the means Ignatius offers to resist and overcome the desolation: prayer of petition, meditation, examination, suitable penance, and the rest. Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 72-73). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 40 – St. Anslem of Canterbury – Proslogion: Faith Seeking Understanding In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Anselm of Canterbury, the Benedictine monk, abbot, and Doctor of the Church, whose well-known phrase “faith seeking understanding” captures a deeply prayerful approach to truth. Anselm does not begin with doubt, nor does he treat understanding as something to be won apart from God. He begins with faith already received and seeks to understand more deeply what the heart has already come to trust. This movement fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule does not separate prayer from thought, or devotion from the life of the mind. It forms a soul in attention, listening, and obedience, so that both heart and mind remain under God. Anselm helps show that thought itself can become an act of fidelity. The mind is not meant to master divine truth, but to remain before it in reverence, love, and humility. This episode also explores how Anselm protects the spiritual life from two errors: treating faith as blind and unexamined, or treating understanding as something achieved apart from faith. For Anselm, belief comes first as gift. Understanding follows as a faithful response. Christ remains at the center, not as an abstraction, but as the One in whom God is revealed and known. This episode invites listeners to see that seeking understanding is not a rival to prayer, but one of its fruits when the heart remains rooted in trust. Citations St. Anslem of Canterbury, The Proslogion “I do not seek to understand in order to believe,
but I believe in order to understand.
For I believe this also:
that unless I believe,
I shall not understand.” Luke 24:32, RSV–Catholic Edition “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I ever feel tension between faith and understanding in my own spiritual life?
2. Am I tempted to treat faith as something that should never ask questions, or to treat understanding as something I must achieve on my own?
3. How have prayer, silence and lectio divina helped shape the way I think about God?
4. In what ways does humility need to guide my desire to understand divine truth more deeply?
5. How might Christ be inviting my mind, not just my heart, into a more faithful and prayerful relationship with Him?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Palm Sunday: Entering the Passion of Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast In this Palm Sunday reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the beginning of Holy Week, where the Church holds together both the triumph of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and the suffering that will soon follow. The crowds welcome Jesus as king, yet misunderstand the nature of his kingship. He comes not as a worldly ruler, but as the suffering servant whose mission is fulfilled through the cross and the resurrection. Msgr. Esseff reflects on how the Passion of Christ is not only an event to remember but a reality to be lived. The betrayals, false accusations, injustice, humiliation, and suffering endured by Jesus are mirrored in human experience. Whether through broken relationships, public shame, or unjust treatment, each person is invited to unite these wounds with Christ, entering more deeply into his suffering and offering them in love. The reflection calls listeners to walk through Holy Week with intention, seeing their own lives within the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. Jesus continues to suffer, die, and rise in the world today, and those who follow him are invited to participate in that same mystery. Through faith, suffering becomes a path to resurrection and a deeper union with the King who reigns through love. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I see the contrast between worldly expectations and Christ’s true kingship in my life? 2. How have I experienced betrayal, injustice, or suffering that I can unite with Christ? 3. What part of the Passion of Jesus resonates most deeply with my own experience? 4. How can I enter more intentionally into the events of Holy Week this year? 5. In what way is Christ inviting me to share in his suffering so I may also share in his resurrection?
Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice and Mansfield Park – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore the enduring genius of Jane Austen through Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. Austen, often misunderstood or reduced to light romantic fiction, is revealed as a writer of profound moral and philosophical depth. Pearce highlights her deeply Christian worldview, rooted in realism, virtue, and the dignity of the human person. Through her vivid characters and masterful dialogue, Austen examines the consequences of pride, prejudice, and moral blindness, showing how true understanding comes through humility, self-knowledge, and growth in virtue. The conversation also reflects on Austen’s lasting relevance, emphasizing how her focus on relationships, family life, and moral decision-making transcends time. Rather than centering on historical events, Austen explores the unchanging realities of the human heart, revealing how choices shaped by reason, faith, and virtue lead to authentic love and flourishing. Pearce underscores that Austen’s work is not merely entertaining but deeply edifying, offering readers a path toward greater self-awareness and moral clarity. Her novels continue to challenge modern assumptions, inviting readers to rediscover the harmony of faith and reason in everyday life. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Jane Austen reveals how pride and prejudice can distort our perception of others. In what ways can our own assumptions prevent us from seeing people truthfully? 2. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy both undergo personal transformation. What does their growth teach us about the importance of humility and self-awareness? 3. Austen presents love as something that matures through understanding and virtue rather than mere emotion. How does this challenge modern views of love? 4. The novel highlights the tension between reason and feeling. How can we discern when our emotions are leading us away from truth rather than toward it? 5. Austen’s characters are shaped by family life and relationships. How do our own relationships influence our moral decisions and personal growth? 6. Joseph Pearce notes that Austen’s work reflects the harmony of faith and reason. How can we cultivate both in our daily lives when making important decisions?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 38 – St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn – The Book of Special Grace — Being Held by God In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, a Benedictine nun whose life was deeply formed by the liturgy, the Holy Rule, and the worshiping life of the monastery at Helfta. Within that rich world of the Divine Office, the psalms, Eucharistic love and sacred learning, Mechtilde came to know God not as distant or uncertain, but as constant, attentive and near. Her teaching rises from a soul shaped by praise, listening, and long fidelity. At the heart of this episode is a deeply consoling truth: God’s love comes first. Mechtilde shows that the soul is not loved only when it is fervent, attentive, or strong. It is held because God has already set His love upon it. This is why her teaching is so gentle and so steady. She is not trying to stir emotion. She is helping the heart receive what is already true. The soul is never outside God’s care. This vision fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The liturgy teaches us to live within God’s initiative. Stability teaches the soul not to run. Obedience teaches one to listen with the ear of the heart. Through repeated return in prayer, praise, and worship, trust begins to grow. In Christ, this care is not abstract but personal. This episode invites listeners to let go of the hidden fear of being overlooked or left to themselves and to receive, more deeply, the quiet assurance that they are known, loved, and held by God. Citations St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, The Book of Special Grace. “The Lord said to me:
‘I have loved you from eternity,
and I hold you continually in my heart.
Do not fear,
for you are never outside my care.’” John 10:14, RSV–Catholic Edition “I know my own, and my own know me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I carry a hidden fear of being overlooked, forgotten, or left to myself by God?
2. How has liturgical prayer, parish worship, or the rhythm of the Church’s prayer shaped my trust in God?
3. Do I tend to think God’s love depends on how attentive, strong, or spiritually successful I feel?
4. In what areas of my life do I most need to receive the truth that I am held in God’s care?
5. How might my prayer change if I began more consciously from God’s love rather than from my own effort?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, explore the deeply countercultural Benedictine vow of stability as a remedy for what Fr. Mauritius describes as a kind of “spiritual homelessness.” In a world marked by constant movement, change, and restlessness, St. Benedict calls the monk to remain rooted in one place and one community. This stability is not merely geographical but spiritual, grounded in the conviction that God is present where we are. Rather than searching endlessly for fulfillment elsewhere, the Rule invites us to begin where we are, with the people and circumstances already given to us. Fr. Mauritius explains that this wisdom emerged from the early desert tradition, where monks discovered that fleeing the world did not free them from themselves. True transformation came not from escape but from staying, facing one’s interior struggles, and seeking God faithfully in the present moment. In today’s culture, where mobility and flexibility are often prized above commitment, Benedictine stability offers a powerful witness. It reminds us that lasting identity, meaningful relationships, and deep faith are formed through fidelity, perseverance, and remaining present to God and others over time. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 66: CHAPTER LXVI
Of the Porter of the Monastery …If it can be done, the monastery should be so situated that all the necessaries, such as water, the mill, the garden, are enclosed, and the various arts may be plied inside of the monastery, so that there may be no need for the monks to go about outside, because it is not good for their souls. But we desire that this Rule be read quite often in the community, that none of the brethren may excuse himself of ignorance Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that stability begins with remaining where we are. What is my first reaction to the idea of “staying” rather than seeking change?
2. In what areas of my life do I feel a tendency to escape rather than face challenges or difficulties?
3. How might God be inviting me to encounter Him more deeply in my current circumstances rather than looking elsewhere?
4. Do I recognize the value of faithfulness and perseverance in my relationships and commitments?
5. How has the culture of constant change and mobility influenced my sense of identity and belonging?
6. Where might God be calling me to grow in stability, trust, and rootedness in Him today?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 38 – St. Gertrude the Great – Trust Before God In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gertrude the Great and turns more directly to the trust that marks her whole spiritual life. That trust did not arise suddenly or in isolation. It was formed in a Benedictine world of liturgy, Scripture, adoration, and long fidelity, and it became more deeply centered on the mercy of Christ. Gertrude shows that trust is not self-assurance dressed up in religious language. It is the soul’s answer to a mercy already offered. Her teaching speaks powerfully to one of the deepest struggles in the spiritual life. Many souls still approach God as though He were reluctant, easily offended, or slow to receive them. Gertrude helps cut through that fear. She presents God as already turned toward the sinner in mercy. The soul does not need to overcome God’s resistance. It needs to let go of its own hesitation and come before Him in truth. This vision fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule teaches humility, stability, and repeated return to God in prayer and liturgy. Through that steady life, the soul learns not to run from God but to come near Him more honestly. Gertrude’s confidence rests entirely on Christ’s love, especially as revealed in His Sacred Heart. This episode invites listeners to trust more deeply in the mercy of Jesus, to stop hiding behind fear or appearances, and to believe that His Heart is open, ready to forgive and ready to receive. Citations St. Gertrude the Great, The Herald of Divine Love “The soul that places its trust in God
finds Him more ready to forgive
than the soul is to ask.” Hebrews 4:16, RSV–Catholic Edition “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I tend to approach God as though He were reluctant to forgive or slow to receive me?
2. What fears or hesitations keep me from coming before the Lord more honestly?
3. How have prayer, liturgy, and daily fidelity been helping trust grow in me over time?
4. In what ways do I still rely more on my own control than on the mercy of Christ?
5. How does the image of the Sacred Heart help me understand God’s love more personally?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 37 – St. Gertrude the Great – Friendship With the Lord In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Gertrude the Great, a Benedictine nun formed in the remarkable monastery of Helfta. Her love for Christ is tender, reverent, and deeply rooted in the life of prayer. Gertrude did not grow in isolation. She was shaped within a community ordered by the Holy Rule, the Divine Office, sacred study, and faithful monastic life. In that setting, her desire was educated, her attention was trained, and her love for Christ was given language. Gertrude helps us see that intimacy with the Lord does not come from spiritual excitement or passing emotion. It grows through daily fidelity. The rhythm of prayer, Scripture, liturgy, and return slowly forms a heart capable of friendship with Christ. Her prayer is simple and deeply revealing: she asks Jesus to remain with her so that her heart may remain with Him. She knows how easily the heart becomes divided and scattered. She also knows that closeness to Christ is not something the soul can secure by its own effort. This episode shows how naturally Gertrude’s teaching fits within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule does not stand in the way of intimacy with Christ. It makes room for it. Trust begins to grow where love has already begun. The more the soul knows Christ’s tenderness and faithfulness, the less it fears Him and the more willing it becomes to remain near Him. This episode invites listeners to see friendship with Christ not as a fantasy, but as the true life of the soul, formed by grace, prayer, and the repeated turning of the heart back to Him. Citations St. Gertrude the Great, Spiritual Exercises, Seventh Exercise “O Jesus, you who are immensely dear to me, be with me always, so that my heart may stay with you and that your love may endure with me with no possibility of division.” Galatians 2:20, RSV–Catholic Edition “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I think of Christ as someone distant, or as someone who truly desires friendship with me? 2. How has prayer been shaping my heart to remain closer to the Lord? 3. What most often scatters my heart and pulls it away from Christ? 4. In what ways have daily fidelity, liturgy, and Scripture helped deepen my love for Jesus? 5. How might a simple prayer like “Lord, keep my heart with you” change the way I move through the day?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Defending Human Life – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss how early Christian leaders upheld the dignity of human life in a culture where infanticide and abortion were common and widely accepted. In the ancient pagan world, unwanted infants—especially girls—were often abandoned or killed, and abortion was supported by prominent thinkers. Jewish and Christian communities consistently rejected these practices, a stance clearly reflected in early writings such as the Didache and works by Church Fathers like Justin Martyr and Athenagoras. Across centuries, these sources present a unified teaching that identifies abortion as the taking of human life. Figures like St. Augustine never justified abortion, despite modern claims to the contrary, noting that St. Augustine only debated legal consequences, not its morality. In the book, it presents the Church Fathers as examples of moral courage who challenged both societal norms and political leaders. Some examples include St. Ambrose holding an emperor accountable as a striking example of this witness. Moral responsibility cannot be separated from public life, since laws inherently reflect judgments about right and wrong, and silence in the face of injustice allows harm to continue. At the same time, true courage comes from God’s grace rather than personal strength. The early Christians are ultimately presented as a model of transformation, showing how truth, love, and faithful witness can gradually renew society and offer lasting hope. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the witness of the early Church challenge the way I value and protect human life today? 2. In what ways am I called to defend the dignity of the most vulnerable in my daily life? 3. Do I allow cultural norms to shape my moral views, or do I seek guidance from the teachings of the Church? 4. How can I respond with both truth and charity when discussing difficult moral issues with others? 5. What responsibilities do I have as a Catholic in shaping society through my actions, words, and civic participation? 6. Where might silence or inaction in my life be allowing injustice to continue? 7. How can I grow in trust that courage and perseverance come from God’s grace rather than my own strength? 8. What can I learn from the example of the Church Fathers in living out my faith more boldly? 9. How does humility influence the way I share and defend the truth? 10. In what ways can I help build a culture of life, love, and hope within my family, workplace, and community?
Version 1.0.0 You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 36 – St. Hildegard of Bingen – Living in Harmony In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Hildegard of Bingen’s vision of healing as the restoration of harmony. For Hildegard, healing is not only the easing of pain or the correction of one part of life. It is the return of right order, where soul, body, and daily life begin to come back into balance under God’s wisdom. This vision fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule shapes time through prayer, work, and rest so that life is not left scattered or divided. Hildegard helps us see that this ordering is not merely practical. It serves wholeness. When prayer returns to its rightful place, when work is received faithfully, and when the body and soul are no longer treated as enemies, life begins to grow steadier and more peaceful. This episode also draws out how deeply this matters in ordinary life. Fragmentation wears people down. Prayer gets pushed aside, work becomes anxious, rest loses its peace, and even the body begins to carry the strain of a divided life. Hildegard calls us back to a wiser order. In Christ, our humanity is not bypassed but healed and restored. This episode invites listeners to consider how grace works not around life as it is lived, but within it, gathering what is scattered and teaching the whole person to live in greater harmony with God. Citations St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias: Book One, Vision Two, section 33 “In this, humility and charity are brighter than the other virtues, since humility and charity are like a soul and body that possess stronger powers than the other powers of soul and bodily members. How? Humility is like the soul and charity like the body, and they cannot be separated from each other but work together, just as soul and body cannot be disjoined but work together as long as a person lives in the body.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, RSV–CE “May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life do I feel the strain of fragmentation or imbalance? 2. Do I tend to treat prayer, work, rest, and care of the body as disconnected parts rather than as one life before God? 3. How might a wiser order in daily life create more room for healing? 4. In what ways have anxiety, overwork, or restlessness affected my peace? 5. How does Christ help me see that grace restores my humanity rather than working around it?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Annunciation – Annunciation on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor speaks with Sally Read about Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World, a book Sally wrote as a letter to her daughter and as a reflection on faith, motherhood, and conversion. Sally describes the Annunciation as a pattern for every life: God calls, the soul answers, and trust must continue even when prayer feels dry or difficult. She presents Mary not as weak or passive, but as courageous, powerful, and deeply faithful, and shares how her own view of Mary changed after moving from atheism to Catholicism. The book explores how to pass faith on to children in a world marked by anxiety, despair, and distraction. Sally recounts her daughter’s honest questions about Mass, Communion, and belief, and explains that faith is less about dramatic feelings than about opening oneself to God. Kris and Sally connect Scripture, suffering, grief, identity, and contemplation, showing how prayer and the Eucharist can transform ordinary pain and confusion into grace. By the end, the Annunciation becomes a living invitation in daily life, with each moment offering another chance to say yes to God. You can find the book here Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I respond to God’s invitations in my daily life, especially when I feel uncertain or afraid? 2. In what ways can I grow in trust like Mary, even when I do not fully understand what God is asking of me? 3. Do I rely too much on feelings in my prayer life, or am I willing to remain faithful during spiritual dryness? 4. How can I better communicate the truths of the faith to others, especially children or those struggling with belief? 5. What fears or anxieties keep me from fully surrendering to God’s will? 6. How do I bring my grief, struggles, or suffering to God in prayer and the Eucharist? 7. In what ways can I cultivate a deeper habit of contemplation and interior silence in my life? 8. Do I truly understand my identity as someone loved and called by God? 9. How can I recognize each moment of my life as an opportunity to say yes to God? 10. What practical steps can I take to grow in faith and trust in a world marked by distraction and despair?
From the book description Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compelling reasons for holding onto both God and Church. Taking the Annunciation as her template (that most fundamental yes to God), she explores common experiences of the spiritual life: His presence and invitation (And he came to her); the fears we have to let go of (Do not be afraid); the realization of our identity in God (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord) and what our vocation might be (Let it be to me according to your word); and when God feels very distant from us (And the angel departed from her). Drawing on Scripture, lives of the saints, and the lives of people she has known personally and professionally as a nurse, Read shows how God is with us always―through suffering, spiritual dryness and depression, as well as in joyful and mystical ways. This book was inspired by a mother's loving response to a daughter―but what has resulted is something that will speak to any believer engaged in the bliss and bewilderment of a relationship with God. About the Author Sally Read is the author of Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story (Ignatius Press, 2016) and three books of poetry published by Bloodaxe Books. She is poet in residence with the Hermitage of the Three Holy Hierarchs, and she lives with her family near Rome.
The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Annunciation, which falls in the heart of Lent. He shares how personal and significant this date is to him, as it marks the wedding anniversary of his parents. Their story, including seeking a dispensation to marry during Lent and defying an arranged marriage, mirrors the boldness and surrender exemplified by Mary’s own "yes" to God; drawing a connection between Mary’s total openness to God’s will and the Lenten call to deeper prayer, sacrifice, and discernment. Mary’s response to the angel, her understanding of Scripture, and her unwavering virginity reflect a soul in perfect union with God’s purpose. Msgr. Esseff explores the moment of the Annunciation as a profound revelation—not only of Mary’s divine motherhood but also of the Trinity. The Father sends the Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, marking the incarnation of God’s Word in the womb of one who had already received that Word in her heart. Her fiat—"Let it be done to me according to your word"—becomes the model of perfect prayer and surrender. He invites us to ponder God’s will in their daily lives as Mary did, suggesting that prayer is not about asking but about receiving and responding. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does Mary’s “yes” to God challenge me to trust more deeply in His will for my life? 2. In what ways can I better listen to God in prayer as Mary did during the Annunciation? 3. Do I invite the Holy Spirit to help me discern God’s will in my daily decisions? 4. How does Mary’s example teach me about the meaning and purpose of obedience in the spiritual life? 5. What role does Scripture play in helping me understand and respond to God's call, as it did for Mary? 6. How can I offer my own body, time, and choices to God like Mary offered herself? 7. In the midst of Lent, how is God inviting me to deeper union with Him through prayer and sacrifice? 8. What can I learn from Mary's silence and pondering heart about interior prayer and reflection? 9. How does the mystery of the Trinity revealed at the Annunciation shape my understanding of who God is? 10. What does Mary’s life teach me about saying “yes” to God even when the path is uncertain?
From the NAB Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her. Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity worldwide. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 35 – St. Hildegard of Bingen – Bearing Fruit in Steadfastness In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Hildegard of Bingen’s vision of fruitfulness as something that grows slowly through steadfastness. Healing is not the end of the spiritual life. It prepares the soul for deeper growth. For Hildegard, fruitfulness is not measured by visible success, intensity or quick results. It comes through remaining rooted in God, faithful in ordinary life and open to the grace that works quietly over time. This vision fits deeply within the Benedictine way. St. Benedict does not promise instant change. He gives a way of life in which grace can be received steadily through prayer, work, liturgy, silence and faithful community life. The soul is cultivated through this rhythm. Like a well-tended field, it is protected from neglect and given room to bear fruit in due time. This episode also highlights how easily the spiritual life can dry out through neglect rather than open rebellion. Prayer is neglected. Attention is neglected. Ordinary responsibilities are carried without care. Hildegard calls the soul back to perseverance. Stability, obedience and prayer keep life from scattering and help the heart remain close to its source. In Christ, who teaches us to abide in the vine, fruitfulness comes not from striving alone but from remaining where life is given. Citations St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias: Book Two, Vision One “For when a field with great labor is cultivated, it brings forth much fruit, and the same is shown in the human race, for after humanity’s ruin many virtues arose to raise it up again.” John 15:5, RSV–CE “He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life am I tempted to look for quick results instead of steady growth? 2. Do I trust that grace can be at work even when I do not yet see visible fruit? 3. What ordinary practices in my life help keep my soul rooted in God? 4. Where has neglect begun to dry out my prayer, attention, or fidelity? 5. How is Christ inviting me to abide more faithfully so that fruit can grow in its proper time?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 34 – St. Hildegard of Bingen – The Ruler of All In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Hildegard of Bingen and her vision of God as the One who orders and sustains all things. Hildegard begins not with the self but with God, whose power gives life, fruitfulness, and right order to creation. Her Benedictine formation matters deeply here. Living within the Holy Rule, the Divine Office, and the rhythm of the liturgical year, she learns to see the world as charged with meaning, upheld by the strong hand of the Ruler of All. Hildegard reminds us that creation is not self-made and not self-sustaining. The sky, the air, the earth, and all living things bear witness to the wisdom and power of God. This vision matters because humility begins when we remember that we are not the source of life. Much of our fear comes from living as though everything depends on us. Hildegard calls the soul back to reality: there is a Ruler of All, and that truth is meant not to crush us but to free us. This episode also draws out the deep harmony between Hildegard’s vision and the Benedictine way. Stability teaches us to remain with God even when prayer feels dry or life feels heavy. Obedience teaches us to listen with the ear of the heart for the indwelling Christ. Humility grows as we learn that God sees more than we see and holds together what we cannot. In Christ, God’s rule is revealed not as cold force but as faithful love. This episode invites listeners to place their fear, weariness, and need for control beneath the greater wisdom and fidelity of God. Citations St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias: Book Two, Vision One “No creature is so dull of nature as not to know what changes in the things that make it fruitful cause it to attain its full growth. The sky holds light, light air, and air the birds; the earth nourishes plants, plants fruit and fruit animals; which all testify that they were put there by a strong hand, the supreme power of the Ruler of All, Who in His strength has provided so for them all that nothing is lacking to them for their use.” Romans 1:17, RSV–CE “For from him and through him and to him are all things. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life am I acting as though everything depends on me? 2. How does fear affect my need to manage, secure, or control what is happening around me? 3. What does it mean for me to live more consciously under God as the Ruler of All? 4. How have stability, prayer, and obedience been helping me grow in trust? 5. How does Christ reveal that God’s rule is not distant power but faithful love?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
I Don't Feel God's Love – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss how ongoing struggles are a normal part of the spiritual life, where both consolation and desolation play important roles in growth. Through Kathy’s experience, they show how prayer can begin with deep peace, a sense of being loved, and visible fruit in daily life, only to later shift into dryness and inner turmoil. When a Scripture passage unexpectedly brings up unresolved pain from her past, Kathy enters a state of desolation marked by feelings of distance from God, confusion, and emotional hurt, even questioning the value of continuing to pray. Fr. Gallagher explains that this shift is not a setback but a sign of deeper grace at work. As one grows closer to God, hidden wounds may surface so they can be healed. Drawing on St. Ignatius, he notes that consolation and desolation are both normal, calling for gratitude and humility in times of light, and trust and perseverance in times of darkness. Even the painful sense of loss in desolation can lead to purification and deeper faith. He encourages seeking guidance from a wise spiritual companion, since what feels like discouragement may actually be the beginning of profound healing and transformation. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When have I experienced both consolation and desolation in my prayer life, and how did I respond to each? 2. Do I recognize that struggles in prayer are a normal part of spiritual growth rather than a sign of failure? 3. How might God be working through difficult or dry moments in my prayer to bring about deeper healing? 4. Am I willing to remain faithful to prayer even when I feel no sense of closeness or comfort? 5. Have I ever encountered past wounds or emotions arising during prayer, and how did I handle them? 6. Do I trust that God is present and active even when I feel distant or abandoned? 7. In times of consolation, do I remain humble and grateful, aware that challenges may return? 8. In times of desolation, do I resist discouragement and hold onto hope? 9. Who in my life can serve as a wise spiritual companion when I face confusion or difficulty in prayer? 10. How might God be inviting me into deeper freedom, healing, and relationship through my current spiritual struggles?
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Don't Feel God's Love": "This is yet another form of spiritual desolation: times when we feel no sense of God’s love, of His closeness, of warm love for others in God, but rather, we feel a kind of spiritual distance and coldness. As we’ve said so often, there is no shame in experiencing this. To feel this form of spiritual desolation does not mean that God does not love us, that we do not love Him, or that we do not desire to love others. It simply means that God is permitting us to undergo a time of spiritual desolation because of the growth we gain when we go through it well (see the final paragraph of chapter 8). Cathy’s spiritual desolation as she prays with the calming of the storm is actually a sign that her prayer is progressing richly. For ten years, a wound in her heart has remained unhealed. God loves her too much to allow this to continue unaddressed. Almost inevitably, as she grows closer to God in prayer, this wound is touched. When it is, spiritual desolation results: pain, anger, a sense of distance from God, and an absence of all warmth. If Cathy finds wise counsel to help her understand this and if she does not stop praying, then, for the first time in ten years, deep spiritual healing can occur. Like the disciples in the boat and like Lazarus’s sisters, she will find that if Jesus slept and if he delayed two days, it was because he loved them and had a greater gift to give." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 66-67). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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The Fifth Sunday of Lent: Resurrection and New Life – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast In this Fifth Sunday of Lent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus and the promise spoken through the prophet Ezekiel that God will open the graves and restore life to his people. He proclaims that apart from Christ, humanity lives in a state of spiritual death, but through faith in Jesus, the resurrection and the life, new life is given even now. Msgr. Esseff reflects on Jesus’ question to Martha, “Do you believe this?” as the central call of Lent. Faith is not simply intellectual agreement but a surrender to the life of Christ offered through baptism and the Holy Spirit. The raising of Lazarus reveals not only Christ’s power over death but also the deeper truth that all are invited to share in his life through union with him. The reflection concludes with a call to renewal for both the elect preparing for baptism and those already baptized. Lent becomes a time to reject sin, renounce the power of evil, and embrace fully the life of Christ within. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are invited to move from death to life, preparing to celebrate the victory of Christ at Easter. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I truly believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life in my own daily experience? 2. Where do I see signs of spiritual death or discouragement in my life right now? 3. How is Christ inviting me to deeper trust and surrender during this Lenten season? 4. What areas of sin or attachment do I need to renounce more fully? 5. How can I open my heart more completely to the life of the Holy Spirit within me?
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 33 – St. Hildegard of Bingen – Scivias: God’s Living Work In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Hildegard of Bingen and her great work Scivias. Formed by the Benedictine life of prayer, stability, obedience, and attentive listening, Hildegard speaks from within the wisdom of the Holy Rule. Her visions are not distractions from that life, but expressions of a soul deeply grounded in it. Hildegard begins with God, not with the self. She shows us the living God who sustains, orders, and heals all things. Her vision helps recover a truth we easily forget: life is not self-generated or secured by our own strength. It is given by God, held in Him, and restored by His grace. When that order is forgotten, the soul begins to dry out. When it is received again, healing begins. This episode also shows how Hildegard’s teaching flows naturally from Benedictine formation. Stability teaches the soul to rest in God’s order. Obedience teaches deep listening. Prayer teaches us to stand before God in truth and receive life as a gift. Hildegard opens that vision more widely, helping us see creation and the human person as alive in God. In Christ, the living Word, all things hold together and are made new. This episode invites listeners to recover wonder, reverence, and a deeper awareness of God’s living presence. Citations St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias: Book Two, Vision One “This blazing fire that you see symbolizes the Omnipotent and Living God, Who in His most glorious serenity was never darkened by any iniquity; incomprehensible, because He cannot be divided by any division or known as He is by any part of any of His creatures’ knowledge; inextinguishable, because He is that Fullness that no limit ever touched; wholly living, for there is nothing that is hidden from Him or that He does not know; and wholly Life, for everything that lives takes its life from Him.” Colossians 1:17, RSV–CE “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I live as though life depends mostly on my own effort, control, or planning? 2. Where in my life have I lost a sense of wonder, reverence, or dependence on God? 3. How have prayer, obedience, and stability been helping to shape the way I see reality? 4. What in my soul feels dry, tired, or withered and in need of God’s healing life? 5. How does Christ as the living Word help me understand creation, prayer, and my own life more deeply?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Episode 6 – The Cross of Christ restores… – Fifth Week In "The Power of the Cross", Michael Dubruiel penned a truly exceptional meditation on the Cross of Christ which serves beautifully as a source for reflection any time of the year, but it is particularly poignant and compelling during the weeks of Lent. Several years ago Bruce and I had the chance to have a series of conversations with Michael during Lent using his book for reflection…it was a big hit with the audience. Those discussions have been remastered and made available once again here. Michael died unexpectedly in February of 2009, but his gifts continue to be shared through his books and many other venues, and hopefully through this humble portal. The sentiments and teachings Michael offers is truly timeless. Episode 6 – The Cross of Christ restores… – Michael discusses: Day 22 – Life
Day 29 – Forgiveness
Day 30 – The Image of God
Day 31 – Our Freedom
Day 32 – Obedience
Day 33 – The Dignity of Work
Day 34 – Justice Michael's wife, author Amy Welborn, has made "The Power of the Cross" available as a free e-book available over the internet ! I HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work…there also plans to make it once again available as a paperback book. The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 32 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Love Returned in God In Episode 32 of our Week 4 Lenten journey with St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s On Loving God, we reflect on the furthest reach of love: when love is so healed and rightly ordered in God that a person can receive even his own life as gift. St. Bernard is careful here. He is not describing a return to self-interest, but a self restored by grace and rightly loved in God. In conversation with the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, this episode explores how humility, obedience, stability and prayer loosen the grip of self-will and free the soul from anxious self-protection. The false self begins to fade, not so the person disappears, but so the whole person can be more deeply healed and ordered toward God. Bernard shows that when love is purified, the self is no longer grasped or defended, but received. This episode offers a beautiful and careful vision of spiritual maturity. The soul does not become less human, but more deeply restored in God. Love is no longer divided between God and self in the old way. It comes to rest. This kind of union is not something we achieve by effort, but a gift of grace that can quietly grow in a life marked by prayer, humility, repentance and perseverance. Citations St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 15 §§30-40 “In the fourth degree, man loves himself,
but for God’s sake.
This happens when he so clings to God
that he becomes one spirit with Him,
and can say with the Apostle:
‘He who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.’” “In quarto gradu diligit homo se ipsum propter Deum. Quod fit cum ita inhaeret Deo, ut unus spiritus fiat cum eo, et dicat cum Apostolo: Qui adhaeret Domino, unus spiritus est.” 1 Corinthians 6:17, RSV–CE “He who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I notice ways that I still cling to myself anxiously rather than receiving my life as gift from God?
2. How does St. Bernard help me understand the difference between self-interest and a self rightly loved in God?
3. In what areas of my life is God inviting me to let go of fear, resentment or self-assertion?
4. How are humility, obedience, stability, and prayer helping to loosen the grip of self-will in me?
5. Do I find it difficult to believe that God desires not only to save me, but to heal and rightly order my whole life in Him?
6. What might it look like for me to receive myself more peacefully as one who belongs to God?
7. How does this teaching invite me to greater trust in the hidden work of grace?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 31 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Loving God for God’s Sake In Episode 31 of our Week 4 Lenten journey, we continue with St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s On Loving God and reflect on a deeper purification of love: learning to love God for His own sake. St. Bernard shows that this is a work of grace over time. The soul no longer turns toward God mainly for help, strength, or consolation, but begins to love Him because He is good. In light of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, this episode explores how love is purified through stability, obedience, prayer, and perseverance in ordinary daily life. St. Benedict trains the soul not to live by impulse, self-will, or the pursuit of spiritual comfort. Instead, the soul learns to remain with God faithfully, whether in consolation or dryness. This steady remaining begins to loosen the grip of self-interest. Love becomes quieter, simpler, and more stable. The heart begins to desire God more than His gifts. Through the daily rhythm of prayer, work, silence, and obedience, grace teaches the soul to rest in God with fewer conditions. St. Bernard helps us see that this is not a lofty spiritual achievement, but the slow and real purification of love. Citations St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 10 §§27-28 “When God is thus loved for His own sake,
then man truly loves God.
He loves God because God is good,
not because of what he receives from Him.
Such a soul seeks not its own interest,
but God alone,
and rests in Him.” “Tunc vere diligit homo Deum, cum propter ipsum Deum diligit. Non enim quod ex Deo est, sed ipsum Deum quaerit, nec sua, sed Dei tantum.” Psalm 73:25, RSV–CE “Whom have I in heaven but thee?
And there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I notice myself turning to God mainly when I want help, comfort or relief?
2. What does it mean for me to love God because He is good, not only because of what He gives?
3. How is God inviting me to remain faithful in prayer, even when I feel dry or distracted?
4. In what areas of my life does self-will still make it difficult for love to deepen?
5. How are stability, obedience and perseverance shaping my heart during this Lenten season?
6. Am I willing to stay with God even when I do not feel consoled, rewarded or noticed?
7. Where might grace be quietly purifying my love and teaching me to rest more fully in God?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Charles Dickens and Great Expectations – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, a profound story of personal conversion, moral awakening, and the search for true happiness. Dickens, writing during a time of rapid industrial and social change, presents Pip's journey, a young boy whose desire for wealth and social status leads him away from the love and humility that once grounded him. Through Pip’s rise and fall, Dickens reveals the illusion of worldly success and the deeper truth that fulfillment is found not in possessions, but in sacrificial love and moral integrity. Pearce highlights how Great Expectations reflects a deeply Christian vision of life, rooted in repentance, grace, and transformation. Pip’s painful recognition of his own pride and misplaced desires becomes the turning point that leads him back to what truly matters. Dickens’ work not only critiques the social and economic upheavals of Victorian England but also speaks powerfully to modern readers who face similar temptations toward materialism and ambition. Ultimately, the novel reminds us that true “great expectations” are not found in worldly gain, but in the conversion of the heart and the rediscovery of love. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Pip’s desire for wealth and status leads him away from those who truly love him. How can the pursuit of success or recognition distort our relationships? 2. Dickens shows that worldly gain does not bring lasting happiness. Where do we see this illusion at work in our own culture or personal lives? 3. Pip gradually becomes aware of his pride and ingratitude. What role does self-examination play in the process of conversion? 4. Joe remains a constant example of faithful, sacrificial love. How does his character challenge our understanding of what it means to love others well? 5. The collapse of Pip’s expectations becomes the moment of grace in his life. How can moments of disappointment or loss become opportunities for spiritual growth? 6. Dickens presents a vision of true wealth rooted in love, humility, and reconciliation. What does it mean for you to live with “enough” rather than always seeking more?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America. He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
In place of confusing life patterns, the security of a healthy balance – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB reflect on how the Rule offers a remedy for the confusing life patterns of the modern world. Fr. Mauritius points to the way contemporary life has drifted from the natural rhythms God built into creation: day and night, work and rest, weekdays and Sunday, even the changing of the seasons. While many modern conveniences are real accomplishments, they can also distance us from the healthy balance human beings need. St. Benedict’s Rule responds by grounding life once again in a sacred rhythm, one that respects the body, the soul, and the created order. At the heart of this Benedictine wisdom is the steady alternation of prayer and work. Fr. Mauritius explains that ora et labora is not merely a motto, but a deeply human and healing pattern that restores order and perspective. Prayer interrupts work, sanctifies it and reminds us that labor is not our highest good. Work, in turn, is carried back into prayer, where it is offered to God and transformed. In a culture of constant motion, St. Benedict teaches that balance is not found by doing more efficiently, but by living more faithfully within the rhythms that help the heart remain rooted in God. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 41: CHAPTER XLI From holy Easter till Pentecost, let the brethren dine at the sixth hour and take supper in the evening. From Pentecost on, however, during the whole summer, if the monks have no work in the fields and the excess of the heat doth not interfere, let them fast on Wednesday and Friday until the ninth hour; but on the other days let them dine at the sixth hour. This sixth hour for dinner is to be continued, if they have work in the fields or the heat of the summer is great. Let the Abbot provide for this; and so let him manage and adapt everything that souls may be saved, and that what the brethren do, they may do without having a reasonable cause to murmur. From the ides of September until the beginning of Lent let them always dine at the ninth hour. During Lent, however, until Easter, let them dine in the evening. But let this evening hour be so arranged that they will not need lamp-light during their meal; but let everything be finished whilst it is still day. But at all times let the hour of meals, whether for dinner or for supper, be so arranged that everything is done by daylight. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How has the pace or structure of my daily life drifted away from the natural rhythms God built into creation? 2. In what ways do work, schedules or constant activity interfere with prayer and rest? 3. St. Benedict prioritizes prayer within the pattern of prayer and work. What place does prayer actually hold in my daily life? 4. How might small, faithful pauses for prayer during the day help restore balance and peace in my heart? 5. Am I allowing Sunday, rest, and the changing seasons to shape my life, or am I trying to control every rhythm myself? 6. Where is God inviting me to live with greater simplicity, stability and trust in His order for my life?
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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 30 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Love in Its Beginning In Episode 30 of our Week 4 Lenten journey with St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s On Loving God, we reflect on the humble beginning of love. St. Bernard speaks with striking honesty: the human person does not begin by loving God perfectly; rather, it often turns to Him first out of need, weakness, and dependence. This is not a failure of love, but its beginning. In harmony with the wisdom of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict, this episode reminds us that grace does not build on illusion, but on truth. We do not come to God already purified or spiritually mature. We come as we are—limited, burdened, and learning. Bernard shows that when the soul recognizes it cannot sustain itself, it begins to seek God by faith and love Him as necessary. The episode explores how this early love, though tinged with self-interest, remains real and precious. Over time, through prayer, humility, obedience, stability, and daily fidelity, grace purifies the heart. Slowly, love matures from loving God for what He gives to loving Him for who He is. This is a gentle, hopeful teaching about spiritual growth, reminding us that God does not despise the needy heart, but draws it forward into deeper love. Citations St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 8 §§23-24 “At first man loves himself for himself,
for he is flesh and cannot love otherwise.
But when he sees that he cannot subsist by himself,
he begins to seek God by faith and to love Him as necessary.
Thus in the second degree, man loves God,
but for his own advantage, not yet for God’s sake.” “Primo homo se ipsum diligit propter se ipsum, quia caro est et aliter diligere non novit. Sed ubi se ipsum non posse subsistere advertit, incipit Deum per fidem quaerere et diligere, tanquam sibi necessarium. Sic in secundo gradu diligit homo Deum, sed propter se, non propter ipsum.” Matthew 22:37, RSV–CE “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When I turn to God in prayer, am I honest about the needs, fears or burdens that bring me to Him?
2. Do I ever become discouraged because my love for God feels imperfect or mixed?
3. How does St. Bernard’s teaching help me see that grace works through real beginnings, not imagined perfection?
4. In what ways is God inviting my love to grow beyond need alone into deeper trust and surrender?
5. How are humility, obedience, prayer and daily fidelity shaping my heart during this Lenten season?
6. Where do I see the Lord patiently drawing me forward rather than condemning me for where I begin?
7. What would it look like for me to remain with God long enough for love to be purified?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Joseph – The Man Who Raised Jesus by Fr. Gary Caster on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of Inside the Pages, Fr. Gary Caster presents St. Joseph as a mysterious yet deeply engaging figure whose life is revealed through decisive, faithful action rather than recorded words. This silence invites deeper contemplation, drawing people to examine their own willingness to trust God and act with confidence and obedience. St. Joseph’s relationship with Mary is portrayed as one of profound love, respect, and openness to God’s plan. When faced with unexpected circumstances, he moves beyond fear and embraces a new understanding of her and their shared calling. This offers a powerful example of love that sees the other through God’s eyes rather than through self-centered expectations. His role as a father highlights the importance of forming a home rooted in trust, communication, and faith. St. Joseph creates an environment where Jesus grows in wisdom and confidence, even engaging thoughtfully with elders. Fatherhood, in this light, is not limited to providing materially but includes guiding children toward a joyful readiness to follow God’s will. St. Joseph’s influence is reflected in Jesus Himself; by observing Christ’s humanity, one can glimpse the character and care of the man who raised Him. His quiet strength, humility, and complete trust in divine direction are seen in his immediate and selfless responses to God’s guidance, without hesitation or need for control. This example speaks directly to modern vocations, especially for men, fathers, and priests. Responsibility is presented not simply as external duty but as a mission to help shape lives that are open and responsive to God. Even in moments of uncertainty or difficulty, St. Joseph’s life shows that trust remains the foundation. Fr. Caster's book serves as an invitation to begin or deepen a personal relationship with St. Joseph, encouraging ongoing reflection on his role as protector, guide, and faithful servant entrusted with raising Jesus. You can find the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does St. Joseph’s silent yet decisive faith challenge the way I respond to God’s guidance in my own life? 2. In what ways can I grow in trusting God more fully, even when His plan is unclear or unexpected? 3. How can I learn to see others, especially within my family, through God’s perspective rather than my own expectations? 4. What does St. Joseph’s relationship with Mary teach me about love rooted in sacrifice, respect, and openness to God’s will? 5. How am I called to create a home or environment that nurtures faith, trust, and meaningful conversation? 6. In what ways can I better fulfill my responsibilities not just externally, but by forming hearts open to God? 7. How does St. Joseph’s example of fatherhood (or spiritual fatherhood) shape my understanding of guidance, protection, and presence? 8. Where in my life do I hesitate or try to control situations instead of surrendering to God as St. Joseph did? 9. How can I grow in humility and selflessness in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to me? 10. What steps can I take to develop a deeper relationship with St. Joseph as a guide and intercessor in my spiritual life?
From the book description Who was St. Joseph? Was he just a passive, incidental figure in the drama of salvation? On the contrary, in every way that Jesus needed a father, St. Joseph was that for him. And how overwhelming it must have been for Joseph to be asked to stand in the Father s place! No man has ever been asked to do so in such an unthinkable way. Every priest, and certainly every man who is a father (biologically or otherwise), should take this to heart. Caster s book will provide a unique, in-depth presentation of Joseph from the perspective of the evangelical counsels and the theological and cardinal virtues. Each section will begin with an explanation of what each counsel or virtue means and then show how Joseph models it for us. The descriptions of St. Joseph s life and character found in this book, while rooted in the Scripture passages that mention him, are chiefly inspired by Jesus, who spent the majority of his life at home with Joseph and Mary. For years, the three of them lived, prayed, celebrated, studied, and shared, all the while uniting their lives more intimately with God s own. Those years in Nazareth were a real preparation for the foundation upon which Jesus would build his saving ministry. And as much as Joseph and Mary offered Jesus, he offered them an ever-expanding awareness of the God that had changed both their lives. The reciprocity of love that perfectly defines the home in Nazareth is the very pattern for all family life—and therefore of the Church itself. About the Author Fr. Gary Caster, a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, has worked as a high school chaplain, religion teacher and director of Catholic Campus Ministry at Bradley University, Eureka College, Illinois Wesleyan College and now Williams College in Massachusetts. He is the author of several books, including "The Little Way of Lent" and "The Little Way of Advent," both meditations in the spirit of St. Therese of Lisieux, and "Mary, in Her Own Words: The Mother of God in Scripture." His first book was a collection of poetry entitled, "My Your-Eyes." He has also written and produced shows for EWTN and travels throughout the country leading parish missions and retreats.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 29 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux – On Loving God In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s On Loving God as a natural deepening of the path already laid by the Holy Rule. Through prayer, humility, obedience, and restraint, St. Benedict has been helping to form the heart. Now St. Bernard helps clarify what that formation is meant to open within us: a deeper love of God. St. Bernard begins with a simple but decisive truth. We do not love God only because of what He gives. We love Him because of who He is. While the spiritual life often begins in need, in our desire for help, clarity, consolation, or strength, it does not end there. As the heart continues to turn toward God in prayer, love matures. Prayer becomes more than a place of petition. It becomes a place of communion, where the heart learns to remain with God and to rest more fully in Him. This teaching fits deeply within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule has already been clearing away what keeps the heart restless and divided. St. Bernard now shows that all of this formation is ordered toward love. Humility clears the way. Discipline steadies the heart. Prayer opens it. And Christ reveals the full measure of this love in His complete self-gift to the Father. This episode invites listeners to consider how their own prayer is changing, and whether their love for God is becoming less anxious, less measured, and more rooted in God Himself. Citations St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 1 §1 “The cause of loving God is God himself;
and the measure of that love is to love without measure.” Causa diligendi Deum Deus est; modus autem sine modo diligere. 1 John 4:19, RSV–CE “We love, because he first loved us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I tend to turn to God mostly when I need help, clarity or consolation?
2. How has my prayer changed over time? Has it become more a place of communion as well as petition?
3. In what ways have prayer, humility, obedience and restraint been helping to prepare my heart for a deeper love of God?
4. Do I find myself resting in God Himself, or mostly in the gifts and answers I hope to receive from Him?
5. How does Christ’s complete self-gift help me understand what it means to love God more freely and more fully?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Sexuality, Marriage, Contraception – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss how the Church Fathers presented marriage and family life as sacred gifts in sharp contrast to pagan Rome, where women were often treated as property, children could be discarded, and marriage was frequently marked by exploitation, instability, and distrust. This shows Christianity as bringing a radically different vision: husband and wife bound in lifelong fidelity, open to life, marked by mutual self-giving, and rooted in the love of Christ for the Church. Early Christian teaching elevated the dignity of women, protected children, and transformed the meaning of sexuality by locating it within marriage and procreation rather than domination or pleasure alone. Drawing on figures like Tertullian and St. John Chrysostom, he portrays Christian marriage as joyful, holy, and even mystical, a living image of the Trinity and of Christ’s union with the Church. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the contrast between pagan Roman culture and early Christian teaching deepen my understanding of the dignity of marriage and family life? 2. In what ways do I recognize the influence of Christian teaching on the value of women and children in today’s world? 3. How can I better live out self-giving love in my relationships, reflecting Christ’s love for the Church? 4. What attitudes toward sexuality have I absorbed from culture that may conflict with the Christian vision? 5. How does viewing marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant challenge or strengthen my perspective on commitment? 6. In what ways can I contribute to building a home marked by trust, fidelity, and joy? 7. How does the idea of the family as a “domestic church” shape my responsibilities within my household? 8. What can I learn from the courage of early Christians who lived their faith in a hostile culture? 9. How might I witness to the beauty of Christian marriage through my words or actions? 10. What steps can I take to grow in appreciation for the gift of life and openness to God’s plan within family life?
Version 1.0.0 You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 28 – Prayer Shaped by Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on Chapter 20 of the Holy Rule, where St. Benedict teaches about personal prayer. After forming the heart through obedience, humility and the rhythm of liturgical life, St. Benedict turns to the way a person approaches God in prayer. He teaches that humility, reverence and attention matter more than many words. St. Benedict draws on a simple human experience. When we approach someone in authority, we become more careful in how we speak. In the same way, prayer requires an awareness of before whom we stand. This reverence is not fear but a steady recognition of God’s presence. It leads to prayer that is sincere, attentive and free from unnecessary words. The heart learns that prayer is not about explaining everything perfectly, but about turning honestly toward God. This teaching flows from the earlier chapters of the Rule, where the Divine Office and the psalms shape the soul in a rhythm of prayer. Over time, this forms a heart that is less rushed and more attentive. St. Benedict invites us to pause, to become aware of God’s presence and to let prayer arise from humility rather than anxiety. In this way, even brief prayer becomes deep and real. Following Christ, who taught His disciples to pray with simplicity and trust, this chapter reveals that the most faithful prayer is one offered with a humble and attentive heart. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 20 (RB 1980) Whenever we want to ask some favor of a powerful person, we do it humbly and respectfully, for fear of presumption. How much more important, then, to lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion. We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words. Prayer should therefore be short and pure, unless perhaps it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace. In community, however, prayer should always be brief; and when the superior gives the signal, all should rise together." Si, cum hominibus potentibus volumus aliqua suggerere, non praesumimus nisi cum humilitate et reverentia,quanto magis Domino Deo universorum cum omni humilitate et puritatis devotione supplicandum est. Et non in multiloquio, sed in puritate cordis et compunctione lacrimarum nos exaudiri sciamus. Et ideo brevis debet esse et pura oratio, nisi forte ex affectu inspirationis divinae gratiae protendatur. In conventu tamen omnino brevietur oratio, et facto signo a priore omnes pariter surgant. Matthew 6:7, RSV–CE “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I take time to become aware of God’s presence before I begin to pray? 2. Do I feel the need to fill prayer with many words instead of resting in quiet attention? 3. How does humility shape the way I approach God in prayer? 4. In what ways can I grow in reverence and simplicity in my daily prayer? 5. What might it look like for my prayer to become more attentive and less hurried?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 27 – The Twelfth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Twelfth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict concludes the ladder of humility by describing how the virtue becomes visible in the whole person. What has been formed interiorly through obedience, restraint, endurance, and truthfulness begins to appear outwardly in bearing, manner, and presence. St. Benedict is not describing a religious pose or an affected way of acting. Rather, he is showing what happens when grace has gradually shaped a person over time. Humility becomes natural. The way a person stands, listens, speaks, and moves through daily life begins to reflect a heart steadied by fidelity to God. This outward composure is not performance but the visible fruit of interior conversion. This teaching extends far beyond the monastery. In family life, work, friendship, and prayer, a person's manner can either disturb peace or quietly strengthen it. A recollected and steady presence can encourage trust and charity in others. Looking to Christ, whose humility permeated every aspect of His life, the Twelfth Degree of Humility reveals the final aim of St. Benedict’s teaching: a unity of heart and life where grace shapes both the interior soul and the outward way a person lives among others. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 62-63 (RB 1980) “The twelfth degree of humility is that a monk always manifest humility in his bearing,
not only in his heart, but also in his very body,
so that it may be evident at the Work of God,
in the oratory, the monastery, the garden,
on a journey or in the field,
sitting, walking or standing.” “Duodecimus humilitatis gradus est, si monachus non solum corde, sed etiam ipso corpore humilitatem omnibus semper manifestet, id est in opere Dei, in oratorio, in monasterio, in horto, in via, in agro, vel ubiubi sedens, ambulans vel stans.” Colossians 3:12, RSV–CE “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. In what ways does my outward manner reflect what is happening within my heart?
2. Do I notice moments when agitation, impatience or self-display affect my presence with others?
3. How might greater recollection and steadiness help bring peace to those around me?
4. What outward habits might help reinforce a more attentive and prayerful interior life?
5. How does Christ’s humility guide the way I carry myself in ordinary moments?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects on a story about Bob, a husband and father who becomes discouraged after unintentionally hurting his wife during a disagreement about their son. Although Bob has been growing in faith through a men’s formation group and regular prayer, the unresolved tension at home leaves him vulnerable to discouraging thoughts: that he is failing as a husband, that his efforts at prayer are pointless, and that he will never really change. These thoughts begin to affect his actions—he skips his group meetings and sometimes abandons prayer. Fr. Gallagher explains that this pattern reflects what St. Ignatius of Loyola calls spiritual desolation, where discouraging lies foster a loss of hope and attempt to convince someone that growth is impossible. The key step is recognizing these thoughts as false and refusing to let them dictate decisions, especially during periods of discouragement. Through gentle questions, Fr. Reed helps Bob see the truth already present in his heart: he loves his wife and children, values prayer, and finds real help in his faith community. Once Bob sees the contradiction between these realities and the discouraging thoughts, the confusion lifts. The experience strengthens his resolve to remain faithful to prayer and community support even when discouragement appears again. Sharing openly with his wife and staying connected with others—such as friends, spiritual directors, or prayer groups—creates a safeguard against isolation. Growth in closeness to God deepens human relationships as well, allowing love within marriage, friendship, and community to grow through the grace received in the spiritual life. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When discouraging thoughts arise about your spiritual life or vocation, how can you pause and examine whether they reflect the truth of your heart? 2. Have you ever experienced thoughts that tell you your efforts in prayer or holiness will never lead to real change? 3. In what ways might discouragement be influencing your decisions about prayer, spiritual commitments, or participation in faith communities? 4. How can remembering your love for God and others help you see through thoughts that claim you are failing spiritually? 5. Who in your life could accompany you when you are struggling—such as a spouse, friend, confessor, or spiritual director? 6. How might sharing your spiritual struggles with someone you trust bring clarity and renewed hope? 7. What practices or commitments in your spiritual life have brought genuine growth that discouragement tries to make you forget? 8. How can you prepare now for moments of spiritual discouragement so that you remain faithful when they come? 9. In your vocation—marriage, family life, or community—how can honest spiritual conversations strengthen your relationships? 10. How does growing closer to God help you love the people in your life more deeply and faithfully?
An excerpt from the chapter, "I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It": "With Father Reed’s help, Bob recognizes a tactic of the enemy, another form of spiritual desolation. Ignatius describes this as “lack of hope.” When we experience this form of desolation, our thoughts are like Bob’s: we lose hope of any real progress in loving God, in prayer, in holiness, and in living our vocation well. If we think like this, we will be tempted, like Bob, to give up — precisely the enemy’s goal. All of this is a lie! If ever you feel “defeated before you begin” in your spiritual life, recognize the lie of the enemy and reject it. Do not relinquish your efforts to grow spiritually. God’s love and the power of his grace are with you in these efforts. Compared with this, the enemy’s lies are a very small thing. Further, we can prepare to reject such lies even before the enemy brings them (Ignatius’s rule 10). After this attack by the enemy, for example, Bob can prepare himself to reject similar lies should the enemy bring them again." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 59-60). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life PodcastFrom the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Fourth Sunday of Lent: Spiritual Blindness – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Gospel of the man born blind and the deeper meaning of spiritual sight during Lent. Humanity enters the world marked by original sin, unable to see clearly without the healing grace of Christ. The Gospel account reveals that Jesus is the one who opens the eyes of the human heart, leading souls out of darkness and into the light of truth. The Lenten liturgy links the themes of water and light as signs of baptismal grace. Just as the blind man washes in the pool of Siloam and receives sight, the baptized are invited to rediscover the grace already given to them. Lent becomes a time of awakening, when the soul allows Christ to reveal areas of blindness and bring healing through repentance and humility. Msgr. Esseff also contrasts the openness of the blind man with the Pharisees' resistance, who judge by appearances and refuse the light offered by Christ. True vision comes from a heart willing to encounter the Lord honestly. Through prayer, conversion, and renewed trust in Christ, the Christian life becomes a journey from darkness into the radiant light of God. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. In what ways might spiritual blindness keep a person from recognizing Christ’s presence in daily life? 2. Why does the Gospel story of the man born blind speak so powerfully during the season of Lent? 3. How does baptism help open the eyes of the heart to the light of Christ? 4. What attitudes or habits might resemble the resistance shown by the Pharisees in the Gospel? 5. How can prayer and humility help a person receive the healing sight Christ offers? 6. During this Lenten season, where might Christ be inviting you to move from darkness into His light?
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 26 – The Eleventh Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Eleventh Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict continues his teaching on speech, moving beyond the question of whether a person speaks too much to the deeper question of how he speaks when he does. Humility begins to shape tone, measure, and restraint so that speech becomes calm, simple, and free from display. St. Benedict understands that words may be accurate yet still harmful if delivered with harshness, vanity, or a desire to dominate the moment. The Eleventh Degree purifies not only speech itself but the manner of it. Gentle and measured speech allows truth to be received. Words that are few and sensible reflect a heart that has learned to listen, think, and speak with purpose. This wisdom has clear application in daily life. In family life, friendships, workplaces, and parish communities, tone often determines whether words build peace or stir resistance. St. Benedict invites listeners to form a way of speaking that is steady, thoughtful, and charitable. Looking to Christ, whose words carried clarity and authority without display, the Eleventh Degree of Humility shows how speech guided by humility can become a quiet instrument of truth and peace. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 58 (RB 1980) “The eleventh degree of humility is that when a monk speaks,
he does so gently and without laughter,
humbly and with seriousness,
speaking few and sensible words.” “Undecimus humilitatis gradus est, si cum loquitur monachus, leniter et sine risu, humiliter et cum gravitate, vel pauca verba et rationabilia loquatur.” Proverbs 17:27, RSV–CE “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does my tone affect the way others receive what I say?
2. Do I sometimes speak accurately but in a spirit that provokes resistance?
3. Where might fewer and more thoughtful words bring greater peace to my conversations?
4. Do I allow time for interior calm before speaking, especially in difficult situations?
5. How does Christ’s example of purposeful and measured speech shape the way I communicate?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 25 – The Tenth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Tenth Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to the way a person conducts himself outwardly. By this stage in the ladder of humility, obedience, endurance, restraint and silence have already begun shaping the interior life. Now humility begins to appear in a person’s manner, in the steadiness with which he carries himself through ordinary life. St. Benedict warns against behavior that becomes excessive, restless or foolish. His concern is not laughter itself but the loss of moderation that can disturb peace and distract the heart. When joking, noise or outward excitement take over, the soul easily becomes scattered. The Benedictine way encourages a joy that remains rooted and balanced rather than impulsive or disruptive. This teaching speaks directly to daily life. In family life, friendships, workplaces and parish communities, outward behavior can either steady the atmosphere or unsettle it. The Tenth Degree of Humility invites listeners to cultivate moderation, warmth and self-command so that joy remains genuine and grounded. Looking to Christ as the model of ordered freedom, this degree reminds us that humility forms a presence that is calm, attentive and quietly joyful. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 57 (RB 1980) “The tenth degree of humility is that one is not easily moved
and quick to laughter,
for it is written:
‘A fool raises his voice in laughter.’” “Decimus humilitatis gradus est, si non sit facilis ac promptus in risu, quia scriptum est: Stultus in risu exaltat vocem suam.” Ecclesiastes 7:6, RSV–CE “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; this also is vanity.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I notice moments when humor or joking begins to lose its balance or measure?
2. How does my outward behavior affect the peace of those around me?
3. Do I sometimes use humor or constant activity to avoid silence or discomfort?
4. What does steady and grounded joy look like in my daily life?
5. How can Christ’s example help shape a more balanced and attentive presence?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 24 – The Ninth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Ninth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to restraint in speech, showing how humility appears in the way a person speaks and in the choice to remain silent. Words have real power. They can encourage, clarify and strengthen, but they can also wound, unsettle and damage relationships. The Benedictine way teaches that humility governs speech so that words serve truth, charity and prudence. St. Benedict is not condemning speech itself. Rather, he is addressing speech that is impulsive, unnecessary or poorly timed. A restrained tongue allows words to carry their proper weight. It creates space for listening and for discernment. In this way, humility forms a heart that speaks thoughtfully and listens attentively instead of reacting immediately. This wisdom extends well beyond the monastery. In marriage, family life, the workplace and parish communities, the discipline of speech shapes the atmosphere of daily life. When words are governed by prudence and charity, they become a source of encouragement and clarity. Following the example of Christ, who spoke when it served truth and remained silent when speech would not serve love, the Ninth Degree of Humility invites listeners to discover the strength found in restraint and attentive listening. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 56 (RB 1980) “The ninth degree of humility is that a monk restrain his tongue
and keep silence,
not speaking unless asked.” “Nonus humilitatis gradus est, si linguam suam ad loquendum retineat, et taciturnitatem custodiat, non loquens nisi interrogatus.” James 1:19, RSV–CE “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When do I tend to speak impulsively instead of allowing time for reflection?
2. How might greater restraint in speech change the atmosphere of my relationships?
3. Do I truly listen when others speak, or do I quickly interrupt or respond?
4. Where might silence allow truth, charity and prudence to guide my words more carefully?
5. How does Christ’s example of both speaking and remaining silent challenge the way I use words?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Jonathan Swift & Gulliver's Travels – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, one of the most brilliant satirical works in Western literature. Through the strange voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift exposes the intellectual fashions of the Enlightenment, particularly the growing confidence that science and human reason alone could replace the wisdom of philosophy and theology. Pearce explains that Swift, an ordained Christian minister, uses satire to challenge the pride of modern thinking and defend the moral and philosophical foundations of Christian civilization. The discussion reveals that Gulliver’s Travels is far more than a children’s adventure story. Swift’s strange lands and exaggerated characters reveal deeper truths about pride, political corruption, scientism, and the dangers of abandoning tradition. By presenting Gulliver himself as a flawed and often foolish observer, Swift invites readers to reflect on the human condition and the need for virtue, humility, and sound moral reasoning. Pearce shows how the novel remains strikingly relevant today, offering timeless insight into the dangers of ideological extremes and the importance of reading great literature to sharpen both intellect and moral judgment. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Gulliver’s Travels uses satire to expose the pride and foolishness of human society. What aspects of human pride does Swift reveal through Gulliver’s journeys? 2. Swift challenges the belief that science and human reason alone can solve every human problem. Why is it important to balance scientific progress with moral and philosophical wisdom? 3. Throughout the story, Gulliver believes he is becoming wiser, yet his pride often blinds him to truth. How can pride prevent us from recognizing our own weaknesses? 4. Swift presents exaggerated societies to reveal real human problems. Which of the societies Gulliver encounters seems most similar to issues we face in the modern world? 5. Joseph Pearce explains that great literature allows us to learn from many lives beyond our own. How can reading works like Gulliver’s Travels deepen our understanding of human nature? 6. At the end of the story, Gulliver’s pride isolates him even from his own family. What does this reveal about the dangers of intellectual arrogance or moral superiority?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing visit his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa and South America. He is Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
In place of the disability to express ourselves, to sing – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, reflect on St. Benedict’s guidance on prayer and the place of singing in the spiritual life, particularly as expressed in Chapter 19 of the Rule. While silence prepares the heart to listen, St. Benedict also calls monks to raise their voices in song. Singing the Psalms becomes a powerful way to express what is in the heart and to enter the presence of God and His angels consciously. The goal is not musical perfection but authenticity, allowing one’s voice and mind to be in harmony as prayer is offered to God. Fr. Mauritius explains that singing is deeply connected to the human person. It engages memory, emotion, and prayer in ways ordinary speech often cannot. Through the Psalms and the songs found throughout Scripture, the believer learns to bring every mood and experience before God. Singing becomes a remedy for sadness, a way to overcome fear, and a means of drawing closer to the Lord. St. Benedict’s wisdom reminds us that the voice lifted in praise helps open the heart, allowing the soul to encounter God more deeply. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 19: CHAPTER XIX We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet saith, "Serve ye the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11). And again, "Sing ye wisely" (Ps 46[47]:8). And, "I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels" (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becometh us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches that our minds and voices should be in harmony when we sing the Psalms. What does this unity of heart and voice mean in my own prayer life? 2. How comfortable am I expressing prayer openly to God, whether through song, spoken prayer, or quiet praise? 3. Have I ever experienced how music or singing can lift the heart during moments of sadness or discouragement? 4. In what ways might the Psalms help me bring my real emotions and struggles before God? 5. How could incorporating sacred music or psalm prayer deepen my daily relationship with the Lord? 6. Where might God be inviting me to become more open and vulnerable in prayer?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 23 – The Eighth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Eighth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to the humility required to live within a shared life rather than continually shaping life around personal preference. The monk is asked to follow the common rule of the monastery and the example of the elders instead of constantly adjusting the life of the community to suit his own desires. This teaching reveals how humility becomes visible in ordinary situations. St. Benedict understands how easily self-will hides behind explanations that sound reasonable. The Eighth Degree loosens that habit by forming a heart that can receive what has already been given. Rather than insisting on personal control, the humble person learns to live faithfully within the order and rhythms of community life. Although written for monks, this wisdom reaches into daily life for everyone. In marriage, family life, the workplace and parish life, people are constantly invited to live within a shared structure that requires cooperation and trust. The Eighth Degree of Humility teaches that peace grows when a person no longer needs to control every circumstance, but learns to receive the life God has placed before them and live it faithfully. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 55 (RB 1980) “The eighth degree of humility is that a monk do nothing
except what the common rule of the monastery
and the example of the elders require.” “Octavus humilitatis gradus est, si nihil agat monachus nisi quod communis monasterii regula vel maiorum exempla docent.” Hebrews 13:17, RSV–CE “Obey your leaders and submit to them;
for they are keeping watch over your souls.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I find myself resisting the shared responsibilities or structures of my daily life?
2. Do I often feel the need to adjust situations so they better match my preferences?
3. What does it mean for me to receive the responsibilities and relationships God has already given?
4. How can learning from the example of others help form humility in my life?
5. Where might God be inviting me to trust His work in the community around me?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 22 – The Seventh Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Seventh Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict moves more deeply into the interior life, describing humility not simply as outward behavior but as a truth the heart gradually comes to accept before God. Through earlier practices of obedience, endurance, honesty, and acceptance of ordinary life, the heart is slowly freed from the constant need to measure itself against others. St. Benedict addresses the subtle habit of comparison that often shapes how people see themselves. We compare gifts, responsibilities, and recognition, quietly measuring where we stand. The Seventh Degree of Humility loosens that restless habit. A humble heart no longer needs to secure its importance or defend its place. Instead, it learns to live honestly before God, recognizing that whatever good exists in life has been received through grace. This teaching does not deny human dignity. It reveals a deeper freedom. When a person no longer builds identity on status or comparison, the heart becomes simpler and more peaceful. Looking to Christ, who emptied Himself and entrusted everything to the Father, this episode invites listeners to discover humility as a path toward truth, steadiness and freedom before God. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 51-52 (RB 1980) “The seventh degree of humility is that a person not only consider himself inferior to others,
but truly believe it in his heart,
humbling himself and saying with the Prophet:
‘I am a worm and no man, the scorn of men and the outcast of the people.’” “Septimus humilitatis gradus est, si omnibus se inferiorem existimet, et hoc non solum ore sed etiam in corde credat, humilians se et dicens cum Propheta: Ego autem sum vermis et non homo, opprobrium hominum et abiectio plebis.” Luke 18:14, RSV–CE “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I find myself comparing my work, recognition, or gifts with those of others?
2. How does comparison affect my peace and my ability to serve freely?
3. Do I feel a need to protect my place, reputation, or importance in certain situations?
4. What would it look like to stand before God more simply and honestly today?
5. How does Christ’s humility challenge the way I measure my own worth?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Papacy: The Apostolic Throne – Love's Earthly Form – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina reflects on the origin and continuity of the papacy, beginning with Christ’s words to Peter in the Gospel and continuing through the witness of the early Church. The authority given to Peter did not end with his lifetime but carried forward through successors in Rome. Early Christian history shows that the bishop of Rome consistently served as a central point of leadership, even when the role carried danger rather than prestige. Many of the earliest popes suffered martyrdom, yet the office endured because the Church required a visible shepherd who could guide, judge disputes, and safeguard unity. Mike Aquilina also traces how the wider Christian world acknowledged Rome’s authority. Church fathers such as Saints Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Polycarp, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Augustine all recognized the significance of the Roman see, often appealing to it to resolve conflicts or doctrinal disputes. Rome became a focal point partly because it was sanctified by the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, drawing pilgrims and scholars from across the Christian world. The succession of bishops in Rome preserved apostolic teaching across generations, providing a visible center of unity for the Church. Even external observers, including pagan authorities, identified the Christian community by the presence of a bishop of Rome at its head, illustrating how deeply this structure was embedded in early Christian life. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does Christ’s commission to Peter help you understand the role of the papacy in the life of the Church today? 2. What does the willingness of early popes to face martyrdom reveal about the nature of authority and service in the Church? 3. How does the witness of the Church Fathers strengthen your trust in the continuity of apostolic succession? 4. In what ways does obedience in the Church challenge modern attitudes about independence and personal authority? 5. Why might God have provided the Church with a visible center of unity through the bishop of Rome? 6. How does the reverence early Christians showed toward Rome deepen your appreciation for the history of the Church? 7. What can the appeals of saints like Augustine and Basil to Rome teach about humility and unity within the Church? 8. How does remembering the martyrdom of Peter and Paul invite you to reflect on the cost of discipleship? 9. In what ways can the structure of the Church guide you toward greater freedom and faithfulness in your spiritual life? 10. How might gratitude for the Church’s long history encourage you to pray more intentionally for the Holy Father and the unity of the Church?
Version 1.0.0 You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 21 – The Sixth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Sixth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to the ordinary and often hidden realities of daily life, where humility is shown in the way a person receives work, place and limitation with peace. This degree is not about self-hatred or denying one’s gifts. It is about freedom from the pride that always wants a better role, more notice or a more appealing task. The Sixth Degree of Humility is lived in the unnoticed places of life. It appears in repetitive work, hidden service and responsibilities that do not bring recognition. St. Benedict asks whether the heart can remain peaceful there, without bargaining, resentment or the need to be reassured of its value. Humility grows when peace is no longer tied to visibility, praise or preference, but to faithful offering. This teaching becomes very practical in family life, work and service to others. It can mean doing what is plain without complaint, accepting a lesser role without bitterness or carrying unnoticed responsibilities with steadiness. Looking to Christ in the hidden life of Nazareth, this episode invites listeners to see that hidden fidelity is not lesser fidelity. It is often the place where love is purified and the heart becomes freer to serve. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 49-50 (RB 1980) “The sixth degree of humility is that a monk be content with the lowest and most menial treatment,
and regard himself as a poor and worthless workman
in whatever task he is given.” “Sextus humilitatis gradus est, si contentus sit monachus vilitate et extremitate, et in omnibus quae sibi iniunguntur se indignum et inutilem operarium existimet.” Luke 14:20, RSV–CE “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I respond when my work goes unnoticed or receives little appreciation?
2. Do I measure my value by visibility, praise or the kind of task I am given?
3. Where in my daily life am I being asked to serve faithfully in hidden ways?
4. What resentment or comparison begins to rise when I feel overlooked?
5. How does Christ’s hidden life at Nazareth help me understand the quiet strength of this degree of humility?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 20 – The Fifth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Fifth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns from endurance and restraint to truthful speech, showing that humility also appears in the willingness to bring what is hidden into the light. Silence alone is not enough. A person may say very little and still conceal much. Humility begins when the heart stops protecting what is false and becomes willing to speak plainly about what is wrong. St. Benedict’s teaching is not an invitation to overshare or to expose oneself carelessly. It is a call to honest speech in the right place, with the right person, where truth needs to be told. For the monk, this means confession to the abbot. For the rest of us, it may mean confession after serious sin, telling the truth in a marriage, admitting a fault in family life or work, or bringing a recurring temptation into the light with a confessor or trusted spiritual guide. Hidden sin does not heal by being ignored. It must be named truthfully so that it can be judged rightly, forgiven, and surrendered to God’s mercy. This degree of humility reveals how deeply St. Benedict understands the human heart. We often want to soften the truth, delay it, or manage how we appear. But concealment weakens the heart. It makes us more guarded, more divided, and less free before God. This episode invites listeners to consider where honesty is needed, and how truthful confession becomes not humiliation but healing, not self-exposure for its own sake but the beginning of freedom. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 44-46 (RB 1980) “The fifth degree of humility is that one does not conceal
from one’s abbot any evil thoughts that enter the heart,
or any wrongs secretly committed,
but humbly confesses them.” “Quintus humilitatis gradus est, si omnes cogitationes malas cordi suo advenientes, vel mala secreta facta, abbati suo humili confessione non abscondat.” Psalm 32:5, RSV–CE “I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Is there something I have been hiding, minimizing, or delaying in order to protect how I appear?
2. Do I understand the difference between honest confession and unhealthy oversharing?
3. Where in my life do I most resist speaking the truth plainly and without excuse?
4. How has concealment weakened my peace, freedom, or clarity before God?
5. What truth may need to be spoken in the right place today so that grace can begin to heal what has been hidden?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
I'm Troubled and I'm Tempted; I'm Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher describes how temptation often appears during times of anxiety or discouragement in the spiritual life. Through the story of John, who anxiously waits for medical test results, he illustrates how worry can disturb prayer and open the door to subtle suggestions that lead toward distractions or unhealthy habits. Even though John remains faithful to prayer and resists these impulses, agitation and discouraging thoughts still arise. These interior voices begin to question his spiritual life and suggest something must be wrong with him because prayer does not bring immediate peace. Such thoughts are presented as deceptive suggestions that accompany spiritual desolation—moments when discouragement, anxiety, or loss of hope affect one’s relationship with God. Recognizing these experiences as ordinary aspects of spiritual life helps a person refuse the discouraging lies and remember that desolation will pass. A second example involves Julie, who returns from a retreat inspired to deepen her prayer life and form spiritual friendships. After a difficult conversation with her husband, discouragement gradually disrupts her prayer and leads her to doubt the authenticity of the grace she experienced on retreat. Interior accusations accumulate, suggesting she is incapable of deeper holiness and destined to remain spiritually mediocre. Such thoughts aim to undermine confidence and distort reality. By sharing these struggles with trusted companions and identifying the false accusations, a person can recover clarity and continue growing. God may permit these trials because resisting them strengthens faith, deepens humility, and forms spiritual resilience. When these discouraging voices are recognized as lies, freedom returns and the path of spiritual growth continues. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the institution of Holy Orders at the Last Supper deepen your understanding of Christ’s care for His Church? 2. What does the early Church’s structure of bishop, priest, and deacon reveal about continuity with the apostles? 3. How does the teaching on apostolic succession strengthen your trust in the Church’s authority and tradition? 4. In what ways can you grow in gratitude for the priests and deacons who serve your local parish community? 5. How does the permanent sacramental character of Holy Orders shape your view of the dignity and responsibility of the priesthood? 6. What does St. Augustine’s teaching about the validity of the sacraments teach you about Christ working through imperfect ministers? 7. How can the awe described by the Church Fathers toward the priesthood inspire greater reverence for the Mass? 8. What virtues described by St. Ambrose might also guide your own Christian life and witness? 9. How does the courage of St. Ambrose in confronting political leaders challenge Christians to live the truth faithfully today? 10. What role can prayer for priests play in strengthening the life and mission of the Church?
An excerpt from the chapter "I'm Troubled and I'm Tempted": "John experiences a form of spiritual desolation that Ignatius describes as “disquiet from various agitations and temptations.” If John can identify his experience as the tactic of the enemy that it is — spiritual desolation — peace will begin to return, and he will be strengthened to resist it. If John is further aware that there is no shame in undergoing such spiritual desolation, that all do from time to time, he will be additionally encouraged in his struggle. The enemy brings this spiritual desolation into a nonspiritual vulnerability in John: a place of worry — his understandable concern about the growth on his face and his anxiety as he awaits the results of the second biopsy. John deals well with this: he speaks with his wife, and he is faithful to prayer. Texts of the Bible help him. But even as he turns to the Lord, the enemy brings spiritual desolation, “disquiet from various agitations and temptations.” This need not surprise John or us! Ignatius helps us understand this experience and points the way to freedom." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 45). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. An except from the chapter "I'm Going to Fail": "Julie’s experience permits an important observation. If the enemy ordinarily brings spiritual desolation into areas of nonspiritual vulnerability (tiredness, discouragement, depression, and the like), then whatever you do to reduce or eliminate that nonspiritual vulnerability will greatly ease your spiritual life. If, for example, Julie and Bob communicate and resolve their tension, Julie will find herself much less susceptible to the “lack of confidence” described here. The same is true for all of us when we experience nonspiritual vulnerabilities. Julie also writes, “I’m up, then so quickly down. You and the others seem so much more stable and so faithful. I must be different.” A further lie of desolation is this: “It’s just you. Other people don’t go through this. You’re up, then down. Other people are steady. It’s only you.” Again, emphatically no! When Julie knows the others better, and they share on a deeper level, she will find that all undergo these ups (times of spiritual energy, of feeling God’s closeness — that is, of spiritual consolation) and downs (times without spiritual energy, of not feeling God’s closeness — that is, of spiritual desolation). If you experience times of spiritual consolation and times of spiritual desolation, then you share the experience of every man or woman who has ever loved the Lord. What matters is — by now you can tell me! — to be aware, understand, and take action. Take action: that is, to accept God’s gift of spiritual consolation and to reject the enemy’s discouraging lies in spiritual desolation." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 52-53). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 19 – The Fourth Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Fourth Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict now turns to perseverance when obedience becomes difficult. Humility is tested not when circumstances are favorable but when strain, misunderstanding or even unjust treatment appear. The Benedictine way does not romanticize suffering. Instead it forms a heart capable of remaining steady and faithful without retaliation, collapse or withdrawal. St. Benedict teaches that difficulties and contradictions are often the very places where humility takes root. By bearing hardship patiently and quietly, the heart learns to remain with God rather than being ruled by resentment or the need for vindication. Looking to Christ, who endured contradiction and injustice without abandoning fidelity to the Father, this episode explores how perseverance in ordinary trials forms a deeper freedom and charity. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 36-38 (RB 1980) “The fourth degree of humility is that if, in this obedience, one meets with difficulties and injustices,
even if they are inflicted unjustly,
one bears them patiently and quietly,
and perseveres without growing weary or giving up.” “Quartus humilitatis gradus est, si in ipsa oboedientia dura et aspera, vel etiam iniuste sibi imposita, aequo animo amplectatur, et in sustinendo non deficiat, neque recedat.” Romans 5:3-4, RSV–CE “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I usually respond when I feel misunderstood, overlooked or treated unfairly?
2. When difficulties arise in obedience or responsibility, do I persevere or withdraw interiorly?
3. What ordinary frustrations in my daily life reveal where patience still needs to grow?
4. How does Christ’s endurance in suffering illuminate the Fourth Degree of Humility?
5. Where might God be inviting me to remain steady and faithful today rather than seeking immediate vindication?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Third Sunday of Lent: The Living Water – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast In this Second Sunday of Lent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the mystery of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus reveals his glory on the mountain as he prepares to face suffering and death. The mountain of light is inseparable from the mountain of Calvary. Jesus stands between glory and the cross, revealing that resurrection is reached only through suffering freely embraced in trust and obedience to the Father. Msgr. Esseff reflects deeply on baptism as participation in Jesus’ own suffering, dying, and rising. Many, he notes, have been baptized yet avoid this interior journey by relying solely on reason, control, or self-protection. Through the story of a young man discerning priesthood, he shows how attachment to reasoning alone can block the step of faith required to follow Christ fully. Faith is not figuring everything out. Faith is listening and responding when God speaks. Drawing from the witness of Abraham and the teaching of St. Paul, Msgr. Esseff reminds listeners that God’s plan precedes time itself and unfolds within each person through Christ living within. Whether in family separation, illness, financial struggle, prison ministry, or global suffering, Jesus continues to suffer, die, and rise in his people. Lent becomes an invitation to interior listening, where the Father’s command on the mountain is heard anew: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I most need the healing “living water” of Christ in my life right now? 2. What patterns of sin or weakness need to be honestly examined during this Lenten season? 3. How can the sacrament of reconciliation help renew my relationship with Christ? 4. Where do I notice spiritual struggle in my own heart between grace and temptation? 5. How can I prepare more intentionally for the renewal of baptismal life at Easter?
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 18 – The Third Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the third degree of humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict brings humility into concrete daily life by placing it within relationships and legitimate authority. Humility is revealed not only in interior intention but in how the heart responds when another’s direction stands between personal preference and faithful action. This obedience is offered for the love of God and lived within the order of community and vocation. When what is asked belongs to truth and charity, the heart receives it as part of God’s providence. Benedict points directly to Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father in obedience even unto death. Through ordinary acts of faithful response, this degree of humility trains the heart in freedom, where trust begins to replace resistance and fidelity grows steadily. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 34-35 (RB 1980) “The third degree of humility is that a person submit himself in obedience to a superior,
for the love of God,
imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says:
‘He became obedient unto death.’” “Tertius humilitatis gradus est, ut subditus oboedientiam pro Dei amore maiori praebeat, imitans Dominum, de quo Apostolus dicit: Factus oboediens usque ad mortem.” Philippians 2:8, RSV–CE “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I respond internally when I receive direction that interrupts my preference?
2. Do I view obedience within legitimate authority as a burden or as part of God’s providence?
3. Where in my vocation or daily responsibilities am I invited to practice relational humility?
4. How does Christ’s obedience to the Father illuminate this degree of humility?
5. What might change if I carried out a directive today simply and faithfully, without modifying it?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 17 – The Second Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the second degree of humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict moves from awareness of God’s presence to the ordering of the human will. Humility becomes concrete when personal preference is placed within obedience to God. Self-will often appears reasonable and justified, yet it can quietly shape life around personal control and insistence. Benedictine formation gently loosens that grip. Looking to Christ, who came not to do His own will but the will of the Father, the heart learns to surrender preference and rest in trust. Over time, this practice forms a deeper freedom as the will becomes aligned with God rather than governed by personal inclination. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 31 (RB 1980) “The second degree of humility is that a person loves not his own will
nor takes pleasure in satisfying his desires,
but imitates the Lord, of whom the Scripture says:
‘I came not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.’” “Secundus humilitatis gradus est, si propriam non amans voluntatem, nec delectetur implere desideria sua, sed imitatur Dominum, dicentem: Non veni facere voluntatem meam, sed eius qui me misit.” Proverbs 7:1 RSV–CE “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I most strongly experience the pull of personal preference?
2. How do I react when my plans or desires are interrupted?
3. In what ways does Christ’s obedience to the Father challenge my understanding of freedom?
4. Can I recognize the difference between a healthy desire and self-will that insists on control?
5. What small opportunity today might allow me to yield my preference peacefully?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Oscar Wilde & The Picture of Dorian Gray – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore the life, struggles, and literary genius of Oscar Wilde through his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Pearce presents Wilde as a man defined by paradox. Brilliant, witty, and celebrated in Victorian society, Wilde was also deeply conflicted, drawn both to worldly pleasure and to the truth he encountered in Christianity. This inner struggle forms the heart of The Picture of Dorian Gray, a novel that tells the story of a young man who trades his soul for eternal youth, only to discover that a life devoted to vanity and pleasure ultimately destroys both himself and those around him. The discussion reveals how Wilde’s novel is far more than a gothic story about youth and beauty. It is a moral and spiritual meditation on conscience, temptation, and conversion. The portrait that ages while Dorian remains outwardly beautiful becomes a powerful symbol of the human soul, revealing the consequences of sin hidden beneath appearances. Pearce also reflects on how the novel speaks to modern culture, where celebrity, pleasure, and the pursuit of youth often replace deeper truths about virtue, sacrifice, and lasting joy. Wilde’s life itself mirrors this tension, ending with his reception into the Catholic Church, a final act that fulfilled a lifelong spiritual longing. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the portrait reveals the corruption hidden within the soul. What does this image teach us about the difference between outward appearance and the true condition of the heart? 2. Dorian Gray pursues pleasure, youth, and admiration at any cost. What dangers arise when a person seeks happiness only through pleasure or reputation rather than through virtue? 3. The story shows how small compromises gradually lead Dorian further away from goodness. In your own life, how can seemingly small choices shape the direction of the heart over time? 4. Joseph Pearce notes that literature allows us to learn from the lives of others. How can reading stories like The Picture of Dorian Gray help us recognize temptation and choose a better path? 5. Wilde’s own life was marked by both weakness and a longing for truth that eventually led him to the Catholic Church. What does this remind us about God’s mercy and the possibility of conversion even after great failure? 6. Modern culture often glorifies youth, celebrity, and self-indulgence. How does the warning found in The Picture of Dorian Gray challenge us to pursue a deeper and more lasting joy rooted in truth and virtue?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing visit his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa and South America. He is Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
In Place of Materialism, Gratitude – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB reflect on Chapter 6 of the Rule of St. Benedict, which addresses restraint of speech and the spiritual importance of silence. In a culture overflowing with words, St. Benedict proposes something countercultural: silence as the pathway to deeper listening. Drawing on Scripture and the wisdom of the monastic tradition, the Rule reminds us that “in a flood of words, you will not avoid sin.” Silence is not a rejection of speech, but a discipline that allows words to regain their meaning and weight. Fr. Mauritius explains that silence creates the space necessary to listen to God with the “ear of the heart,” the very first instruction of the Rule. Through intentional moments of quiet, prayer becomes more attentive, speech becomes more thoughtful, and the soul becomes receptive to God’s presence. Rather than an empty absence of sound, true silence is full, alive, and rooted in communion with God. In this way, the Benedictine tradition invites Christians to rediscover silence as a path to deeper prayer, humility, and spiritual freedom. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 6: CHAPTER VI Of Silence Let us do what the Prophet saith: "I said, I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I have set a guard to my mouth, I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps 38[39]:2-3). Here the prophet showeth that, if at times we ought to refrain from useful speech for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words on account of the punishment due to sin. Therefore, because of the importance of silence, let permission to speak be seldom given to perfect disciples even for good and holy and edifying discourse, for it is written: "In much talk thou shalt not escape sin" (Prov 10:19). And elsewhere: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov 18:21). For it belongeth to the master to speak and to teach; it becometh the disciple to be silent and to listen. If, therefore, anything must be asked of the Superior, let it be asked with all humility and respectful submission. But coarse jests, and idle words or speech provoking laughter, we condemn everywhere to eternal exclusion; and for such speech we do not permit the disciple to open his lips. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. St. Benedict teaches restraint of speech so that we may listen more deeply. How often do I allow true silence to enter my daily life? 2. When I speak, do my words arise from reflection and prayer, or do they often flow without thought? 3. What role does silence play in my personal prayer? Do I allow space to listen after speaking to God? 4. How might practicing moments of intentional quiet help me become more attentive to God’s presence? 5. Have I experienced the difference between an empty silence and a silence filled with peace and communion? 6. In what ways might God be inviting me to listen more deeply with the “ear of the heart”?
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts visit:
Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 16 – The First Degree of Humility In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the first degree of humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict begins with a simple but decisive foundation: keeping the fear of God always before our eyes. Humility begins when the heart lives with a steady awareness of God’s presence. This remembrance restores proper order to daily life and guards the heart from drifting into self-rule. The fear of God in the Benedictine tradition is reverence, an awareness of who God is and who we are before Him. When that awareness remains active, speech, choices and responses begin to fall into place. This episode explores how humility grows through ordinary remembrance, through small moments of attentiveness that keep the heart turned toward God throughout the day. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 10 (RB 1980) “The first degree of humility, then, is that a person keep the fear of God always before his eyes
and never forget it.” “Primus humilitatis gradus est, si timorem Dei ante oculos semper habens, oblivionem omnino fugiat.” Proverbs 7:1 RSV–CE “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I live my daily life with a conscious awareness of God’s presence?
2. What happens in my heart when I forget God during ordinary moments?
3. How does reverence for God influence the way I speak, decide and respond?
4. Where in my day could I pause briefly and remember that my actions are lived before God?
5. How does Christ’s constant relationship with the Father illuminate the first degree of humility?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Clergy – Love's Earthly Form – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss the sacrament of Holy Orders and its roots in the earliest life of the Church. Jesus entrusted the apostles with continuing His work when He commanded them at the Last Supper to “do this in memory of me,” establishing a structure that appears already in the New Testament: bishops, priests, and deacons. Early Christian writings confirm that this threefold ministry was present from the beginning and connected with the priestly pattern of Israel—high priest, priests, and Levites. Figures such as St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius of Antioch testify that the Church maintained this order across different communities, with apostolic succession ensuring continuity of authority and teaching after the apostles died. Priesthood, like baptism, imprints a permanent sacramental identity that does not disappear even if a priest fails morally. The Church Fathers reflected deeply on the dignity and responsibility of this ministry, describing it as a heavenly work carried out on earth. Examples such as St. John Chrysostom and St. Ambrose illustrate both the spiritual awe surrounding the priesthood and the practical virtues required of clergy. St. Ambrose’s courageous leadership, personal holiness, and guidance of others—including the conversion of St. Augustine—show how faithful ministry helped shape Christian civilization and influence the course of the Church’s history. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the institution of Holy Orders at the Last Supper deepen your understanding of Christ’s care for His Church? 2. What does the early Church’s structure of bishop, priest, and deacon reveal about continuity with the apostles? 3. How does the teaching on apostolic succession strengthen your trust in the Church’s authority and tradition? 4. In what ways can you grow in gratitude for the priests and deacons who serve your local parish community? 5. How does the permanent sacramental character of Holy Orders shape your view of the dignity and responsibility of the priesthood? 6. What does St. Augustine’s teaching about the validity of the sacraments teach you about Christ working through imperfect ministers? 7. How can the awe described by the Church Fathers toward the priesthood inspire greater reverence for the Mass? 8. What virtues described by St. Ambrose might also guide your own Christian life and witness? 9. How does the courage of St. Ambrose in confronting political leaders challenge Christians to live the truth faithfully today? 10. What role can prayer for priests play in strengthening the life and mission of the Church?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 15 – Humility as Truth In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor enters Chapter 7 during the third week of Lent as St. Benedict turns explicitly to humility. What has been quietly formed through listening, obedience and charity is now named. Humility is not weakness or self-negation. It is truth lived steadily before God. Grounded in Scripture, Benedict teaches that humility is ordered relationship. God is God. We are not. When this truth is lived without distortion or pretense, the heart becomes free. It no longer needs to inflate or defend itself. Christ stands as the measure of this humility. He lives entirely from the Father. This episode invites listeners to see humility not as a new demand but as the natural shape of a heart formed through faithful practice. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 1 (RB 1980) “Holy Scripture cries out to us, brothers, saying:
‘Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.’” “Clamat ad nos scriptura divina, fratres, dicens: Omnis qui se exaltat humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat exaltabitur.” Proverbs 12:1. RSV–CE “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I associate humility with weakness or with truth?
2. Where am I tempted to assert or defend myself in order to secure worth?
3. How have obedience and charity already been forming humility in my life?
4. In what ways does Christ reveal a different understanding of strength?
5. What would it mean today to stand before God without pretense?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 14 – Receiving Admonition and Correction In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s teaching about receiving correction. As Chapter 5 concludes, obedience is tested in a practical way: how the heart responds when it is admonished or redirected. Correction reveals whether humility is truly taking root. The Holy Rule treats correction not as punishment but as part of ordinary spiritual formation. St. Benedict calls the disciple to remain teachable, attributing any good to God rather than to personal achievement. Correction, when ordered toward truth and charity, becomes an instrument of growth. This episode explores how accepting fair correction without defensiveness keeps the heart free and receptive to grace, while also clarifying that humility does not mean accepting injustice or abuse. Benedictine formation shapes a heart that remains open, steady and responsive to truth. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980) “Those who fear God and do not grow proud of their obedience,
but attribute the good they see in themselves to God, not to themselves,
always expect correction.” “Qui Deum timent et non extolluntur de oboedientia sua, sed omne bonum quod in se vident Deo deputant, non sibi, semper se corrigendos existimant.” Proverbs 12:1. RSV–CE “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I typically respond when someone corrects me?
2. Do I instinctively defend myself, explain myself or shift blame?
3. Can I distinguish between fair correction and unjust treatment?
4. What might change if I expected correction as part of growth rather than as failure?
5. How does attributing the good in my life to God protect me from pride?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 13 – Obedience Without Murmuring In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s warning against murmuring. Obedience is not only about completing a task. It includes the consent of the heart. When the exterior action is finished but the interior resistance remains, the heart is divided. The Holy Rule teaches that fidelity requires unity between action and intention. Murmuring often disguises itself as realism or justified complaint. Yet it quietly corrodes peace and weakens obedience. St. Benedict calls the disciple to offer obedience without resentment or interior protest, entrusting reluctance to God rather than spreading complaint. This episode invites listeners to practice obedience as a single offering, modeled on Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father even when the path was costly. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980) “The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience,
which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.” “Haec ipsa oboedientia non timore aut cunctanter aut murmuratione aut responsione tarditatis impenditur; quia talis oboedientia Deo non accepta est.” John 5:30. RSV–CE “I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I complete tasks outwardly while remaining inwardly resistant?
2. How does murmuring show up in my tone, gestures or subtle comments?
3. When I feel reluctant, do I bring that struggle to God in prayer or carry it into conversation?
4. What legitimate authority or responsibility in my life challenges my interior consent?
5. How might finishing one task quietly and without commentary form greater interior freedom?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
How Can I Be Drawn to Such Things? – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor reflect on spiritual desolation through Beth’s story. After a draining day, she feels too discouraged to pray and instead turns to gossip, television, and social media, ending the night ashamed. Ordinary fatigue can open the door to deeper discouragement and a pull toward “low and earthly” things. The pull itself isn’t sinful; what matters is recognizing it and choosing how to respond. Desolation often whispers “I can’t,” yet God always provides the grace needed for the next step. Resisting early brings freedom and peace. With insight from St. Francis de Sales and St. Thomas Aquinas, that strong spiritual friendships help us persevere and grow through such trials. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When I feel tired or discouraged, how do I usually respond, and what patterns do I notice in my choices? 2. Can I identify moments of spiritual desolation in my life, and how do I name them honestly before God? 3. What “low and earthly” distractions most often draw me away from prayer or fidelity to my commitments? 4. Do I believe that God always gives me the grace I need for the next faithful step, even when I feel I cannot act? 5. How might resisting discouragement at its beginning change the course of my day or evening? 6. In times of desolation, am I tempted to think something is wrong with me spiritually, and how can I reject that lie? 7. What small, concrete first step can I take when I feel resistance to prayer? 8. How do my friendships influence my spiritual life, and who encourages me to grow in love of God? 9. Do I approach leisure and rest from a place of peace, or from avoidance and discouragement? 10. How is God inviting me to deeper freedom and trust through the trials I experience?
An excerpt from the book: Into this vulnerable space the enemy brings the further burden of spiritual desolation, and specifically what Ignatius calls a “movement to low and earthly things.” Obviously, telephones, refrigerators, the Internet, and similar things serve in good ways: that is why we have them. But, like Beth, in time of spiritual desolation we may feel drawn to them in “low” and “earthly” ways — that is, in ways harmful to us spiritually. That Beth — and we — feel this pull in time of spiritual desolation should not surprise us, nor is there any shame in feeling this pull. It is simply a tactic of the enemy, a form of spiritual desolation. Again, such is the spiritual life in a fallen but redeemed and loved world. What does matter and matters greatly, is that we be discerning: that we note this pull to low and earthly things, identify it as the tactic of the enemy that it is, and, with God’s grace and courage, reject it. Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 40-41). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Power of the Cross, applying the Passion of Christ to your life Episode 3: The Cross of Christ unites us… – Ash Wednesday through Saturday of that week. In Episode 3 of The Power of the Cross, Michael Dubruiel reflects on the Cross as a uniting force that draws together heaven and earth, mercy and truth, humility and love. During the Second Week of Lent, the Cross is revealed not only as the place of suffering, but as the point where God’s transforming grace meets the reality of daily life. Through Scripture, story and lived experience, Michael explores Christ’s call not to judge, but to love with mercy rooted in humility. Drawing on the Transfiguration, the Litany of Humility and the daily demands of discipleship, this episode invites listeners to see how the Cross reshapes how we relate to others at work, at home and in moments of hidden struggle. The Cross unites the glory of God’s kingdom with the ordinary circumstances where faith is tested and formed. This reflection calls listeners to embrace humility as a path to freedom and to allow the Cross to liberate them from false securities, pride and self-reliance, so that Christ may be encountered more fully in both prayer and daily life. Michael Dubruiel died in 2009. These recordings, made in 2008, have been remastered to improve audio clarity and are shared with the permission of his wife, Amy Welborn. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I find it most difficult to unite my faith with the realities of daily life? 2. How does the Cross challenge my tendency to judge others too quickly? 3. In what ways is humility difficult for me and why? 4. When have I experienced a moment of spiritual clarity or “transfiguration” that strengthened me during a time of trial? 5. What attachments or false securities might the Cross be inviting me to surrender this week?
Michael Dubruiel’s book The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life is currently available in Kindle format. You can find the book here:
https://amzn.to/4rTMBK9 To explore more of Amy Welborn’s books and writing, visit:
https://amywelborn.wordpress.com/books-by-amy-welborn/
The Second Sunday of Lent: The Transfiguration and Listening to Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast In this Second Sunday of Lent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the mystery of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus reveals his glory on the mountain as he prepares to face suffering and death. The mountain of light is inseparable from the mountain of Calvary. Jesus stands between glory and the cross, revealing that resurrection is reached only through suffering freely embraced in trust and obedience to the Father. Msgr. Esseff reflects deeply on baptism as participation in Jesus’ own suffering, dying, and rising. Many, he notes, have been baptized yet avoid this interior journey by relying solely on reason, control, or self protection. Through the story of a young man discerning priesthood, he shows how attachment to reasoning alone can block the step of faith required to follow Christ fully. Faith is not figuring everything out. Faith is listening and responding when God speaks. Drawing from the witness of Abraham and the teaching of St. Paul, Msgr. Esseff reminds listeners that God’s plan precedes time itself and unfolds within each person through Christ living within. Whether in family separation, illness, financial struggle, prison ministry, or global suffering, Jesus continues to suffer, die, and rise in his people. Lent becomes an invitation to interior listening, where the Father’s command on the mountain is heard anew: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where am I resisting the call to suffer, die, and rise with Christ this Lent? 2. How does reliance on reason or control limit my response to God’s invitation? 3. Have I truly encountered the risen Lord within my own life and experiences? 4. Where is Christ asking me to trust him beyond what I can explain or manage? 5. How can I practice deeper interior listening during this Lenten season?
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 12 – Unhesitating Obedience In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the beginning of Chapter 5 and St. Benedict’s teaching on unhesitating obedience. This obedience is not compliance or loss of freedom. It is a readiness born of love. When Christ is cherished above all, the heart is not divided. It becomes able to respond promptly and peacefully. St. Benedict roots obedience in deep listening and in a conscience formed by truth. It is never blind compliance or cooperation with what is false. It is alignment with Christ. Through ordinary acts of response, often unnoticed and unremarkable, the heart is trained to say a quiet yes. Over time, obedience becomes participation in Christ’s own fidelity, shaping a freedom that does not depend on having one’s own way. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §1 (RB 1980) “The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience,
which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.” “Primus humilitatis gradus est oboedientia sine mora, quae convenit his qui nihil sibi carius Christo existimant.” Letter from Paul to the Ephesians, 4:26-27. RSV–CE “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When I hear the word obedience, do I associate it with fear or with love?
2. What does my response time reveal about what I cherish most?
3. Where am I tempted to negotiate, delay or internally resist what is reasonably asked of me?
4. How is my conscience being formed by Christ rather than by preference or impulse?
5. What small act of prompt obedience can I practice today?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Episode 3 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Second Week In "The Power of the Cross", Michael Dubruiel penned a truly exceptional meditation on the Cross of Christ which serves beautifully as a source for reflection any time of the year, but it is particularly poignant and compelling during the weeks of Lent. Several years ago Bruce and I had the chance to have a series of conversations with Michael during Lent using his book for reflection…it was a big hit with the audience. Those discussions have been remastered and made available once again here. Michael died unexpectedly in of February 2009, but his gifts continue to be shared through his books and many other venues, and hopefully through this humble portal. The sentiments and teachings Michael offers is truly timeless. Episode 3 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses: Day 8 – The Temporal and Eternal
Day 9 – Those Divided by Sin
Day 10 – In Humility
Day 11 – In Sin
Day 12 – Those Who Suffer For Justice
Day 13 – Us in the Work We Have to Do
Day 14 – God's Mercy and Love Michael's wife, author Amy Welborn, has made "The Power of the Cross" available as a free e-book available over the internet ! I HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work…there also plans to make it once again available as a paperback book. The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 11 – Before the Setting of the Sun In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s instruction not to nurse anger or harbor a grudge, but to make peace before the setting of the sun. The Holy Rule recognizes how quietly resentment can settle into the heart and distort judgment over time. Peace is not optional in Benedictine life. It is necessary for fidelity. St. Benedict does not deny injury or minimize loss. He directs the heart toward release. Sometimes what has been lost can be repaired. Sometimes it can be replaced by a new good. Sometimes it must be entrusted to God and let go. The discipline is simple and concrete: do not carry anger into the next day. Rooted in God’s mercy, this episode invites listeners to take one deliberate step toward peace and allow grace to loosen the grip of grievance. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§14-21(RB 1980) “Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge.
To make peace with an adversary before the setting of the sun.
And never to despair of God’s mercy.” “Pauperes recreare, nudos vestire, infirmos visitare, mortuos sepelire, in tribulatione subvenire, dolentem consolari… Christo omnino nihil praeponere.” Letter from Paul to the Ephesians, 4:26-27. RSV–CE “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Is there an anger or grievance I have allowed to remain longer than necessary?
2. Do I find myself rehearsing past injuries in ways that keep them alive?
3. What has been lost in a recent conflict, and which path is possible: repair, replacement or release?
4. What simple step toward peace can I take before this day ends?
5. How does trusting in God’s mercy change my willingness to forgive?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 10 – Preferring Nothing to Christ In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s call to concrete charity and the decisive command to prefer nothing whatever to Christ. The tools of good works now move outward into ordinary and demanding circumstances where real human need presents itself. These works are not sentimental gestures. They are steady expressions of love lived through presence, restraint and fidelity. St. Benedict’s list is simple and practical: relieve the poor, visit the sick, console the sorrowing, help in trouble. Each act requires nearness. Charity in the Holy Rule is not distant sympathy but accompaniment. It interrupts comfort. It asks for attention. It calls the heart to recognize Christ in the person who stands before it. When Christ is placed first, charity becomes faithful rather than selective. This episode invites listeners to respond quietly and concretely to the needs within their reach, allowing love to take visible shape in daily life. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§14-21(RB 1980) “To relieve the poor.
To clothe the naked.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.
To help in trouble.
To console the sorrowing.
To prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” “Pauperes recreare, nudos vestire, infirmos visitare, mortuos sepelire, in tribulatione subvenire, dolentem consolari… Christo omnino nihil praeponere.” Matthew 25:40, RSV–CE “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When real need interrupts my plans, how do I typically respond?
2. Do I recognize charity as a command rooted in love rather than a voluntary gesture?
3. Who in my life right now may be within reach but easily overlooked?
4. What small act of presence could I offer without announcement or recognition?
5. How does placing Christ first reorder the way I approach service and sacrifice?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Mary Shelley and Frankenstein – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore how Frankenstein has been widely misread, particularly through film adaptations that flatten its moral and philosophical depth. Written when Mary Shelley was still a teenager, the novel emerged from a turbulent season in her life—shaped by her radical atheist father, her feminist mother Mary Wollstonecraft, and her relationship with Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose estranged wife later took her own life. Amid guilt, loss, and emotional upheaval, Shelley crafted a story that wrestles with ambition, isolation, and moral responsibility. Victor Frankenstein’s creation is not a mindless beast but a rational being deprived of love, and his tragedy reflects the consequences of scientific pursuit detached from ethical grounding and human affection. Joseph Pearce presents the novel as a meditation on technology, biotechnology, and the dangers of innovation severed from tradition and moral reflection. Victor’s obsessive drive blinds him to nature, family, and sacrificial love—represented most clearly by Elizabeth’s gentle, steady voice. Shelley poses prescient questions about unchecked progress, personal responsibility, and the ripple effects of human pride, yet she offers few tidy solutions. The monster’s unresolved fate mirrors the lingering impact of humanity’s inventions, once unleashed and impossible to recall. Though Shelley’s later life faded quietly, this early work continues to resonate, inviting readers to confront the cost of ambition without conscience and the enduring need for love rooted in self-gift. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * How does Victor Frankenstein’s pursuit of knowledge without moral restraint reflect the danger of separating scientific progress from God’s law? * In what ways does the creature’s longing for love and companionship reveal the human need for relationship rooted in divine charity? * How might Mary Shelley’s chaotic family background illuminate the consequences of rejecting marriage and the natural family as intended by God? * What does Elizabeth’s steady and faithful voice suggest about the importance of prudence and sacrificial love in guiding human action? * How does the novel challenge us to examine our own ambitions and whether they are ordered toward service or self-glory? * What responsibilities do we bear for the long-term effects of our choices, especially when they shape future generations? * How can literature like Frankenstein help us reflect more deeply on modern ethical issues such as biotechnology, artificial life, and human dignity? * In what ways does the monster’s suffering call us to consider the Church’s teaching on the inherent worth of every human life? * How might Victor’s refusal to accept responsibility for his creation mirror our temptation to avoid accountability for sin? * Where do we see the tension between passion and prudence in our own lives, and how can grace help restore right order?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing visit his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa and South America. He is Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 9 – Not My Will In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s call to endure hardship and bear injuries patiently. Chapter 4 does not promise relief from suffering. Instead, it forms a heart capable of remaining steady when life presses in. Hardship, misunderstanding and small daily frustrations reveal the condition of the heart. Benedictine endurance is not rooted in denial or willpower but in grace. Patience does not erase pain. It prevents the heart from being overtaken by anger, resentment or withdrawal. By learning to pause in moments of irritation or injury, the heart creates space for grace to steady what has been disturbed. Looking to Christ, who endured suffering without abandoning love, this episode invites listeners to see endurance as a quiet, faithful participation in His way of remaining steadfast. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§60-62(RB 1980) “Not to seek after self-will.
Not to delight in self-satisfaction.
To hate one’s own will.” “Voluntatem propriam non quaerere. Voluptatem sibi non delectari. Odisse voluntatem propriam.” John 5:30, RSV–CE “I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where does self-will most often surface in my daily life?
2. How do I react when my preferences are interrupted or set aside?
3. In what areas am I tempted to rely solely on myself rather than entrust the situation to God?
4. What small act of surrender could I practice today?
5. How does Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane illuminate my understanding of humility?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
Purgatory: Love Stronger than Death – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores the ancient Christian teaching on purgatory, showing that it is deeply rooted in Scripture and the earliest traditions of the Church. While the term “purgatory” does not appear explicitly in the Bible, the reality of post-death purification is present in passages such as 2 Maccabees, 1 Corinthians 3, and Revelation’s declaration that nothing unclean enters heaven. He highlights how early Jewish practice included prayers and sacrifices for the dead, and how early Christian writers like Origen of Alexandria and Tertullian affirmed this understanding. These sources reveal a consistent belief that some souls undergo purification before entering fully into God’s presence. Mike Aquilina also brings forth the witness of St. Augustine, who recounted his mother, St. Monica’s request to be remembered at the altar after her death—evidence of early Christian prayer for the departed. Aquilina describes purgatory as a profound expression of divine mercy, allowing souls to be cleansed and offering the living a continued bond with those who have died through prayer and the Mass. Referencing reflections from C. S. Lewis, he presents purification as something hopeful and restorative. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does Scripture, particularly passages like 1 Corinthians 3 and 2 Maccabees, shape my understanding of purification after death? 2. In what ways does the practice of praying for the dead reflect my trust in God’s mercy and justice? 3. How does the witness of the Church Fathers deepen my confidence in the continuity of Catholic teaching on purgatory? 4. Do I regularly offer Masses, prayers, or sacrifices for deceased loved ones as part of my spiritual life? 5. How might viewing purgatory as a gift of mercy rather than punishment transform my attitude toward death and judgment? 6. What unresolved grief or regret in my heart could be brought to healing through prayer for the departed? 7. How can I explain the doctrine of purgatory to others using Scripture and early Christian tradition with clarity and charity?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 8 – Endurance and Patience In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s call to endure hardship and bear injuries patiently. Chapter 4 does not promise relief from suffering. Instead, it forms a heart capable of remaining steady when life presses in. Hardship, misunderstanding and small daily frustrations reveal the condition of the heart. Benedictine endurance is not rooted in denial or willpower but in grace. Patience does not erase pain. It prevents the heart from being overtaken by anger, resentment or withdrawal. By learning to pause in moments of irritation or injury, the heart creates space for grace to steady what has been disturbed. Looking to Christ, who endured suffering without abandoning love, this episode invites listeners to see endurance as a quiet, faithful participation in His way of remaining steadfast. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§49-50(RB 1980) “To endure hardship for the sake of Christ.
To bear injuries patiently.” “Pro Christo patientiam sustinere. Iniurias patienter tolerare.” 1 Peter 2:23, RSV–CE
“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but trusted himself to him who judges justly.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I typically respond to small inconveniences or misunderstandings?
2. What recent irritation revealed something about the condition of my heart?
3. Do I try to endure hardship through willpower alone, or do I consciously turn toward Christ?
4. Where am I tempted toward defensiveness or withdrawal when injured?
5. How might a deliberate pause in moments of irritation allow grace to steady me?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 7 – Guarding the Tongue In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s teaching in Chapter 4 regarding the discipline of speech. Words are never neutral. They reveal what lives in the heart and shape the relationships around us. Benedict’s instruction to guard the tongue and not to love to speak much is not about silence for its own sake, but about protecting charity, truth and interior freedom. Careless words can wound, distort or inflame. Over time, they dull the heart’s sensitivity to what is good. Benedictine restraint in speech forms a different kind of strength, one rooted in attentiveness and peace. By learning to pause before speaking and to choose words that are truthful and necessary, the heart grows steadier and more aligned with Christ, who speaks when words give life and remains silent when they do not. This episode invites listeners to see speech as a daily spiritual practice, one that quietly shapes the interior life and makes peace visible in ordinary conversation. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§51-52(RB 1980) “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” “Linguam suam a malo vel pravo eloquio custodire. Non multum loqui.” James 1:19, RSV–CE
“Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What patterns in my speech reveal the condition of my heart?
2. Do I speak more from reaction or from intention?
3. How have careless words affected my relationships or interior peace?
4. What might change if I spoke less and listened more?
5. Before speaking, do I consider whether my words are truthful, necessary and charitable?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
I've Lost My Peace – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue their discussion on struggles in the spiritual life by revisiting the story of Paul, a character who experiences both spiritual and non-spiritual desolation. Initially, Paul's situation improves after he slows down his studies, rediscovers his love for teaching, and begins to engage more in prayer and confession. However, as time passes, he begins to feel unrest, struggles with prayer, and becomes discouraged. Fr. Gallagher explains that Paul is experiencing spiritual desolation, which is a disturbance of soul brought on by the enemy. The enemy tries to unsettle Paul, not through obvious temptation but by diminishing his peace and creating confusion. This tactic aims to pull Paul away from his spiritual growth. This reminds us of the importance of recognizing spiritual desolation, naming it, and using Ignatian tools to resist it, such as prayer, meditation, and suitable acts of penance. During desolation, it is crucial not to make significant changes but to remain steadfast in prayer and seek God's grace. Small acts of resistance, even simple gestures, can help counter spiritual desolation and break its hold. The theme of beginning again after every fall, a concept from Venerable Bruno Lanteri, is a key message of hope in the spiritual life. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Have you ever experienced moments of restlessness or discouragement in your spiritual life, and how did you identify them as spiritual desolation? 2. When you feel troubled in your heart, do you turn to God in simple prayer, asking for help and guidance? 3. How do you maintain your commitment to prayer and spiritual practices during times of spiritual desolation without making significant changes? 4. What scripture passages or spiritual readings bring you comfort and strength during times of spiritual struggle? 5. How can you incorporate small acts of resistance, like engaging in service or community, to counter feelings of isolation and discouragement in your spiritual journey? 6. When you fall or struggle, how do you embrace the practice of beginning again without shame, trusting in God's mercy and grace?
An excerpt from the book: "When people love the Lord, Ignatius says, and rejoice in the peace this brings, the enemy may attempt to undermine that peace by troubling them. Elsewhere, Ignatius describes this spiritual disturbance as the enemy’s “war against the peace” these people experience. Note that the enemy does not, at this point, tempt Paul to anything sinful. He seeks rather to diminish and even eliminate Paul’s peace, replacing it with trouble of heart. Again, there is no shame in experiencing this or similar tactics of the enemy. It is simply what happens when we live the spiritual life in a fallen but redeemed and loved world. As with Julie, Paul will not be harmed if he is aware of, identifies, and rejects the enemy’s spiritual desolation. Obviously, if Paul — or any one of us — does not identify and reject this tactic of the enemy, it will cause harm. What, then, of Paul’s questions? Is his disturbance a sign that he is doing something wrong? That he is trying too hard? Trying too little? That he is regressing? The answer to all these questions appears to be no. In Paul’s journal, we see no sign of regression — quite the contrary. Most probably, precisely because Paul is progressing so well, the enemy induces this “disturbance of soul” and “war against peace” in an attempt to hinder his progress. How does Paul and how do we reject such disturbance from the enemy? As already said, the first need is to make no changes, to relinquish nothing of the spiritual program we have in place." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 36). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 6 – The Tools for Good Works In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule and the “tools for good works.” St. Benedict moves from desire and invitation into daily Christian practice, beginning with the command to love God with the whole heart and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. These tools are not techniques for self-improvement but habits that slowly form the heart in Christ. Through steady, ordinary faithfulness, love becomes visible in small acts and daily responsibilities. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 4 §§1–2 (RB 1980) “First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself …You must honor everyone and never do to another what you do not want done to yourself” “In primis Dominum Deum diligere ex toto corde, tota anima, tota virtute; deinde proximum tamquam se ipsum… Omnes homines honorare. Et quod sibi quis fieri non vult, alii ne faciat.” John 14:15, RSV–CE
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I see daily responsibilities as burdens or as opportunities to practice love?
2. What small good do I already know how to do that I tend to delay or rush through?
3. How does placing love at the center reorder my priorities?
4. In what ways can patient speech and restraint become concrete expressions of love?
5. How might steady, ordinary faithfulness shape my heart over time?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
In this First Sunday of Lent episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the universal story of humanity’s fall and redemption, beginning with Genesis and culminating in the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Jesus's temptation in the desert. He reminds listeners that every human person shares a common origin in God’s breath of life and a shared inheritance of sin, temptation, and death through Adam and Eve. Turning to Matthew’s Gospel, Msgr. Esseff walks through the three temptations of Christ and shows how Jesus succeeds where humanity failed. By refusing bread apart from the Father’s word, rejecting the testing of God, and refusing false worship, Christ overcomes the devil, reverses the disobedience of the desert, and opens the way to freedom from sin and death. Lent becomes a forty-day journey of conversion, mirroring Christ’s own path of fasting, prayer, and trust in the Father. The episode closes with a direct invitation to renewal. Msgr. Esseff calls listeners to examine their own temptations, pray Psalm 51 with honesty, and entrust their weakness to God’s mercy. Whether preparing for baptism or renewing baptismal vows, Lent is presented as a turning back toward God, stepping out of darkness and into the light of Christ, who alone brings redemption. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where do I most experience temptation in my daily life during this season of Lent? 2. How am I being invited to trust God more deeply rather than testing or doubting him? 3. What does conversion look like for me right now in prayer, fasting, and self discipline? 4. Where do I need to ask for mercy and allow forgiveness to reshape my heart? 5. How can I more intentionally renew my baptismal commitment to follow Christ this Lent?
Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin. My offenses truly I know them;
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done. That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived. Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt. A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you. O rescue me, God, my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise. For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,
a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn. In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on your altar. Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
The Power of the Cross, applying the Passion of Christ to your life Episode 2: The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Ash Wednesday through Saturday of that week. In Episode 2 of Power of the Cross, Michael Dubruiel guides listeners through the First Week of Lent, inviting a deeper engagement with the Cross as teacher and guide. Building on the foundations laid in the opening episode, this reflection turns toward conversion as a lifelong process and emphasizes the importance of approaching Lent slowly, attentively and prayerfully. Michael draws from the Gospel temptations of Christ, showing how each temptation reveals something essential about Christ’s mission and, in turn, our own. The Cross teaches us not only how to endure suffering, but how to discern rightly, to recognize misuse of our gifts and to redirect them toward love and service. Through Scripture, lived examples and practical steps, this episode highlights how prayer, repentance, reconciliation and love unfold day by day when we face the Cross honestly. The First Week of Lent becomes a school of discipleship where listeners are invited to expect Christ first in the Eucharist and then in the people they encounter, especially the forgotten and the wounded. Michael Dubruiel died in 2009. These recordings, made in 2008, have been remastered to improve audio clarity and are shared with the permission of his wife, Amy Welborn. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I tend to approach conversion: as a single decision or as a daily, ongoing response to Christ? 2. Which of the Gospel temptations of Christ most speaks to my own struggles and desires? 3. In what ways do I resist learning from the Cross rather than simply enduring it? 4. How does the Cross reveal the proper use of the gifts God has given me? 5. Where might Christ be inviting me to recognize Him more clearly in the people I encounter this week?
Michael Dubruiel’s book The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life is currently available in Kindle format. You can find the book here:
https://amzn.to/4rTMBK9 To explore more of Amy Welborn’s books and writing, visit:
https://amywelborn.wordpress.com/books-by-amy-welborn/
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 5 – The Delight of Love In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s promise that perseverance leads to joy. As the Prologue draws toward its close, Benedict speaks of running on the path of God’s commandments with hearts overflowing in the delight of love. The spiritual life is not sustained by pressure or strain, but by love that slowly reshapes the heart. Through steady, ordinary faithfulness, what once felt heavy becomes lighter. This episode explores how perseverance, rooted in Christ, opens into quiet joy and freedom. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §21 (RB 1980) “As we progress in this way of life and in faith,
we shall run on the path of God’s commandments,
our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.” “Curramus via mandatorum Dei, corda dilatata et inenarrabili dilectionis dulcedine gaudentes.” Hebrews 12:1, RSV–CE
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I approach perseverance as strain or as steady love?
2. Where in my life does faithfulness feel heavy, and what might change if I rooted it more deeply in love?
3. How have small, repeated acts of obedience shaped my heart over time?
4. What does quiet joy look like in my daily responsibilities?
5. How can I carry an ordinary task today with steadiness rather than resistance?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 4 – The Sweetness of the Lord’s Voice In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s striking question: “What is sweeter to us than this voice of the Lord inviting us?” As desire becomes clarified, the heart grows capable of recognizing God’s voice as gentle, steady, and life-giving. Benedictine formation teaches that God does not overpower the heart but invites it. His call is recognized not in anxiety or urgency but in peace. This episode explores how learning to recognize the sweetness of the Lord’s voice shapes discernment, trust, and daily response. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §15 (RB 1980) “What, dearest brothers, is sweeter to us than this voice of the Lord inviting us?” "Quid dulcius nobis ab hac voce Domini invitantis nos?” Matthew 11:28, RSV–CE
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When I think of God’s voice, do I imagine pressure or invitation?
2. How do I distinguish between anxiety and the steady peace that accompanies God’s call?
3. Where in my life have I experienced a quiet attraction toward what gives life?
4. What prevents me from trusting the gentle invitations I sense in prayer or daily circumstances?
5. How might responding to small invitations throughout the day deepen my ability to recognize the Lord’s voice?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here
The 1st and 2nd Stations – Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the Stations of the Cross as a profound meditation on Christ’s suffering and its connection to human woundedness. Through this devotion, believers unite their burdens with Christ, allowing His love to transform their struggles into a path of salvation. The first station, Jesus' condemnation, reveals His silent acceptance of injustice, a model for enduring suffering in communion with God. Pilate represents those who reject truth for self-preservation, while Jesus remains steadfast in His mission. His silence before Pilate and His choice to embrace the cross demonstrate perfect love, teaching that God enters even the darkest places of human suffering to ensure no one is abandoned. As Jesus receives the cross, Dcn. Keating highlights medieval writings that portray Him as willingly taking it, seeing it as the culmination of His love for humanity. His embrace of suffering stands in contrast to human tendencies to resist crosses in life. The lack of compassion from those placing the cross on Him reflects the tendency to project guilt onto others rather than face personal sin. Jesus receives every aspect of human experience, including jeers and rejection, so that all may be reconciled in His love. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does uniting our personal burdens with Christ’s suffering in the Stations of the Cross deepen our understanding of redemption? 2. In what ways do we, like Pilate, struggle to acknowledge and stand by the truth when it challenges our self-interest? 3. How does Jesus’ silence before His accusers reveal the depth of His love and obedience to the Father? 4. What fears or attachments keep us from embracing our own crosses with trust in God’s will? 5. How does Jesus’ willingness to carry the cross inspire us to accept suffering as a means of sanctification? 6. In what areas of our lives have we “washed our hands” of responsibility instead of courageously choosing truth? 7. How can we cultivate a spirit of humility and surrender, following Jesus’ example in His Passion? 8. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us bear our own trials with faith and perseverance? 9. How does reflecting on Jesus’ rejection and suffering help us approach our own experiences of betrayal and loneliness? 10. In what ways can we pray for the grace to receive and carry our crosses with the same love that Christ showed?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 3 – Desiring True and Everlasting Life In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on how St. Benedict speaks directly to desire. Not desire as impulse or restlessness, but as the quiet force that directs a life. Drawing from the Prologue of the Holy Rule, Benedict reveals that what we seek becomes visible through speech, restraint, and the steady pursuit of peace. True and everlasting life is not abstract. It takes shape in daily choices. As the heart is formed around Christ, desire becomes steadied, and ordinary life begins to reflect what it is truly living for. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §§9–10 (RB 1980) “If you desire true and everlasting life, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” “Si vis habere vitam veram et perpetuam, prohibe linguam tuam a malo et labia tua ne loquantur dolum. Diverte a malo et fac bonum, inquire pacem et persequere eam.” Psalm 34:14, RSV–CE
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What do my daily habits reveal about what I most deeply desire?
2. In moments of speech, do I pause long enough to consider whether my words serve peace?
3. Where in my life am I being invited to turn away from something that no longer gives life?
4. How does understanding Christ as the center of desire reshape the way I approach small, ordinary decisions?
5. What would it look like for my pursuit of peace to become more intentional and steady?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here
Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore Wuthering Heights as a profoundly Christian novel that has often been misread as a sweeping romance. Pearce argues that Emily Brontë, the daughter of an Anglican clergyman, remained rooted in orthodox Christianity, and that her novel critiques—not celebrates—the self-indulgent passion associated with certain strands of Romanticism. Distinguishing between healthy self-giving love and the darker, Byronic strain found in writers like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, Pearce presents Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship as a destructive parody of love driven by ego and unchecked desire. Their fixation harms not only themselves but everyone around them, revealing the spiritual and social wreckage caused by selfishness. The discussion highlights Nelly Dean as the moral center of Wuthering Heights, a figure of sanity and sanctity whose perspective reflects Brontë’s own Christian worldview. Through Nelly’s catechetical questioning—especially in Catherine’s reasoning for marrying Edgar—Brontë exposes shallow motives and distorted notions of love. Pearce contends that the novel’s darkness serves a moral purpose: it portrays evil as ugly rather than attractive, countering modern retellings that soften or glamorize destructive passion. While Heathcliff and Catherine’s eternal fate is left ambiguous, Brontë refrains from easy consolation, suggesting that purification would be necessary before any hope of joy. Ultimately, the novel invites readers to mature beyond adolescent romanticism toward self-sacrificial love grounded in moral clarity. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * How does Wuthering Heights challenge modern notions of romantic love in light of Catholic teaching on self-sacrificial love? * In what ways do Heathcliff and Catherine illustrate the spiritual consequences of unchecked passion and selfishness? * How does Nelly Dean model prudence, moral clarity, and steadfast charity in the midst of chaos and sin? * What does the novel reveal about the difference between authentic love rooted in virtue and attraction rooted in ego or desire? * How might the suffering and moral failures in the story point to the need for repentance, purification, and grace? * Where do you see the tension between self-gratification and self-gift reflected in your own life? * How can Catholic readers guard their hearts against cultural narratives that glamorize destructive relationships? * What role does spiritual maturity play in moving from impulsive emotion to faithful, enduring love?
You can learn more about Joseph's books, teaching, and writing visit his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian and Polish. He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa and South America. He is Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 2 – Obedience as Deep Listening In this second episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on obedience as it emerges naturally from deep listening. Drawing from the Prologue of the Holy Rule, St. Benedict presents obedience not as pressure or performance, but as a loving response to a word received. Benedictine obedience begins with trust, grows through patient practice, and unfolds quietly in daily responsibilities. Through lectio divina with John 14:23, this episode invites listeners to see obedience as relational, rooted in love, and sustained by steady attentiveness to Christ, who makes His home within us. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §2 (RB 1980) "This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it and faithfully put it into practice.” “Haec ergo admonitio patris amantis libenter excipe et efficaciter comple.” John 14:23, RSV–Catholic Edition
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I normally hear the word obedience: as pressure, expectation, or invitation?
2. When I receive guidance or correction, do I pause long enough to let it settle before reacting?
3. Where in my daily responsibilities might God already be inviting a more faithful response?
4. What makes obedience difficult for me: fear, pride, uncertainty, or the desire for control?
5. How might seeing obedience as rooted in love rather than fear change the way I respond to God’s word?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here
The Power of the Cross, applying the Passion of Christ to your life Episode 1: The Preliminary Lenten Days – Ash Wednesday through Saturday of that week. In this opening episode of Power of the Cross, Michael Dubruiel introduces the spiritual foundation of Lent as a journey into reality rather than escape. Drawing from the Church’s ancient understanding of Lent as a time of formation and renewal, Michael explains how Ash Wednesday and the preliminary days before the First Sunday of Lent confront us with the truth of our condition without Christ and the hope offered through His Cross. Michael reflects on the meaning of the ashes, the reality of original sin and the necessity of redemption. Through Scripture, lived experience and deeply human stories, he invites listeners to face suffering, mortality and weakness honestly while discovering how Christ transforms them from within. Lent is presented not simply as a season of giving things up, but as a time of replacing what is empty with Christ Himself and reclaiming the meaning of baptism and Eucharist in daily life. This episode sets the tone for the entire series, calling listeners to enter Lent as a retreat of the heart where the Cross becomes not a symbol of defeat, but the very source of life and love. Michael Dubruiel died in 2009. These recordings, made in 2008, have been remastered to improve audio clarity and are shared with the permission of his wife, Amy Welborn. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I usually approach Lent: as an obligation, a habit or a genuine invitation to encounter Christ more deeply? 2. What does it mean for me personally to hear the words spoken on Ash Wednesday, “Remember that you are dust”? 3. In what ways do I try to avoid facing suffering, weakness or mortality in my spiritual life? 4. How does Michael’s reflection on the Cross challenge my understanding of suffering and redemption? 5. What might it look like for me to replace what I give up this Lent with a more intentional turning toward Christ?
Michael Dubruiel’s book The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life is currently available in Kindle format. You can find the book here:
https://amzn.to/4rTMBK9 To explore more of Amy Welborn’s books and writing, visit:
https://amywelborn.wordpress.com/books-by-amy-welborn/
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 1 – Beginning the Way In this opening episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor introduces the Benedictine path as a way of attentiveness rather than achievement. Drawing from the opening line of the Holy Rule, listeners are invited to rediscover what it means to listen with “the ear of the heart.” This episode explores Benedictine listening as a patient, faithful openness to God’s living Word, rooted in Christ who dwells within those who receive Him. Through gentle teaching, prayerful posture, and lectio divina with John 1:14, the episode establishes the foundation for a discerning heart shaped by steady attentiveness, silence, and trust in God’s work over time. Citations
Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §1 (RB 1980) “Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” (“Obsculta, o fili, praecepta magistri, et inclina aurem cordis tui.”) John 1:14, RSV–Catholic Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean for me personally to listen with the ear of my heart rather than only with my thoughts or intentions?
2. Where in my prayer life do I feel drawn to effort or control instead of attentiveness and receptivity?
3. How do I typically respond to silence in prayer, and what emotions or habits surface when nothing fills the space?
4. In what ways might Christ be asking to dwell more deeply within my daily decisions, speech or actions?
5. How could patient, faithful listening shape my discernment over time rather than expecting immediate clarity or change?
For other episodes in this series, visit The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here
Saints in Heaven – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina discusses the communion of saints and the practice of seeking their intercession. Scripture and archaeology both show early Christians believed the faithful departed are alive in Christ and active in prayer. In the Roman catacombs, inscriptions ask Peter, Paul, and other holy ones to pray for the living. Biblical scenes such as the Transfiguration, the “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews, and the martyrs in Revelation reveal ongoing life and intercession in heaven. He also describes early devotion to relics and tombs. Christians treated burial places as holy, built churches over martyrs’ graves, and reverenced their remains because the baptized body shares in Christ’s life. Church Fathers like Augustine, Ambrose, and John Chrysostom wrote about honoring saints and celebrating liturgy at their tombs. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary appears early as well, including the ancient prayer Sub Tuum Praesidium. A good comparison to this practice is family life: just as Christians ask one another for prayer, they also ask those who have gone before them. Honoring saints through feast days, images, and church names reflects confidence that love in God unites rather than divides. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the biblical image of the “great cloud of witnesses” shape my understanding of the Church as united across heaven and earth? 2. What do the inscriptions in the Roman catacombs reveal about the faith and prayer life of the earliest Christians? 3. In what ways does asking the saints for intercession resemble asking a friend or family member to pray for me? 4. How does the Christian reverence for relics and holy places reflect belief in the resurrection of the body? 5. What can I learn from the courage and hidden witness of the early martyrs whose names are known only to God? 6. How does devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary deepen my relationship with Christ rather than compete with it? 7. Where might I need to grow in trusting that love in God multiplies rather than divides? 8. How can honoring the saints inspire me to live more faithfully as a member of Christ’s family?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
I Can't See – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore what St. Ignatius of Loyola calls spiritual desolation. After previously discussing physical and emotional factors that can affect prayer, they now focus on difficulties that arise directly within one’s relationship with God. Using the example of “Julie,” a woman who had been growing in prayer, daily Mass attendance, and peace of heart, Fr. Gallagher describes how her initial joy gradually gives way to confusion, heaviness, and discouragement. Though nothing external has changed, her prayer feels dry and she questions whether her earlier experiences were real. Fr. Gallagher explains that this darkness is a common spiritual trial permitted by God and often coincides with genuine growth. Drawing from Ignatian teaching, there are three “actors” in the spiritual life: the individual, the good spirit (God, grace, angels, and helpful influences), and the enemy (Satan, disordered tendencies, and harmful influences). Spiritual desolation is presented as a tactic meant to discourage progress, yet it carries no shame and is not a sign of failure. A central remedy comes from St. Ignatius’ well-known Rule Five: in times of desolation, never change previously chosen spiritual practices. One must remain firm and constant, continuing prayer, Mass, and other commitments made during times of clarity. Desolation is an affective experience—a heaviness of heart in one’s relationship with God—while its counterpart, spiritual consolation, brings peace, joy, and renewed faith. Because much of spiritual life unfolds in these ordinary ups and downs, learning to recognize and reject discouraging thoughts is crucial. Julie’s act of reaching out to a trusted friend already reflects a wise response. By staying steady and naming the discouragement for what it is, she not only avoids regression but grows stronger for future trials. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When have I experienced a shift from spiritual joy to confusion or heaviness in prayer, and how did I respond? 2. Do I recognize that spiritual desolation can occur precisely when I am growing closer to God? 3. In times of discouragement, am I tempted to abandon or reduce my spiritual practices? 4. How faithfully do I follow St. Ignatius’ counsel to make no changes to my spiritual commitments during periods of darkness? 5. Who in my life serves as a trustworthy spiritual friend when I need encouragement and clarity? 6. Can I distinguish between spiritual struggles and those that may have physical or emotional causes? 7. What lies or discouraging thoughts most often surface when my prayer becomes difficult? 8. How might God be strengthening my perseverance and trust through experiences of spiritual desolation?
An excerpt from the book: "The enemy’s lie says, “Look how badly things are going! You are confused. You can’t see clearly. You are regressing. And things will only get worse.” No! For months, Julie has prayed faithfully and sought to grow. She is simply — again, there is no shame in this — experiencing a tactic of the enemy: a spiritual desolation that the enemy hopes will impede her growth. By enemy, Ignatius intends Satan and his associated fallen angels, together with the wound of concupiscence — a legacy of original sin — and harmful influences around us in the world. By spiritual desolation, he intends a heaviness of heart (and so, desolation) on the level of our relationship with God (and so, spiritual). Julie experiences one form of such spiritual desolation, a form that Ignatius calls “darkness of soul.”11 In such spiritual desolation, a burden, a confusion, a heaviness — a darkness — enters our prayer and our efforts to love God. A feeling that this will worsen may accompany this darkness." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 32). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Wilderness Within by Sr. Josephine Garrett on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Sister Josephine Garrett and Kris McGregor discuss Wilderness Within, a Lenten journal designed to guide individuals in deepening their spiritual journey. Sister Josephine explains that the book is not for the faint of heart but for those willing to reflect on their implicit beliefs about God, faith, and themselves. The book explores the theme of the "wilderness within," likening it to the Desert Fathers' realization that the greatest spiritual battle is fought in the human heart and the importance of rendering one's heart open to Christ, engaging in interior reflection, and embracing the challenges of Lent not as failures but as necessary struggles on the path to spiritual growth. The need for authentic hope amid personal and societal struggles is important during the Jubilee of Hope. Fasting, penance, and detachment each share a role in gaining clarity and deepening union with God rather than simply self-denial. She encourages listeners to avoid rushing through Lent, instead embracing the rhythm of the liturgical season as a model for ongoing spiritual discipline. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How does the concept of the “wilderness within” resonate with your own spiritual struggles and growth? 2. In what ways do you see God’s love sustaining you, even in times of doubt or hardship? 3. What are the “stories” you tell yourself about your relationship with God, and how do they shape your faith? 4. How can you practice rendering your heart more fully open to God during Lent? 5. What attachments or distractions in your life may be keeping you from fully trusting in God’s plan? 6. How do you respond to suffering and the cross in your own life—do you resist it or see it as a path to deeper union with Christ? 7. How can fasting, prayer, and almsgiving help you detach from worldly concerns and focus more on God? 8. In what ways does the Jubilee of Hope challenge you to rediscover hope in your personal faith journey? 9. How does reflecting on Christ’s suffering during Holy Week draw you closer to His heart? 10. What steps can you take after Lent to ensure that your spiritual growth continues beyond the season?
From the book's description: This Lent, allow Sr. Josephine Garrett to be your guide as you explore the interior wilderness of your heart and invite Jesus in to heal you with his love. Have you ever wondered why Jesus went into the wilderness? Some believe it was to reveal his divinity or to restore humanity’s relationship with God. In Wilderness Within, Sr. Josephine Garrett, a mental health counselor and popular speaker, reflects on the belief that Jesus went into the wilderness to rescue us—to rescue us! The Lord does not want us to view the wilderness as something that causes worry, anxiety, or fear. “What if, instead,” Sr. Josephine writes, “we looked at how God has been a faithful provider in the wilderness and trusted that He will do the same for us in the wilderness journey ahead? What if we joyfully take His hand and journey into the wilderness, because when Christ enters there, ‘this opposite place of the garden becomes the place of reconciliation and healing’” (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth)? In Wilderness Within, Sr. Josephine will guide you through the forty days of Lent to attend to the wilderness of your heart as a place to be explored, restored, and sent on mission by Jesus’s tender love. * Week of Ash Wednesday: Enter Lent by recognizing your ability to always begin anew in Christ. * Week One: Open your heart to God’s love, allowing yourself to reverence your heart as a gift from your Creator. * Week Two: Reflect on the truth that we are created for relationships, and examine the relationships in your life. * Week Three: Take an honest look at your limitations, wounds, and sin guided by a spirit of humility and repentance. * Week Four: Begin to see how God designed your heart to be rescued by him and grow in your capacity to be healed by him. * Week Five: Leave the wilderness of your heart so that you can go on mission—with a heart restored by Christ’s love—to love your neighbor and be a good steward of the gifts and charisms given to you. * Holy Week: Follow in Jesus’s footsteps to the Cross and discover how you can love him well through each stage of the Passion and Resurrection.
Each day’s content includes brief meditations, specially crafted illustrations, thought-provoking reflection questions, heartfelt prayers curated to uplift your spirit, and ample journaling space for personal revelations and insights. Whether you’re journeying alone or with a group, Wilderness Within is your guide to a beautiful and renewing Lent. About the Author Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, is a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a licensed counselor, host of the Hope Stories podcast, and a Catholic speaker and author. Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in political philosophy from the University of Dallas. Prior to entering religious life, she worked as vice president in the home loans division of Bank of America. In 2019, she earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and became a nationally certified counselor licensed in Texas. She worked as a school counselor in Tyler, Texas, and is presently serving as a counselor in private practice. Garret is a voice for mental health on various platforms such as Formed and Hallow. She resides in Tyler, Texas.
From the Scriptures to the Bible – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores how early Christians encountered Scripture in a world without printing presses, widespread literacy, or personal copies of the Bible. Most Christians, including many Church Fathers, did not own biblical books; instead, they received Scripture primarily through the liturgy, where it was proclaimed and explained within the Mass. Figures such as St. Monica sought every opportunity to hear the Gospel read aloud. From the beginning, the Church guarded which writings could be proclaimed in the Eucharistic assembly, especially in response to challenges from individuals like Marcion, who attempted to reshape Christian teaching by altering Scripture. Apostolic authority—handed down through disciples such as Polycarp and Irenaeus—served as the safeguard for authentic teaching and worship. As controversies arose, bishops and councils clarified the canon of Scripture, confirming the four Gospels and the full New Testament while also addressing disputes about certain books. Key moments included regional councils in Hippo and Carthage, with the guidance of leaders like Augustine and Jerome, as well as earlier witnesses such as Athanasius and the Muratorian Fragment. Disagreements during the Reformation often stemmed from theological positions that led some to question particular books, including the Deuterocanonical writings. Throughout it all, the Fathers viewed the Bible as inseparable from the Church’s life and authority. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does recognizing that early Christians encountered Scripture primarily through the Mass change the way I approach the liturgy today? 2. In what ways do I treat the Bible as a personal possession rather than as the Church’s living book? 3. How can I grow in gratitude for the access I have to Scripture compared to the limited resources of the early Church? 4. What does the Church’s careful discernment of the canon teach me about trusting apostolic authority? 5. How do controversies such as Marcion’s challenge help me appreciate the role of bishops and councils in safeguarding the faith? 6. Am I willing to submit my personal interpretations of Scripture to the guidance of the Church? 7. How often do I allow theological preferences to influence how I read difficult passages of Scripture? 8. What can I learn from St. Jerome’s obedience to papal authority even when he had personal reservations? 9. How might participating more intentionally in daily or Sunday Mass deepen my understanding of Scripture? 10. In what ways can I better “consume” the Word of God so that it becomes prayer and shapes my daily life?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Marlene Watkins – Everyday Miracles of Lourdes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of ‘Inside the Pages', Marlene Watkins shares her deep connection to Lourdes through her work with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers and her new book Everyday Miracles of Lourdes. Marlene Watkins recounts how the Blessed Mother revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception to a simple, poor, and uneducated girl—a truth St. Bernadette communicated with unwavering sincerity and the enduring grace of Lourdes as a place where physical and spiritual transformations continue today. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How does the story of St. Bernadette inspire you to trust in God's work through the lowly and humble? 2. What does the title "Immaculate Conception" reveal to you about the unique role of the Blessed Mother? 3. How might the experience of pilgrimage to Lourdes deepen your own spiritual life? 4. In what ways are you being invited to seek healing—physical, emotional, or spiritual—in your life right now? 5. How does the unwavering simplicity and honesty of St. Bernadette challenge your approach to living and sharing the faith? 6. What role does humility play in allowing God's grace to act through you, as it did through Bernadette? 7. How does contemplating the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette affect your understanding of holiness and eternal life? 8. Where in your life are you called to greater trust in divine providence, as shown in Bernadette’s acceptance of her sufferings? 9. How can you foster deeper devotion to the Blessed Mother in your daily prayer life? 10. What spiritual or physical "pilgrimage" is the Holy Spirit inviting you to undertake at this moment in your journey?
From the book's description: Though they escape the notice of many, stunning miracles of healing take place each and every day at Our Lady’s Grotto in Lourdes, France. Inexplicable, biblical-like healings of body, mind, and spirit leave visitors with the gifts of peace and renewed faith. Here is the book that will move you, deepen your faith in Our Lady’s active involvement in our world, and help you personally encounter Our Lord. Marlene Watkins recounts twenty astounding true stories of miracles at Lourdes, including her own watershed healing, which inspired her to establish Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers and become the first volunteer. In these absorbing pages, you will marvel at how these volunteer helpers bring the sick to the Grotto — and then also experience healings themselves. You will read the stories of people who were cured and reconciled with God — from babies to preteens to near centenarians. You will be inspired, for instance, by the testimony of a woman with a progressive neurodegenerative disease who not only went to Lourdes to selflessly care for the sick but later returned to receive a gift from Our Eucharistic Lord and Our Lady. In chapter after chapter, you will encounter men and women who were healed from debilitating traumas, panic attacks, or mood swings. You will be consoled by stories of women who experienced the loss of babies, including by abortion, and found solace in the arms of our Heavenly Mother. And you will encounter a man who was struggling with faith and was drawn to Lourdes, where he met the Blessed Mother. Moreover, you will discover: * The three Ps of the Gospel message at Lourdes and how they relate to your life * How we will enter Heaven (it’s not the way you may think!) * A remarkable miracle of the “time-suspending, life-saving Rosary” * One simple prayer that St. Bernadette taught that can get you into Heaven * How a young woman’s wish was fulfilled and helped numerous souls * The unexpected way the oldest pilgrim and her marriage were renewed at Lourdes
Above all, you will see how Our Lady leads souls into deeper communion with her Eucharistic Son and with one another, whether through caring for sick loved ones or experiencing loving relationships. Prepare yourself to become a believer and an ardent lover of Lourdes. About the Author Marlene Watkins is the founder of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers, the first Lourdes Hospitality outside Europe and the first of the Americas.In twenty years, as a volunteer, Marlene has led over two hundred pilgrimages to Lourdes for more than six thousand pilgrims, including the seriously ill and profoundly disabled with medical, adult, university and youth volunteers. Marlene has guided Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experiences TM across North America, and in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.In 2015, Marlene was named an Our Sunday Visitor "Catholic of the Year." She has appeared on CBS, EWTN, PBS, BBC; and hosts the EWTN "My Lourdes Faith Journey" miniseries.Marlene is a wife, mother, grandmother, Secular Franciscan and member of the Hospitalité Notre-Dame de Lourdes. Marlene and her husband, Bill, live in Syracuse, New York, or in the LourdesMobile RV traveling America and sharing the Gospel Message of Lourdes.
St. Scholastica – In Conversation with Teresa Monaghen Kris and Bruce McGregor, along with Teresa Monaghen of the ProSanctity movement, reflect on St. Scholastica and her relationship with her brother, St. Benedict, presenting their sibling bond as a window into holy friendship. Drawing from the account preserved by St. Gregory the Great, Teresa Monaghen describes how the twins influenced one another’s vocation, with St. Scholastica following St. Benedict into monastic life and founding the Benedictine women’s communities. Their shared love of God shaped not only their personal holiness but also the spiritual legacy that flowed through their communities and, eventually, the wider Church. The heart of the reflection centers on the well-known account of their final meeting, when St. Scholastica prayed for St. Benedict to remain longer in spiritual fellowship, and a sudden storm prevented his departure. This moment is presented as a sign of the depth of their interior union and the power of prayer rooted in charity. Their bond did not end with death: St. Benedict later perceived her passing through a vision of her soul rising to heaven, and he arranged for her to be buried in his own tomb. Teresa invites us to see in St. Scholastica and St. Benedict a model for relationships marked by prayer, attentiveness to the Spirit, and a shared pursuit of holiness that continues to bear fruit beyond a single lifetime. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do my closest relationships shape my prayer life and draw me more deeply into friendship with God? 2. In what ways do I invite holy conversation into my family or friendships rather than settling for surface-level talk? 3. Where might the Holy Spirit be asking me to slow down, listen, and remain present to a grace-filled moment as St. Benedict was invited to do? 4. How open am I to receiving loving challenge or correction from those who truly seek my good? 5. What role does intercessory prayer play in strengthening the people God has entrusted to my care? 6. How attentive am I to the quiet movements of the Spirit that prompt me to pray for or reach out to someone? 7. In what ways do my daily choices help build up the Church through small, faithful acts of love?
From Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), Dialogues, Book II (Life and Miracles of St. Benedict). Courtesy of the Saint Pachomius Library. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: Of a Miracle Wrought by his Sister, Scholastica. GREGORY: Who is there, Peter, in this world, that is in greater favor with God than St. Paul? Three times he petitioned our Lord to be delivered from the thorn of the flesh, and yet he did not obtain his petition. Speaking of that, I must tell you how there was one thing which the venerable father Benedict would have liked to do, but he could not. His sister, named Scholastica, was dedicated from her infancy to our Lord. Once a year she came to visit her brother. The man of God went to her not far from the gate of his monastery, at a place that belonged to the Abbey. It was there he would entertain her. Once upon a time she came to visit according to her custom, and her venerable brother with his monks went there to meet her. They spent the whole day in the praises of God and spiritual talk, and when it was almost night, they dined together. As they were yet sitting at the table, talking of devout matters, it began to get dark. The holy Nun, his sister, entreated him to stay there all night that they might spend it in discoursing of the joys of heaven. By no persuasion, however, would he agree to that, saying that he might not by any means stay all night outside of his Abbey. At that time, the sky was so clear that no cloud was to be seen. The Nun, hearing this denial of her brother, joined her hands together, laid them on the table, bowed her head on her hands, and prayed to almighty God. Lifting her head from the table, there fell suddenly such a tempest of lightning and thundering, and such abundance of rain, that neither venerable Benedict, nor his monks that were with him, could put their heads out of doors. The holy Nun, having rested her head on her hands, poured forth such a flood of tears on the table, that she transformed the clear air to a watery sky. After the end of her devotions, that storm of rain followed; her prayer and the rain so met together, that as she lifted up her head from the table, the thunder began. So it was that in one and the very same instant that she lifted up her head, she brought down the rain. The man of God, seeing that he could not, in the midst of such thunder and lightning and great abundance of rain return to his Abbey, began to be heavy and to complain to his sister, saying: "God forgive you, what have you done?" She answered him, "I desired you to stay, and you would not hear me; I have desired it of our good Lord, and he has granted my petition. Therefore if you can now depart, in God's name return to your monastery, and leave me here alone." Departure Delayed But the good father, not being able to leave, tarried there against his will where before he would not have stayed willingly. By that means, they watched all night and with spiritual and heavenly talk mutually comforted one another. Therefore, by this we see, as I said before, that he would have had one thing, but he could not effect it. For if we know the venerable man's mind, there is no question but that he would have had the same fair weather to have continued as it was when he left his monastery. He found, however, that a miracle prevented his desire. A miracle that, by the power of almighty God, a woman's prayers had wrought. Is it not a thing to be marveled at, that a woman, who for a long time had not seen her brother, might do more in that instance than he could? She realized, according to the saying of St. John, "God is charity" [1 John 4:8]. Therefore, as is right, she who loved more, did more. PETER: I confess that I am wonderfully pleased with that which you tell me. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: How Benedict Saw the Soul of his Sister Ascend into Heavenly Glory. GREGORY: The next day the venerable woman returned to her nunnery, and the man of God to his abbey. Three days later, standing in his cell, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he beheld the soul of his sister (which was departed from her body) ascend into heaven in the likeness of a dove. Rejoicing much to see her great glory, with hymns and praise he gave thanks to almighty God, and imparted the news of her death to his monks. He sent them presently to bring her corpse to his Abbey, to have it buried in that grave which he had provided for himself. By this means it fell out that, as their souls were always one in God while they lived, so their bodies continued together after their death. For more information on ProSanctity, visit their website at ProSanctity.org
I Can't Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher walks through a detailed case study of a high school teacher named Paul to show how non-spiritual desolation can arise from ordinary human limits rather than from prayer itself. Paul begins with renewed prayer, Mass, and family harmony, but gradually overloads his life by taking on graduate studies, parish service, and full-time teaching without adequate rest. Over time he becomes exhausted, discouraged, and detached from things he once loved, including prayer and family life. With the help of a priest, Paul recognizes that he is nearing burnout and that the remedy lies in caring for his humanity: slowing the pace of studies, speaking honestly with his wife, restoring rest, and attending to physical health. As these adjustments take shape, the expectation is that his spiritual life will recover naturally because the underlying strain is being addressed. Fr. Gallagher highlights the value of journaling for gaining clarity and noticing patterns, choosing core spiritual practices that are realistic and sustainable, and learning from past periods of exhaustion so future decisions are made with greater prudence. He also reflects on living prayerfully amid unavoidable burdens—work, illness, family responsibilities—by gently lifting the heart to God throughout the day rather than forcing formal practices beyond one’s capacity. The closing reflections address modern distractions, especially smartphones, noting the need for intentional limits to preserve silence, rest, and interior freedom. Taken together, the reflections present balance, self-knowledge, and moderation as key supports for perseverance in the spiritual life. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my daily life might fatigue, overcommitment, or lack of rest be affecting my prayer and spiritual attentiveness? 2. Have I recently taken on good responsibilities without honestly discerning whether they are sustainable for my vocation and season of life? 3. What signs of discouragement or heaviness do I notice, and how might they be pointing to unmet human needs rather than spiritual failure? 4. How do I currently care for my body, emotions, and relationships as part of my response to God’s grace? 5. Would journaling help me notice patterns, changes, or warning signs in my spiritual life more clearly? 6. Are my prayer practices realistic and sustainable, or do they rely on pushing myself when I am already depleted? 7. How open am I to speaking honestly with a trusted priest, spiritual director, or loved one when I begin to feel overwhelmed? 8. In what ways might my use of technology be diminishing silence, rest, or interior freedom? 9. Where is God inviting me to meet Him in the ordinary duties and crosses of my current life? 10. What practical adjustments could help restore balance so that love for God, family, and work can flourish again?
An excerpt from the book: "In this and the preceding chapters, we have explored spiritual struggles arising from physical and psychological factors. As we have seen, the solution lies in suitable physical and psychological remedies. What, however, of struggles arising from specifically spiritual sources? What might these struggles be, and how can we best respond to them? We will begin now to address these questions." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 28). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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Fr. Ed Broom, O.M.V. – From Humdrum to Holy on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In his book, "From Humdrum to Holy", Fr. Ed Broom frames the Christian life as a real struggle that takes place amid competing influences: temptation, disordered desires, and a culture that offers shallow versions of happiness. Drawing from St. Ignatius of Loyola, he explains how spiritual discernment grows through self-knowledge—learning to notice what leads toward God and what draws the heart away. Ignatius’ own conversion, sparked by reading the lives of Christ and the saints during recovery from battle wounds, becomes a model for recognizing consolation and desolation. From this foundation, Fr. Broom introduces practical tools like the daily Examen, which involves gratitude, honest review of the day, sorrow for failures, and hope-filled resolution, all rooted in trust in God’s patience and mercy. He then lays out a concrete “plan of life” meant to bring order to daily living, including prayer, Scripture, the Eucharist, confession, mercy toward others, reverence at Mass, meekness, ongoing formation, missionary outreach, and devotion to Mary and the Rosary. Regular confession and spiritual direction are presented as essential helps for forming a healthy conscience and deepening interior freedom, much like opening curtains to let in more light. Throughout, Fr. Broom returns to the danger of discouragement and fear, contrasting them with confidence in God’s goodness and grace. Growth in holiness comes not from perfection but from beginning again, trusting that God supplies what He asks and patiently leads the soul forward. You can find the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I recognize the signs of consolation and desolation in my daily life, and what do they reveal about the movements of my heart toward or away from God? 2. In what ways have fear or discouragement quietly limited my openness to God’s will? 3. How faithfully do I practice the daily Examen, and what patterns might God be inviting me to notice through it? 4. Which elements of a concrete plan of life would bring greater order and intentionality to my prayer and habits? 5. How does regular reception of the Eucharist shape my priorities, attitudes, and relationships? 6. What prevents me from approaching confession with trust rather than anxiety? 7. How well formed is my conscience, and what practices help it grow in clarity and sensitivity to grace? 8. Where might God be calling me to greater meekness, mercy, or patience with others? 9. How attentive am I to interior noise or distractions that make it harder to listen for the Holy Spirit? 10. When I fail, do I begin again with confidence in God’s mercy, or do I linger in self-reproach?
About the Book Do you attend Mass out of love rather than obligation?
Are you closer to God now than you were a year ago?
Are you able to keep a consistent prayer life? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your spiritual life needs a jump-start. In From Humdrum to Holy, Catholic priest and radio host, Fr. Ed Broom, will stir a holy reverence and spiritual joy that’ll point your soul to heaven. By following the wise counsel of this experienced spiritual advisor and confessor, you’ll first learn how to identify those hidden sins in your life that keep God from working in your soul. Fr. Ed will walk you through the simple steps to create a plan of life — your road map to the heights of holiness. In a clear, methodical, and practical way, you’ll learn how to cultivate virtues like patience and purity — essential for happiness in this life and getting into heaven in the next! You’ll discover some of the most potent Catholic traditions, such as lectio divina, that have made saints out of countless sinners. And he’ll show you how to transform pious practices such as Confession and Eucharistic adoration into powerful graces flooding into your soul. And finally, you’ll learn how to keep your spiritual life strong by forming a healthy conscience, and how the pains of suffering can be transformed into the tears of joy. Scripture tells us that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Our world needs saints, and God is offering you the graces needed to become one. Leave behind the humdrum spiritual life and open the door to the road to sainthood. Fr. Broom is ready to show you the way. About the Author Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Blessed John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr Ed's teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.
Confession: The History of Mercy – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina traces how mercy and confession developed in the early Church, showing that while there were no tidy ritual manuals, the practice itself was woven into ordinary Christian life from the start. Drawing on Scripture and the Fathers, Christ entrusted forgiveness to the apostles and how confession quickly became a regular, healing practice. Early communities wrestled with how generous forgiveness should be, especially when people fell repeatedly. Some voices favored a very strict approach, limiting forgiveness after baptism, while others described the Church as a place of healing where mercy functions like medicine. Over time, Church leaders came to see confession and penance as life-giving gifts meant to restore and strengthen those who struggled. In moments of crisis, particularly persecution, when Christians renounced the faith under torture and later sought reconciliation. Figures such as St. Cyprian of Carthage tried to steer a careful path between harshness and carelessness, sometimes requiring public penance when public scandal was involved. Mike Aquilina also highlights the courage of St. Ambrose of Milan, who called even emperors to repentance after grave wrongdoing. Throughout the centuries, the Fathers consistently portrayed confession as real healing, not mere symbolism: a concrete encounter that restores peace, repairs damage caused by sin, and keeps the Christian life rooted in accountability, repentance, and grace. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the early Church’s struggle between severity and compassion challenge the way I approach repentance in my own life? 2. What does the image of the Church as a place of healing teach me about returning after serious failure? 3. How do public actions that cause scandal call me to greater responsibility and humility? 4. In what ways does regular confession restore peace in my conscience and daily relationships? 5. How does the witness of the Church Fathers shape my understanding of accountability and forgiveness today?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Light at the End of the Tunnel – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on how suffering often feels unbearable precisely because it touches innocence and faithfulness, which can make pain seem like punishment. Rather than avoiding those questions, they lead directly into the mystery of Christ, whose own innocent suffering on the Cross draws human pain into the life of God. In this light, suffering is not something God inflicts from a distance but a place where Christ chooses to dwell with us, transforming isolation into communion and opening a path toward redemptive love. Heaven is the true “light at the end of the tunnel,” a reality already tasted through prayer, the sacraments, and especially the Eucharist. There is a spiritual danger of self-sufficiency with the freedom of poverty of spirit: the parable of Lazarus to shows how dependence on God opens the heart to grace. Meditation on heaven does not remove us from the world’s pain but equips us to endure it without despair and to love the poor more deeply. Embracing the Cross ultimately means embracing the Person who hangs upon it, trusting that every sharing in Christ’s suffering is already oriented toward resurrection, healing, and lasting joy. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I react interiorly when suffering touches innocence or faithfulness in my own life or in the lives of those I love? 2. In moments when I ask God “why,” do I allow that question to draw me closer to Christ on the Cross rather than into isolation or resentment? 3. How have the Eucharist and the other sacraments become places where Christ meets me personally in my suffering? 4. In what ways might my own sense of self-sufficiency keep me from deeper dependence on God and openness to grace? 5. How does meditation on heaven shape the way I endure present trials and relate to those who are poor, sick, or lonely? 6. When I accompany someone who is suffering, am I aware of how God is also ministering to me through that encounter? 7. What does it mean for me, concretely and daily, to embrace the Cross as a Person rather than as an abstract idea?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
I Try to Pray, but I'm So Discouraged – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue their conversation on struggles in the spiritual life, using the example of a spiritual struggle faced by a woman named Beth. After moving to a new city and starting a new job as a physical therapist, Beth encounters emotional and spiritual challenges, particularly due to a difficult relationship with a coworker named Susan, who is critical and overbearing. This criticism deeply affects Beth, causing her to feel discouraged, isolated, and distant from her prayer life. Beth's experience highlights the impact of emotional pain on one's spiritual life and the importance of not being alone with such struggles; with Fr. Gallagher suggesting that Beth might benefit from counseling, in addition to maintaining healthy habits and seeking support from friends and family. He also reminds us about bringing emotional pain to Jesus, as it is precisely in such vulnerability that one can find deeper connection with God. The theological principle that "grace presupposes and perfects nature," means that God's grace works within our humanity, elevating it. Both spiritual and human resources, such as counseling and prayer, can help individuals like Beth navigate their struggles. They also touch on how similar issues can affect people in more personal relationships, such as within families, and the importance of seeking both spiritual and practical support. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Do I identify any past or present emotional wounds that might affect my ability to receive criticism or engage in relationships? 2. What specific situations or individuals trigger feelings of defenselessness or discouragement in me? 3. How do I approach prayer when I'm feeling emotionally drained or discouraged, and do I bring my pain to Jesus? 4. Am I open to seeking help, such as counseling or talking to a trusted friend, when I recognize that my emotional struggles are overwhelming? 5. How well do I balance using both human means (like exercise and counseling) and spiritual practices to navigate emotional pain? 6. When faced with emotional or spiritual struggles, do I tend to isolate myself, or do I seek community and support? 7. Do I view my weaknesses and struggles as barriers to spiritual growth, or do I see them as opportunities to draw closer to God?
An excerpt from the book: "Yes, the spiritual life is easier when we take wise care of the body. If you struggle in the spiritual life, ask first: How is my physical energy? Do I get enough sleep? Do I exercise sufficiently? Does my diet sustain my energy? If the answers are positive, you may presume that spiritual struggles, should you experience them, arise from a different cause. But it is wise to ask these questions before you presume this. Sometimes, life simply makes demands on our energy. If John’s pace at work increases still more, if his wife’s illness grows more serious and long-lasting, if he himself faces physical issues, if the children’s needs increase, and the like, then his energy for prayer will be less. God never asks the impossible! John, or any one of us in similar circumstances, can only do our best to care for our energy. Such expenditures of energy, accepted out of love for our vocation — in this case, marriage and fatherhood — bring us closer to God, though our prayer may be more tired. Even in such situations, however, God asks us to care for the body as best we can. And this will bless our prayer." Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 17). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness." Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
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The Beatitudes as the Path to Joy and True Happiness – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Beatitudes as the true path to joy and happiness, drawing directly from the Gospel of Matthew. He explains that “blessed” does not mean successful by the world’s standards, but joyful in the deepest sense because one is living in union with Christ. Msgr. Esseff walks through the Beatitudes as a pattern of life that runs against worldly expectations. Poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, mercy, and perseverance in suffering are not signs of failure but places where Christ lives most fully within the soul. He draws on the witness of St. Francis of Assisi to show that joy reaches its depth when a person can remain interiorly free and joyful even amid rejection, hardship, and misunderstanding. The reflection turns inward to the obstacles that block joy, especially anger, judgment, and unforgiveness. Msgr. Esseff speaks candidly about how bitterness toward others, wounds from parents or spouses, and the refusal to forgive oneself fracture interior union with Christ. True unhappiness, he explains, flows not from suffering itself but from separation from Christ’s way of love. A significant portion of the episode focuses on forgiveness as essential to Beatitude living. Msgr. Esseff shares pastoral encounters with those burdened by guilt, grief, abortion wounds, addiction, and self-rejection. God’s mercy is infinite, yet joy remains elusive until the heart accepts forgiveness fully, including forgiveness of self. The episode culminates in a profound meditation on identity. True humility is not self-condemnation but recognizing oneself as chosen, loved, and uniquely created by God. Joy flows from allowing Christ, who lives within through baptism, to shape one’s attitudes, relationships, and daily responses. The Beatitudes become not ideals to admire but a lived way of being Christ in the world. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Which Beatitude challenges my understanding of happiness the most right now? 2. Where do anger, judgment, or unforgiveness interrupt my interior joy? 3. Is there someone I need to forgive, including myself, so Christ’s joy can deepen in me? 4. How do I respond when suffering, rejection, or misunderstanding comes into my life? 5. What would change if I truly lived each day from my identity as one loved by God?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D., at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats to the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity worldwide. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director for bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
The Mass: the Universal Sign – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina reflects on the Mass and the Eucharist as gifts rooted directly in the actions of Christ at the Last Supper and carried forward by the earliest Christian communities. Drawing from Scripture, especially Luke and Acts, “remembrance” in the biblical sense means entering into the saving event itself, not merely recalling it. The Eucharist unites the Last Supper, Calvary, the Resurrection, and glorification into a single saving act made present whenever the Church gathers. From the first generation onward, the breaking of the bread, apostolic teaching, prayer, and communion formed the heart of Christian life, shaping how communities worshiped, understood sacrifice, and encountered Christ truly present. This also points to St. Paul’s warnings in First Corinthians, early liturgical texts like the Didache, and the teachings of the Church Fathers to show how seriously the Eucharist was treated from the beginning. This reverence sometimes led to martyrdom, as seen in figures such as St. Ignatius of Antioch and the martyrs of Abitina, who risked—and gave—their lives rather than abandon Sunday worship. The continuity of the Mass across centuries is highlighted through Justin Martyr’s second-century description, which closely mirrors the structure used today. Taken together, these testimonies show that the Church’s worship has remained consistent, grounded in lived faith, sacrifice, and a profound encounter with Christ that shaped both daily life and death. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does understanding “remembrance” as entering into Christ’s saving act change the way I participate in the Mass? 2. In what ways do I prepare my heart and conscience before approaching the altar to receive the Eucharist? 3. How does the witness of the early martyrs challenge my priorities when it comes to Sunday Mass? 4. What does the continuity of the Mass from the apostles through the Church Fathers reveal about Christ’s ongoing presence in the Church? 5. How might a deeper sense of the sacred shape my interior disposition during the liturgy?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Dr. Peter Kreeft – Practical Theology on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor speaks with Peter Kreeft about his book Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from St. Thomas Aquinas. He describes spending over a year immersed in the Summa Theologiae, discovering how deeply practical St. Thomas Aquinas’s theology is and how well it unites clear thinking with everyday moral and spiritual life. For Dr. Kreeft, the aim of spiritual direction is sanctity, and St. Thomas Aquinas serves as a guide who helps people connect intellect and action, avoiding the modern habit of separating emotion from reason or spirituality from concrete responsibility. The book covers themes such as freedom and grace, conscience, virtue, humility, and the reality of good and evil, all presented as part of a meaningful drama rather than abstract theory. St. Thomas Aquinas holds together mystery and order, justice and mercy, divine action and human cooperation, showing that God’s work deepens human freedom rather than replacing it. The book touches on baptism, the sacraments, the last things, and the cultural temptation toward vague spirituality detached from real choices and sacrifice. St. Thomas Aquinas emerges as both brilliant and simple, offering durable wisdom that cuts through confusion and invites trust, discipline, and love as the foundation of the spiritual life. You can find the book here Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does St. Thomas Aquinas challenge me to unite clear thinking with concrete choices in my daily spiritual life? 2. In what ways have I separated intellect and prayer, and how might bringing them together deepen my growth in holiness? 3. How do I understand the role of conscience and free will in cooperating with God’s grace? 4. Where do I notice the tension between justice and mercy in my own judgments and relationships? 5. How aware am I of the reality of good and evil as an active struggle in my moral decisions? 6. What does humility look like for me in trusting God when His ways do not fit my expectations? 7. How does my participation in the sacraments, especially baptism, shape the way I live out my faith each day? 8. In what areas of my life am I tempted by a vague or comfortable spirituality rather than committed discipleship?
About the Book In this unique work, Peter Kreeft brings together 358 useful, everyday insights from St. Thomas Aquinas' masterpiece the Summa Theologiae. He pairs these easily digestible quotes from the Summa with his own delightfully written commentary in order to answer the kinds of questions real people ask their spiritual directors. These 358 passages from the Summa have helped Kreeft in his own struggles to grow closer to the Lord. His practical, personal, and livable advice is the fruit of his labors to apply the insights of Aquinas to his own quest for sanctity, happiness, and union with God. About the Author Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected and prolific Christian authors of our time. His books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include Doors in the Walls of the World, The Greatest Philosopher Who Ever Lived, How to Be Holy, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, and Summa of the Summa.
The Purpose of Life – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on why suffering exists without making it the goal of human life. He explains that suffering flows from the wounded condition of humanity in a fallen world, not from God’s original design. The true purpose of life is communion with God—sharing in the Trinitarian life of love and joy that God freely offers. While the human body and emotions inevitably endure weakness, sin, aging, and loss, these experiences can be taken up into grace. When suffering is joined to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—most clearly in the Mass—it becomes a means of purification that prepares the soul for heaven. Nothing endured in union with Christ is wasted; all of it is gathered into divine love and transformed into deeper intimacy with God. Emotional wounds, aging, and loss, often linger more painfully than physical suffering. Emotional pain remains destructive when it is left isolated, but it can be healed when it is consciously handed over to Christ in prayer. Over time, these wounds can become places of compassion rather than resentment. This can be applied to later life, where losses of health, status, possessions, and even family attachments can strip away false securities and invite a final, clarifying choice to live for God alone. This purifying process, even late in life, opens the soul to a profound simplicity and peace. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does understanding that suffering is not the purpose of life, but a consequence of a fallen world, change the way I interpret my own hardships? 2. In what ways am I seeking intimacy with God as the central meaning of my life rather than comfort, success, or control? 3. How do I consciously unite my physical or emotional suffering with Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass? 4. Are there emotional wounds in my memory that I have not yet entrusted to Jesus for healing and transformation? 5. How might my unresolved pain be shaping my reactions, relationships, or patterns of avoidance? 6. In what ways could God be using loss, limitation, or aging to simplify my life and refocus my heart on Him? 7. How do I respond to grief and mourning—with openness to God’s love or with resentment and withdrawal? 8. Where might Christ be inviting me to allow my wounds to become a source of compassion for others? 9. How do I experience peace or quiet consolation even in times when joy feels distant or absent? 10. What would it look like for me to trust that no suffering united to Christ is ever wasted?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Urgent Call of Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love w/Msgr. John Esseff In this powerful reflection, Msgr. John Esseff speaks about the urgency of Jesus’ call to every human heart. Drawing from the Gospel of Mark, St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, and the story of Jonah, he reflects on the immediacy with which Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave everything and follow him. This call is not delayed, negotiated, or postponed. It is immediate and personal. Msgr. Esseff explains that Jesus speaks not only to those who feel distant from God but also to those who have lived faithfully for many years. Holiness, he says, is not static. Christ continues to invite every soul into deeper union, greater surrender, and closer intimacy. Past fidelity is preparation for what God desires to give now. Through vivid personal stories, including moments of sudden danger and narrowly avoided loss, Msgr. Esseff illustrates how urgency sharpens listening. Just as one responds instantly to fire or imminent danger, so the soul is invited to respond without delay to the voice of Christ. God’s call is not meant to create fear, but to awaken joy, freedom, and life. He speaks candidly about sin, addiction, hardness of heart, inherited hatred, and spiritual resistance. Whether one feels unworthy, indifferent, angry, or convinced they are beyond God’s reach, the invitation remains the same. Jesus calls each person by name. Repentance is not condemnation but a doorway into healing, love, and renewal. The episode concludes with a profound meditation on union with Christ, drawing from the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Msgr. Esseff reflects on how closeness to Jesus means sharing both his joy and his sorrow, his love and his suffering. To be united with Christ is to live from his heart, now and for eternity. Reflection Questions 1. Where do I sense Jesus inviting me to follow him more closely right now? 2. What fears, habits, or attachments delay my response to God’s call? 3. How do moments of urgency in my life help me recognize what truly matters? 4. In what ways am I being called to repentance that leads to deeper freedom? 5. What does union with the Heart of Jesus mean for my daily life?
Sacred Conversations by Dr. Christopher Reed on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of "Inside the Pages", Kris McGregor interviews Dr. Christopher Reed about his book "Sacred Conversations." Exploring the integration of faith into everyday interactions and emphasizes the importance of meaningful dialogue guided by agape love—selfless, Christ-like love. Dr. Reed shares how a pivotal conversation inspired him to write the book in just 21 days, offering a process involving invitation, intention, inquiry, illumination, and integration to guide faith-based conversations. Using the transformative power of intentional, loving conversations, particularly during times of crisis or in the context of social media; Kris and Dr. Reed discuss the necessity of patience, kindness, and genuine listening to deepen understanding and compassion; and the benefits of sacred conversations across various settings, including family, marital relationships, and professional and community environments. Dr. Reed also shares his personal faith journey, his parents' support in his exploration and return to the Catholic Church. His experiences have shaped his dedication to helping others through sacred conversations. and to view each interaction as an opportunity to embody God's love and grace, fostering personal and communal transformation through meaningful dialogue guided by the Holy Spirit. You can find the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How can we intentionally incorporate faith into our daily conversations and interactions with others? 2. What are practical ways to demonstrate agape love in our communication with family, friends, and colleagues? 3. How can we ensure that our conversations are not only meaningful but also transformative for ourselves and those we interact with? 4. In what ways can sacred conversations help us navigate challenging times, such as crises or the impact of social media on communication? 5. How have your personal experiences and struggles shaped your approach to conversations about faith? 6. How can the principles of sacred conversations be applied differently in family, marital, professional, and community contexts? 7. What strategies can we use to improve our ability to listen with patience, kindness, and genuine interest in others? 8. How can we view each interaction as an opportunity to be a vessel of God's love and grace in our daily lives?
From the book's description: "Imagine the best conversation you've ever had–one that set your heart on fire, challenged your thinking, brought you closer to God, and inspired you to act. Recall how that conversation made you feel and how it changed your heart and your life. Such interactions rise to the level of the sacred–sacred conversations–dialogues that transform hearts, strengthen relationships, and make the world a better place by converting compassionate love into action. Conversations like this are rare but accessible to all of us all the time, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journeys. Dr. Christopher Reed provides a divinely inspired, scientifically tested, step-by-step process for guiding interactions between "seekers" and "helpers." We are all seekers, and we can all become helpers. This book will show you how to relate to others in their pain, frustration, hopes, and dreams. You will also learn: * The six components of peak communication * How you can invite, understand, and illuminate others through your conversations * Three historical and scriptural reasons we should study and use sacred conversations * How to stop, connect, reflect, and choose the best course of action in dialogue * Five ingredients in the anatomy of sacred conversations * Practical ways to build community, give thanks to God, and show gratitude for others * Using Scripture, real-world examples, key scientific studies, and stories from his own formation, Dr. Reed provides approachable, fun-filled, well-researched advice on how you can use sacred conversations to become your best self and build closer relationships with others and with the Lord.
This isn't merely another Christian self-help book. It's an inspired invitation to transform your life, and our world, one "sacred conversation" at a time." About the Author Dr. Christopher Reed, a Catholic Christian and husband, integrates over 25 years of communication expertise with spiritual growth. His journey includes a master's degree in interpersonal communication and a doctorate focusing on human and cultural communication studies. Following a postdoctoral role at the University of Michigan, he developed consultation methods and authored "Future-Ready Leadership." In 2021, he answered a spiritual calling to promote Sacred Conversations, culminating in his book published by Sophia Institute Press. Dr. Reed continues to advocate for transformative dialogue across diverse sectors through speaking, writing, and workshops.
Witnesses to Tradition – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores how the Church Fathers function as the hidden roots that nourish Christian faith across centuries. Though separated from modern life by culture, geography, and historical upheaval, the Fathers testify to a continuity of doctrine, worship, and moral life that has remained intact from the earliest generations. Their writings clarify how Scripture was received, interpreted, and lived within the early Christian community, providing a stable guide amid constant cultural change. Without this inherited witness, Cnfusion replaces coherence, particularly on matters such as the Eucharist, ecclesial structure, repentance, and sacramental life. Drawing on the theological insights of Pope Benedict XVI, Mike Aquilina describes the Fathers as a constitutive part of divine revelation: humanity’s great “Amen” to God’s self-gift in Christ. Through their response, the canon of Scripture, the sacraments, and the Church’s liturgical life took definitive shape. The discussion also highlights the lived reality of the Fathers as real men and women who worked, raised families, endured persecution, and shed blood in witness—echoing the ancient insight of Tertullian that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. Their preserved writings, lovingly transmitted through centuries, remain strikingly relevant today. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does viewing the Church Fathers as living witnesses change the way I understand my place within the history of the Church today? 2. In what ways does the image of roots nourishing a tree help me appreciate tradition as something living rather than static? 3. How does the consistent faith of the early Church challenge my assumptions about change and continuity in Catholic life? 4. What aspects of Scripture become clearer when read in light of how the early Christian community received and lived it? 5. How does understanding the Fathers as humanity’s “Amen” to God’s revelation in Christ shape my trust in the Church’s teachings? 6. In what ways do the lives of the martyrs invite me to examine my own willingness to witness through sacrifice? 7. How does recognizing the early Christians as ordinary people facing familiar struggles deepen my sense of spiritual kinship with them? 8. What practices of gratitude and reverence might I cultivate toward the spiritual fathers and mothers who shaped the faith I live today?
You can find the book on which this series is based here. About the Book This highly readable introduction to the roots of many Catholic beliefs and practices provides a sense of connection to our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and who helped shape the faith. Mike Aquilina makes it clear that as far as the essentials are concerned, a time-travel trip back to the beginning of the Church would reveal a Church familiar to Catholics today. Just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the Body of Christ we know today. For more episodes in the Roots of the Faith podcast visit here – Roots of the Faith – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
The Suffering of Love – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating explains redemptive suffering as the practice of freely offering one’s physical, emotional, or spiritual pain in love for the good of another, uniting that suffering to Christ’s own prayer on the cross. Rather than becoming trapped in self-pity or displaced anger, suffering can be transformed into intercessory prayer through a faith-filled imagination that connects real pain, real love for others, and God’s will for human flourishing. In this way, suffering is no longer isolated or absurd but becomes meaningful participation in Christ’s saving work, not because the cross is lacking, but because Christ draws his whole body into it through freely given love. Emotional suffering is especially common and often misunderstood in contemporary culture. While affirming the proper place of psychotherapy and medication, he presents prayer and spiritual direction as paths of deep honesty before God, where fears, anger, grief, and temptation are brought into divine intimacy rather than hidden. Drawing on saints such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux and figures like Mother Teresa, he shows how small, daily acts of self-offering prepare the soul for greater trials and guard against bitterness. The path forward is not dramatic heroics but beginning “the little way,” surrendering pain to God step by step, trusting that resurrection follows surrender, and allowing Christ to carry the soul where it cannot go on its own. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I usually respond interiorly when suffering enters my life: with resistance, anger, trust, or openness to Christ’s presence? 2. In what ways do I try to avoid pain rather than allowing God to meet me within it? 3. How does contemplating Christ’s healing ministry alongside his crucifixion reshape my understanding of God’s will for my life? 4. Which of the two criminals on the cross do I most resemble in moments of trial, and why? 5. How willing am I to acknowledge my own weakness, sin, and limits before God rather than defending myself? 6. Where in my life might love be calling me to self-gift that involves discomfort or loss? 7. How do I react to the idea that God does not remove all suffering but chooses to remain with me in it? 8. What wounds, disappointments, or griefs am I hesitant to let Christ enter more deeply? 9. How can the virtue of hope shape the way I endure suffering when I cannot see an immediate resolution? 10. In what practical ways can prayer help me unite my pain with Christ’s love instead of letting it become bitterness or isolation?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
In this Discerning Hearts conversation, Kris and Bruce McGregor speak with Mike Aquilina about St. Anthony of the Desert and why his life became a defining witness for Christian monasticism. Drawing from St. Athanasius’ Life of Anthony, the discussion traces how Anthony’s radical response to the Gospel shaped generations. Though untrained and simple by worldly standards, Anthony listened attentively to Scripture proclaimed in the liturgy and allowed it to govern concrete decisions. That attentiveness drew him into solitude, spiritual combat and later into moments of public witness during persecution and doctrinal conflict. The conversation shows how Anthony’s life was not an escape from the Church but a deep service to it. From the desert he offered counsel, strengthened martyrs and confronted error when needed. His holiness attracted others, forming communities that transformed empty places into living centers of prayer. The hosts reflect on how this same dynamic continues today through ordinary people who attend Mass faithfully, pray Scripture daily and quietly allow God’s word to take flesh in their lives. Anthony’s story reveals that the liturgy is never passive. God speaks personally through it and invites a lived response that bears fruit far beyond what we can measure. Discerning Hearts Spiritual Reflection Questions 1. When I hear Scripture proclaimed at Mass, do I listen with the expectation that God is speaking personally into my life today 2. What attachments or comforts might be limiting my freedom to respond more fully to what God asks of me 3. How do I handle spiritual struggle and temptation and what role do prayer and the sign of the cross play in my daily life 4. In what ways am I called to witness to truth and charity within my own community or circumstances 5. Where do I see quiet examples of holiness around me and how does their faithfulness invite me to deeper trust and perseverance
Gary Michuta – The Gospel Truth on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor speaks with Gary Michuta about his book The Gospel Truth: How We Can Know What Christ Taught, which examines how the teachings of Jesus were accurately preserved and transmitted. Michuta frames the Gospels like a careful investigation, looking not only at the written texts but also at the living Jewish community that received, memorized, and handed on Jesus’ words. He explains how first-century Jewish culture relied on structured memory techniques—such as rhythm, repetition, dialogue, and setting—to ensure faithful transmission long before widespread literacy. These features, often mistaken as stylistic quirks, reveal an intentional design that allowed disciples to recall and proclaim Jesus’ teaching with remarkable reliability. The book addresses common objections, including differences between Gospel accounts, translation concerns, and claims of later embellishment. Variations between the Gospels resemble authentic eyewitness testimony rather than collusion, while narrative details—locations, audiences, and historical markers—invite verification by original hearers. Radical teachings, such as Jesus’ divine claims and the Bread of Life discourse, demanded careful preservation because of their shocking nature. They also discuss the role of Sacred Tradition and the Church in safeguarding not only the text but its meaning, warning against modern paraphrases or private revelations detached from the consistent teaching handed down across Christian history. You can find the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does understanding the Jewish cultural and educational context of the first century shape the way I read and hear the Gospels today? 2. In what ways does viewing the Gospels as living testimony within a community change my confidence in their historical reliability? 3. How do the memory techniques described in this episode challenge modern assumptions about oral tradition and accuracy? 4. What do the differences among the four Gospel accounts reveal about truth, witness, and human perspective? 5. How does the idea of the Gospels “inviting verification” affect my trust in what they record about Jesus? 6. Why is it significant that radical teachings, such as the Bread of Life discourse, were preserved even when they caused followers to walk away? 7. How does Sacred Tradition help me understand Scripture beyond the text alone? 8. What risks arise when Scripture is paraphrased or reinterpreted apart from the Church’s continuous teaching? 9. How does hearing the Gospel proclaimed within the Church connect me to the earliest Christian communities? 10. In what ways am I called not only to study the Gospels but to allow them to shape my life and faith today?
From the book description: "Hundreds of books have been written to vindicate the Gospels by noting that they were written closer to the events they record than any other ancient history. But how do we know that they accurately recorded what Jesus said and did? How do we know they didn’t fabricate their contents? That Jesus really did work the miracles reported in the Gospels? Most important of all, how do we know what is the authentic interpretation of his words and deeds? Christian apologists have largely neglected to answer these significant questions because they have focused instead on vindicating the Gospels apart from the community that wrote them. The Gospel Truth fills in this gap by demonstrating that a concerted and sophisticated effort was made to ensure that what Jesus taught and did was accurately retained, recorded, verified, and passed on to future believers. It also shows how we can know whether our copies of Scripture reflect the original, whether the books in our Bible really belong there, and ways to know how to correctly understand them." About the Author: Gary Michuta is the author of Revolt against Reality: Fighting the Enemies of Sanity and Truth from the Serpent to the State, Hostile Witnesses: How the Enemies of the Church Prove Christianity, The Case for the Deuterocanon: Arguments and Evidence, Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger, and several other apologetic works. Gary is an instructor of apologetics for Home School Connections and is the host of “Hands On Apologetics” on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.
Episode 12 – Nestorius – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina discusses Nestorius as a tragic and almost darkly comic figure whose early success as a learned monk did not prepare him for leadership in Constantinople. His rigid personality, discomfort with women, and obsession with linguistic precision shaped his rejection of the title Theotokos (“Mother of God”) for Mary. What he considered logical correction instead unsettled ordinary Christian practice, clashed with long-standing prayer and devotion, and provoked resistance from both the people and influential figures in the imperial court. His attempts to curb women’s visibility in church life further alienated the city and deepened opposition from other bishops, who began to recognize that his teaching raised serious concerns about the identity of Christ himself. The conflict culminated in the Council of Ephesus, where the issue of Mary’s title revealed a deeper question about whether Jesus is fully God. St. Cyril of Alexandria successfully argued that denying Mary as Mother of God undermined Christ’s divinity, and the council affirmed the traditional language rooted in centuries of worship. The decision was celebrated publicly with hymns and processions, while Nestorius was deposed, exiled, and eventually formed a separate community beyond the empire. Such crises unfold over long periods and flawed individuals can still prompt doctrinal clarity. Holiness, perseverance, and lived witness remain the most powerful responses to error and division in every age. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do Nestorius’s personality traits and formation as a monk reveal the importance of humility and self-awareness in leadership within the Church? 2. What does the controversy over the title Mother of God teach about the connection between devotion, doctrine, and daily prayer? 3. How can resistance from ordinary Christians help safeguard the faith handed down through generations? 4. In what ways does Marian teaching shape a deeper understanding of who Jesus is? 5. How does the Council of Ephesus show the Church discerning truth through conflict rather than avoiding it? 6. What lessons can be drawn from how pride and rigidity can distort good intentions? 7. How does the public celebration of the council’s decision reflect the unity between worship and belief? 8. What does this episode suggest about enduring long periods of confusion or trial within the Church? 9. How does the call to holiness in everyday life serve as a response to error and division? 10. In what ways can personal example either strengthen or weaken the Church’s witness in the world today?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "We’ve been having an argument with these other people, the monks explained. We say that Mary is rightly called Mother of God—in Greek, Theotokos. But these other people say it’s not right to call her anything but Mother of the Man—Anthropotokos. Which of us is right? Nestorius was delighted with the opportunity to show off his erudition. His answer probably struck him as very clever and evenhanded. In a way, he said, you’re both right. Each of those names can be used for Mary in a loose and imprecise way. But technically the proper term would be Mother of the Christ—Christotokos. If you want to be accurate, you’ll avoid calling her anything else.3 Thus, Constantinople was first introduced to that little word “technically”—in Greek, akribos—which the world would soon learn was one of Nestorius’ very favorite terms when he was arguing with people. It revealed a lot about the way he thought. The problem with most people, Nestorius seemed to believe, was that they didn’t choose their terms carefully enough. When you’re talking about important issues of theology, you need to be very precise in your language. The problem with Nestorius, thought practically everybody else in Constantinople, was that he had just said Mary wasn’t Mother of God. The people of the city instantly latched onto that little word “technically” as representing everything they hated about Nestorius. “If Mary is not technically the Mother of God,” they said, “then her Son is not technically God.”4 Mary had always been called Mother of God, as long as anybody could remember. The city—the whole Empire—was devoted to the Blessed Virgin. What was wrong with this new archbishop? “He seemed afraid of the word Theotokos,” Socrates recalled, “as if it were some frightful ghost.”5 In the opinion of Socrates and many others, the problem wasn’t loose language on the part of the great majority of Christians. The problem was that Nestorius didn’t know what he was talking about. “The baseless fear he showed on this subject merely demonstrated how very ignorant he was. He was naturally a fluent speaker, so people thought he must be well educated. But actually he was disgracefully illiterate.” Socrates thought that Nestorius not only didn’t know what the great Christian writers before him had written on these subjects, but also didn’t care. He was smarter than they were. He could work things out for himself.6 Well, if Nestorius didn’t know what the great Christians of earlier generations had taught, it was about time somebody told him. Enter the Bishop of Alexandria." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
What is Redemptive Suffering – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating explains redemptive suffering as the practice of freely offering one’s physical, emotional, or spiritual pain in love for the good of another, uniting that suffering to Christ’s own prayer on the cross. Rather than becoming trapped in self-pity or displaced anger, suffering can be transformed into intercessory prayer through a faith-filled imagination that connects real pain, real love for others, and God’s will for human flourishing. In this way, suffering is no longer isolated or absurd but becomes meaningful participation in Christ’s saving work, not because the cross is lacking, but because Christ draws his whole body into it through freely given love. The conversation then turns to emotional suffering, which Keating describes as especially common and often misunderstood in contemporary culture. While affirming the proper place of psychotherapy and medication, he presents prayer and spiritual direction as paths of deep honesty before God, where fears, anger, grief, and temptation are brought into divine intimacy rather than hidden. Drawing on saints such as Thérèse of Lisieux and figures like Mother Teresa, he shows how small, daily acts of self-offering prepare the soul for greater trials and guard against bitterness. The path forward is not dramatic heroics but beginning “the little way,” surrendering pain to God step by step, trusting that resurrection follows surrender, and allowing Christ to carry the soul where it cannot go on its own. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How can I intentionally unite my physical, emotional, or spiritual pain with Christ as a prayer for the good of another person? 2. In what ways do I tend to turn inward when I suffer, and how might God be inviting me to redirect that pain into love? 3. How can practicing small acts of self-offering in daily annoyances prepare my heart for greater trials in the future? 4. What emotions or wounds do I hesitate to bring honestly into prayer, and what might change if I shared them openly with Christ? 5. How does my understanding of the cross shape the way I respond to suffering rather than trying to avoid or escape it? 6. When pain makes God feel distant or absent, how can I continue choosing trust and surrender in faith? 7. How might my experience of suffering become a path of purification that leads me toward deeper holiness and love?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Peace of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his explanation of Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s third mode of discernment, focusing on what to do when clarity does not arise after weighing advantages and disadvantages through the “four columns” method. Using the example of a man discerning between remaining in finance or entering medicine, Father Gallagher explains that St. Ignatius offers a second approach within this mode for moments when peace is present but certainty remains elusive. This approach begins with interior freedom—being genuinely open to either option—and then applies three objective tests: advising an imagined stranger in the same situation, viewing the decision from the end of one’s life, and considering it in light of standing before God at judgment. Each test creates distance from personal pressure and helps the choice come into focus. Fr. Gallagher illustrates this process through his own experience discerning whether to continue as provincial after ten demanding years. After prayer, consultation, and written reflection, clarity emerged quickly when he applied the first of the three tests, revealing that stepping aside was the wiser course. He underscores the importance of beginning discernment early, gathering accurate information, remaining in a calm interior state, writing reasons down concretely, and seeking guidance when decisions carry weight. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. When facing an important decision, how free and open is my heart to choosing either option if it truly leads me closer to God? 2. Have I taken enough time in prayer and reflection to reach a place of interior calm before attempting to make this decision? 3. What reasons, viewed in the light of faith and eternal life, draw me more strongly toward one option over the other? 4. If I were advising another person in my exact situation, what choice would I honestly recommend to them? 5. When I imagine myself at the end of my life, which decision do I believe I would wish I had made? 6. How does considering this choice from the perspective of standing before God help clarify what truly matters? 7. Have I written out and thoughtfully reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each option without rushing the process? 8. In what ways might seeking counsel from a wise spiritual guide help me see this discernment more clearly?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page
Dr. Alexander Harb – The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Dr. Alexander Harb and Kris McGregor explore The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East, his new book that gives both spiritual and theological insight into Eastern Christian spirituality through the lens of the Desert Fathers and the Philokalia. Dr. Harb draws from his Melkite upbringing to describe how Eastern Christianity puts prayer and transformation toward the heart—an inner stillness cultivated through asceticism and the Jesus Prayer. This tradition invites us to unite our hearts with Christ’s, not just in theory but through lived compunction, metanoia (inner conversion), and deep emotional engagement with God's love. True knowledge of God isn't just academic but relational—akin to the intimacy of family—and how early monks wept not out of guilt, but out of being overwhelmed by divine love. The roles of mercy, trust, and detachment from worldly distractions are essential to guarding the heart. Bright sadness—a concept from Eastern Lent—captures the paradox of Christian sorrow infused with hope. hrist’s own battle with temptation in the desert, illustrating how scripture and silence anchor the soul in times of trial. Dr. Harb's book invites us into a journey of inner transformation with divine intimacy, wisdom born of suffering, and a deep call to holiness. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How is God inviting me to place my mind in my heart during prayer?
2. In what ways have I experienced metanoia as more than just repentance, but a turning of my whole self toward Christ?
3. Do I allow Jesus to truly love me in my brokenness, or do I hide behind shame or pride?
4. What role does compunction—sorrow for sin born of love—play in my spiritual life?
5. How can I better guard my heart from the noise, anxieties, and distractions of the world?
6. Am I allowing the Jesus Prayer or similar practices to bring silence and stillness into my prayer life?
7. What does spiritual fatherhood (or motherhood) look like in my vocation, and how am I being formed in it?
From the book's description: "Although the story of our salvation began in the Orient, the richness of the spirituality of our Eastern Fathers and Mothers in the Faith has long remained hidden. The Church is indebted to the East for revealing how Christians from apostolic times lived their faith, from founding Christian monastic life to developing the worship that has helped shape our liturgy. In this spiritual masterpiece, Dr. Alexander Harb offers penetrating meditations on nine themes of the spiritual life, drawing from Eastern Christian sources and his own real-life examples. Each chapter includes a power-packed meditation, a related Scripture passage, engaging reflection questions, and challenges that are perfectly accessible for individual or group study. Through the lens of the Eastern Church and the Desert Fathers, you will reflect on topics such as repentance, the Jesus Prayer, heartbrokenness, discernment, family, friendship, and total reliance on God. In these absorbing pages, you will discover: * Advice on building virtue and accepting the love, life, and fire of the Holy Spirit * Tips on entering into the stillness of prayer and reorienting yourself when distractions arise * The four stages of conversion and three stages of prayer, according to the Eastern Fathers * Ways to discern spirits, and simple yet rich wisdom to help you in times of temptation * How to encounter God’s peace more deeply in the liturgy and how to worship Him more fruitfully * Methods of attaining metanoia, cardiagnosia (knowledge of the heart), and true transformation
Although practicing asceticism can be challenging, the fruits of inner freedom, peace, and the vision of God are unmistakable. These life-changing reflections aim to help you experience God’s compassionate and healing love for you and your family. By absorbing the wisdom of the East, you will come to know the Father’s merciful love more deeply, grow closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ, and become enlightened by the Holy Spirit." About the Author Having grown up in the Melkite Catholic Church, Dr. Alexander Sami Harb became interested in Eastern Christianity at a very young age. He completed his doctorate in Eastern Christian Studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome with the publication of his thesis in 2022. His theological focus was on the Desert Fathers and their attention to the heart. Dr. Harb especially worked to find ancient textual evidence of attention to Jesus' heart within the desert and among the early Church Fathers. He lives and works as a theology teacher in Birmingham, Alabama.
Episode 11 – Julian the Apostate – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina recounts the rise of Julian the Apostate, a Roman emperor who came to power shortly after Christianity had gained legal standing under Constantine. Raised within the imperial family, Julian witnessed brutal violence carried out by relatives who publicly identified as Christian, an experience that shaped his deep resentment. Though outwardly conforming to Christian practices for political survival, he privately turned to classical philosophy and pagan religious traditions. As emperor, Julian revealed his true convictions and sought to restore paganism by quietly sidelining Christians from education, law, and public influence, carefully avoiding persecution that might provoke sympathy or resistance. His reign was short, lasting only two years, which limited the reach of his program. Julian’s strategy and motivations reveal enduring lessons about faith lived authentically, especially within family life and daily conduct. His rejection of Christianity stemmed less from doctrine than from hypocrisy he observed at close range. Julian tried—and failed—to refashion paganism into a moral and institutional rival to Christianity, borrowing its structure while lacking its coherence and spiritual depth. His challenge prompted strong intellectual responses from early Church figures and demonstrated that flawed witness can have lasting consequences, while truth ultimately endures despite political power or cultural pressure. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How might the example of Julian the Apostate challenge Catholics today to examine whether their public and private actions truly reflect the Gospel they profess? 2. In what ways can family life become the primary place where faith is either strengthened or undermined through daily witness? 3. How does Julian’s gradual removal of Christians from public life invite reflection on responding faithfully to cultural marginalization? 4. What lessons can be drawn from the early Church’s intellectual responses to criticism when engaging modern challenges to Christianity? 5. How does this episode call Catholics to holiness and integrity so that others are not scandalized by contradictions between faith and conduct?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "Christians remembered Julian as “the Apostate”—the one emperor who tried to turn back to paganism. There would be no others. From 363 to 1453, when Constantinople finally fell, the Roman Empire would be Christian. But what can we say about Julian the man? He might have been a very good emperor if he had had better relatives. In spite of his retrograde religious views, he was personally moral—in fact, puritanical—and a competent administrator when the problem was limited and solvable. Perhaps the best tribute to him comes from the Christian poet Prudentius, who neatly summed up Julian in one line: Faithless he was to God, though not to Rome.7" Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Wednesday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania. What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania. What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea and Transjordania. What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Agony of Emotional Suffering – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the deep reality of emotional suffering, especially loneliness, rejection, and isolation that cannot always be relieved by therapy or circumstance. He speaks of how such pain mirrors Christ’s own experiences of misunderstanding and abandonment, making it a place where intimacy with Jesus can grow. At the same time, he acknowledges the real human need for friendship, community, and belonging. Because suffering becomes crushing when endured alone, the Christian community has a serious responsibility to notice those who are quietly hurting and to bring Christ’s presence to them through real, embodied relationships rather than words alone. One cannot truly accompany the suffering without first allowing Christ to enter one’s own wounds. Authentic ministry flows from having faced personal brokenness in the light of God’s love, not from unmet needs or abstract knowledge about God. Deacon Keating connects this to a meditation on the Passion of Christ, where God freely enters human pain out of love. By placing personal sorrow within Christ’s wounds and contemplating the Cross daily, suffering is transformed into communion, gratitude, and hope, revealing that no one is abandoned in their pain and that love, by its very nature, always involves the surrender of the self. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I usually respond to emotional suffering or loneliness, and do I bring that pain honestly to Christ in prayer? 2. In what ways might I be resisting Christ’s desire to enter the wounded or uncomfortable places of my heart? 3. Where have I relied more on ideas about God than on a lived relationship formed through suffering and trust? 4. Who around me may be quietly suffering in isolation, and how might God be inviting me to draw near to them? 5. Do I seek to serve others in ministry from my own unmet needs, or from healing I have allowed Christ to work within me? 6. How often do I meditate on the Passion of Christ, and how does it shape my understanding of love and sacrifice? 7. What fears or attachments keep me from moving toward those who suffer rather than away from them? 8. How can I more intentionally unite my daily struggles with the Cross of Christ and live with deeper gratitude?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Three Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Father Timothy Gallagher continues his explanation of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s three modes of discernment by focusing on the third mode, used when neither immediate certainty nor a clear pattern of spiritual attraction has emerged. This approach relies on a calm, prayerful use of reason to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each good option from the standpoint of God’s greater glory. The person discerning must first understand the decision clearly, gather all relevant information, and cultivate interior freedom so the heart is not already fixed on an outcome. Prayer for light and guidance prepares the mind to evaluate the options honestly, often using a structured comparison that looks not only at the number of reasons but also their depth and significance. The process is illustrated through extended examples, showing how discernment unfolds over time with patience, prayer, and spiritual direction. In the story of Patrick, a man invited into full-time prison ministry, the third mode gradually leads to interior clarity while also reshaping his motivations and desires. As Patrick reflects, prays with Scripture, and reviews his reasons, resistance gives way to readiness, culminating in a moment of unmistakable insight confirmed through prayer and peace. All three modes of discernment lead to the same end: a firm clarity that allows a person to move forward with confidence and trust in God’s guidance, supported by ongoing spiritual accompaniment. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. In what current decision do I find myself lacking clear certainty or a strong interior attraction, inviting a more reflective approach to discernment? 2. Have I taken time to understand each option concretely, including its real impact on my family, work, and service to others? 3. Is my heart truly free and open before God, or am I quietly attached to one outcome that shapes how I evaluate my reasons? 4. Do I set aside peaceful, prayerful time to reflect, or do I attempt to discern while distracted, anxious, or emotionally unsettled? 5. When I consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option, am I viewing them in light of God’s greater glory rather than personal comfort? 6. How does prayer, especially with Scripture and the Eucharist, shape my clarity and interior disposition during discernment? 7. After reaching a tentative conclusion, do I seek confirmation through prayer, peace of heart, and wise spiritual counsel? 8. In what ways might God be transforming my desires and motivations through the very process of discernment itself?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page
How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the significance of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. He begins by reflecting on the beauty of the stars and their symbolism as a guide. The Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the three kings who followed a star to find Jesus and offer gifts, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Jesus' birth was not only for the Jews but for all nations. This universal aspect of Jesus' mission is highlighted by the fact that the Magi were from different nations. Msgr. Esseff relates this story to the present, asking listeners to consider how Jesus is manifested in today's world. He suggests that each individual has the potential to reveal Christ to others through their actions and words. Msgr. Esseff includes personal anecdotes and reflections on how various individuals, including saints and ordinary people, have radiated the light of Christ in their lives. He encourages us to be a "star" in our communities, radiating the light and love of Jesus through their actions and interactions. It's a call for all of us to manifest Christ in their daily lives, shining as lights to the nations and continuing the work of the Epiphany in the modern world. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How can you actively demonstrate Christ's teachings and love through your actions and interactions with others? 2. How does the story of the Epiphany, with the three kings and the star, deepen your understanding of God's universal love and plan for salvation? 3. Who in your life has been a "radiant star," guiding you closer to Jesus? Reflect on how their example has influenced your faith journey. 4. What specific actions can you take in your community or circle of influence to be a source of Christ’s light and love to others? 5. Have you experienced any moments of epiphany in your own spiritual journey where Christ was particularly revealed to you?
Reading 1 IS 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Nine Living by the Light That Has Been Given Scripture “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go.”
Matthew 2:13 Reflection Epiphany reveals Christ to the world. Over these days of prayer, we have seen that God makes Himself known freely and clearly. The Light is given. The Son is revealed. The Father’s saving work is made visible in history. The Magi do not remain where they are. Having encountered Christ, they depart by another way. Their journey does not end at the place of revelation. It continues, shaped by what they have seen. This is how Epiphany comes to completion. God’s self-giving calls forth a response that carries into life beyond the moment of encounter. Those who have received the Light do not possess it for themselves. They live by it. Over these days of prayer, Epiphany has unfolded as the Church herself proclaims it. Christ is revealed to the nations, acknowledged by those who seek Him, and declared by the Father as His beloved Son at the Jordan. The Baptism of the Lord belongs within this mystery because it is there that Christ is made known openly as the Son sent for the salvation of the world. Together, these moments form one saving revelation. The Son is given. The Father speaks. The Light is offered to all. This revelation meets the world we inhabit now. Christ, the Light given by the Father, does not remain distant from our lives. Through grace, He shines within us, calling us to bear His light into the world we actually live in. Wherever we are placed, in our homes, our work, our vocations, and our daily encounters, Christ desires to make Himself known through those who belong to Him. The Light revealed in Christ is not meant to be hidden. It is given so that it may reach all we meet, in every place and circumstance. Epiphany reminds us that Christ’s manifestation is not an event to be admired and set aside. It is a gift that reorients the heart and shapes the path ahead. The Light that has been revealed now calls to be lived. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to live faithfully by the light Christ has given me. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
You have made Yourself known
for the salvation of the world. Receive my life
as I place it again in Your care. Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
that I may live according to the light
You have revealed. Guide my steps,
strengthen my faith,
and keep me faithful to what I have received. May my life give glory to the Father,
now and always. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Eight Receiving the Light That Is Given Scripture “And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 Reflection Epiphany shows us that God does not hide Himself. He gives light freely. Christ is made known in the world, not cautiously or selectively, but generously. Yet Epiphany also reveals something sobering. The same light that draws some hearts leaves others unchanged. God gives Himself fully, but He does not force the response. Throughout the Epiphany accounts, Christ is present, visible, and active. Some rejoice. Some worship. Others are disturbed, hesitant, or resistant. The difference does not lie in how God reveals Himself, but in how the light is received. This is not a failure of revelation. It is the mystery of freedom. God makes Himself known, and the heart must decide whether to receive what has been given. Today, Epiphany invites us to recognize that Christ continues to give light through His presence in the Church, in His Word, in the sacraments, in creation, and in the events of the world. The question is not whether God has acted, but whether we are willing to receive the light He gives. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to receive the light Christ gives me. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the Light given to the world
by the Father’s love. Remove whatever closes my heart
to what You reveal. Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
that I may receive Your light
with humility and faith. May I not resist Your presence,
but welcome the grace You give
for the salvation You desire to accomplish. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Seven When the Light Confronts the World Scripture “Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Matthew 2:3 Reflection Epiphany reveals Christ as Light for the world. Yet the Gospel shows that this Light does not bring peace to every place it enters. When news of the Child reaches Jerusalem, the city is disturbed. Herod hears that a king has been born. Herod seeks the Child, but his seeking is driven by fear and the desire to retain power, not by faith or reverence. The same revelation that leads the Magi to worship provokes resistance and violence from those who feel threatened. This reaction is not accidental. Epiphany reveals that the coming of Christ does not confirm existing power or secure the arrangements of the world. His presence exposes what is built on fear, control, and false peace. The Light does not create opposition, but it reveals it. Jerusalem’s unrest also carries a warning. Proximity to the promises does not guarantee welcome. Knowledge of Scripture alone does not ensure recognition. Epiphany shows that when Christ is made known, the world must decide whether to receive Him or resist Him. This mystery remains present today. Christ continues to be revealed in the world, and His truth continues to disturb what rests on fear or self-preservation. Where His light shines, false security is challenged, and the desire to control is unmasked. Epiphany reminds us that faithfulness to Christ may place us at odds with the world’s desire for comfort without truth. The Light still shines. The response it draws still matters. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to remain faithful to Christ when His truth confronts the world. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
Light revealed for the salvation of the world,
You entered history not to claim power,
but to accomplish the will of the Father. When Your presence exposes false peace
and unsettles the world,
keep me faithful to You. Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
that I may not turn away from Your Light,
but stand firm in the truth You reveal. May my life give glory to the Father
through fidelity to You. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
The Cross Conquers Evil – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the cross as the sign of radical self-giving love that both attracts and frightens the human heart. The cross reveals humanity’s fear of surrender, rooted in the risk of love and the pain that often accompanies it. Jesus freely enters this place of fear and suffering, not to remove the human condition, but to dwell fully within it. By undergoing betrayal, abandonment, emotional anguish, physical pain, and death itself, Christ makes clear that no form of suffering is foreign to God. His suffering flows directly from love, showing that divine compassion is not distant or theoretical, but personally present in the darkest experiences of human life. Prayer and communion emerge as the way the cross reshapes identity. Prayer forms a person to remain connected—to God, to others, and to love itself—when evil or suffering threatens isolation. Rather than allowing pain to fracture relationships or identity, the cross becomes the place where love enters suffering and transforms it from within. Keating describes suffering as rooted in the brokenness of the human condition, yet continually met by healing, reconciliation, and hope through Christ’s presence. Trusting God amid darkness, especially by surrendering one’s spirit as Christ did, allows suffering to become a passage toward deeper intimacy and resurrection rather than a final defeat. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the cross reveal my own fear of surrendering fully in love, and where do I resist that surrender in my daily life? 2. In what ways have I experienced Christ being present with me in moments of suffering rather than removing the suffering itself? 3. How does prayer shape my identity as someone who remains in relationship with God and others when pain or evil threatens isolation? 4. Where am I tempted to keep my faith superficial instead of allowing God to enter the deeper, hidden parts of my heart? 5. How do I respond when suffering exposes my sense of loneliness, weakness, or unlovability? 6. In what concrete ways can I meet suffering with love rather than withdrawing, escalating anger, or despair? 7. How might trusting God in darkness open a path toward deeper intimacy and hope beyond my current circumstances?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Six Allowing Christ to Reorder My Way Scripture “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.”
Matthew 2:12 Reflection After their encounter with Christ, the Magi do not simply return to their former path. Scripture tells us that they leave by another way. This detail is not incidental. It reveals what happens when Christ is truly received. The Magi are not given a speech or instructions. They are warned, and they obey. Their response is quiet and decisive. Encounter with Christ brings a change in direction, not because they have been commanded publicly, but because they have been inwardly guided. Epiphany teaches us that when Christ is revealed, life cannot remain ordered in the same way. This does not always mean dramatic changes or visible upheaval. Often it means a reordering of priorities, attachments, and choices. What once seemed necessary may no longer hold the same place. What once guided us may quietly fall away. Christ does not force this change. He invites cooperation. The Magi consent to God’s guidance and allow their path to be altered for the sake of fidelity. This day of prayer invites us to reflect on how Christ may be reordering our own lives. Not by removing us from the world, but by shaping our decisions from within, according to truth and grace. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to allow Christ to reorder my choices and direction according to His will. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
You guided the Magi with wisdom and care
after they had encountered You. Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
that I may discern what no longer leads me in truth
and consent to the path You place before me. Free me from attachment to old ways of thinking and acting,
and grant me the courage to follow Your guidance
with trust and humility. May my life be quietly reordered by Your presence,
and may my choices reflect fidelity to the Father’s will. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
Episode 10 – Arius – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explains how Arius, a priest from Alexandria, proposed a view of Christ that treated the Son as a created being rather than fully divine. This teaching spread rapidly because it sounded logical, was easy to repeat, and was promoted through memorable songs and slogans. Its success forced church leaders such as Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius to respond clearly, leading to decisive moments like the Council of Nicaea and the formulation of language such as “consubstantial” to safeguard the confession of the Trinity. In this way, a serious doctrinal crisis helped clarify what Christians confess about God’s inner life and about Christ’s true identity. The conversation also explores why this teaching was ultimately destructive: by reducing God to something easily grasped, it stripped Christianity of its relational depth. Aquilina contrasts this with the orthodox vision of God as eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, whose very nature is self-giving love. From this understanding flows the meaning of baptism, participation in divine life, and a call to love others in a way that mirrors God’s own life. The long struggle against Arianism shaped worship, theology, and spirituality, leaving a lasting imprint on hymns, creeds, and the lived faith of the Church today. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the story of Arius show that ideas which seem simple and logical can still distort the mystery of God? 2. What does the Church’s teaching on the Trinity reveal about God as eternal love rather than solitary power? 3. How does understanding Christ as fully God and fully man shape the way you pray and relate to Him? 4. In what ways does baptism invite you into a living participation in God’s own life and love? 5. How can reducing faith to what is easily understood limit spiritual growth and conversion of heart? 6. What role do creeds, hymns, and shared worship play in guarding and handing on the faith across generations? 7. How does the Trinitarian nature of God call you to live relationships marked by self-gift rather than self-interest?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "Arius was an obscure Egyptian priest who probably had more influence on the history of Christian theology than any Christian thinker since St. Paul. It was all negative influence, but no one can deny the influence. Because of Arius, the Catholic Church had to define the relationship of the Son to the Father in clear and unambiguous terms. Because of Arius, we ended up with the Nicene Creed. But no one would have guessed for most of his life that this Arius was going to set the world on fire." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Five Receiving My Identity from the Father Scripture “This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 Reflection Epiphany continues beyond Bethlehem. The child who was revealed to the nations now steps into public life. At the Jordan River, Christ stands among the people who have come seeking repentance and renewal. Jesus does not enter the water because He needs purification. He enters freely, choosing to stand with those He has come to save. In this act, He reveals a God who does not remain distant from human life, but enters it fully. As Jesus rises from the water, the Father speaks. This moment is not hidden. The voice is spoken aloud so that all who are present may hear and know who Jesus is. “This is my beloved Son.” The Father names Him before He teaches, before He heals, before He suffers. This declaration is not a reward. It is a revelation. Christ’s mission begins in being loved, not in proving Himself. Identity comes before action. Belonging precedes obedience. The Spirit descends, and what was quietly revealed in Bethlehem is now made public. The Son is manifested, the Father speaks, and the Spirit confirms. Epiphany here becomes fully Trinitarian. This day of prayer invites us to reflect on where we receive our own identity. In Christ, we are not defined first by what we do, but by whom we belong to. The Father’s voice grounds all faithful response. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to receive my identity from the Father and to rest in His love. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
Beloved Son of the Father,
You entered the waters in humility
and were named by the Father in love. Send forth Your Spirit into my heart,
that I may receive the truth
that my life is held by the Father
before it is measured by action or success. Free me from striving for worth
and from fear of failure,
and root my life in the knowledge
that I am loved and claimed by God. May all that I do flow from this gift,
and may my life give glory to the Father
through faithful obedience and trust. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
Steps in Spiritual Guidance – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his teaching on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment by explaining the second mode, illustrated through real-life vocational examples. In this mode, God’s will becomes known gradually through a repeated inner attraction experienced during times of spiritual consolation. Gallagher describes how this attraction appears consistently across prayer, daily life, and reflection, eventually leading to moral certainty. For this process to unfold well, a person must cultivate interior freedom, a readiness to accept either outcome, and a steady prayer life that includes Scripture, silence, examen, and reflection on moments of consolation and desolation. Learning discernment of spirits is essential, since recognizing these movements allows one to interpret patterns rather than isolated experiences. Attention then turns to the role of spiritual direction and ongoing formation. Gallagher explains practical ways to find a competent guide, such as diocesan offices, parish priests, retreats, and faith formation settings, while reassuring listeners that asking for guidance is never a burden. He also introduces the third mode of discernment, used when clarity does not arise through direct certainty or sustained attraction. In this approach, discernment occurs during a time of interior calm and involves prayerfully weighing advantages and disadvantages of each option in light of God’s greater glory. Drawing on Ignatius’s own practice, Gallagher describes how peace of heart, detachment, and final confirmation in prayer allow the right choice to emerge with clarity and confidence. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. Where in my recent prayer or daily life have I noticed a repeated interior attraction that points toward a particular choice before God? 2. Do I approach discernment with true interior freedom, honestly able to say yes to whatever God may ask of me? 3. How attentive am I to moments of spiritual consolation and desolation, and do I regularly reflect on them through the examen? 4. What spiritual practices help me remain grounded in prayer, silence, and Scripture while seeking clarity about God’s will? 5. Have I taken concrete steps to seek wise spiritual guidance, and am I open to asking for help without fear or hesitation? 6. When clarity does not come quickly, do I allow sufficient time for patterns to emerge rather than rushing a decision? 7. In a time of interior calm, am I willing to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of my options in light of God’s greater glory? 8. Are there attachments or fears that may be clouding my judgment and preventing me from seeing God’s will clearly? 9. How does my discernment invite deeper trust in God’s providence rather than reliance on my own control? 10. After making a decision, do I seek confirmation in prayer that the choice aligns with God’s desire for my life?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Four Placing My Life Before Christ Scripture “They offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11 Reflection After the Magi kneel before the child, the Gospel tells us that they open what they have brought and place it before Him. Their response to Christ is not only interior. It becomes an offering. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are not casual gifts. They are costly and intentional. They represent what the Magi considered valuable and worth protecting. These gifts were chosen before the journey began and carried with care until the moment of encounter. The Gospel does not describe Jesus speaking or responding. He receives what is placed before Him. The moment is quiet and reverent. Nothing is explained, yet something real is given. This scene teaches us that a willing heart naturally moves toward offering. Encounter with Christ leads to placing our lives before Him, not because He demands it, but because grace draws the heart to give what it holds. Epiphany invites us to reflect on what we place before Christ. Not what we wish we could offer, but what we actually carry. Our time. Our choices. Our desires. Our willingness to entrust them to Him. This day of prayer asks for the grace to place our lives before Christ honestly, trusting that what is given into His hands is received with love. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to place my life before Christ with trust and sincerity. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
You received the gifts placed before You
with silence and love. I place before You what I carry this day,
not holding back what is costly
or difficult to entrust. Send forth Your Holy Spirit upon my heart,
that I may offer myself freely
and without fear. Receive what I place before You,
and shape my life according to Your will,
that all I give may bear fruit
for the glory of the Father. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Three A Willing Heart Before Christ Scripture “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.”
Matthew 2:3 Reflection As Epiphany continues, the Gospel shows that people respond to Christ in different ways. The Magi hear of His birth and rejoice. Others hear the same news and are unsettled. Some are disturbed. Some remain closed. Herod feels threatened. Jerusalem is troubled. The chief priests and scribes know the Scriptures well enough to identify Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah is to be born, yet they do not go there. Knowledge is present, but the heart does not yield. The Magi respond differently. They listen. They ask. They consent to the light that has been given to them. Their response is not based on control or certainty, but on willingness. They allow God’s work to continue within them. This contrast reveals an important truth about the spiritual life. Familiarity with sacred things does not guarantee openness of heart. Christ does not need to draw closer to us. He is already present. The question is how the heart responds to His presence. Epiphany invites us to look honestly at our interior posture. When Christ is revealed and calls us to respond, do our hearts remain guarded, or do we consent to the work He is already doing within us? This day of prayer asks for a heart that is willing, attentive, and open to God’s grace at work. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to stand before Christ with a willing and responsive heart. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
You are present and at work within me by Your grace. Send forth Your Holy Spirit upon my heart,
that I may freely consent to the work You have begun within me. Free me from fear, self-reliance, and resistance,
and form within me a heart
that is open, receptive, and obedient. May I stand before You
with humility and trust,
allowing Your grace to bear fruit in my life,
according to the will of the Father. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Two Receiving Christ in His Humility Scripture “When they saw the child with Mary his mother,
they fell down and worshiped him.”
Matthew 2:11 Reflection Epiphany now shows us not only that Christ is revealed, but how He chooses to be revealed. The Magi have followed the light given to them, and their journey leads them to Bethlehem. They do not find a palace or a throne. They find a child with His mother. Nothing in this scene resembles power as the world expects it. There is no display of authority or strength. The Magi do not find a king on a throne. They find a child. Yet they do not turn away. They kneel. This moment teaches us something essential about how God makes Himself known. Christ does not overwhelm the heart. He comes quietly. He allows Himself to be received in humility. Recognition is not forced. It is invited. The Magi worship not because everything is clear, but because they accept the manner of Christ’s coming. They receive Him as He is revealed, not as they might have expected Him to be. This day of prayer invites us to consider our own readiness to receive Christ in this same way. God often comes without display or certainty. Epiphany teaches us to remain attentive when Christ is present in simplicity, asking for a heart willing to bow before what God reveals. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to receive Christ as He comes to me, in humility and simplicity. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the living God,
You chose to make Yourself known
in humility and quietness of heart. As the Magi knelt before You,
grant me the grace to receive You
without resistance or expectation. Send forth Your Holy Spirit upon my heart,
that I may welcome Your presence
with reverence and trust. Free me from pride and false images of power,
and teach me to worship You
as You reveal Yourself,
according to the will of the Father. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
Day One Receive the Light of Christ Scripture “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1 Reflection Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning manifestation or appearing. It proclaims the making known of who Jesus Christ is for the salvation of the world. From the beginning, Christ is known within Israel by those who receive God’s revelation. Mary receives the word of the angel. Joseph obeys the message entrusted to him. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, names the child as her Lord. Simeon and Anna recognize Him in the Temple. Epiphany does not replace these moments. It extends them. In Epiphany, Christ is manifested beyond Israel to the nations. The Magi come from afar. They do not belong to the people who received the promises, yet God draws them by a light placed before them. They follow that light without yet knowing where it will lead. Their journey reveals something essential about the spiritual life. God does not wait for complete understanding before drawing a soul forward. Grace moves first. Understanding follows later. To seek sincerely is already to respond to God’s invitation. This day of prayer invites us to receive the light of Christ as it is given, trusting that God is already at work and will lead each step in His time. Grace Intention Today I ask for the grace to receive the light of Christ with trust and openness, even when the way forward is not yet clear. Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ,
Light revealed for all nations,
You were first made known within Your own people
and then manifested to the nations. Send forth Your Holy Spirit upon my heart,
that I may receive the light You place before me
with faith and humility. Free me from fear and the need for certainty,
and strengthen my desire to seek You faithfully. Lead me in the truth You reveal,
that my life may be shaped by Your presence
and ordered toward the will of the Father. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen. © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
In this Christmas Day reflection, Msgr. John Esseff contemplates the mystery of the Incarnation as the defining act of God’s love for the entire human family. Drawing from Isaiah, the Letter to the Hebrews, and the Prologue of the Gospel of John, he proclaims that the Creator of the universe has entered human history as a child, born of the Virgin Mary, to bring salvation to all people. Msgr. Esseff reflects on the eternal identity of Jesus Christ as the Word through whom all things were made, now dwelling among us in human flesh. He invites listeners to gaze upon the infant Jesus and recognize that this child is the radiance of the Father, the light that shines in darkness, and the source of grace poured out upon the world. Christmas is presented not simply as a remembrance of a past event, but as a present encounter with divine love made visible. Throughout the episode, Msgr. Esseff speaks to the universality of Christ’s coming. He proclaims that Jesus has entered the world for every person, regardless of background, belief, or past failures. He encourages listeners to approach the crib with honesty, humility, and trust, allowing the love revealed in the Child of Bethlehem to cleanse, heal, and renew the heart. The reflection concludes with a gentle invitation to prayerful self-examination before the manger, inspired by the teachings of Pope Leo the Great and Pope Francis. Msgr. Esseff calls listeners to rest in the mercy of God made flesh, to receive grace upon grace, and to carry the joy of Christmas into the world by living in union with Christ, who has come and remains with us. Reflection Questions 1. How does the Incarnation change the way I understand God’s closeness to humanity? 2. What part of my life needs to be brought honestly before Christ at the manger? 3. Where do I struggle to believe that God’s mercy reaches even the darkest places? 4. How am I called to carry the light of Christ into my relationships this Christmas? 5. What does it mean for me personally that God chose to become flesh for my salvation?
Gospel Jn 1:1-18. In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 26 – Christ Dwelling Within
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
John 1.14 RSV Christmas reveals something astonishing: God not only comes into the world — He desires to dwell within the human heart. The Incarnation is not simply a moment in history. It is the beginning of a relationship in which Christ shares His very life with us. The God who took flesh in Bethlehem does not remain at a distance. He comes in humility so we may draw near without fear. He comes in silence so we may learn to listen. He comes in littleness so the smallest heart may welcome Him. The same Jesus who rested in Mary’s arms desires to rest in every soul open to His presence. The listening heart, shaped through these days of Advent, becomes the very place where Christ is received. He does not wait for perfection. He looks for willingness, humility, and love. Wherever a soul says “Yes” to Him, the grace of His indwelling is renewed and strengthened. To say that Christ dwells within us is not poetry.
It is the central mystery of the Christian life.
Through Baptism, through grace, through the Eucharist,
Christ lives in us and draws us into the very life of the Trinity. Christmas is the revelation of divine nearness.
It is the mystery of God entering time so that we may enter His life.
It is the beginning of Christ dwelling in us and living His life through us. Journey with the Saints – St. Bernard of Clairvaux “What value is it to me that the Son of Mary was born once in Bethlehem, if He is not born also in my soul?” St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon on the Nativity St. Bernard understood Christmas as an interior reality. He taught that Christ’s coming in history is meant to lead to His coming in the heart — not as a new Incarnation, but as the soul’s awakened reception of the One who already dwells within by grace. For Bernard, the Nativity bears fruit when the believer welcomes Christ more consciously, more lovingly, and more completely. The Savior who came in humility desires to enter the hidden places of the heart, to strengthen what is weak, to heal what is wounded, and to draw the person into the fullness of divine love. Bernard reminds us that Bethlehem is renewed whenever a heart opens itself without resistance to the presence of Christ. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to enter the quiet place within you where God is already present. Adoration begins in that interior space where the heart stops striving, stops explaining, stops filling the silence, and simply becomes aware of Christ’s nearness. Ask yourself:
Where is God approaching me quietly today?
Where do I sense a gentle invitation to pause, to notice, to receive? Adoration grows when the heart learns to remain with Christ without demanding words or feelings. It is choosing to be present to the One who is present. In this stillness, the soul discovers that love deepens not through effort, but through attention. Let your heart rest beside Him.
Let your love become simple.
Let the presence of Christ be enough. A Simple Practice for Today Find a moment of quiet before the manger, before a crucifix, or wherever you can be still. Pray slowly: “Lord Jesus, deepen Your life within me.
Make me more aware of Your presence.
Live Your life fully in my heart.” Remain for a moment in silence, allowing His indwelling presence to settle more deeply into your awareness. Prayer Lord Jesus Christ,
You who came in the fullness of time to dwell among us,
increase within me the grace of Your indwelling presence.
Open my heart to Your voice,
my soul to Your peace,
and my life to Your love.
Let Your light guide my thoughts,
Your strength steady my weakness,
and Your Spirit shape my desires.
You live in me by grace.
Help me to live more fully in You.
Amen. Final Word for the Discerning Heart This retreat concludes,
but the life of the listening heart continues. Christ dwells within you.
Remain attentive to His presence.
Walk with Him in quiet trust.
Let His life unfold in yours. All shall be well in the heart that listens. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 26 * John 1.14 RSV
* St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon on the Nativity
© Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 25 – Adoration
“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.”
Psalm 95.6 RSV Adoration is the stillness of a heart that has recognized the nearness of God. It is not an emotion or a technique. It is the quiet interior posture that rises when the soul realizes: He is here. The more the heart listens, the more it becomes sensitive to the hidden presence of Christ. He comes quietly. He comes in humility. He enters the ordinary and fills it with Himself. Adoration begins when the soul becomes aware of His presence and rests in it with love. To adore is to turn toward Him with the whole heart and let everything else fall back into its proper place. It is the soul lifting its gaze to the One who has already set His gaze upon us. The saints remind us that adoration is always God’s initiative. He approaches first. He reveals Himself. He stirs the heart. Our part is to notice and respond. True adoration is not dramatic. It is the soul kneeling interiorly before the Mystery of Emmanuel — God-with-us — who makes Himself small so that we may draw near without fear. Bethlehem teaches this posture. The God who fills the heavens lies in a manger so nothing will keep us from Him. Adoration prepares the heart for Christmas.
It is the inner stillness out of which welcome becomes possible. Journey with the Saints – Servant of God Catherine Doherty “We must learn to adore God, not only during moments of prayer but in all the circumstances of life."
Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Poustinia Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty understood adoration as a continual openness to God in every circumstance. In her spirituality of the poustinia, she taught that the heart’s silent attention to God does not end when formal prayer ends. It continues in daily tasks, interruptions, silence, work, and encounters with others. For Catherine, adoration was a disposition: the soul turned toward God with readiness and love. She believed that if the heart learns to adore in the small moments, it will recognize Christ when He comes in the great ones. Adoration becomes the atmosphere in which the Christian lives, breathes, and moves. Her life reminds us that holiness is not found by escaping the world, but by discovering God at its center — in the hidden places where He waits to be noticed. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to enter the quiet place within you where God is already present. Adoration begins in that interior space where the heart stops striving, stops explaining, stops filling the silence, and simply becomes aware of Christ’s nearness. Ask yourself:
Where is God approaching me quietly today?
Where do I sense a gentle invitation to pause, to notice, to receive? Adoration grows when the heart learns to remain with Christ without demanding words or feelings. It is choosing to be present to the One who is present. In this stillness, the soul discovers that love deepens not through effort, but through attention. Let your heart rest beside Him.
Let your love become simple.
Let the presence of Christ be enough. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one ordinary moment — washing dishes, sitting in the car, stepping outside, pausing between tasks — and turn your heart toward Christ with the quiet prayer: “Lord, I know You are here.” Stay for a few seconds in that awareness.
Let adoration arise gently on its own. Prayer Lord Jesus,
draw my heart into the stillness where You dwell.
Teach me to adore You in simplicity and truth.
Open my inner silence so that I may recognize Your nearness,
not only in prayer, but in the everyday places where You wait for me.
Make my heart a quiet Bethlehem,
a place where You are welcomed, loved, and adored.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 25 * Psalm 95.6 RSV
* Poustinia (Madonna House Publications)
© Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
Episode 9 – Diocletian – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina discusses the Roman emperor Diocletian, whose name became permanently linked to one of the most prolonged and systematic persecutions in Christian history. Unlike earlier rulers driven by instability or rage, Diocletian was a capable administrator who sought to stabilize an overextended empire through careful political restructuring. His hostility toward Christians emerged gradually, shaped by the belief that refusal to participate in state religion threatened divine favor and imperial unity. The persecution unfolded methodically—through loss of property, status, and life itself—and endured for many years, producing countless martyrs, including figures still venerated today. What makes Diocletian tragic is that his administrative successes might have defined his legacy had this campaign not overshadowed everything else. There is a deeper issue behind such violence: the absence of freedom of conscience in the ancient world. Early Christian thinkers like Tertullian and Lactantius articulated principles of religious liberty that later shaped Western thought. Diocletian’s actions became a template for later regimes in which the state claimed authority over worship and conscience, with devastating results across history. Drawing from the witness of the martyrs, the enduring lesson is steady faithfulness formed in daily prayer and discipline, so that when hardship arrives, one is not caught unprepared but grounded in habits formed during times of peace. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does Diocletian’s shift from capable ruler to persecutor reveal the danger of placing political unity above obedience to God? 2. In what ways can periods of comfort or social acceptance weaken spiritual vigilance in daily Christian life? 3. How does the witness of the early martyrs challenge modern assumptions about suffering, faithfulness, and success? 4. What does this episode reveal about the importance of freedom of conscience in both religious and civic life? 5. How can steady habits of prayer formed in peaceful times prepare a Catholic to remain faithful during trials? 6. Where might subtle pressures from culture or authority today conflict with loyalty to Christ and the teachings of the Church?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "In the 200s, the Roman Empire fell apart. For decades, disaster after disaster rolled across the Mediterranean world. Civil war was the normal state of political affairs. The economy fell to pieces. Plagues ravaged the cities and countryside. Emperors lasted for a few months and then were assassinated by their own guards, who knew that the next emperor would pay them a hefty bonus to get on their good side and that they could repeat the whole process again in a few months’ time and get another hefty bonus. And then came Diocletian, and suddenly the world worked again. He came very close to being remembered as one of history’s greatest heroes, the man who saved civilization when it was on the brink of collapse. Instead, he found himself backed into a corner he couldn’t get out of, and the world of the future would remember him as a monster." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 24 – Joy
“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10–11 RSV Joy is the fruit of love recognized. It is not the same as happiness or emotional excitement. Happiness often depends on what happens around us such as success, comfort, or ease.
Joy, however, springs from the awareness that God is present and faithful, even when life is uncertain or difficult. It is the quiet strength that comes from knowing that love has already triumphed, that the Savior has come, and that His light cannot be overcome. Advent joy rises quietly from trust. The Savior is near, and the world is already beginning to turn toward light.
Joy awakens when the heart listens and perceives that grace is at work in hidden ways. It does not deny sorrow or ignore suffering. It lives alongside them, transforming them through hope. The discerning heart learns that joy and hardship are not opposites. The same heart that aches can also rejoice, because it knows the One who holds all things in His mercy. Joy is the song of faith rising even in the shadow of uncertainty. As Advent nears fulfillment, joy becomes the radiant calm that prepares the soul for adoration. It clears fear, softens heaviness, and opens the heart to receive Christ with gratitude. Journey with the Saints – St. Francis of Assisi “My dear brothers, rejoice in the Lord always.
Let nothing hinder your joy except sin.”
St. Francis of Assisi, Admonitions, XXI St. Francis of Assisi lived a joy that radiated peace. His joy did not come from comfort or success but from knowing that God loved him and that he belonged wholly to Christ.
He taught his brothers that joy is a sign of trust. When the heart rests in God’s providence, it can rejoice even in poverty or hardship. St. Francis called this perfect joy, the freedom that comes when nothing can steal the soul’s peace because everything is received as grace. His life reminds us that joy is not earned. It is discovered in gratitude, simplicity, and praise. One Christmas night in 1223, St. Francis wanted the people of his town to experience the wonder and joy of Christ’s humble birth. In the small Italian village of Greccio, he prepared a simple manger with hay, an ox, and a donkey, and invited the villagers to gather for Midnight Mass. When the Gospel of the Nativity was proclaimed, hearts were moved to tears of love and reverence. The people saw with new eyes the humility of God who became a child.
From that night at Greccio, the living memory of Bethlehem took root in Christian devotion, giving rise to the Nativity scenes that continue to fill homes and churches today. The joy of Greccio was the joy of St. Francis himself: the realization that God had become small so that the world might know His nearness. The discerning heart, like Francis, finds joy by turning again to God in thanksgiving for every small good and by rejoicing in the humility of His love. Reflection for the Listening Heart Joy is not an emotion we chase. It is a reality we choose.
It begins when the heart remembers what God has done and believes He is still doing it. When gratitude replaces complaint, when trust replaces fear, joy begins to rise. Happiness fades when circumstances change, but joy endures because it is rooted in Christ, His presence, His mercy, His promise. Joy grows when we stop measuring our lives by what we lack and begin to notice grace in the ordinary: a conversation that comforts, a task completed in love, a moment of laughter shared, a breath of peace in prayer. Joy is meant to be lived outwardly. The truly joyful heart becomes a quiet witness of God’s goodness in a weary world. When others encounter someone who carries peace without pretense, patience without bitterness, or gratitude amid uncertainty, they catch a glimpse of Christ. Ask yourself:
• Where can I let gratitude open my heart to joy today?
• How might I share joy through a word of encouragement, a smile, or a small act of kindness? To live joyfully is to live as one who knows that God keeps His promises. A Simple Practice for Today Pause three times today to name something for which you are thankful.
After each one, say slowly,
“My heart rejoices in You, O Lord.” Later, when something goes wrong or feels heavy, pause again and whisper the same words,
“My heart rejoices in You, O Lord.”
Let gratitude and trust become your doorway to joy, no matter the moment. Prayer Lord Jesus,
You are the Joy of all who hope in You.
Awaken in me the quiet gladness that flows from Your nearness.
Free me from the restlessness that depends on circumstance.
Teach me to rejoice in Your mercy,
to find joy in serving others,
and to rest in the love that never fades.
May my life reflect the light of Your presence,
so that others may discover in me a sign of Your peace.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Let my heart rejoice in You.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 24 * Luke 2:10–11 RSV
* St. Francis of Assisi, Admonitions, XXI
* Thomas of Celano, First Life of St. Francis, Chap. 30 (on the Nativity at Greccio)
© Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
Second Mode of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the second mode of discernment according to St. Ignatius of Loyola. This mode involves a consistent attraction of the heart toward one option over a period of time, particularly during spiritual consolation. They examine an experience from St. Ignatius's life where he discerned whether the Jesuits should continue living in radical poverty. Ignatius sought God's guidance through Mass for 40 consecutive days, experiencing spiritual consolation and a consistent inclination toward radical poverty until the 40th day, when he faced spiritual desolation and doubts. Fr. Gallagher reminds us of the importance of spiritual guidance in discernment, noting that it's a process over time rather than a single moment of clarity. He illustrates this mode with the stories of Richard, who discerned a call to Jesuit life, and Jessica, who felt drawn to religious life over time. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. When have I noticed a repeated interior drawing toward a particular choice during times of prayer and closeness to God? 2. How do moments of peace or joy in prayer differ from moments of heaviness or discouragement when I reflect on an important decision? 3. Am I allowing enough time for clarity to emerge, or do I feel pressure to decide before a pattern becomes clear? 4. How do doubts affect me during discernment, and do they change when I return to prayer or silence before the Lord? 5. In what ways might periods of interior struggle be revealing resistance rather than the failure of a discernment already underway? 6. Have I reached a place of genuine interior freedom where I can say, “Whatever you want, Lord,” even if it challenges my preferences? 7. Who accompanies me in discernment, and how open am I to sharing my interior experience with a wise spiritual guide? 8. Do I distinguish between being actively engaged in a discernment process and simply feeling stuck or uncertain without direction?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 23 – Wonder
“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1.41 RSV Wonder is the interior awakening that happens when the heart recognizes God’s nearness. It is not dramatic, not emotional intensity, and not the pursuit of supernatural experience. Wonder is the soul’s quiet realization that grace is already at work, often before we understand it. It is the moment when something within us becomes alert to God’s presence in a way that humbles, steadies, and draws us into deeper reverence. True wonder begins with listening. When the heart is attentive, it becomes capable of perceiving what God is doing beneath the surface of ordinary life. Wonder can arise through a greeting or a small kindness, but it just as often awakens in silence, in the beauty of creation, in the stillness of early morning, or in the way something simple suddenly draws the soul upward. A tree covered in frost, the quiet shape of clouds, candlelight in a dark chapel, the peaceful rhythm of breathing — these, too, can become places where grace stirs and the heart senses more than what appears. Wonder is the recognition that God is acting in ways we did not expect, often in hidden, gentle, and expansive movements. As Advent nears its fulfillment, wonder prepares the soul to meet Christ with reverence. It slows the heart, opens the interior space where God can be received, and teaches us to expect His presence in small and simple ways. Wonder is not about understanding; it is about awareness. It disposes the heart to say, “God is here,” even before we fully grasp how. Journey with the Saints – St. Elizabeth “And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy."
Luke 1.43 RSV St. Elizabeth offers a lived example of wonder rooted in humility and attentiveness. When Mary arrived at her home, Elizabeth’s response flowed from a heart formed in prayer and interior listening. She heard Mary’s greeting with her ears, but with her heart she perceived the presence Mary carried. Her recognition was immediate and Spirit-filled: “And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” St. Elizabeth did not need explanation or proof. She received the moment with humility and joy because her heart was already attuned to God. Her wonder was not passive; it was a dynamic response to grace. She allowed the Holy Spirit to illuminate what her senses could not yet see and responded with gratitude rather than fear or confusion. St. Elizabeth teaches us that wonder grows in hearts that are receptive, unhurried, and willing to let God surprise them. She shows that the one who listens deeply will also recognize Christ when He approaches. Reflection for the Listening Heart Where might God be approaching you quietly today? What ordinary moment could carry His presence? Wonder grows when we slow down enough to notice the movements of grace hidden in our day. Ask for the grace to recognize Christ in the small, the simple, and the unexpected. Ask yourself: * Who might be carrying Christ to me today?
* Where is God drawing near in ways I would normally overlook?
Let the Lord awaken in you the same interior attentiveness that filled Elizabeth with joy. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one ordinary encounter today, a greeting, a conversation, or a moment of quiet, and ask:
“Lord, are You visiting me here?”
Let this question awaken wonder. Prayer Lord Jesus, give me the listening heart of Elizabeth. Awaken in me a spirit of wonder that recognizes Your hidden approach. Open my ears to hear Your voice, my heart to perceive Your presence, and my soul to rejoice when You draw near. Fill me with humility and gratitude, and teach me to welcome You with the same joy that filled Elizabeth’s home.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 23 Luke 1.41 RSV
Luke 1.43 RSV © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
The 4th Sunday of Advent – The Joy of Christ’s Coming – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this final Sunday of Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor turn to the mystery of the Incarnation through the Gospel of Matthew and the prophecies of Isaiah. The episode traces God’s faithful promise to send a Savior, moving from the darkness that followed the fall of Adam and Eve through the long hope of Israel and into the quiet obedience of Joseph and the fiat of Mary. Msgr. Esseff reflects on Mary as the faithful woman prepared from all ages to receive the Word made flesh. Through her obedience, God enters human history in a new and intimate way. The Incarnation is presented not only as an event in the past, but as a living reality that continues through those united to Christ. Drawing from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Msgr. Esseff speaks about incorporation into Christ through baptism and the call to live as Christ in the world today. The reflection moves from Scripture into daily life. Listeners are invited to examine how Christ desires to radiate through relationships, family life, parish communities, work, and moments of suffering. Msgr. Esseff speaks tenderly to those who are ill, grieving, anxious, or isolated, affirming that suffering united to Christ carries deep meaning and hope. The episode closes with a call to joy, patience, and interior awareness. Christ has come. Christ dwells within. Christmas becomes not only a celebration of Bethlehem, but a rediscovery of identity and mission as Christ’s presence in the world. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where have I seen Christ living and acting through me during this Advent season? 2. How do my daily relationships reflect the presence of Christ within me? 3. In what area of my life is Christ inviting healing, humility, or reconciliation? 4. How do I unite moments of suffering or weakness to the life of Christ within me? 5. What does it mean for me to carry Christ into my family, parish, or workplace this Christmas?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 22 – Mercy
“His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.”
Luke 1.50 RSV Mercy is the tenderness of God meeting the truth of who we are. It is not simply forgiveness, though it includes that. Mercy is God’s way of loving human weakness without hesitation. It is His readiness to stoop down, lift up, heal, restore, and draw us close. Mercy flows from God’s heart because mercy is who God is. It is the love that sees our poverty and does not turn away. It is the compassion that enters our wounds with patience. It is the kindness that meets us where we are and leads us gently to where we are meant to be. Mercy is also relational. It is the movement of God’s heart toward us and the movement of our heart toward others. A listening heart receives mercy and then becomes merciful. The more deeply we allow Christ to meet us in our weakness, the more naturally we become vessels of His mercy in the world. Mercy does not excuse sin. It transforms the sinner. It returns dignity, restores hope, and rekindles love. Advent invites the heart to welcome Christ as the face of the Father’s mercy, the One who comes not to condemn but to save, lift, heal, and renew. Journey with the Saints – St. Faustina Kowalska “The greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy.”
St. Faustina, Diary, 1182 Faustina was entrusted with a profound revelation of Christ’s merciful heart. She understood mercy not as an abstract idea but as a living encounter with the God who longs for us. For Faustina, mercy is the place where God’s love meets our human limits. She teaches that we do not have to be worthy of mercy. We only have to open our hearts to receive it. Christ does not recoil from our sin or weakness. He draws nearer. Faustina reminds us that the one who has tasted mercy must become merciful. The heart that knows mercy becomes capable of patience, forgiveness, and compassion. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to let Christ meet you exactly where you are. Not where you think you should be. Not where you pretend to be. Where you truly are. Mercy is God bending toward your need with love. Let Him come close. Open the places of failure, discouragement, or regret. Let Him touch the wounds that still ache. Mercy does not shame the heart. Mercy restores it. And as you receive this mercy, ask the Lord: Who needs mercy from me today? Where can I reflect the patience, gentleness, or forgiveness that God has shown to me? A heart that receives mercy becomes a heart that gives mercy. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one person today who stirs irritation, frustration, or judgment in you. Offer them a silent act of mercy:
a prayer, a kind word, a gentle response, or the choice not to speak a criticism. Let it be your offering to the One who has been merciful to you. Prayer Jesus, full of mercy,
open my heart to receive the love You long to give.
Heal what is wounded.
Lift what is burdened.
Forgive what is sinful.
Let Your mercy flow through me to others,
so that my life may reflect the compassion of Your heart.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 22 Luke 1.50 RSV
St. Faustina Kowalska, Diary, 1182 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 21 – Humility
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3.30 (RSV) Humility is the doorway through which Christ enters the heart. It is not self-humiliation, nor a denial of the goodness God has placed within you. Humility is simply truth: the truth about who God is, and the truth about who we are before Him. We belong to God. We depend on Him for every breath. We exist because His love called us into being and His love sustains us in this moment. Humility recognizes this relationship and responds with trust, gratitude, and openness. Humility makes room. It clears the inner clutter of pride, self-reliance, and fear. It softens the instinct to control and quiets the need to appear strong before others. It allows the heart to receive Christ on His terms, not ours. In humility, the listening heart says:
“I am Yours.
Come and do what You desire.” This is why humility is the first virtue of Advent’s final days. It prepares the soul to welcome Christ not as an idea, but as a living presence who desires to dwell within us. The humble heart becomes a manger, a real place for God to rest. Journey with the Saints – St. Thérèse of Lisieux “It is to the humble and little ones that God reveals His secrets.”
St. Thérèse, Manuscript C Thérèse understood that humility is not weakness, but availability. She teaches that God bends low to reach the soul that knows its need for Him. For Thérèse, humility was not about thinking less of herself but about recognizing that everything good in her life was God’s gift. She believed that humility allows the soul to approach God with childlike confidence. The smaller the heart becomes through humility, the more God can fill it with His own life. Her “Little Way” is simply the path of the humble soul that trusts God to do what it cannot do for itself. Thérèse reminds us that humility is the space where God delights to dwell. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to let go of the inner posture that tries to hold everything together alone. Humility is not resignation. It is relationship. It is the heart turning toward God and saying: “I need You. I depend on You. I trust that You are good.” Humility frees the soul from the exhausting effort of self-sufficiency. It shifts the heart from anxiety to surrender, from striving to receiving. Ask yourself: Where is Christ inviting me to become small so He can grow within me? What part of my heart needs to release control and make room for His presence? A Simple Practice for Today Speak one quiet sentence of surrender sometime today: “Lord, I give You permission to work in me.” Say it slowly. Mean it as best you can. Let it open a small space in your heart for His coming. Prayer Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
teach me the humility that opens the door for You.
Empty my heart of pride, fear, and self-reliance.
Make me small enough to receive Your greatness.
Prepare a place within me where You may rest,
and let my life reflect the humility of Your own coming.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 21 John 3.30 RSV
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Manuscript C © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 20 – Love
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4.19 (RSV Love is the fullness of the listening heart. After days of trust, surrender, silence, and hidden fidelity, the soul is ready for the deepest truth of the spiritual life: all love begins in God. We receive His love first, and grace teaches the heart how to offer that love back. This is the quiet beginning of charity, born from the love that created us and holds us in every moment. And when the heart receives God’s love, it begins to move outward. This is why Jesus gives the two great commandments: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself. The love we return to God becomes the love we extend to others. Charity is always relational. It draws us into God and sends us toward those He places in our path. Before we ever turned toward Him, God loved us into existence. We would not even be here had His love not first willed our being. And in every moment we live, He sustains us in that same love. Within the Trinity, love is alive and eternal. The Father loves the Son. The Son loves the Father. The Holy Spirit is the living bond of love between them, unity so complete it is one God. This divine exchange is not distant. Through Christ, we are drawn into it. The Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts. We receive the love that creates and sustains us, and we return it to God through adoration, gratitude, and obedience. This is why love is a theological virtue. It is participation in God’s own life. It is the movement of divine love flowing in us, through us, and back to God again. To welcome Christ at Christmas is to welcome Love Himself, to enter the life of the Trinity, and to allow God’s love to shape every movement of the heart. Journey with the Saints – St. Bernard of Clairvaux “The measure of love is love without measure.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 1 Bernard teaches that the entire spiritual journey is ordered toward love. For him, love grows as the heart learns to rest in God’s goodness, trust His presence, and offer itself in return. True love begins with gratitude, deepens into desire, and matures into generous self giving. Bernard emphasizes that we do not begin this journey. God initiates it. He stirs the heart with His own love and gives the grace by which we love Him back. Charity is not our achievement. It is God’s work in us. To welcome Christ is to welcome this transforming movement of love that draws us into the very heart of the Trinity. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to stand before the truth of who you are: beloved by God. You are not loved because you earn it.
You are loved because God is love,
and He chose to bring you into being through love
and sustain you in every breath. Let this truth shape the way you listen today. Ask Christ to awaken in you a renewed desire to love as you have been loved. Let His love soften your heart, steady your thoughts, and move you toward others with patience, warmth, and compassion. Ask yourself:
Where is Christ inviting me to love today.
Who needs to experience God’s love through my presence or my kindness. A Simple Practice for Today Perform one quiet act of love today.
Let it be small, unseen, and done with intentional tenderness.
Offer it to God as your participation in the life of the Trinity. Prayer Lord Jesus,
draw me into the love You share with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Let the love that created me and sustains me
live fully within my heart.
Teach me to love without measure
because I am loved without measure.
Shape my life according to the love that You are.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 20 1 John 4.19 RSV
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God, Chapter 1 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 20 – Love – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Three: Listening Through Trials, Weakness, and Silence DAY 19 – Spiritual Desolation
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.”
Psalm 42: 5 (RSV) The journey of the discerning heart sometimes moves through experiences of dryness, confusion, weakness, suffering, and fear. Each of these can test our trust in God and, if not understood, can open the door to what St. Ignatius calls spiritual desolation, that deeper interior darkness where faith feels shaken, prayer seems fruitless, and the soul feels far from God. It is important to distinguish between ordinary desolation and spiritual desolation. Ordinary desolation can arise from natural causes such as fatigue, illness, or emotional strain. These are part of our human condition and often lift with rest or care. Spiritual desolation, however, touches the soul’s relationship with God. It is a spiritual heaviness, a sense of abandonment, or a fading of joy in prayer and faith. God never causes spiritual desolation, for He is the source of all light and peace. But in His wisdom, He may allow it. He permits this trial so the soul may grow in fidelity and learn to love Him without relying on feelings or visible signs of grace. What feels like absence can become the place where faith matures and love deepens. The enemy, however, uses this same moment to sow discouragement and doubt. He tempts the soul to believe that God has withdrawn or that past consolations were never real. St. Ignatius warns that these are lies to be resisted firmly. The heart must remember that the truth revealed in light remains true in darkness. That is why St. Ignatius counsels, “In time of desolation, never make a change.” Never alter a spiritual resolution, practice, or discernment made when the heart was in consolation. The peace God gave then still holds, even when it cannot be felt. Advent reminds us that Christ entered the world in night and stillness. When the heart feels most deserted, He is not absent. He is quietly forming in us a faith that endures. Journey with the Saints – St. Ignatius of Loyola “In time of desolation, never make a change. Be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which you were before the desolation.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, Rule 5 St. Ignatius understood desolation as a necessary stage of growth. He describes it as “darkness of soul, disturbance, movement to low and earthly things, disquiet, and lack of hope and love.” Yet he also teaches that God allows these moments to help the soul see that peace and joy are gifts of grace, not achievements of effort. In Rule 6, Ignatius counsels the soul to act “vigorously against the desolation”, to pray more, to examine itself, and to remember that God’s consolation will return. The key is remembrance. Remember what God has done. Remember how He has led you before. Remember that His faithfulness has not changed. For Ignatius, desolation becomes fruitful when the soul resists discouragement and clings to the memory of light. It is a test of love’s endurance; a school of trust that prepares the heart for greater union with God. Reflection for the Listening Heart This Advent, we have seen how dryness can dull the heart, confusion can cloud understanding, weakness can humble, suffering can refine, and fear can narrow trust. These experiences can sometimes accompany spiritual desolation or lead toward it, but they are not the same. Even when they appear together, God is near. In desolation, you may question whether the joy, peace, or closeness you once felt was ever real. That doubt is the enemy’s voice. Faith remembers. It recalls the mercy of God and refuses to rewrite the story of His goodness. The discerning heart learns to resist despair by remembering grace. When you cannot see or feel God, you still know Him by what He has already done. Desolation may silence your emotions, but it cannot erase truth. Ask yourself: When have I felt God’s closeness before? What light of consolation do I need to remember today? A Simple Practice for Today Return to a past moment when you clearly knew God was near; a time of peace, consolation, or gratitude.
Thank Him for that grace.
Say aloud:
“Lord, what You revealed then is still true now.” Later in the day, when discouragement comes, repeat quietly:
“I will not change direction in this darkness. I trust that Your light will return.” Let both moments be acts of remembrance and faith. Prayer Lord Jesus, when my heart is dark and my memory clouded,
help me to remember Your faithfulness.
Teach me to trust You when consolation fades
and to hold fast to what You revealed in the light.
Through the wisdom of St. Ignatius,
grant me patience in desolation and courage in trial.
Strengthen my love, deepen my faith,
and keep me steady until Your peace returns.
Come Lord Jesus.
Make my heart ready.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 19 Psalm 42:5 (RSV)
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, Rules 4 – 6 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 19 – Spiritual Desolation – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 8 – Celsus – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina discusses the second-century pagan intellectual Celsus, a formidable critic of early Christianity whose work unintentionally preserved valuable insight into the objections Christians faced in the ancient world. Celsus was a serious compiler of knowledge who treated Christianity alongside medicine, law, and agriculture, largely because the Church had become impossible to ignore. Drawing heavily from hostile sources, he misunderstood core Christian claims such as the Trinity, the virginal conception, and the role of women in the Church, often filtering them through the cultural and “scientific” assumptions of his time. These critiques, though flawed, are historically important because they reveal how Christianity challenged deeply held norms of Greco-Roman society, especially regarding monotheism, human dignity, and the equal worth of men and women. The major arguments raised by modern critics of Christianity are often recycled versions of ancient claims, already addressed by early thinkers like Origen and St. Augustine. Rather than seeing intellectual challenges as threats, Mike Aquilina frames them as occasions for growth in understanding, prayer, and maturity. It draws parallels between knowing God and knowing a loved one: surface-level claims lose their power when grounded in lived relationship. Science and faith are not rivals; in fact, Christian ideas about creation, reason, and order laid foundations for scientific progress. We ought to seek thoughtful answers, cultivate a disciplined life of prayer, and allow challenges to deepen one’s relationship with Christ rather than weaken it. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does learning about ancient critics of Christianity help me better understand and trust the development of Church teaching today? 2. In what ways do my own cultural assumptions shape how I hear or judge the claims of the Christian faith? 3. How do intellectual challenges to Christianity invite me to grow in humility rather than defensiveness? 4. What practices help me distinguish between surface-level knowledge about God and a lived relationship with Him? 5. How does the Church’s historical engagement with science inform the way I approach modern scientific questions? 6. When confronted with difficult teachings, do I seek deeper understanding through prayer, study, and tradition? 7. How can time spent in prayer strengthen my ability to respond calmly and faithfully to doubts or criticisms?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "The man’s name was Aulus Cornelius Celsus, and he was one of those remarkable people who seem to know a little bit about everything. Today we remember him most as a physician, because the main work of his that survives is a treatise on medicine; but that book was actually part of a book on practically all the world knowledge that Celsus had put together. He dealt with law, war, politics, farming, and other subjects as well. And if he knew as much about them as he did about medicine, Celsus must have been a one-man Wikipedia. The fact that Celsus was so insatiably curious about so many things may be why he bothered to try to learn about the Christians. They were a phenomenon to be studied. But his studies did not go so far as to ask the best authorities on the subject—the bishops and teachers he might have found if he had looked around. Instead, he seems to have relied on what he heard secondhand. That was probably because, although he was a scientist, Celsus was, like any good educated man in the Roman Empire, a snob first and foremost." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com The post VEC8 – Celsus – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Three: Listening Through Trials, Weakness, and Silence DAY 18 – Fear “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3 RSV Fear touches every human heart. We long for security, assurance, and answers. We want to know that we are safe and that there is a solution waiting for what troubles us. Yet fear, when left unchecked, can cripple the very movement of faith that would lead us toward those things. It narrows our vision, boxes us into what we know, and blinds us to the new and unexpected ways God desires to act in our lives. There is a fear that protects, the kind that keeps us from danger or awakens the conscience to sin. This holy fear is the beginning of wisdom. But there is also a fear that confines. It is the fear that doubts God’s goodness, hesitates to trust His timing, and clings to control. That fear keeps us from receiving grace. The discerning heart must learn to recognize both kinds. Christ calls us not to eliminate fear but to bring it to Him, where love can transform it. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) The love of God does not always remove uncertainty. It fills it with His presence. Faith grows when we choose to move toward Him even when the outcome is unclear. Advent reveals this mystery: divine love enters the world where human fear reigns, and through Christ, teaches the heart to trust again. In Him, we learn that faith is not the denial of fear, but the act of bringing our fear into His presence. When the heart surrenders its need for control, grace restores peace and confidence. God does not remove every uncertainty, but He remains with us in it, guiding and protecting us with His love. Journey with the Saints – St. Pio of Pietrelcina “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Letters, Vol. III For St. Padre Pio, fear was not something to wrestle with alone but something to entrust to God. He taught that peace begins when we stop trying to manage everything by our own strength. The things that belong to God—the outcome of events, the timing of answers, the care of those we love—must be placed back in His hands. Pio endured misunderstanding, illness, persecution, and interior trial, yet his words remained steady: “Fear nothing. God is with you, and He is more powerful than all the evil in the world.” His calm came from knowing that God’s providence governs every circumstance. He shows the discerning heart that faith does not erase fear. It transforms it. When fear is lifted to God in prayer, grace renews strength and trust begins to grow again. Reflection for the Listening Heart Where am I clinging to certainty or control?
Where do I demand answers rather than trust God’s unfolding? Fear often disguises itself as the desire for safety. But when it leads me to shrink from grace, it becomes a chain that holds me back from the very assurance I seek. God does not want to silence our fears as much as He wants to meet us within them. The discerning heart learns to tell the difference between the fear that protects and the fear that confines. Faith listens for God’s invitation to move toward love, even when the path is uncertain. Ask yourself: What fear keeps me boxed into the possible I can imagine, instead of the endless possibilities God can bring? A Simple Practice for Today Choose one verse from today’s Scripture, perhaps “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Sit with it for one quiet minute and say, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.”
Later in the day, pause and take a slow breath. Say, “Lord, free me from the fear that limits Your work in me.”
Let both moments open your heart to the greater possibilities of faith. Prayer Lord Jesus, You know my longing for certainty and control.
When I am afraid, teach me to trust You more than my own plans.
Through the witness of St. Padre Pio, help me to pray with confidence, to hope with peace,
and to believe that Your love holds possibilities beyond what I can imagine.
Let Your perfect love cast out fear and make my heart ready for Your coming.
Come Lord Jesus.
Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 18 Psalm 56:3–4 (RSV)
1 John 4:18 (RSV)
St. Padre Pio, Letters, Vol. III © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 18 – Fear – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Gift of Grace – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating describes the spiritual journey from attachment to sin into a life shaped by Christ’s light. This shift usually begins through pain or restlessness that awakens a desire for something deeper. As a person moves away from sin and leans into virtue, the presence of Christ becomes clearer, forming the mind and heart through prayer, scripture, worship, and especially the Eucharist. Over time, a person stops acting in isolation and instead makes choices with Christ dwelling within, seeking His guidance in every moral question. This inner communion brings freedom, joy, and clarity, not constraint, because the Christian life becomes a relationship of deepening love rather than instant transformation. Worship shapes moral life because it immerses the soul in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Practical discernment includes immediately handing temptations over to Christ before they take root in the imagination and lead the will astray. All ethical questions are to be placed within the mystery of Christ rather than secular ideologies. A well-formed conscience draws from scripture, the Eucharist, and the Church’s teaching authority, which safeguards doctrine and prevents confusion born from private theories or theological trends. True renewal in the Church arises where Catholics rediscover authentic teaching, which challenges one toward holiness and aligns life with Christ rather than cultural pressures. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How has Christ begun to bring light into areas of your life where you once felt restless or dissatisfied? 2. In what ways does your participation in the Eucharist shape the choices you make throughout the week? 3. Where do you still rely on your own independence rather than inviting Christ into your decisions? 4. How quickly do you turn to Christ when you notice temptation arising within you? 5. What helps you enter worship not as a routine, but as a living encounter with God? 6. How do you place your daily moral questions within the mystery of Christ rather than cultural or personal preferences? 7. In what ways could your conscience be more deeply formed by scripture and the Church’s teaching? 8. How does your relationship with Christ affect the way you evaluate what is truly good or meaningful? 9. What practices help you remain attentive to Christ dwelling within you throughout the day? 10. How is God inviting you to grow in humility when receiving teaching or correction within the Church?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page The post WOM18 – The Gift of Grace – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Three: Listening Through Trials, Weakness, and Silence DAY 17 – Suffering “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
2 Corinthians 1.5 RSV Suffering is one of the most difficult interior places for a listening heart. It can come through physical pain, emotional wounds, grief, loss, or the heavy silence that settles during spiritual darkness. Suffering makes prayer feel harder. It can shake confidence and tempt the soul to ask whether God has withdrawn. Yet Advent reveals something tender and astonishing. Christ enters human suffering not from the outside, but from within. He takes on our poverty, our fragility, and our sorrow so that nothing we endure is ever faced alone. Suffering becomes a place of encounter because it reveals where we need God most. Suffering is not a sign of God’s distance. It is often the place where His presence begins to deepen. When the heart suffers, distraction falls away. The cry of the soul becomes more honest. The heart reaches toward God with a sincerity that only pain can uncover. Grace often moves quietly here, hidden beneath the weight of the cross. The discerning heart does not deny suffering. It brings it before Christ. When suffering is surrendered to Him, even imperfectly, it becomes a channel where His love begins to work from the inside. Journey with the Saints – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton “The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends; but let us not despond. God is like a looking-glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to him.”
St. Elizabeth Anne Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Vol. 3B, p. 42 Today invites you to bring your suffering honestly before Christ. Not the idea of suffering, but the real places that ache. The places that feel heavy or unresolved. The places where you long for healing, clarity, or comfort. Christ meets you there. Your suffering is not unseen. He holds what feels overwhelming and gathers every tear into His heart. When suffering is offered to Him, it begins to change from within. It becomes a place of communion rather than isolation. Ask yourself: What suffering weighs on me today. How is Christ inviting me to let Him enter this place. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice the places where you feel uncertain or unclear. Confusion can make us want to rush, fix, or force an answer. Yet spiritual wisdom teaches the opposite. Confusion invites us to slow down and let God lead. Listening becomes deeper in confusion. It is here that the heart learns to be patient. It is here that the soul learns to trust without seeing. Confusion teaches humility, because it shows us that only God can direct our steps. Ask yourself: Where do I feel confused today. What would it look like to let Christ hold this confusion instead of trying to solve it alone. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one real suffering you are carrying and name it before Christ. Say, “Jesus, be with me here.” Return to this phrase throughout the day whenever the ache rises in your heart. Prayer Lord Jesus, enter the suffering I carry. Hold what is heavy and heal what is wounded. Help me to feel Your nearness in every sorrow. Teach me to trust that no pain is wasted when it is placed in Your hands. Let my suffering become a place where Your love deepens within me. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 17 2 Corinthians 1.5 RSV
Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Collected Writings, Vol. 3B, p. 42 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 17 – Suffering – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Two Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his teaching on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s three modes of discernment, focusing here on the first and second modes. The first mode is a clarity beyond doubting, in which a person receives an unmistakable certainty about God’s will that cannot be shaken. This is illustrated through vocation stories. Such clarity may arise suddenly or gradually, but remains stable over time. It's important in confirming this kind of clarity with a wise spiritual guide, especially when the decision involves major life commitments, so that discernment is not carried out in isolation. When such unmistakable clarity does not occur, St. Ignatius proposes a second mode of discernment, which unfolds through attention to spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation. Father Gallagher explains consolation as interior movements of joy, peace, love of God, and renewed faith, hope, and charity, often accompanied by a sense of God’s closeness. Desolation, by contrast, involves heaviness, confusion, discouragement, and a pull away from spiritual life. Over time, by noticing consistent patterns—how consolation draws the heart toward one option and desolation pushes against it—a person can gain sufficient clarity about God’s direction. Father Gallagher illustrates this with St. Ignatius’s own discernment about poverty in the Jesuits, showing how repeated experiences of consolation consistently pointed him toward one choice, forming the basis of a sound decision. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. Where in my life have I experienced a clarity that seemed steady and peaceful, and how did I respond to it? 2. Am I currently facing a decision that invites me to seek God’s will through prayer, the sacraments, and wise counsel? 3. How do I recognize moments of spiritual consolation in my daily prayer and ordinary activities? 4. What patterns of heaviness, discouragement, or confusion have I noticed that may indicate spiritual desolation? 5. When I experience interior joy and peace, which choices seem to draw my heart more deeply toward God? 6. How do I typically react during times of spiritual dryness, and do those reactions help or hinder my openness to God? 7. In what ways might keeping track of consolation and desolation over time bring greater clarity to an important decision? 8. Who is a spiritually wise person I can turn to for guidance when discerning significant choices in my life?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page The post DWG8 – Two Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Three: Listening Through Trials, Weakness, and Silence DAY 16 – Weakness “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12.9 RSV Weakness is one of the most vulnerable places in the spiritual life. It is where we feel limited, fragile, unable to do what we desire, or unable to rise in the ways we once could. Weakness is uncomfortable. It exposes how much we need God. Yet Advent teaches us that Christ comes precisely into those places where we feel small. Weakness is not a defect in the life of prayer. It is an invitation. It draws the heart away from self reliance and into deeper trust. When we feel weak, we slow down. We become more honest. We recognize the truth that we cannot save ourselves. Weakness reveals our poverty and opens us to receive the grace that only God can give. In weakness, listening becomes sharper. We lean more into God’s voice because we cannot lean on ourselves. Weakness becomes a space of surrender, a quiet recognition that only God can carry what feels beyond us. Advent reminds us that Christ was born into weakness so that none of our frailty would be foreign to Him. Journey with the Saints – St. Thérèse of Lisieux “It is weakness that gives us confidence, for the strong have no need of being supported.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Manuscript C St. Thérèse saw weakness not as something to shame, but as the very place where God’s mercy rests most gently. Her Little Way teaches that weakness becomes strength when it is offered to Christ. The weaker she felt, the more she entrusted herself to Him. The less she could rely on herself, the more room there was for God to act. For St. Thérèse, weakness was not an obstacle to holiness. It was the path to it. She learned that God does not wait for us to be strong. He meets us in our littleness and fills what we lack with His love. Weakness becomes grace when we place it entirely in His hands. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to look gently at your own weakness. Not with frustration or shame, but with honesty. Weakness can reveal where God is trying to reach you. It can show you the exact places where His grace desires to enter. Do not hide your weakness from Christ. Bring it into the light. Weakness teaches surrender. It teaches patience. It teaches dependence on a God who holds you with tenderness. The listening heart learns to remain open in weakness because Christ is near in every fragile place. Ask yourself: Where do I feel weak today. How is Christ asking me to trust Him in the place where I feel least capable. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one area of weakness and offer it simply to God. Say, “Lord, this is where I need You most.” Later in the day, repeat slowly, “Your power is made perfect here.” Let this truth rest gently within you. Prayer Lord Jesus, meet me in my weakness. Fill my limitations with Your strength. Teach me to rely on Your grace rather than my own abilities. Help me trust that You are working in every fragile place of my heart. Let my weakness become a resting place for Your power. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 16 2 Corinthians 12.9 RSV
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Manuscript C © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 16 – Weakness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Three: Listening Through Trials, Weakness, and Silence DAY 15 – Confusion “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
Proverbs 3.5 RSV Interior confusion is one of the most painful trials in the spiritual life. It is the moment when the heart cannot see clearly, when intentions feel tangled, when choices seem uncertain, and when prayer does not offer the clarity we desire. Advent teaches us that confusion is not a sign of God’s absence. It is often the place where He is quietly working. Confusion humbles the soul. It reminds us that we cannot navigate life by our own light. It teaches us to rely on God rather than our own understanding. When the heart enters confusion, the Lord invites us to slow down, listen more deeply, and trust that He is guiding even when our thoughts feel clouded. The discerning heart learns that confusion is not failure. It is a spiritual moment that invites surrender, trust, and patience. In confusion, God draws the heart away from self-reliance and toward dependence on Him. This interior dimness often becomes the doorway to a clearer, deeper faith. Advent reveals that Christ is near even when we cannot see the way forward. Journey with the Saints – St. John Henry Newman “I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me.”
St. John Henry Newman, Hymn “Lead, Kindly Light,” stanza 1 St. John Henry Newman understood the experience of confusion deeply. His journey was marked by moments when everything familiar seemed uncertain. Rather than resisting this darkness, he allowed it to become the place where trust was strengthened. Newman teaches that God often leads the soul one step at a time, without revealing the whole path. For Newman, confusion was not something to escape. It was something to walk through with Christ. He believed that when our understanding fails, God is inviting us to rely on His wisdom rather than our own. The heart grows in faith when it chooses trust in the midst of uncertainty. Newman’s life reminds us that spiritual confusion can become a holy place. It is often there that God clears away our illusions, teaches simplicity, and forms a deeper fidelity. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice the places where you feel uncertain or unclear. Confusion can make us want to rush, fix, or force an answer. Yet spiritual wisdom teaches the opposite. Confusion invites us to slow down and let God lead. Listening becomes deeper in confusion. It is here that the heart learns to be patient. It is here that the soul learns to trust without seeing. Confusion teaches humility, because it shows us that only God can direct our steps. Ask yourself: Where do I feel confused today. What would it look like to let Christ hold this confusion instead of trying to solve it alone. A Simple Practice for Today Take a moment to place your confusion before God. Simply say, “Lord, I give You what I cannot understand.” Later in the day, pause again and repeat, “One step is enough if You are with me.” Let these prayers become acts of trust. Prayer Lord Jesus, meet me in my confusion. Calm the thoughts that swirl within me and steady my heart in Your presence. Teach me to trust You when I cannot see the way forward. Guide my steps gently and help me to rest in the truth that You are with me. One step at a time is enough, because You are my light. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 15 Proverbs 3.5 RSV
St. John Henry Newman, Hymn “Lead, Kindly Light,” stanza 1 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 15 – Confusion – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The 3rd Sunday of Advent – The Joy of Christ’s Coming – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this Third Sunday of Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff proclaims the joy of Christ’s coming and the deep mystery of Jesus dwelling within those who are baptized. Drawing from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of Matthew, he reflects on the signs that reveal the Messiah: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the poor receive the good news. Msgr. Esseff focuses on Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s question from prison and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promises. He explains that John the Baptist stands as the greatest born of women, yet those united to Christ through baptism share a deeper intimacy with him. This union is not symbolic. It is real, lived daily through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. He speaks about light and darkness in human lives, noting that many are born into families marked by suffering, addiction, or division. Yet Christ’s light already lives within them. Rather than seeing only wounds or spiritual struggle, Msgr. Esseff urges listeners to recognize the presence of Jesus at work within their own life stories. A central invitation of the episode is to pray through the Stations of the Cross during Advent, not as a Lenten exercise but as a way of recognizing Christ’s life unfolding within personal experiences. False accusation, betrayal, forgiveness, abandonment, suffering, and perseverance become places of union with Jesus. Each fall is not the end but a return to grace through Christ who lives within the soul. The episode closes with a call to patience, trust, and joy. Christ is coming, not only in history or at Christmas, but ever more deeply into the lives of those who allow him to live and act through them. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. Where in my life do I see signs of Christ’s light already at work, even amid struggle or pain? 2. How does recognizing Jesus living within me change the way I view my past experiences? 3. Which Station of the Cross most reflects something I am carrying right now? 4. Where am I being invited to return to grace after a fall? 5. How can I live Advent with greater patience and joy as I await Christ’s coming?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world. The post The 3rd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 14 – Dryness “O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.”
Psalm 63.1 RSV Dryness is one of the most common and most misunderstood experiences in the spiritual life. It is the season when prayer feels flat, when God seems distant, and when the heart feels unable to respond with its usual warmth. Advent does not hide this reality. It teaches us to listen through it. Dryness is not abandonment. It is not punishment. Dryness is often the moment when God invites us to love Him with purity rather than feeling. When the heart no longer leans on emotion, it learns to lean on faith. When prayer no longer feels easy, we discover whether we truly desire God or only the comfort His presence brings. Dryness has a purpose. It strengthens fidelity. It clarifies intention. It deepens trust. It teaches the soul to stay with Christ even when the path feels dark or barren. In these moments, the discerning heart remains steady, not because it feels God, but because it chooses Him. God often speaks quietly within dryness. His voice becomes gentle and small. To listen in dryness is to stay at His side even when the way is not clear. Journey with the Saints – St. Teresa of Calcutta “I look and do not see, listen and do not hear.”
From her private letters, Come Be My Light St. Teresa of Calcutta endured decades of interior dryness while continuing to radiate charity. Her letters reveal a profound experience of feeling the absence of God while living a life completely anchored in Him. She continued to pray, to serve, and to choose love even when she felt no consolation at all. For St. Teresa, dryness became a participation in the thirst of Christ. She believed that remaining faithful in dryness was itself an offering of love. Her fidelity in prayer did not flow from emotion. It flowed from trust. She teaches us that in dryness, God invites the soul to cleave to Him in a deeper and more selfless way. St. Teresa’s witness shows that holiness does not depend on how we feel. It depends on how we love, especially when the heart feels nothing in return. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to acknowledge the times when prayer feels empty or when God seems far away. Dryness reveals how easily the heart relies on feelings rather than faith. Yet dryness is often the place where the deepest spiritual growth happens, because it calls the soul to choose God for His sake alone. You do not need to fix dryness. You only need to remain in it with Christ. He is with you even when you feel nothing. He is closer than you know. Dryness becomes holy when it is offered in love and when it teaches the heart to persevere gently and faithfully. Ask yourself: How is Christ inviting me to remain with Him in dryness today. What small act of fidelity can I offer even when I feel nothing. A Simple Practice for Today Spend one quiet minute saying, “Lord, I choose You.” Let this be your offering in dryness. Later in the day, repeat the same prayer slowly, without pushing for feeling or clarity. Let it be a simple act of fidelity. Prayer Lord Jesus, be with me in dryness. When my heart feels empty, remain near. Teach me to choose You even without consolation. Strengthen my faith so I may love You with a steady heart. Help me to stay close to You in this quiet place where You work in hidden ways. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 14 Psalm 63.1 RSV
St. Teresa of Calcutta, Come Be My Light (private letters) © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 14 – Dryness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Our Lady of Guadalupe – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a decisive moment of renewal for the Church, set against the turmoil of 16th-century Europe and the vast conversion that followed in Mexico. He situates Mary’s 1531 appearance to Juan Diego within salvation history, drawing connections to the woman clothed with the sun in Revelation and to the Annunciation in Luke’s Gospel. Her request for a simple church and her choice of a poor, elderly Indigenous man reveal a maternal closeness that transformed an entire continent, leading millions to enter the Church at a time when many were leaving elsewhere. He invites everyone across the Americas to hear Mary’s words personally: “Do you not know that I am your mother?” Msgr. Esseff links this to St. John Paul II’s call for the Church in North and South America to see itself as one body, meeting at this Marian center. He encourages a posture of humility, openness, and attentiveness to those often overlooked, reminding us that Mary’s tenderness reaches every stage of life. As Advent approaches, the feast becomes an invitation to receive her care anew, to pray for unity across cultures, and to walk toward Christmas knowing we are held under her mantle. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I personally receive Mary’s words, “Do you not know that I am your mother,” in my current season of life? 2. In what ways might God be inviting renewal in my heart through simplicity, humility, and trust like that shown by Juan Diego? 3. How open am I to listening to God’s voice when it comes through people or circumstances I might normally overlook? 4. What attitudes do I hold toward Catholics in other cultures, especially in Latin America, and how might Mary be calling me to greater unity? 5. As I prepare for Christmas, how can I place my worries more fully under Mary’s maternal care? 6. Where do I resist being sent as a messenger of God’s love because I feel inadequate or unimportant? 7. How does the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe help me see the Church as one family across the Americas?
First Reading RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB "God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.” From the Office of Readings: From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century
(Nicon Mopohua, 12th ed., 3-9, 21) The Voice of the Turtledove has been heard in our land At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God's commandments. When he came near the hill called Tepeyac, dawn had already come, and Juan Diego heard someone calling him from the very top of the hill: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito." He went up the hill and caught sight of a lady of unearthly grandeur whose clothing was as radiant as the sun. She said to him in words both gentle and courteous: "Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever virgin Mary, Mother of the true God through whom all things live. It is my ardent desire that a church be erected here so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me. Go to the Bishop of Mexico to make known to him what I greatly desire. Go and put all your efforts into this." When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of the Bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the latter did not seem to believe Juan Diego and answered: "Come another time, and I will listen at leisure." Juan Diego returned to the hilltop where the Heavenly Lady was waiting, and he said to her: "My Lady, my maiden, I presented your message to the Bishop, but it seemed that he did not think it was the truth. For this reason I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man." She answered him: "Humblest of my sons, I ask that tomorrow you again go to see the Bishop and tell him that I, the ever virgin holy Mary, Mother of God, am the one who personally sent you." But on the following day, Sunday, the Bishop again did not believe Juan Diego and told him that some sign was necessary so that he could believe that it was the Heavenly Lady herself who sent him. And then he dismissed Juan Diego. On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very ill, and at night asked Juan to go to Tlatelolco at daybreak to call a priest to hear his confession. Juan Diego set out on Tuesday, but he went around the hill and passed on the other side, toward the east, so as to arrive quickly in Mexico City and to avoid being detained by the Heavenly Lady. But she came out to meet him on that side of the hill and said to him: "Listen and understand, my humblest son. There is nothing to frighten and distress you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection? Are you not, fortunately, in my care? Do not let your uncle's illness distress you. It is certain that he has already been cured. Go up to the hilltop, my son, where you will find flowers of various kinds. Cut them, and bring them into my presence." When Juan Diego reached the peak, he was astonished that so many Castilian roses had burst forth at a time when the frost was severe. He carried the roses in the folds of his tilma (mantle) to the Heavenly Lady. She said to him: "My son, this is the proof and the sign which you will bring to the Bishop so that he will see my will in it. You are my ambassador, very worthy of trust." Juan Diego set out on his way, now content and sure of succeeding. On arriving in the Bishop's presence, he told him: "My lord, I did what you asked. The Heavenly Lady complied with your request and fulfilled it. She sent me to the hilltop to cut some Castilian roses and told me to bring them to you in person. And this I am doing, so that you can see in them the sign you seek in order to carry out her will. Here they are; receive them." He immediately opened up his white mantle, and as all the different Castilian roses scattered to the ground, there was drawn on the cloak and suddenly appeared the precious image of the ever virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the same manner as it is today and is kept in her shrine of Tepeyac. The whole city was stirred and came to see and admire her venerable image and to offer prayers to her; and following the command which the same Heavenly Lady gave to Juan Bernardino when she restored him to health, they called her by the name that she herself had used: "the ever virgin holy Mary of Guadalupe." The post Our Lady of Guadalupe – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 13 – Surrender “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3.5 to 6 RSV Surrender is the quiet, interior movement that releases control and entrusts everything to God. It is not resignation. It is not passivity. True surrender is an act of love. It opens the heart so God can work in ways we cannot manage or foresee. In the spiritual life, surrender is never one single moment. It unfolds slowly, often through repeated invitations. God does not force surrender. He gently asks for it. Advent teaches this rhythm. God approaches, and the heart responds. The heart loosens its grip again and again as trust deepens. Surrender is not a feeling. It is a decision. It says, “Lord, You know what I cannot see. You lead, I follow.” Surrender frees the heart from fear, softens resistance, and clears space for grace to move. In surrender, the listening heart learns to recognize Christ’s voice with greater clarity. Journey with the Saints – St. Charles de Foucauld “Father, I abandon myself into Your hands. Do with me what You will. Whatever You may do, I thank You.”
St. Charles de Foucauld, Prayer of Abandonment St. Charles de Foucauld lived surrender as the center of his spiritual life. His entire mission began not with clarity or certainty, but with a willingness to entrust everything to God. His famous Prayer of Abandonment reveals a heart that desired nothing but God’s will, carried in absolute trust. For St. Charles, surrender was the path to intimacy with Christ. He believed God could work most freely in a heart that held nothing back. His surrender was not dramatic. It was steady, simple, and offered in love. He accepted obscurity, hiddenness, and daily poverty as places where Christ wished to dwell with him. St. Charles de Foucauld teaches that surrender is not weakness. It is confidence in God’s goodness. It is the interior posture that allows grace to guide what we cannot control. His life shows that surrender opens a space where Christ can make His home. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice what you are holding tightly. Where are you grasping for control. Where do you fear what you cannot predict or understand. These places point to the invitation to surrender. Surrender is not giving up responsibility. It is giving God permission to lead. It allows the heart to rest without demanding answers first. When surrender grows, the voice of Christ becomes easier to hear. Pressure softens. Anxiety loosens. Grace becomes visible. Ask yourself:
What am I carrying that I cannot carry alone?
What would it look like to place this in God’s hands today? A Simple Practice for Today Hold your hands open in prayer and quietly say, “Father, I entrust this to You.” Name one burden, fear, or desire. Later in the day, repeat the gesture briefly as a reminder that God carries what you release to Him. Prayer Lord Jesus, teach my heart to surrender. Help me let go of what I cannot control and trust Your wisdom and love. Give me the grace to follow You with the quiet courage that filled the heart of Blessed Charles de Foucauld. Lead me step by step, and let my surrender become a place where You dwell. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 13 Proverbs 3.5 to 6 RSV
St. Charles de Foucauld, Prayer of Abandonment © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 13 – Surrender – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 – Valentinus – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the figure of Valentinus, an early second-century teacher whose ideas became one of the most significant challenges to the young Church. Valentinus built an exclusive movement that claimed access to hidden teachings unavailable to ordinary Christians, rejected the true incarnation by treating matter as corrupt, and cultivated a social atmosphere that appealed to wealthy Romans seeking prestige and safety. His approach fit within the broader stream of Gnosticism, a recurring pattern in history that appeals to those who want to view themselves as spiritually superior or part of a select inner circle. The Fathers—especially Irenaeus and Tertullian—carefully examined and critiqued these ideas, noting their internal contradictions and their departure from the apostolic witness. The Church’s response clarified essential truths: the goodness of creation, the real incarnation of Christ, the harmony of Scripture’s layers of meaning, and the universal call of the Gospel. Movements like Valentinus’s ultimately fragmented because they relied on private revelations without a stable authority. This episode also highlights how similar attitudes appear in every age, even within Catholic circles—whenever people treat the faith as a private club or disregard the embodied, communal, and historical character of Christianity. By recalling the errors of Valentinus, it invites us to remain rooted in the Church’s public teaching, the witness of the saints, and the shared life of the whole People of God. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does the appeal of Valentinus’s exclusive “inner circle” challenge me to examine whether I ever treat my faith as a status symbol rather than a gift meant for all? 2. In what ways do I struggle to accept the goodness of my own body, and how does the Incarnation invite me to see it differently? 3. Where in my life do I rely too heavily on my own insights instead of the apostolic teaching safeguarded by the Church? 4. How might I cultivate deeper unity with the whole parish community, including those I find difficult to relate to? 5. What practices help me stay grounded in the public, communal nature of the Gospel rather than seeking spiritual shortcuts or secret paths? 6. How does the Church’s teaching on the resurrection of the body challenge my assumptions about what salvation truly involves? 7. What can the rise and collapse of movements like Valentinus’s teach me about the need for humility and accountability in spiritual leadership? 8. How does reflecting on the early Church’s struggles strengthen my gratitude for the stability and clarity offered through the magisterium today?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "We know almost nothing about Valentinus the man except that he was well educated. He had much more higher education than the average Christian: he had studied at Alexandria, so he had the ancient equivalent of a Harvard or Oxford degree. He had specialized in Platonic studies, meaning that he knew Plato backwards and forwards, at least as Plato was interpreted by later students who claimed to have understood him. (Like many philosophy students today, Valentinus probably learned about Plato from secondary sources more than from actually reading Plato.) In about 130, Valentinus came to Rome and he stayed there for about twenty years. Thus, he was in Rome at the same time as Marcion. Valentinus later ended up in Cyprus.1 One thing his opponents gave Valentinus credit for was his brain. Tertullian and, much later, Jerome both considered him to have a formidable mind. But he applied that mind to creating an incredibly convoluted mythology rather than simply understanding the Scriptures. In this Valentinus was just like all the other Gnostics: incredibly convoluted mythologies were their stock in trade. The simple truth was for simple people. Like some academics today, the Gnostic teachers felt a need to prove their intellectual worth by filling their writings with jargon nobody but other Gnostics could understand." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com The post VEC7 – Valentinus – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 12 – Interior Movement “I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel. In the night also my heart instructs me.”
Psalm 16.7 RSV Interior movement is the gentle way God guides the listening heart. It is subtle. It often arrives quietly, as a small prompting, a shift of desire, a deepening peace, a check within the conscience, or a quiet sense of direction. These movements are not dramatic. They work from the inside out. Christ leads the heart through grace that touches thoughts, affections, and choices. Interior movements are part of how the Good Shepherd speaks. Instead of overwhelming the soul, He nudges it. Instead of forcing clarity, He invites attention. When the heart becomes aware of these movements, discernment becomes possible. We begin to notice which movements draw us closer to God and which movements pull us away. Interior movement is not emotional fluctuation. It is the activity of grace within the soul. It is Christ shaping the desires, quieting unhelpful impulses, strengthening hope, deepening peace, stirring courage, or illuminating a small next step. The discerning heart learns to recognize these movements and follow them with trust. Advent invites us to become sensitive to these interior movements so we may follow Christ with greater freedom. Journey with the Saints – St. Francis de Sales “God’s inspirations prepare our hearts and make us want to receive His grace.”
St. Francis de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God, Book 2, chapter 12 Francis de Sales was a master of understanding the interior life. He teaches that God’s movements within the heart are gentle, attractive, and never violent. Grace draws the soul. It never pushes. God inspires first. Then the heart responds. This is how love works. For Francis, interior movement begins with God’s initiative. The soul feels drawn toward a desire for prayer, a longing for patience, a renewed tenderness toward another person, or a quiet urge to trust God more deeply. These stirrings are not from the self. They are invitations from the Lord. Francis also teaches that interior movements require a peaceful, receptive heart. If the soul is hurried, anxious, or overly focused on self, it can miss these gentle inspirations. But when the heart grows calm and attentive, it becomes more aware of how God is guiding from within. He reminds us that interior movements are always rooted in love. God stirs the heart so we can draw closer to Him. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice what is happening inside. What desires are stirring. What feels drawn toward God. What feels pulled away. What interior movements seem to nudge you toward patience, gratitude, or prayer. What movements trouble your peace. Interior movements are one of the primary ways Christ guides us. You do not need intense experiences. You simply need attentiveness. When you sense a quiet draw toward something good, pause long enough to ask, “Lord, is this from You.” When you sense an interior resistance or tightening, pause again and ask, “Lord, what are You showing me.” Ask yourself: What movements within me today might be the gentle work of grace. How is Christ trying to guide me from the inside. A Simple Practice for Today At least once today, pause for thirty seconds and gently name the interior movements you feel. Say, “Lord, let me follow the movements that come from You.” Later, pause again and notice: Did any movement lead you closer to God. Prayer Lord Jesus, guide my heart through Your gentle movements. Teach me to notice the stirrings that come from Your grace. Quiet the impulses that pull me away from You and deepen the desires that lead me closer. Give me a receptive heart that listens, trusts, and follows Your inner guidance. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 12 Psalm 16.7 RSV
St. Francis de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God, Book 2, chapter 12 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 12 – Interior Movement – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mystical Experience and Consoling Prayer – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating explains how God draws the heart toward himself through ordinary prayer and through growth out of serious sin. He describes “consoling prayer,” the simple joy and peace one begins to notice when turning to God—often after the hard early work of conversion, repentance, and regular prayer. Over time, prayer becomes something we desire rather than an obligation, and affection for God gently replaces past attachments to sin. God can unexpectedly visit us during ordinary moments of the day, stirring love for him outside of set prayer times. These moments are like spontaneous interior invitations that deepen closeness with Christ. He also speaks of union through the sacraments—especially the Eucharist—where Christ is truly present even when affection is absent. Acting according to a well-formed conscience is itself another real union with Christ, because choosing the good unites us to the One who is Truth, even when doing so brings difficulty or misunderstanding in the culture. Ongoing purification, participation in parish life, and concrete practices such as confession, spiritual direction, works of mercy, and friendships rooted in Christ gradually reorder the heart. Conversion is a continual turning toward Christ in the Eucharist, letting him heal attachments to sin and make us new. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When have I experienced prayer as something I genuinely look forward to rather than a duty? 2. In what areas of my life do I still seek comfort from old habits instead of turning to Christ? 3. How open am I to unexpected moments of prayer during my ordinary day? 4. What keeps me from approaching the Eucharist with a heart ready for inner change? 5. When choosing the good becomes costly, how do I remain faithful to conscience? 6. Which practices in my parish are truly helping my heart turn toward Christ? 7. What specific attachment to sin do I need to surrender to the Lord right now?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page The post WOM17 – Mystical Experience and Consoling Prayer – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 11 – Guidance “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it."
Isaiah 30.21 RSV Guidance is one of the most tender ways Christ speaks to the heart. He does not force. He does not overwhelm. He guides. He invites the soul to walk with Him, step by step, in a way that is personal, gentle, and full of peace. Advent teaches us to expect this guidance. Christ came into the world quietly, through a path that surprised nearly everyone. God’s guidance often works the same way. It comes through small movements, quiet nudges, and interior clarity that grows over time. The discerning heart learns that guidance is rarely dramatic. It is steady and patient. Guidance also requires cooperation. God does not reveal the entire path at once. He gives light for the next faithful step. He speaks through Scripture, through prayer, through the deep desires He awakens, and through the peace that settles when we move in harmony with His will. To follow Christ is to trust that He knows the way even when we do not. Guidance is God’s continual gift to the listening heart. Journey with the Saints – St. Ignatius of Loyola “It is characteristic of God and His angels, in their movements, to give true spiritual joy and consolation, taking away all sadness and disturbance.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, Rule 1 for Discernment Ignatius teaches that God guides the heart by giving interior movements that help us recognize His presence. These movements are not merely emotions. They are spiritual signals that draw the soul toward greater faith, hope, and love. They reveal the path toward God. For Ignatius, guidance is recognizable because it leads to freedom. When a thought, desire, or direction brings peace, clarity, humility, and renewed strength for charity, it can be a sign of the Lord’s gentle directing hand. When it brings agitation, fear, confusion, or discouragement, it is often not from Him. Ignatius teaches us that God guides in a way that respects our humanity and works through it. He does not bypass the heart. He illuminates it. His guidance becomes recognizable as we grow in trust and in the habit of listening. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to pay attention to the small movements within you. Guidance is rarely found in loud moments. It is usually uncovered in the quiet pull toward good, the gentle desire to pray, the sudden clarity that brings peace, or the unexpected strength to do what is loving and right. God guides through these subtle movements. He also guides through the desires He purifies, through the Scriptures that speak directly into your situation, and through the peace that surrounds a faithful decision. Ask yourself: Where do I sense the Lord gently guiding me today. What small step is He giving light for. A Simple Practice for Today Take one quiet moment and pray, “Lord, show me the next faithful step.” Notice any movement toward peace or clarity. Later in the day, pause again and ask, “Lord, guide my thoughts, my choices, and my heart.” Let this openness allow His direction to surface. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are my Shepherd and my guide. Lead me in the way I should go. Open my heart to notice the gentle movements of Your Spirit and give me the courage to follow them. Teach me to trust the light You give for each step. Draw me along the path that brings me closer to You. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 11 Isaiah 30.21 RSV
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, Rule 1 for the Discernment of Spirits © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 11 – Guidance – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Trusting God in Vocation Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor talk about discerning one’s vocation, especially marriage. Fr. Gallagher notes that many already sense a natural orientation toward marriage, but still must prayerfully discover whom God is inviting them to marry. He describes practical growth in three areas—Christian formation, human maturity, and spiritual life—so a person becomes ready for a lifelong union. Because modern culture often wounds people, he suggests honest attention to emotional healing, communication skills, and a richer life of prayer (Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, daily prayer, retreats). He discusses the challenges young adults face in dating today and encourages seeking wise Catholic sources, community, and companionship so that anxiety or cultural pressures do not isolate them during this search. Fr. Gallagher then transitions to those who feel a pull both toward marriage and toward priesthood or religious life. Drawing on St. Ignatius, he introduces one of three “modes” in which God gives direction: a deep inner clarity that leaves no doubt, illustrated through biblical examples and contemporary stories of vocations discovered either suddenly or gradually, yet with lasting certainty. He reminds listeners that not everyone receives this kind of unmistakable certainty, and that Ignatius offers two additional modes for such discernment (to be discussed next time). God’s providence is active even during long, painful, or uncertain waiting, and that companionship, spiritual direction, and trusting prayer keep a person close to Christ through the process. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. How has my understanding of marriage or religious life been shaped by my faith rather than by cultural expectations? 2. In what areas of emotional or relational growth do I sense the Lord inviting healing before pursuing a vocation? 3. How consistent is my practice of prayer, sacraments, and spiritual reading as I seek clarity about my future? 4. What healthy steps am I taking to meet potential spouses or learn about religious life in a faithful and intentional way? 5. When anxiety or uncertainty rises in discernment, how do I bring those feelings to Jesus in prayer? 6. Which people—friends, mentors, or spiritual directors—might walk with me so that I do not journey alone? 7. Can I recognize moments of God’s providence during waiting, even when the outcome is not yet visible?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page The post DWG7 – Trusting God in Vocation Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 10 – Peace “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14.27 RSV Peace is not something the world can create. It is the gift of Christ Himself. Advent invites the heart to receive this peace, not as a feeling that comes and goes, but as a Presence that remains. The peace Christ offers does not depend on circumstances. It does not rise or fall with events. It flows from His nearness. The world’s peace is fragile. It depends on everything going well. Christ’s peace is different. It enters the heart even in weakness, loss, and uncertainty. It is steady because He is steady. It is strong because He is strong. It is calm because He is calm. Peace does not mean the absence of struggle. It means the presence of Someone greater within the struggle. The discerning heart learns to lean on this peace and to return to it throughout the day. Christ desires to form a quiet center within us where His presence is our rest. Advent helps us welcome this peace so it can shape the thoughts we think, the choices we make, and the way we encounter the world. Journey with the Saints – St. Elizabeth of the Trinity “May nothing trouble my peace or make me leave You, O my Unchanging One, but may each minute carry me further into the depths of Your Mystery. Give peace to my soul; make it Your heaven, Your beloved dwelling and Your resting place.”
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Prayer to the Trinity St. Elizabeth of the Trinity understood peace as the fruit of God dwelling within the soul. For her, peace was not the result of control or certainty. It was the result of surrender. She trusted that God was at work in the hidden depths of her soul even when she felt nothing. Elizabeth teaches us that peace grows when the heart stops fighting its circumstances and begins resting in God’s presence. She believed that the soul becomes a dwelling place for God when it welcomes His peace and allows Him to quiet its movements. Her teaching shows that peace is not created by the soul. Peace is received. It is the gift of the indwelling God. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice where your peace is easily shaken. What unsettles you. What pulls your heart into anxiety or fear. These moments do not mean you lack faith. They reveal where Christ desires to bring deeper healing. Peace grows when the heart returns to Christ again and again. Even a simple turning of the heart can invite His calm into a moment of confusion. Peace becomes a way of seeing, a way of breathing, a way of listening. Ask yourself: Where is Christ offering me His peace today. What would it look like for me to rest more deeply in Him. A Simple Practice for Today Pause once this morning and once this evening. Place your hand over your heart and say slowly, “Jesus, give peace to my soul.” Breathe gently and let His presence quiet you. Return to this prayer whenever you feel troubled. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are my peace. Quiet the thoughts that trouble me and calm the fears that rise within. Make my soul a dwelling place for Your presence. Teach me to rest in Your peace in every moment and to trust the strength of Your love. Deepen in me the peace that only You can give. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 10 John 14.27 RSV
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Prayer to the Trinity © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 10 – Peace – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Immaculate Conception – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff On the the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the significance of the Immaculate Conception of Mary within the broader plan of salvation history. He uses Genesis, Ephesians, and the Gospel of Luke to show us God's eternal plan to reconcile humanity with Himself through Jesus Christ. Humanity's fall through Adam and Eve introduced sin and death into the world, but God's response was the plan of redemption, preordained before creation, culminating in the birth of Christ. Mary, conceived without sin, is presented as the new Eve, uniquely chosen to bring Jesus into the world. Her "yes" to the angel Gabriel is seen as a pivotal moment in God's plan, countering the disobedience of the first parents and initiating the ultimate defeat of sin, Satan, and death. Through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, humanity is adopted as children of God and incorporated into Christ’s body, the Church. He encourages us to see the Immaculate Conception as a profound reminder of God's love and the invitation to holiness. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How does reflecting on God's plan for redemption before creation deepen your trust in His providence? 2. In what ways can recognizing the effects of original sin in your life inspire a greater appreciation for Christ’s saving work? 3. How does the Immaculate Conception help you understand Mary’s unique role in God’s plan and her intercession for you? 4. What does it mean to you personally to be adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ? 5. How can you live more fully as a member of Christ’s body, united with Him and His Church? 6. In this Advent season, how are you preparing your heart to welcome Christ more fully into your life? 7. How do you experience the Holy Spirit working in your life to bring about holiness and transformation? 8. How can Mary’s fiat, her “yes” to God, inspire you to trust and surrender to His will in your own life?
Reading 1: Gn 3:9-15, 20 "After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself.”
Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”
The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”
The LORD God then asked the woman,
“Why did you do such a thing?”
The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel.”The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living." Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved. In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ. Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 "The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her." Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world. The post The Immaculate Conception – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 9 – Courage “Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27.14 RSV Courage is the grace that strengthens the heart to follow Christ even when the path feels uncertain or overwhelming. Advent forms this courage by teaching the soul to trust God’s presence more than its own fear. Courage is not boldness. It is not confidence in ourselves. It is confidence in God. True courage does not mean the absence of fear. It means the heart chooses faith in the midst of fear. It is the inner movement that says, “I do not see the whole way, but I will take the next step because God is with me.” Courage rises when the soul remembers that Christ has already gone ahead. Courage is also a virtue. It is fed by grace. It grows when the heart draws strength from God rather than from its own resources. The discerning heart learns that courage is not something we manufacture. It is something we receive when we lean on the One who steadies us. Advent reveals that Christ comes into our fear, not after it disappears. He gives courage by His nearness. Journey with the Saints – Pope St. John Paul II “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.”
St. John Paul II, Homily at the Mass for the Inauguration of His Pontificate, 22 October 1978 St. John Paul II understood that courage is born from trust in Christ. His life bore the marks of suffering, loss, and oppression, yet his heart remained steady because it was anchored in the presence of God. His courage was not human strength. It was divine confidence. For St. John Paul, courage begins with opening the heart to Christ. Fear narrows the heart. Courage expands it. Fear closes the doors. Courage opens them. He believed that when Christ enters the heart, grace strengthens it to face any darkness, not by removing the struggle, but by filling it with light. He knew that the heart grows courageous when it accepts God’s love and surrenders any attempt to control outcomes. He teaches us that courage is the fruit of letting Christ stand within us. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice places of hesitation within your soul. What feels uncertain. Where do you sense resistance. Courage does not demand that you overcome fear before you move. It asks you to take one small step with Christ, trusting that He steps with you. Courage grows when the heart remembers past moments of grace. Think of times God has been faithful to you. Think of times when you feared the path ahead but discovered His presence waiting for you. That memory strengthens courage now. Ask yourself: Where is God asking me to take a small courageous step. How can I rely on His strength rather than my own. A Simple Practice for Today Take one moment today to pray slowly, “Lord, strengthen my heart.” Identify one small step of trust and take it with intention. Later in the day, repeat the prayer as a reminder that courage is a grace you receive, not a task you achieve. Prayer Lord Jesus, give courage to my heart. Help me trust that You are with me in every uncertainty. Strengthen me with Your grace so I may follow where You lead. Steady my fears and fill me with the confidence that comes from Your presence. Teach me to take each step with You. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 9 Psalm 27.14 RSV
St. John Paul II, Homily for the Inauguration of His Pontificate, 22 October 1978 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 9 – Courage – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The 2nd Sunday of Advent – A Call to Wake Up, Repent, and Enter the Light of JesusBuilding a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world. Msgr. Esseff then guides listeners through examples of interior patterns that separate the soul from union with Jesus. He speaks about judgmental attitudes, envy, lust, unforgiveness, gluttony, and other deep tendencies that distort the heart. Each one acts like a hidden disease that wounds the life of Christ within the person. Advent becomes a time to uncover these wounds through honest examination and to bring them to the Lord for healing. He urges listeners to call upon the Holy Spirit, who reveals the core wound with gentleness, not accusation. The Spirit convicts with light and love, while the enemy accuses and discourages. Confession is offered as a powerful path to healing, where the cross penetrates the soul and restores union with Christ. Msgr. Esseff encourages priests to open the confessional during Advent and calls all Christians to stop judging one another and instead direct loved ones to the Holy Spirit, who alone can reveal the truth of the heart. Advent is presented as a privileged time to awaken, repent, and prepare for the coming of the Lord, who desires to bring healing, renewal, and unity to every soul. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What interior pattern or tendency separates me most from Christ right now? 2. When I examine my heart, do I hear the accusing voice or the gentle clarity of the Holy Spirit? 3. Where have I allowed judgment, envy, or resentment to shape my thoughts or relationships? 4. What wound or habit is the Holy Spirit inviting me to bring to confession this Advent? 5. How can I prepare my heart to welcome Christ more deeply during this season?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world. The post The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 8 – Hope “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10.23 Hope is the quiet strength that anchors the heart in God’s promises. It is a theological virtue, not a feeling we generate. God Himself pours it into the soul through grace. Because of this, hope is steady even when circumstances shift, even when emotions rise and fall, even when darkness feels close. Hope looks at God before it looks at the problem. Hope remembers that God keeps His promises. The greatest fulfillment of those promises is the gift of Christ, given at a moment in history when all seemed lost. Advent teaches us to return to this truth every day. Christ is the proof that God keeps His word. Yet hope is not only about the great moments of salvation history. It is also about the personal ways God has been faithful in your life. Each moment He sustained you, guided you, protected you, forgave you, or brought you through something difficult becomes a touchstone of hope. Hope grows when the heart remembers. Hope does not deny suffering. It meets suffering with trust in a God who is larger than every fear and stronger than every obstacle. Hope believes that God is already present and already at work. Journey with the Saints – Ven Bruno Lanteri “Do not lose heart. Be confident. God is love.”
Venerable Bruno Lanteri Venerable Bruno taught that Christian hope rests entirely on the mercy and fidelity of God. He understood hope as a grace that lifts the soul when it feels weak or discouraged. His famous spiritual counsel, “Begin again,” expresses this beautifully. Hope always makes it possible to take the next step toward God. For Ven. Bruno, hope was not optimism. It was confidence in God’s character. He believed that no failure, no weakness, and no discouragement could block the action of grace if a soul continued to turn toward God with trust. Hope leans on God, not on self. Ven. Bruno also insisted that hope grows when a person remembers God’s past faithfulness. Every grace God has already given becomes a promise of what He will continue to do. Hope expands the heart to expect God’s goodness again. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to let your heart rest in God’s fidelity. Hope grows when you stop trying to hold everything together and allow God to carry what you cannot. Hope remembers that God has led you before and He will lead you again. Look back over your life. Where has God kept His promises to you. Where has He shown you love, direction, or protection. These memories are seeds of hope. They strengthen your trust in the God who remains faithful. Ask yourself: Where do I need hope today. How is God inviting me to remember His faithfulness? A Simple Practice for Today Recall one moment in your life when God was clearly present. Thank Him for it. Later in the day, pray quietly, “Lord, You have been faithful. Strengthen my hope.” Let this remembrance become a place of trust. Prayer Lord Jesus, strengthen within me the virtue of hope. Help me to trust in Your promises and to remember the many ways You have been faithful. Pour Your grace into my heart so I may rest in Your love and look to You with confidence. Teach me to hope in You always. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 8 Hebrews 10.23 RSV
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, spiritual writings © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 8 – Hope – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 7 – Trust “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3.5 to 6 Trust is the foundation of recognizing the voice of Christ. Before the heart can follow the Shepherd, it must believe that His voice is steady, loving, and faithful. Trust allows the soul to rest in God even when clarity has not yet come. Trust strengthens the listening heart, because it teaches us to lean on God rather than on our own interpretations. Trust does not remove uncertainty. It transforms it. When the heart lives in trust, uncertainty no longer becomes a barrier. It becomes a space where God reveals Himself. Trust says, “Lord, even when I do not see, I know You are guiding me.” In the spiritual life, trust matures when we stop grasping for control. We often long for explanations. We want to know how God will act or what will come next. But Advent prepares us for a God who arrives in ways we do not expect. Trust keeps the heart open to receive Him. Trust is a daily choice. It is the movement of the heart that leans toward God, especially when the way forward is dim or unclear. Christ guides those who trust Him, and trust teaches the heart to recognize His whispers. Journey with the Saints – St. Joseph “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”
Matthew 1.24 St. Joseph is the quiet master of trust. Scripture gives us no recorded words from him. His entire relationship with God unfolds in listening, obedience, and surrender. Joseph trusts God without demanding full understanding. He accepts God’s direction even when it disrupts his plans and overturns what he thought his life would be. Joseph responds to God with a heart that moves quickly toward obedience. He listens not only with his ears, but with his whole life. He surrenders his expectations, his anxieties, his own judgments, and even his need to understand. Joseph shows that trust is not passive. It is an active openness to God’s will, even when the path is hidden. His quiet example teaches us to let God lead. In Joseph, we see trust that yields, trust that listens, and trust that acts. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice where you struggle to trust. Trust often becomes difficult when life feels uncertain or when prayer seems unanswered. Yet trust grows not by having more control, but by releasing the desire to control everything. Trust is a gentle turning toward the One who loves you. Ask the Lord to show you the places where your heart holds back. These are often the places where He desires to draw near. Trust begins when we allow God to enter those guarded areas and guide us forward step by step. Ask yourself: Where is Christ asking me to trust Him today. What part of my heart needs to lean more fully into His care. A Simple Practice for Today Lord Jesus, teach my heart to trust You. Help me release my need to understand everything and rest in Your faithful love. Give me the grace to follow Your voice even when the way is unclear. Make my trust steady and simple, like St. Joseph’s, and guide my heart into Your peace. Amen. Prayer Lord Jesus, teach my heart to trust You. Help me release my need to understand everything and rest in Your faithful love. Give me the grace to follow Your voice even when the way is unclear. Make my trust steady and simple, like St. Joseph’s, and guide my heart into Your peace. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 7 Proverbs 3.5 to 6 RSV
Matthew 1.24 RSV © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 7 – Trust – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 6 – Conversion “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4.17 Conversion is not a single moment. It is a continual turning toward God. Advent teaches this ongoing movement of the heart. Conversion is the steady, daily action of choosing God again and again. It is the refusal to remain still in spiritual life. It is the willingness to move toward the One who is constantly drawing near. Conversion is not dramatic for most people. It is usually quiet. It is the moment when you realign your heart after noticing you have drifted. It is the instant you choose truth over distraction, love over indifference, prayer over noise. Every turn toward God, no matter how small, becomes a doorway for grace to enter. True conversion is active. It responds to God’s initiative. God always makes the first movement. Conversion is our movement back. The discerning heart knows this is a lifelong rhythm. We turn toward Him again in moments of light, in times of weakness, in days of clarity, and in seasons of confusion. Conversion prepares the heart for deeper listening. It keeps the soul awake, open, and progressing toward Christ. Journey with the Saints – St. Catherine of Siena “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”
Attributed to St. Catherine of Siena St. Catherine understood conversion as a continual rising into the fullness of who God created you to be. She teaches that conversion is not a narrowing of the spiritual life. It is the steady work of grace that expands the heart. As the heart expands, it becomes more capable of receiving God’s love and more available to give that love to others. For St. Catherine, this expansion happens through humility and surrender. When the soul releases fear, pride, or self-reliance, the heart opens wider to God’s action. Every movement toward Him increases the heart’s capacity for charity, courage, and truth. Conversion stretches the heart so it can hold more of God and give more of God. St. Catherine reminds us that conversion unfolds gradually. It is a lifelong process of allowing God to shape, widen, and mature the heart until Christ’s life becomes the center of everything. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to reflect on where your heart is turned. Conversion is not about perfection. It is about direction. You may drift at times. You may feel distracted. You may recognize places where you have resisted God. Conversion turns you back, even gently, even quietly. Ask God to show you where He is inviting you to turn toward Him again. Perhaps in a relationship. Perhaps in prayer. Perhaps in a place where fear holds you back. Every turn toward God strengthens the listening heart. Ask yourself: Where is Christ calling me to turn toward Him today. What step of conversion is He inviting me to take. A Simple Practice for Today Take one moment today and say, “Lord, turn my heart toward You.” Then choose one concrete act of love, forgiveness, or faith that reflects that turning. Later in the day, repeat the simple prayer as a way of renewing your direction. Prayer Lord Jesus, turn my heart toward You again. Draw me away from anything that leads me from Your love and strengthen every desire that leads me closer to You. Teach me to live conversion as a daily movement of grace. Help me to turn, and turn again, until my heart rests fully in You. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 6 Psalm 46.10 RSV
St. Teresa of Avila, Poem “Nada te turbe,” line 1 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 6 – Conversion – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 5 – Stillness “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46.10 RSV Stillness is the interior calm that allows the soul to recognize God’s presence. It is different from silence. Silence quiets the environment. Stillness settles the heart. Advent invites us into stillness so the deeper truth of God’s nearness can be known rather than merely thought about. Stillness is not inactivity. It is the freedom from interior agitation. It gathers the scattered heart into one place and brings the mind and soul together before God. When the heart is restless, God feels far away. When the heart becomes still, His presence becomes gently perceptible. Stillness requires trust. It asks the soul to rest without striving and to set aside the inner rush that pushes toward the next thing. The discerning heart learns to recognize that God often speaks when the heart rests rather than when it works. God moves in the quiet center of the soul. Advent teaches us this stillness so we can know, in the depth of our being, that He is God and He is here. Journey with the Saints – St. Teresa of Avila “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass away. God never changes.”
St. Teresa of Avila, Poem “Nada te turbe,” line 1 St. Teresa knew the power of a still heart. Her teaching and her life remind us that interior stillness is not found by force. It is found by grounding the heart in God’s faithfulness. When the heart remembers who God is and how He loves, fear loosens and rest becomes possible. For St. Teresa, stillness is rooted in trust. As long as the soul tries to control every outcome, the interior life will stay restless. But when the soul yields to God and remembers His constancy, a deep stillness forms that no circumstance can disrupt. This stillness allows the soul to hear God with clarity. St. Teresa teaches us that stillness is both gift and discipline. We make space for it, and God fills that space with His peace. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice where you feel restless, tense, or scattered. Stillness begins when you acknowledge those places and let them soften in the presence of God. You do not need to force peace. You only need to stop resisting His nearness. Listening grows in a still heart. When agitation quiets, even slightly, the presence of God becomes more recognizable. Stillness allows the heart to know what noise often hides. Ask yourself: What steals my stillness today. What might God be asking me to release so my heart can rest in Him. A Simple Practice for Today Choose one moment today to sit quietly and breathe slowly. Say, “You are God, and You are here.” Let your heart settle. Later in the day, pause again for one slow breath and place your hand over your heart as a gesture of stillness before God. Prayer Lord Jesus, draw my heart into stillness. Quiet the restlessness that distracts me from Your presence. Teach me to rest in You with trust and peace. Help me to know, deep within, that You are God and that I am held in Your love. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 5 Psalm 46.10 RSV
St. Teresa of Avila, Poem “Nada te turbe,” line 1 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 5 – Stillness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 – Marcion – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss the second-century figure Marcian, a wealthy shipbuilder who tried to use his fortune to reshape Christianity according to his own ideas. Marcian believed that the God of the Old Testament and the God revealed in Christ were entirely different, and he rejected the Old Testament as the work of a hostile deity. To support this view, he cut large parts of the Gospel of Luke and edited the letters of Paul, removing passages that connected Christ and the apostles to Israel’s scriptures. When the Church rejected these teachings and returned his donation, Marcian created a parallel movement that imitated Catholic worship and structure, driven by his resources rather than fidelity to apostolic teaching. His movement spread widely and endured for centuries, creating long-lasting damage that even he could not undo near the end of his life. Marcian’s story is a warning: Material success, autonomy, or influence do not guarantee spiritual maturity, and unchecked ideas—even those that begin small—can warp doctrine and inspire destructive traditions. Leaders and communities may delay correction because of wealth, social standing, or good intentions, which can allow harmful errors to grow. Marcian is not presented as a monster but as a person who lost his way, reminding us that spiritual conflict persists through history, and that vigilance, prayer, and true stewardship are needed to avoid repeating such mistakes. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. How do I respond when I encounter ideas or teachings that conflict with what the Church has handed down through Scripture and Tradition? 2. In what ways might comfort, wealth, or self-reliance quietly distort my commitment to the Gospel? 3. Do I treat the entirety of Scripture—including the Old Testament—as part of God’s plan of salvation, or do I selectively accept only what feels agreeable? 4. How can I cultivate humility so that I remain open to correction, even when I feel confident in my opinions? 5. What steps am I taking to grow in knowledge of the faith so I can pass it on faithfully to my family and community? 6. When I see others struggling with error or confusion, do I offer loving correction, or do I remain silent to avoid discomfort? 7. How do I steward the resources God has given me—time, talent, and treasure—without allowing them to become tools of personal control or influence?
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church "Marcion was a rich businessman who thought he had figured out the real meaning of the Gospel. He used the power of money to found a kind of parallel church, and he was very successful for a while—which tells you a little about the state of Christianity at the time, and a lot about what you could do with money in the Roman Empire in those days." Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com The post VEC6 – Marcion – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 4 – Openness “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3.20 RSV Openness is the willingness of the heart to receive what God desires to give. It is the posture that says yes before knowing the details. Advent teaches this openness by inviting us to welcome Christ in ways we may not expect and through moments we may not choose. Openness does not mean passivity. It is an active readiness that springs from trust. It allows the heart to become spacious, uncluttered, and free enough to respond to God’s movements. When the heart closes, grace cannot enter. When the heart opens, even slightly, God works. Openness also means loosening our grip on expectations. God often arrives in forms we do not recognize. The discerning heart learns to say, “Lord, whatever You desire to do in me today, I receive.” This is the openness that made room for Christ in Mary. It is the openness that prepares the soul for His coming now. Advent invites you to open the door of your heart so Christ may enter more deeply. Journey with the Saints – St. Francis of Assisi “What a person is before God, that he is, and no more.”
St. Francis of Assisi, Admonition 19 St. Francis lived with a heart wide open to God. His openness flowed from humility. He accepted his smallness before God, and because of this, his heart remained available to whatever God wished to give or reveal. For Francis, openness meant letting go of self-protection and allowing God to reshape his desires and priorities. He did not cling to security, success, or control. His openness created space for joy, charity, and trust. He welcomed God in poverty, in simplicity, and in every person he encountered. Francis teaches us that openness is the fruit of humility. When we stand before God honestly, without masks or defenses, the heart can finally open. God fills that openness with His presence. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to look for places within your heart that feel tight, guarded, or closed. Sometimes the heart closes because of fear. Sometimes because of disappointment. Sometimes because we simply want things to go our way. Openness asks us to soften those places so God can enter. Listening becomes deeper when the heart stops resisting what God is offering. Openness makes room for grace to surprise us. It prepares us to receive something new or unexpected. Ask yourself: Where is God inviting me to open my heart today. What do I need to release so Christ can come closer. A Simple Practice for Today Take a quiet moment and say, “Lord, I open my heart to You.” Notice any resistance and gently release it. Later in the day, repeat the same prayer while opening your hands in a simple gesture of surrender. Let this be an intentional act of openness. Prayer Lord Jesus, open my heart to Your presence. Remove whatever keeps me closed or guarded. Give me the grace to welcome You in the ways You desire to come. Teach me the humility that creates space for Your love, and draw me into deeper trust. I open the door of my heart to You today. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 4 Revelation 3.20 RSV
St. Francis of Assisi, Admonition 19 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 4 – Openness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Internal World and External Presence of God – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating explains that experiencing God’s love begins with grace. God reaches the heart through intellect and affection, but many miss these moments because they are distracted or constantly driven by ego. Silence allows us to perceive God’s presence—whether through beauty, acts of kindness, or gratitude. Asking God directly for the gift of knowing His love, being attentive to the movements of the heart, and recognizing that this union often begins in moments of consoling prayer. Such prayer is not confined to formal worship; it can arise unexpectedly, even outside the church. The Eucharist prepares us to make a space for God rather than forcing His action. Faith—not sensation—is at the core of sacramental life, and remaining faithful in the absence of feelings still brings genuine closeness to God. Authentic spiritual union deepens when conscience is followed, even when it causes suffering. Acting on truth at personal cost draws us into Christ’s own obedience and sacrifice. This suffering is not a sign of abandonment but a participation in the Paschal mystery, where union with Christ matters more than comfort. Saints such as St. Bernadette, St. Edith Stein, and St. Maximilian Kolbe willingly faced hardship because intimacy with Christ outweighed fear. Daily moral decisions—large or small—are sustained not by human strength but by Christ’s presence received through prayer and the Eucharist. In these ways—consoling prayer, sacramental life, fidelity to conscience, and union in suffering—the soul begins to taste heaven on earth. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. When was the last time I slowed down to notice God reaching out to me through beauty, kindness, or gratitude? 2. How do I make space for silence in my daily life so that God can communicate His presence to my heart? 3. Do I pray not only to believe in God’s love, but also to truly know and experience it? 4. How do I approach the Eucharist—as a demand for spiritual sensation or as an act of faith and readiness? 5. Have I noticed moments of consolation in prayer outside formal worship, and how did I respond to them? 6. When my conscience reveals a difficult truth, do I trust Christ enough to follow it even when suffering is involved? 7. In what areas of life do I cling to comfort or ego instead of surrendering to God’s invitation to deeper union? 8. How does my experience of sacramental life shape my willingness to put others first in small, everyday sacrifices? 9. What fears keep me from seeking Christ’s will, and how can I bring those fears into prayer? 10. Where have I seen God sustain me through a painful decision, and how did that deepen my relationship with Him?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page The post WOM16 – The Internal World and External Presence of God – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 3 – Desire “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
Psalm 42.1 – 2 RSV Desire is the movement of the heart that draws us toward God. It is the spark within the soul that awakens, reaches, and longs for the One who created us. Advent deepens this desire. It teaches us to name what our heart truly seeks and to bring that longing into prayer. Spiritual desire is not emotional intensity. It is the steady orientation of the heart toward the Lord. It is the recognition that only God can satisfy the deepest hunger within us. Desire is the beginning of conversion, because it turns the heart away from what cannot fulfill and toward the One who is our life. God Himself places this desire within us. He stirs the longing for Him so we will seek Him. He awakens thirst so we will come to the living water. The discerning heart learns to trust this desire, because it is often the first sign of grace moving within the soul. To desire God is already to be touched by His love. Advent invites us to let that desire deepen and to let it lead us closer to Christ. Journey with the Saints – St. Augustine “Your desire is your prayer. If your desire is continual, your prayer is continual.”
St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 37, Sermon 2, section 12 St. Augustine teaches that desire is the very heart of prayer. Prayer is not primarily words or thoughts. It is the upward movement of the heart that longs for God. When desire is alive, prayer is alive. When desire is steady, prayer becomes continual. St. Augustine knew from his own restless journey that the human heart was created for God and finds rest only in Him. He reminds us that desire purifies and focuses the soul. It draws us beyond distractions and secondary loves, and it brings us into a sincere relationship with the Lord. For St. Augustine, desire is a grace. It is God calling to God within us. When we follow that desire, we move toward the One who has already begun drawing us to Himself. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice the movements of your heart. What do you desire most deeply right now. Beneath the surface wants and passing feelings, what is the longing that keeps returning. God works in that place. He often speaks through desire before He speaks through clarity. Listening to desire helps you recognize what God is awakening within you. Desire points to the places where Christ is drawing you closer or inviting something new. It helps you understand what your soul truly seeks, even when your circumstances feel confusing. Ask yourself: What longing is rising in my heart today. How might this desire be a quiet invitation from the Lord. A Simple Practice for Today Sit quietly for a moment and ask, “Lord, place in my heart the desire that leads me closer to You.” Notice whatever surfaces. Later in the day, pause again and gently say, “Lord, deepen my desire for You.” Let both moments guide your heart toward Him. Prayer Lord Jesus, You created my heart for Yourself. Awaken within me the desire that leads me to You. Purify my longings so they are rooted in Your truth and drawn by Your love. Teach me to listen to the movements of my heart and to follow the desires that bring me into Your presence. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 2 Psalm 42.1 to 2 RSV
St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 37, Sermon 2, section 12 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 3 – Desire – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Understanding Marriage and Priesthood – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher presents the Catholic understanding of vocation, focusing first on marriage. The call to spousal love and family is woven into human nature itself, as God created men and women for self-gift and life-giving love. When lived through the sacrament, marriage becomes an expression of Christ’s love for the Church, reflecting the unity of bridegroom and bride described in Ephesians 5. The mutual care between spouses, their fidelity, and the lives they nurture become visible signs of Christ’s relationship with His people. To illustrate this, Fr. Gallagher shares personal stories and pastoral examples that show how everyday marriages embody this divine reality. He then outlines how religious life and priesthood differ. These paths arise not from human nature but from a supernatural invitation: a call to give up marriage for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. Such a person feels both the natural goodness of marriage and a distinct interior attraction toward celibacy lived for God. Priests give themselves to the Church as their bride, and consecrated women give themselves to Christ, bearing spiritual fruit through service, prayer, and compassion. Whether in family life or consecrated life, vocation leads to the same core reality: offering oneself in love and generating life—either physical or spiritual—within the Body of Christ. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: * How does viewing marriage as a sacrament—rather than simply a life stage—change the way you understand love, commitment, and holiness? * In what ways have you experienced the natural desire for spousal love, family, or spiritual fruitfulness in your own life? * When you consider priesthood or religious life, do you notice any interior attraction or peace, even if it feels challenging to imagine? * How do the examples of saints like St. John Vianney or St. Thérèse help you see spiritual motherhood and fatherhood as real and life-giving? * What areas of your heart or personal formation might need healing so that you can better give and receive love in whatever vocation God desires for you? * How do you understand the spousal gift of self—whether to a spouse, the Church, or Christ—and how might that shape your daily choices?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: "Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below." Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.orgFor the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher's “Discerning Hearts” page The post DWG6 – Understanding Marriage and Priesthood – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 2 – Silence “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.”
Psalm 62.5 RSV Silence is the doorway through which the listening heart begins to hear God. Advent invites us into a quieter interior space, not by removing every sound, but by creating room within the soul where God’s presence can be received. Silence is not emptiness. Silence is a posture of readiness. In the spiritual life, the greatest obstacles to hearing God often come not from the outside, but from within. Thoughts run ahead. Worries circle. Interior noise fills the mind. Silence teaches the soul to slow down, release the clutter, and rest in the presence of the Lord who speaks gently. Sacred silence is not the absence of activity. It is the presence of attentiveness. It teaches the heart to lean in. It helps us let go of control so grace can soften the places that have become tense or hurried. Silence honors God’s desire to speak in a personal and intimate way. The discerning heart learns that silence is not something we create. It is something we enter. It is the humble space where God waits for us. Journey with the Saints – St. John of the Cross “The Father spoke one Word, which was His Son, and this Word He speaks always in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul.”
St. John of the Cross, The Sayings of Light and Love, 99 St. John of the Cross teaches that God speaks His Word within the depths of the silent heart. He reminds us that silence is not a technique. It is the environment of intimacy. Only in silence can the soul receive the One whom the Father continually pours out. For John, silence purifies the heart’s attention. It clears away the noise that distorts our vision and helps us recognize Christ’s gentle inspirations. In silence, we are not trying to make something happen. We are consenting to God’s presence. Silence frees the heart to listen with love rather than effort. John of the Cross learned that silence is not emptiness. It is communion. It is the place where the soul rests in the truth that God is already near. Reflection for the Listening Heart Today invites you to notice your inner landscape. Where is there noise inside you. Where do your thoughts run quickly. Where does worry or distraction pull your attention away from God. Silence is not about pushing these things aside. It is about letting them settle so the heart can remember who is with you. Listening begins when the interior noise quiets enough for Christ to be received. Even a few seconds of genuine silence can open a space for grace to enter. Ask the Lord to help you listen in that silence, not with strain, but with trust. Ask yourself: Where is God inviting me into a deeper quiet today. What would it look like for me to enter silence instead of resisting it. A Simple Practice for Today Set aside one intentional moment of silence today. Sit or stand quietly, slow your breathing, and simply say, “Here I am, Lord.” Let your mind settle without trying to control it. Return to that quiet later in the day by pausing for a single slow breath and saying, “Lord, I receive Your peace.” Prayer Lord Jesus, draw my heart into silence. Quiet the thoughts that pull me away and soften the places that feel restless or crowded. Teach me to enter the stillness where You wait for me. Speak Your Word into the silence of my soul and help me to listen with love. Amen. For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here Citations for Day 2 Psalm 62.5 RSV
St. John of the Cross, The Sayings of Light and Love, 99 © Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved. The post Day 2 – Silence – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The 1st Sunday of Advent – A Call to Wake Up, Repent, and Enter the Light of JesusBuilding a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff On the First Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff shares two deeply moving testimonies that reveal the power of love, faith, and the kingship of Christ. The first story follows a Christian couple who defied medical advice to abort their "defective" child, trusting instead in God's providence. Their faith was rewarded with the birth of a healthy baby who grew into a successful firefighter. In this first Sunday of Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the season with a call to spiritual wakefulness. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, he explains Jesus’ warning that some will be united with him at his coming while others will be left behind. The key difference is union with Christ, a union formed through baptism, nourished by grace, and renewed through repentance. Msgr. Esseff speaks about the early Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing need for every Christian to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He warns that sin separates the soul from Christ and dims the light God desires to radiate through us. Advent is presented as a time to return to that light, confront the shadows in our lives, and seek healing through confession, prayer, and intentional spiritual discipline. The episode also explores Advent’s connection to peace. Drawing from Isaiah, Msgr. Esseff prays for a world where nations turn weapons into instruments of cultivation, and where each person commits to the peace Christ brings. He shares personal experiences of confession, transformation, and encounters with families seeking deeper union with God. As the episode closes, he encourages listeners to begin an Advent journal, undertake a sincere spiritual inventory, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of darkness that need grace. For Msgr. Esseff, Advent is the doorway to a renewed life in Christ, a season where hearts awaken, grace deepens, and the soul prepares to welcome the light of Christmas. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions 1. What area of my life most needs the light of Christ as Advent begins? 2. Where have I allowed habits or attitudes to separate me from Jesus? 3. What specific action can I take this week to grow in holiness and peace? 4. How is God calling me to make room for deeper union with him this Advent? 5. What step toward reconciliation or virtue is the Holy Spirit prompting in my heart?
Gospel Matthew 27:37-44 Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." .”Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world. The post The 1st Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 - Judas - "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians" In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss the "mystery of Judas." An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church: What happened to Judas? Was it simple greed that snapped him? That seems unlikely. Thirty pieces of silver was a good bit of money, but Judas was doing all right with his embezzling racket. The Gospels don’t tell us his motivation most likely because their writers just didn’t know. It was a mystery to them as it is to us. And a lot of the Christian legends that later grew up about Judas seem like popular attempts to psychoanalyze him. Judas was also present for the Last Supper, having a miserable time as Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him: “The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). John tells us that the disciple whom Jesus loved—John himself—asked Jesus who the betrayer would be. “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it,” Jesus responded, and then dipped the morsel and handed it to Judas. Yet the others still didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he said to Judas, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:26–27). Was he sending Judas out to buy more food? Or to make a donation to the poor from the money box? “So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out,” John says, adding the significant detail “and it was night.” Judas walked out of the Last Supper and into the very symbolic darkness (John 13:30). But he knew where to look for Jesus when he came with the police. Judas and the rest of the disciples had often been with Jesus in that pleasant park across the Kidron Valley, the garden of Gethsemane (see John 18:2; Mark 14:32). That was where Judas led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. The post VEC1 – Judas – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist, Part 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the deep meaning of the Our Father and the moments that follow it in the Eucharistic liturgy. Christ not only left His Body and Blood as an enduring gift but also gave His Church ... Read more The post WOM11 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Guided by Grace - “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor focus on discerning the will of God in Christian decision-making, particularly through an Ignatian lens. Fr. Gallagher teaches us that Christians seek to make choices consciously aligned with God's will, ranging from daily decisions to major life choices; and the importance of preparation through spiritual exercises such as examination of conscience, meditation, and prayer, which dispose the soul to discern God's will. The post DWG1 – Guided by Grace – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 10 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The Liturgy of the Eucharist part 2 : The True Meaning of "Full and Active Participation"...The Purpose of the Eucharistic Praye The post WOM10 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 2 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part two of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God. The post HSE13 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 2 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Deacon James Keating explores how the Eucharist shapes moral life by transforming our conscience through divine charity. The post WOM9 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 1 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part one of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God. The post HSE12 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 1 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Overcoming Pre-Event Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher introduces the concept of “pre-event desolation”—a form of spiritual discouragement that often arises right before someone undertakes a spiritually fruitful activity, such as a retreat, ministry project, or renewed commitment to prayer. He describes how this heaviness, doubt, or reluctance can disguise itself as logical reasoning (“I’m too tired,” “It won’t make a difference,” etc.) but is in fact a subtle tactic of the enemy meant to deter growth. Fr. Gallagher draws from his own experience of recognizing this pattern and explains that when this resistance appears, it often signals that something grace-filled lies ahead.
This spiritual dynamic can affect family life and parish participation. Some people may feel a gradual disinterest in Mass or prayer life. Such moments are normal trials, not moral failings. Fr. Gallagher advises responding to loved ones experiencing this kind of desolation—whether a spouse or child—not with anger or pressure, but with patience, compassion, and steadfast prayer. Drawing from the example of St. Monica and St. Augustine, he offers three guiding principles for parents: pray persistently, live an authentic life of faith, and show unconditional love. These, he explains, are the ways through which God continues to work in the hearts of those who have drifted, even when outward signs of faith have waned.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. When have I experienced “pre-event desolation,” feeling sudden reluctance or discouragement before something spiritually good? 2. How might I better recognize the difference between genuine obstacles and the enemy’s attempts to hold me back from grace? 3. In moments of spiritual heaviness, what practical steps can I take to remain faithful to prayer or my commitments? 4. How do I typically respond when a loved one loses interest in attending Mass or practicing their faith? 5. What can I learn from St. Monica’s patient love and perseverance in praying for her son, St. Augustine? 6. Do I see moments of desolation as personal failure, or as opportunities to trust more deeply in God’s presence? 7. How can I cultivate compassion rather than frustration toward those who seem spiritually distant? 8. In what ways might the enemy try to discourage me from engaging in apostolic or ministry work? 9. How does remembering that desolation is a normal part of the spiritual journey bring me peace and perspective? 10. What practices help me stay aware, understand what’s happening spiritually, and take faithful action in response?
You can find this book hereFrom Setting the Captives Free: Personal Reflections on Ignatian Discernment of Spirits:
“Through the years, as I have studied and taught these rules, received the sharing of many, and experienced the rules personally,
I have noted various qualities of spiritual desolation. I will share and discuss them here:A Sense of Irreparable Disaster
If it is strong enough, spiritual desolation may bring a sense of irreparable disaster. Its message is this: “Things are going badly for you. You are in a bad way spiritually, and things will continue to go badly. It’s all over. The harm can’t be undone. Even if it could, you won’t take the necessary steps. You won’t change. Don’t think it’s ever going to be different.”This is simply one more lie of the enemy.
Spiritual Desolation Presents Itself as Our Spiritual Identity
This quality of spiritual desolation touches the heart of its burden. If we believe the lie that equates our experience of spiritual desolation with our spiritual identity, the desolation will grow very heavy.
There Is No Shame in Experiencing Spiritual Desolation
This point—that there is no shame in experiencing spiritual desolation—cannot be repeated too often. When I present the rules, I repeat it many times. No one has yet told me that I say it too often!”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post SD9 – Overcoming Pre-Event Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Gratitude – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr John Esseff – Discerning Hearts PodcastsMsgr. John Esseff reflects on the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17, highlighting the one Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus. Through this story and the example of Naaman from 2 Kings, he teaches that gratitude opens the soul to a deeper healing—faith in God and salvation itself. Physical cures are signs pointing toward the greater miracle: redemption from sin and eternal death through Christ. He invites us to examine how often we take God’s gifts for granted—life, faith, loved ones—and cultivate a heart that constantly thanks God for both ordinary blessings and the gift of eternal life.
Msgr. Esseff and Kris McGregor also discuss the anxiety and moral confusion of modern times. He interprets this unrest as a revelation of spiritual sickness that had long been hidden. By bringing darkness to light, God gives humanity the chance to turn back through faith and prayer. He encourages listeners not to despair but to give thanks even amid turmoil, for awareness of sin and evil allows conversion.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. How do I show genuine gratitude to God for the countless blessings in my daily life? 2. In what ways have I taken my faith and salvation for granted? 3. Like the Samaritan leper, when have I returned to Jesus with thanksgiving after receiving His mercy? 4. What “leprosy” of sin in my life needs Christ’s healing touch today? 5. How does awareness of my own weakness lead me to deeper faith and trust in God? 6. Do I thank God for spiritual healings as readily as I do for physical or material ones? 7. How can I cultivate a daily habit of gratitude in prayer and relationships? 8. What gifts or moments have I failed to recognize as signs of God’s love? 9. How does the current darkness or confusion in the world invite me to renewed faith and hope in Christ? 10. What specific things can I thank God for right now as a response to His saving love?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The post Gratitude – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7: SURRENDER
St. Teresa you have said
Myself surrendered and given,
The exchange is this:
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
When the gentle Hunter
Wounded and subdued me,
In love’s arms,
My soul fallen;
New life receiving,
Thus did I exchange
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
The arrow he drew
Full of love,
My soul was made one
With her Creator.
Other love I want not,
Surrendered now to my God,
That my Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.—On Those Words “Dilectus Meus Mihi”
This beautiful poem is the result of Teresa’s reflection on Songs 2:16: “My Beloved belongs to me and I to him.” In her verse, she expresses a fundamental truth of the interior journey: God himself initiates and sustains the relationship, and invites us to surrender to Him in faith. Our efforts of self-renunciation, sacrifice, and humility about which Teresa constantly discusses in her writings are our personal response to this love. In renouncing ourselves, we allow the Lord to unite us to Himself.
Let us not tire of making our sacrifices of love, but instead take courage, sure in the knowledge that we are already loved.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the “Interior Castle” and “The Way of Perfection” by St. Teresa of Avila
The post Day 7 – A Novena to St. Teresa of Avila – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Benedict, Listening and Discernment - The Mystery of Faith in the Wisdom of the Saints. In this episode, Dr. Lilles offers a general introduction to this series, the mystical key to discernment, and teaching of St. Benedict. Dr. Lilles offers 4 key points we should keep in mind as we move forward in this series 1. The Search for God
2. Listening to God - Lectio Divina
3. Conversion to God - Conversatio Morum
4. Living with oneself and letting God fashion one into His image Dr. Lilles offers 4 key points we should keep in mind as we move forward in this series 1. The Search for God
2. Listening to God - Lectio Divnia
3. Conversion to God - Conversatio Morum
4. Living with oneself and letting God fashion one into His image The post BTP30 – St. Benedict, Listening, and Discernment – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection; that he, who has honored us by counting us among his children, may never be grieved by our evil deeds..." The post “Put Christ before everything”- St. Benedict of Nursia from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH4 – The Sacred Heart and Schools – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 13" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 32. “Instaurare omnia in Christo.” 194 Again it is St. Paul who instructs me, St. Paul who has just immersed himself in the great counsel of God195 and who tells me “that He has resolved in Himself to restore all things in Christ.” So that I may personally realize this divine plan, it is again St. Paul who comes to my aid and who will himself draw up a rule of life for me. “Walk in Jesus Christ,” he tells me, “be rooted in Him, built up in Him, strengthened in faith, growing more and more in Him through thanksgiving.” 196 33. To walk in Jesus Christ seems to me to mean to leave self, lose sight of self, give up self, in order to enter more deeply into Him with every passing moment, 197 so deeply that one is rooted there; and to every event, to every circumstance we can fling this beautiful challenge: “Who will separate me from the love of Jesus Christ?” 198 When the soul is established in Him at such depths that its roots are also deeply thrust in, then the divine sap streams into it199 and all this imperfect, commonplace, natural life is destroyed. Then, in the language of the Apostle, “that which is mortal is swallowed up by life.” 200 The soul thus “stripped” of self and “clothed” 201 in Jesus Christ has nothing more to fear from exterior encounters or from interior difficulties, for these things, far from being an obstacle, serve only “to root it more deeply in the love” 202 of its Master. Through everything, despite everything, the soul can “adore Him always because of Himself.” 203 For it is free, rid of self and everything else; it can sing with the psalmist: “Though an army encamp against me, I will not fear; though war be waged upon me I will trust in spite of everything; for Yahweh will hide me in the secrecy of His tent” 204 and this tent is nothing else but Himself. I think that is what St. Paul means when he says: “be rooted in Jesus Christ.” The post BTP-LR18 – Day 13 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 3, Fr. Gallagher reads the letters of St. Zelie Martin, which document the harrowing trials the Martin family faced, including the Franco-Prussian War, financial difficulties, the death of another child, and the near death of an infant Therese. The post HIDT3- Conference 3 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Called to Mission: Discerning the Will of the Father – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this reflection, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Luke 10:1–20, where Jesus sends out the 72 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He discusses the missionary nature of the Church and the call each baptized ... Read more The post Called to Mission: Discerning the Will of the Father – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Episode 7 we journey with Julian of Norwich into the mystery of Christ’s joy in His Passion. Rather than sorrow alone, Julian sees the Redeemer rejoicing in His self-offering, delighting to give Himself for the salvation of souls. She is shown the threefold joy of the Trinity, where the Father is pleased, the Son is crowned, and the Holy Spirit is satisfied. Then Julian is led through the wound in Christ’s side into the depths of His Heart—a resting place “large enough for all mankind.” Drawing on Scripture, the Catechism, and the mystical tradition of the Church, this episode opens the mystery of divine charity that transforms suffering into eternal joy, and invites the soul into the inexhaustible mercy of the pierced Heart of Jesus. The post Ep 7 – The 9th and 10th Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 2, Fr. Gallagher continues reading from the letters of St. Zelie to her brother, Isidore and sister-in-law, Celine. He also provides further historical context, as the Martins must deal with incoming war and economic strife resulting from it. The post HIDT2- Conference 2 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. James Kubicki S.J. – A Heart on Fire on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of Inside the Pages, Fr. James Kubicki discusses his book A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He explores the meaning and history of this devotion, tracing it back to the ... Read more The post Fr. James Kubicki S.J. – A Heart on Fire on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DC12 St. Cyril of Alexandria - The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Cyril of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH3 – The Gifts of the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH2 – Introduction to the Sacred Heart, Continued – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Beginning to Pray: "The Last Retreat - Day 12 " - “God has said: “Be holy, for I am holy.” 31. This is Christ’s work in every soul of good185 will and it is the work that His immense love, His “exceeding love,” 186 is eager to do in me. He wants to be my peace so that nothing can distract me or draw me out of “the invincible fortress of holy recolletion.” 187 It is there that He will give me “access to the Father” and will keep me as still and as peaceful in His presence as if my soul were already in eternity. 188 It is by the Blood of His Cross that He will make peace in my little heaven, so that it may truly be the repose of the Three. He will fill me with Himself; He will bury me with Him; He will make me live again with Him, by His life: “Mihi vivere Christus est!” 189 And if I fall at every moment, 190 in a wholly confident faith I will be helped up by Him. I know that He will forgive me, that He will cancel out everything with a jealous care, and even more, He will “despoil” me, He will “free” 191 me from all my miseries, from everything that is an obstacle to the divine action. “He will lead away all my powers,” 192 making them His captives, triumphing over them in Himself. Then I will have wholly passed into Him and can say: “I no longer live. My Master lives in me!” 193 And I will be “holy, pure, without reproach” in the Father’s eyes. The post BTP-LR17 – Day 12 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 1, Fr. Gallagher introduces us to Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, giving us the history of their upbringings, how they met, and the first years of their family life up to the birth of their fourth child, Helene. The post HIDT1- Conference 1 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the great feast of Corpus Christi. He discusses the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The tragedy becomes when we look upon the Blessed Sacrament as a "something" instead of a "Someone". The post Corpus Christi Sunday – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH1 – Introduction to the Enthronement – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Deacon Omar Gutiérrez and Kris McGregor discuss the enduring significance of St. Augustine in Catholic thought, the Church’s spiritual life, and how he may influence Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. The post The Lasting Influence of St. Augustine, Pt. 3 – In Conversation with Dcn. Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Beginning to Pray: "The Last Retreat - Day 11 pt 2 " - “It is the whole Trinity who dwells in the soul that loves them in truth, that is, by keeping their word! From "Last Retreat Day 11 pt 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 28. But it is not enough just to listen to this word, we must keep it! 164 And it is in keeping it that the soul will be “sanctified in the truth,” and that is the desire of the Master: “Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” 165 To the one who keeps His word has He not made this promise: “My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home in him”? 166 It is the whole Trinity who dwells in the soul that loves them in truth, that is, by keeping their word! And when this soul has realized its riches, all the natural or supernatural joys that can come to it from creatures or from God Himself are only an invitation to reenter into itself in order to enjoy the substantial Good that it possesses, which is nothing else than God Himself. And thus it has, St. John of the Cross says, a certain resemblance to the divine Being. 167 “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” St. Paul tells me “that He works all things according to the counsel of His will,” 168 and my Master asks me also to pay Him homage in this regard: “to do all things according to the counsel of His will.” Never to let myself be ruled by impressions, by the first impulses of nature, but to let the will gain self-mastery. . . . And for this will to be free, it must be, in the expression of a pious writer, “enclosed in God’s will.” 169 Then I will be “moved by His Spirit,” 170 as St. Paul says. I will do only what is divine, only what is eternal, and, like my Unchanging One, I will live even here below in an eternal present. The post BTP-LR16 – Day 11, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as he offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 8 discusses the Third Mode of the discernment process. The post Conference 8 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff warmly recounts memories of his two sisters, Marlene and MayAnn, reflecting on the deep familial bonds that shaped his life and priesthood. He shares vivid childhood stories, such as witnessing Marlene’s birth, their mischievous adventures, and Marlene’s loyal companionship with her brothers. Marlene was a trusted confidante and a source of joy and nurturing within the family. He also recounts MayAnn’s tender heart and spiritual maturity, culminating in her self-offering to God when her brother faced a life-threatening illness. Her acceptance of her own terminal illness became a profound moment of grace and sacrifice within the family. Through these recollections, Msgr. Esseff reflects on how the presence of his sisters enriched his understanding of human relationships and prepared him to encounter women and men in his ministry with deeper compassion and respect. This familial experience helped shape his pastoral heart, particularly in his work with prisoners, where he learned to view each person as a true brother or sister in Christ. The post SFTH-6 – The Gift of Sisters – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Episode 6, In this powerful episode, we enter the Eighth Revelation of Julian of Norwich—a devastating yet holy vision of Christ’s dying. Julian beholds the gradual drying of Christ’s body, a slow agony revealing the depths of divine love. She reflects on His thirst—both physical and spiritual—and joins in His suffering through a profound union of compassion. Drawing on Isaiah, the Gospel of John, the Catechism, and the witness of mystics like St. Bridget and St. Teresa of Calcutta, this episode explores the mystery of redemptive suffering. Julian's witness offers not only theological depth but an invitation to gaze upon the Crucified with love and trust. The post Ep 6 – The 8th Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 11 pt 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 27. “The Lord brought me into a spacious place, because He was gracious toward me. . . .” 159 The Creator, seeing the beautiful silence which reigns in His creature, and gazing on her wholly recollected in her interior solitude, is enamored of her beauty and leads her into this immense, infinite solitude, into this “spacious place” sung of by the prophet, which is nothing else but Himself: “I will enter into the depths of the power of God.” 160 Speaking through his prophet, the Lord said: “I will lead her into solitude and speak to her heart.” 161 The soul has entered into this vast solitude in which God will make Himself heard! “His word,” St. Paul says, “is living and active, and more penetrating than a two edged sword: extending even to the division of soul and spirit, even of joints and marrow.” 162 It is His word then that will directly achieve the work of stripping in the soul; for it has this particular characteristic, that it effects and creates what it intends, 163 provided however that the soul consents to let this be done. The post BTP-LR15 – Day 11, pt. 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as he offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 7 discusses the Second Mode of the discernment process. The post Conference 7 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode of 'Inside the Pages', Marlene Watkins shares her deep connection to Lourdes through her work with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers and her new book Everyday Miracles of Lourdes. The post IP#511 Marlene Watkins – Everyday Miracles of Lourdes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Born: 306 AD, Nisibis, Turkey
Died: June 9, 373 AD, Edessa, Turkey
Full name: Ephrem of Nisibis From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
The figure of Ephrem is still absolutely timely for the life of the various Christian Churches. We discover him in the first place as a theologian who reflects poetically, on the basis of Holy Scripture, on the mystery of man's redemption brought about by Christ, the Word of God incarnate. His is a theological reflection expressed in images and symbols taken from nature, daily life and the Bible. Ephrem gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical character: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community. Ephrem's reflection on the theme of God the Creator is important: nothing in creation is isolated and the world, next to Sacred Scripture, is a Bible of God. By using his freedom wrongly, man upsets the cosmic order. The role of women was important to Ephrem. The way he spoke of them was always inspired with sensitivity and respect: the dwelling place of Jesus in Mary's womb greatly increased women's dignity. Ephrem held that just as there is no Redemption without Jesus, there is no Incarnation without Mary. The divine and human dimensions of the mystery of our redemption can already be found in Ephrem's texts; poetically and with fundamentally scriptural images, he anticipated the theological background and in some way the very language of the great Christological definitions of the fifth-century Councils. Ephrem, honoured by Christian tradition with the title "Harp of the Holy Spirit", remained a deacon of the Church throughout his life. It was a crucial and emblematic decision: he was a deacon, a servant, in his liturgical ministry, and more radically, in his love for Christ, whose praises he sang in an unparalleled way, and also in his love for his brethren, whom he introduced with rare skill to the knowledge of divine Revelation. For more visit Vatican.va The post St. Ephrem of Syria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Deacon Omar Gutiérrez and Kris McGregor take a look at the remarkable legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who inspired Pope Leo XIV's chosen name, and his major contributions to modern Catholic thought and life and his wide-ranging influence. The post Pope Leo XIII and Rerum Novarum, Pt. 2 – In Conversation with Dcn. Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 10 pt 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 26. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” “God,” says St. Dionysius, “is the great solitary.” 153 My Master asks me to imitate this perfection, to pay Him homage by being a great solitary. The divine Being lives in an eternal, immense solitude. He never leaves it, though concerning Himself with the needs of His creatures, for He never leaves Himself; and this solitude is nothing else than His divinity. So that nothing may draw me out of this beautiful silence within, I must always maintain the same dispositions, the same solitude, the same withdrawal, the same stripping of self! If my desires, my fears, my joys or my sorrows, if all the movements proceeding from these “four passions” 154 are not perfectly directed to God, I will not be solitary: there will be noise within me. There must be peace, “sleep of the powers,” 155 the unity of being. “Listen, my daughter, lend your ear, forget your people and your father’s house, and the King will become enamoured of your beauty.” 156 It seems to me that this call is an invitation to silence: listen . . . lend your ear. . . . But to listen we must forget “our father’s house,” that is, everything that pertains to the natural life, this life to which the Apostle refers when he says: “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” 157 To forget “your people” is more difficult, I think, for this people is everything which is, so to speak, part of us: our feelings, our memories, our impressions, etc., the self, in a word! We must forget it, abandon it, and when the soul has made this break, when it is free from all that, the King is enamored of its beauty. For beauty is unity, at least it is the unity of God! The post BTP-LR14 – Day 10, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson – Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Kris McGregor interviews Dr. Matthew Bunson about his new book on Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Dr. Bunson recounts the extraordinary events surrounding Pope Francis’s final days and the surprising election that followed. ... Read more The post IP#510 Dr. Matthew Bunson – Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher takes a look at the final years of Marie of the Eucharist, cousin of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. As Marie suffered from tuberculosis, she experienced physical decline but also a deepening spiritual life. The post TM13 – The Death of Marie and Reflections – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 6 continues the discussion of the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process. The post Conference 6 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the meaning of the Ascension and Pentecost, urging us to move beyond a childish, distant view of heaven. The post The Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his formative years growing up in a Lebanese Maronite Catholic family. He shares vivid stories of his early friendships formed around the church and school, highlighting how closely tied family, faith, and community life were in his upbringing. The post SFTH-5 – Fighting the Good Fight – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to the Holy Spirit Begin be reciting the following prayer… O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler! I adore you as my True God. I offer You my whole heart, and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world. You are the author of all supernatural gifts and enriched the Blessed Virgin ... Read more The post A Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor Episode 5: The Sixth and Seventh Shewings — Divine Reward and the Mystery of Consolation Summary: In Episode 5, we explore Julian of Norwich’s Sixth and Seventh Shewings, where she is shown the eternal joy that awaits those ... Read more The post Ep 5 – The 6th and 7th Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore the spiritual insights of Day 10 from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s The Last Retreat and the command “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” which St. Elizabeth understands as a call to live in the eternal present—a mode of existence modeled on God the Father’s unchanging love and divine solitude. The post BTP-LR13 – Day 10, pt. 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 4 discusses spiritual means that Ignatius proposes to help discern: the sacraments and scripture. The post Conference 4 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff shares vivid memories from his childhood growing up in a Maronite Catholic family in coal country Pennsylvania. He recalls spiritual moments of wonder—from giving away a dime to a stranger and feeling profound joy, to sensing God's presence in nature and creation as a young boy. The post SFTH-4 – Communion Found in the Little Things – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor Episode 4: The Fourth and Fifth Shewings — Blood, Mercy, and the Triumph of Christ Summary: In this episode we enter the Fourth and Fifth Shewings, where Julian beholds the Precious Blood of Christ poured out in love, not ... Read more The post Ep 4 – The 4th and 5th Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 9 pt 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 23. Speaking to Abraham God said: “Walk in My presence and be perfect.” 134 This then is the way to achieve this perfection that our Heavenly Father asks of us! St. Paul, after having immersed himself in the divine counsels, 135 revealed exactly this to us when he wrote “God has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love.” 136 It is also by the light of this same saint that I will be enlightened so that I might walk without deviating from this magnificent road of the presence of God on which the soul journeys “alone with the Alone,” 137 led by the “strength of His right arm,” 138 “under the protection of His wings, without fearing the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the evil that stalks in darkness, nor the attacks of the noonday devil. 139 24. “Strip off the old man in whom you lived your former life, “ he tells me, “and put on the new man, who has been created according to God in justice and holiness.” 140 This is the way set forth; we have only to strip off self to follow it as God wills! To strip off self, to die to self, to lose sight of self. It seems to me the Master meant this when He said: “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him take up his cross and deny himself.” 141 “If you live according to the flesh,” the Apostle also says, “you will die, but if you put to death in the spirit the works of the flesh, you will live.” 142 This is the death that God asks for and of which it is said: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 143 “O death,” says the Lord, “I will be your death”; 144 that is: O soul, my adopted daughter, look at Me and you will forget yourself; flow entirely into My Being, come die in Me that I may live in you! The post BTP-LR12 – Day 9, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Kris McGregor and Deacon Omar Gutierrez discuss the significance of the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, reflecting on the profound impact of his surprising selection. The post Pope Leo XIV and the Path Forward, Pt. 1 – In Conversation with Dcn. Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 3 goes in depth about the disposition of heart needed in the discernment process. The post Conference 3 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the often overlooked yet deeply influential role of his grandmothers in shaping his family’s legacy. The post SFTH-3 – A Grandmother’s Love, a Family’s Strength – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor explore the why, how, and what of "prayer". In this episode, they explore the healing power of prayer against sin and the role the Holy Spirit plays in it as well. The post HP6 – Prayer and Healing from Sin – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
[powerpres All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor Episode Three: The 2nd and 3rd Shewing — Desire, Prayer, and Trust in God’s Hidden Work Summary: In Episode 3, we explore Julian’s Second and Third Shewings, where the vision of Christ’s suffering and the image of “God in ... Read more The post Ep 3 – The 2nd and 3rd Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore the ninth day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s "Last Retreat," focusing on the divine call to holiness. The post BTP-LR11 – Day 9, pt. 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 2 introduces us to the foundations of the discernment process and ways to utilize it when making significant choices. The post Conference 2 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Deacon Omar Gutierrez and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of Pope Leo XIII, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping modern Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIII, a deeply intellectual and spiritually grounded leader, sought to engage the modern world rather than retreat from it, producing over 80 encyclicals and major works like Rerum Novarum and Libertas. The post RN-13 – Pope Leo XIII and “Rerum Novarum” (The Condition of Labor) – Regnum Novum with Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his family's deep roots in the Maronite Catholic tradition, tracing his lineage back to Lebanon. The post SFTH-2 – Rooted in Faith – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor explore the why, how, and what of "prayer". In this episode, they explore the sacrament of confession in conjunction with prayer. They discuss how confession can affect and even strengthen our prayer life. The post HP5 – Prayer and Confession – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8, Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on paragraph 21 of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat, focusing on the soul’s journey into adoration and silence. St. Elizabeth describes adoration as a silent, ... Read more The post BTP-LR10 – Day 8, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor Episode Two: The First Shewing — Love Poured Out and the Mystery of the Trinity Summary: In this episode, we delve into Julian of Norwich’s First Shewing, in which she witnesses the outpouring of Christ’s love through his suffering ... Read more The post Ep 2 – The First Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 1 offers an introduction to the life of St. Ignatius and establishes the challenges involved in everyday Christian decision making. The post Conference 1 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode One – The Beginning… – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff In this opening episode, Monsignor John Esseff shares the deeply personal story of his family’s immigration from Lebanon to America—fleeing persecution, carrying with them a rich Catholic faith, and planting deep roots in Pennsylvania. He reflects on growing up in a ... Read more The post SFTH-1 – The Beginning… – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Eamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor explore how prayer becomes a space of healing and transformation, especially when confronting inner turmoil, negative self-talk, and emotional wounds. The post HP4 – Prayer and Forgiveness – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor Episode One: Julian of Norwich and the Unshakable Love of God Summary: Join Kris McGregor as she leads a journey through the work of Julian of Norwich—14th-century anchoress, mystic, and the first known woman to write a book in ... Read more The post Ep 1 – Julian of Norwich and the Unshakable Love of God – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Gallagher, in this concluding episode, reviews the different dimensions of the Examen prayer and applications for our lives. The post DPD8 – Dimensions of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What a great conversation with Dr. Timothy Muldoon, who with his wife, Sue, has written a wonderfully rich spiritual resource for today's family entitled "The Discerning Parent: An Iganatius Guide to Raising Your Teen." Fr. Timothy Gallagher said it so well, this is "An engaging book for parents who desire that God be the center of raising their teenage children. Applying Ignatian discernment to this specific task--a valuable contribution--the authors offer clarity and hope to all parents." The post IP#344 Timothy Muldoon – The Discerning Parent on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor discuss the why, how, and what of "prayer". In this episode, they explore the healing nature of prayer. They examine the many wounds we can bring to our prayer and the Father's great desire to heal our pain. The post HP3 – The Healing Nature of Prayer – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles reflects on Day 7 of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat, delving into the mystery of suffering, self-emptying, and divine union. The post BTP-LR8 – Day 7, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer. Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the the fifth step - RENEWAL - which is how we move forward after our encounter with God in our prayer. The post DPD7 – Steps to Spiritual Renewal – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church. The post WM41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 47: Easter Sunday – “He Is Risen” Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 20:1–9 It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the ... Read more The post Day 47: Easter Sunday – “He Is Risen” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 46: The Great Silence Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) Luke 23:55–56, 24:1 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ... Read more The post Day 46: The Great Silence – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 45: The Cross Stands While the World Turns Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 19:25–30 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.Seeing his mother and the ... Read more The post Day 45: The Cross Stands While the World Turns – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 44: Love Poured Out Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 13:1–15 It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always ... Read more The post Day 44: Love Poured Out – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this classic interview from 2007, Bruce and Kris McGregor speak with actress Sydney Penny about her portrayal of St. Bernadette Soubirous in the films Bernadette and The Passion of Bernadette. The post “Bernadette” and “The Passion of Bernadette”- In Conversation with Sydney Penny – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor discuss the why, how, and what of "prayer". In this episode, they explore a creating space for prayer. They also reflect on the witness of Servant of God Dorothy Day. The post HP2 – Creating Space for Prayer – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 43: The Price of Betrayal Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) Matthew 26:14–25 One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over ... Read more The post Day 43: The Price of Betrayal – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor reflect on the seventh day of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Dr. Lilles explains how Elizabeth sees the soul as a “heaven” that proclaims the glory of God, drawing from Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” The post BTP-LR7 – Day 7 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 42: A Table Prepared Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 13:21–33, 36–38 Having said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, wondering ... Read more The post Day 42: A Table Prepared – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer.
Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the fourth step - FORGIVENESS. Then we approach the fifth step - RENEWAL - which is how we move forward after our encounter with God in our prayer. The post DPD6 – God’s Unconditional Love – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 41: The Fragrance of Love Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 12:1–11 (Jerusalem Bible) Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; ... Read more The post Day 41: The Fragrance of Love – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 40: “The Road of the Cross, The Way of Love” Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) Mark 11:1–10 When they were approaching Jerusalem, in sight of Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples ... Read more The post Day 40: The Road of the Cross, The Way of Love – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Palm Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 39: Hope in the Midst of Opposition Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 11:45–56 Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him, but some of them went to tell ... Read more The post Day 39: Hope in the Midst of Opposition – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Alexander Harb and Kris McGregor explore The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East, his new book that gives both spiritual and theological insight into Eastern Christian spirituality through the lens of the Desert Fathers and the Philokalia. The post IP#509 Dr. Robert D. Enright – Forgiving as Unity with Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 38: In the Father’s Hands Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 10:31–42 The Jews fetched stones to stone Him, so Jesus said to them, “I have done many good works for you to see, works from My Father; for which ... Read more The post Day 38: In the Father’s Hands – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor discuss the why, how, and what of "prayer." In this episode, they explore the nature of prayer and responding to the call of relationship with God. The post HP1 – What is Prayer? – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 37: Before Abraham Was, I Am Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 8:51–59 Jesus said to the Jews: “I tell you solemnly, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” The Jews said, “Now we know that You ... Read more The post Day 37: Before Abraham Was, I Am – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh most lovable St Gemma, we ask you to be our patroness and special friend today and always. Assist us in our daily spiritual and material needs and teach us to know, love and serve the Lord our God with all our hearts. Accompany us, along with our guardian Angel, in all our ways, and guide us lovingly to Heaven. Assist us at the time of our death along with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and plead our cause before God, and trusting in His great mercy and the Passion of Jesus thy Spouse, obtain for us the salvation of our souls, and also the favor that we now humbly request (mention request)... The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 9 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 36: The Truth Will Set You Free Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 8:31–42 To the Jews who believed in Him, Jesus said: “If you make My word your home you will indeed be My disciples, you will learn the ... Read more The post Day 36: The Truth Will Set You Free – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh most fervent St Gemma, so many times you shed countless tears over your sins, and sought constantly to do penance and to make reparation for them. We who are so inclined to pamper ourselves, always seeking to gratify our senses and excuse ourselves from every penance, help us to recognize the infinite sufferings that Jesus endured for our sins, and all the pains we caused Him, and with the Passion of Jesus in mind, obtain for us a great sorrow and desire to never commit such sins again ... The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 8 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor delve into the sixth day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat. The post BTP-LR6 – Day 6 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 35: Look Upon the One They Have Pierced Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible) John 8:21–30 Again Jesus said to them: “I am going away; you will look for Me and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, ... Read more The post Day 35: Look Upon the One They Have Pierced – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh holy saint of the Passion of Jesus, St Gemma, as a soul victim you were always pleading for the salvation of sinners. Obtain for us, we beg you, not only the grace that we are asking, if it would be God’s will (mention request) but most importantly obtain for us the conversion and salvation of our souls, so that someday we may be untied with Jesus, Mary and you for all eternity. The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 7 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer. Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the third step - REVIEW - which is where the "The Discernment of Spirits" intersects with "The Examen". Then we approach the fourth step - FORGIVENESS - which is what all the actions in the prayer are leading to. The post DPD5 – Journeying with the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 34: Mercy Meets Us in Our Sin Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): John 8:1–11 (Jerusalem Bible) Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak, He appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to Him, He ... Read more The post Day 34: Mercy Meets Us in Our Sin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Beloved Gem of Christ St Gemma, whose heart was all on fire for the love of God, teach us to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls, and fervently place God above all things, so “that where our treasure is, there also will our heart be.” (Matt 6:21) The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena Day 6 – Mp3 audio & text appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent. He discusses the Sacrament of Reconciliation and how it's key in the area of true inner healing. The healing from the damage done by our sinful choices is more important than even physical healing. He implores us all to see the value of this tremendous gift. The post The Fifth Sunday of Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh glorious St Gemma, for years you greatly desired to enter the consecrated religious life, but God desired otherwise, telling you after many years that it was not to be, and thereby causing you such great disappointment. Yet, you accepted this great sacrifice and resigned yourself to the will of God. Teach us then, dear St Gemma, to accept the sacrifices and sufferings that God permits in our lives, especially those that are very much against our own will and desires(mention request)... The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 5 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 33: Trusting the One Who Calls Us to Life Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): John 11: 11:3-7,17,20-27,33-45 Mary and Martha sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness ... Read more The post Day 33: Trusting the One Who Calls Us to Life – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Blessed St Gemma, you who by the will of God suffered the loss of both of your parents at a young age, and whom also suffered countless pains in body and spirit, teach us how to sacrifice and to suffer out of love for God, that we too may expiate our sins here on earth, and thereby become more worthy of the infinite treasure of being united with God in heaven.(mention request)... The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 4 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 32: The Hidden Work of God Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Jeremiah 11:18–20The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned.O Lord, that was when You opened my eyes to their scheming.I for my part was like a trustful lamb ... Read more The post Day 32: The Hidden Work of God – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Saturday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with a fervent love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others intensely out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on those of us who implore thee in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request)... The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 3 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 31: Walking with Christ: The Path of Love and Sacrifice Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Wisdom 2:1a, 12–22 The godless say to themselves, with their misguided reasoning: “Let us lie in wait for the virtuous man, since he annoys us ... Read more The post Day 31: Walking with Christ: The Path of Love and Sacrifice – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Friday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues. Look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request).... Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be... Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena Day 2 – Mp3 audio & Text appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 30: Hearts Open to the Word Scripture Reading: John 5:31–47 (Jerusalem Bible) Jesus said: “Were I to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid; but there is another witness who can speak on my behalf, ... Read more The post Day 30: Hearts Open to the Word – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Thursday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.
Most compassionate virgin, St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request)... Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be... Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The post St. Gemma Galgani Novena Day 1 – Mp3 audio & Text appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 29: Written on His Heart Reader: Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:8–15 Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as ... Read more The post Day 29: Written on His Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Wednesday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss St. Elizabeth’s eschatological vision rooted in the Book of Revelation, where she contemplates the heavenly liturgy and the hidden spiritual reality taking place even now around the throne of ... Read more The post BTP-LR5 – Day 5 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 29: The Father’s Work of Mercy Reader: Scripture Reading: John 5:17–30 Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He ... Read more The post Day 29: The Father’s Work of Mercy – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Tuesday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer.
The third step - REVIEW - this is point where the "Discernment of Spirits - the 14 Rules" and the Examen intersect. With God, we review the day. We look for the stirrings in our hearts and the thoughts that God has given us this day. We also look for those that have not been of God. IWe review our choices in response to both, and throughout the day in general. The post DPD4 – Reflecting on the Day with God – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 27: “Do You Want to Be Made Whole?” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Isaiah 65:17-21“Thus says the Lord: I am about to create new heavens and a new earth… Be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating… No ... Read more The post Day 27: “Do You Want to Be Made Whole?” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Monday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent. He discusses the Sacrament of Reconciliation and how it's key in the area of true inner healing. The healing from the damage done by our sinful choices is more important than even physical healing. He implores us all to see the value of this tremendous gift. The post The Prodigal Son – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 26: From Darkness to Sight: Mercy that Heals Reader: Scripture Reading: John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-38 As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that ... Read more The post Day 26: From Darkness to Sight: Mercy that Heals – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 25: “The Greatest Commandment” Reader: Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28–34 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” ... Read more The post Day 25: “The Greatest Commandment” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Saturday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Alexander Harb and Kris McGregor explore The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East, his new book that gives both spiritual and theological insight into Eastern Christian spirituality through the lens of the Desert Fathers and the Philokalia. The post IP#508 Dr. Alexander Harb – The Kingdom of the Heart: Meditations from the Christian East on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 24: “Shelter in the Heart of God” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My ... Read more The post Day 24: “Shelter in the Heart of God” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Friday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 23: “The Battle Within” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):Luke 11:14–23Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ... Read more The post Day 23: “The Battle Within” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Thursday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 22: “The Law of Love” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 22:37-40“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest ... Read more The post Day 22: “The Law of Love” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff offers insights on the Transfiguration and it's meaning for our lives today. From the NAB Gospel LK 9:28B-36 Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen. The post The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 21: “Faithfulness in the Little Things” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 16:10 “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” Reflection: Faithfulness in the ... Read more The post Day 21: “Faithfulness in the Little Things” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Annunciation of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Annunciation of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer.
The conversation continues on the subject of the first step in the Examen - GRATITUDE. Why? Because first, above all things, God is love. So at the start of the prayer, we should recall the gift of love God has blessed us with that day and give Him thanks and praise and be concrete. Fr. Gallagher offers examples of what that could look like. Then the conversation begins the next step - PETITION. Asking God to show you what see clearly the spiritual realities of that day. The post DPD3 – Steps to a Deeper Prayer Life – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 20: “Persevering in Prayer and Trusting in God’s Mercy” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ ... Read more The post Day 20: “Persevering in Prayer and Trusting in God’s Mercy” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9: Mary, Woman of Faith Lord let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke I:38) Let us pray: Almighty Father, we are Your children. We call You by name and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Your Son. Give us the grace to have and live the faith of Mary so we ... Read more The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 9 – Mary, Woman of Faith appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 19: “Thirsting for God: The Call to Prayer and Renewal” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): John 4:13-14 “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never ... Read more The post Day 19: “Thirsting for God: The Call to Prayer and Renewal” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8: Mary, handmaid of the Lord Then Mary said “I am the Handmaid of the Lord” (Luke I:38) Let us pray: O God, our loving Father, You infused into our hearts the gifts of service, charity and vocation. We come to You in humility. Grant us the spirit of divine love so that that we ... Read more The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 8 – Mary, handmaid of the Lord appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 18: “The Prodigal Father’s Love” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 15:20-24 “So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and ... Read more The post Day 18: “The Prodigal Father’s Love” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7: Mary, Help of Christians Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God, nothing is impossible” (Luke I:36-37) Let us pray: God, our Father, we come to You with confidence that You will enlighten ... Read more The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 7 – Mary, Help of Christians appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Saturday of Lentt - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 17: “God’s Steadfast Love and Forgiveness” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever because ... Read more The post Day 17: “God’s Steadfast Love and Forgiveness” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6: Mary, Mother of Light The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. (Luke 1:35) Let us pray: Father, true to Your promise, You sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to call us out of darkness into Your wonderful Light. Help us to ... Read more The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 6 – Mary, Mother of Light appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Friday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 16: “Blessed Are Those Who Trust in the Lord” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out ... Read more The post Day 16: “Blessed Are Those Who Trust in the Lord” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5: Mary, Mother of Justice You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. (Luke I:31-32) Let us pray: Almighty Father You gave us Mary, the mother of our Savior to be our model. She inspires us to constantly reach out to one another. We are called to anticipate the needs of those around us, perceive the cry of their heart, share their fears and their brokenness and give hope to the hopeless and forsaken. Teach us Lord how, when and where we must reach out to those in want and in pain. May our hearts be filled with Your love, ever yearning to serve You through others – without counting the cost. This we ask in Jesus name through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation. The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 5 – Mary, Mother of Justice appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Thursday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The faithful foster-father and guardian - St. Bernardine of Siena from the Office of Readings - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post The Faithful Foster-Father and Guardian – St. Bernardine of Siena from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 15: “Whoever Wishes to Be Great Must Be a Servant” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 20:26-28 “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; ... Read more The post Day 15: “Whoever Wishes to Be Great Must Be a Servant” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4: Mary, Queen of Peace But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you (Luke I:30) Let us pray: Loving Father, through our Mother, the Lady of the Annunciation, teach us how to be calm and serene so as to feel Your presence here today as we pray for our needs and desires. Teach us how to ask for them. Almighty Father, through the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Peace, may You grant us the tranquility in our hearts You granted to her at the Annunciation. Father, may the Blessed Virgin assist us, especially in this Novena so that we may pray with faith, and that, if it is Your will, we may obtain through her the favor that we desire. The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 4 – Mary, Queen of Peace appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor as they discuss St. Cyril of Jerusalem in this Doctors of Church Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Cyril of Jerusalem – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 14: “The Path of Humility and True Greatness” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 23:11-12 “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Reflection: Jesus turns our ... Read more The post Day 14: “The Path of Humility and True Greatness” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3: Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. (Luke I:29) Let us pray: With the help of our Mother of the Word Incarnate, grant us Your mercy and consolation to lighten the burden and give comfort and strength to all who are suffering now. Dear Lord, we ask Your Blessed Mother to teach us to be compassionate. Help Your children, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer the menace of evil and sin in all its manifestations. Through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation, we ask You to help us welcome the Word into the world, that we may all experience a rebirth. Through Mary, Your reign has dawned, a reign of compassion and mercy, born from the depths of the Word made flesh. The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 3 – Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Tuesday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 2 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer. The First Step in the Examen Prayer: Gratitude. Taking time out of the day when our hearts are free to receive the Lord's presence. Prayer always takes two persons in relationship...ourselves and God. Then together with the Lord, we see what the gifts of love God has poured out upon us. The key in this first step, is not to look for our missteps (that may come later), but to look for the gifts and give thanks.ob The post DPD2 – Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 13: “Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 6:36-38 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be ... Read more The post Day 13: “Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2: Mary, Cause of Our Joy Rejoice! The Lord is with you. (Luke I:28) Let us pray: Lord God, You were pleased to bring joy to the world through the incarnation of Your Son. You sacrificed Your Son in order to save our souls and enjoy life everlasting. Grant that we, who honor His Mother, the cause of our joy, may always walk in the way of Your commandments with our hearts set on true and lasting joy. Moreover, grant us the grace to share that joy found deep in the words and actions of Mary with everyone we meet. Show us the true joy of living the gospel life – even in our deepest suffering – for You have given Mary the power of helping the miserable. Father of mercy and God of all consolation, grant in Your loving kindness that we who joyfully venerate Mary, as our comforter, may deserve to enjoy the unending happiness of heaven with her. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 2 – Mary, Cause of Our Joy Rejoice! appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Monday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff offers insights on the Transfiguration and it's meaning for our lives today. From the NAB Gospel LK 9:28B-36 Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen. The post The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 12: “The Call to Deeper Prayer and Surrender” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Psalm 27:8-9 “My heart says of You, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your ... Read more The post Day 12: “The Call to Deeper Prayer and Surrender” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1: Mary, Full of Grace From the Gospel according to Luke 1:28 In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. The Angel came to her and said, Rejoice, Full of Grace! Let us pray:
Almighty Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we thank You for bestowing upon Your highly favored daughter all the graces to be Your Son's Mother and to be the Mother of all. We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer and savior. Thank You for giving us the breath of life and the splendor of Your creations. We thank You, Father, our Lord, and our God, for Your infinite kindness and mercy. How good You are to us, your children. We praise you and worship you, with Your Son, Jesus Christ, and his Mother Mary, our intercessor. To You, we owe everything. We acknowledge humbly that without You, we are nothing. Receive our gratitude and our undying adoration and devotion. We will try to reciprocate Your loving kindness by obeying Your commandments, by loving our neighbors and by earnestly endeavoring to become more like Your Son. We shall continuously affirm Your lordship and celebrate Your goodness and kindness all the days of our life.
Amen. The post A Novena for the Annunciation – Day 1 – Mary, Full of Grace appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 11: “Love Your Enemies” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 5:43-48 “You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those ... Read more The post Day 11: “Love Your Enemies” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Saturday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 10: “Reconciliation and Forgiveness” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 5:23-24 “If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be ... Read more The post Day 10: “Reconciliation and Forgiveness” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Friday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 9: “Ask, Seek, Knock” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 7:7-12 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one ... Read more The post Day 9: “Ask, Seek, Knock” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Thursday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 8: “Repentance and Mercy” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 11:29-32 “When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to speak: ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the ... Read more The post Day 8: “Repentance and Mercy” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Wednesday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC16 – Longing for God’s Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 7: The Call of the Disciples – “Leaving Everything to Follow Him” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 5:1-11 “Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the ... Read more The post Day 7: The Call of the Disciples – “Leaving Everything to Follow Him” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Tuesday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer– Serves as an introduction to the coming series and the Examen Prayer. Can we live with our spiritual eyes open to catch the action of God? The Examen Prayer is the one prayer St. Ignatius could not imagine doing without. You can't standstill in the spiritual life if you are praying the Examen Prayer. Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". The post DPD1 – Living the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 6: The Transfiguration – “Beholding the Glory of Christ” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 17:1-9 “Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And ... Read more The post Day 6: The Transfiguration – “Beholding the Glory of Christ” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Monday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Monsignor John Esseff reflects on the Epistle of St. James and every Christian’s daily spiritual battle. He explores the nature of temptation, emphasizing that it is the ordinary way Satan works in ... Read more The post Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 5: Into the Wilderness – “Temptation and Proclamation” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Mark 1:12-15 “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and He remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild ... Read more The post Day 5: Into the Wilderness – “Temptation and Proclamation” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 4: “Follow Me“ Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 5:27-32 “When Jesus went out, He noticed a tax collector called Levi sitting by the customs house, and He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he got up and ... Read more The post Day 4: “Follow Me” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday after Ash Wednesday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mike Aquilina offers the compelling story of the St. Perpetua and her great friend and sister in the faith, St. Felicity. From CNA: Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyrs who died for the faith around the year 203. St. Perpetua was a young, well-educated, noblewoman and mother living in the city of Carthage in North Africa. Her mother was a Christian and her father was a pagan. In terms of her faith, Perpetua followed the example of her mother. Despite the pleas of her father to deny her faith, Perpetua did the very opposite, and fearlessly proclaimed it. At the age of 22, she was imprisoned for her faith. While in prison she continued to care for her infant child and put up with the tortures designed to make her renounce her faith. Perpetua remained steadfast until the end. St. Perpetua was sacrificed at the games as a public spectacle for not renouncing her faith.
St. Felicity was a pregnant slave girl who was imprisoned with St. Perpetua. Little is known about the life of St. Felicity because, unlike Perpetua, she did not keep a diary of her life. After imprisonment and torture, Felicity was also condemned to die at the games. Only a few days before her execution, Felicity gave birth to a daughter who was secretly taken away to be cared for by some of the Faithful. The feast of these Saints is March 7 The post The Story of St. Perpetua – In Conversation with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 3: “The Fast That God Desires” – Discerning Hearts Podcast Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Isaiah 58:6-9 “Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me—it is the Lord who speaks—to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of ... Read more The post Day 3: “The Fast That God Desires” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday after Ash Wednesday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Today’s scripture reminds us of Jesus’ central message as He begins His public ministry: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins. It is about turning—turning away from darkness and sin and toward the light of God’s grace. It is a reorientation of our hearts, minds, and lives toward God. The post Day 2: The Call to Conversion – “Turning Toward the Light” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff teaches the importance of fasting, almsgiving and the Liturgy of the Hours during the season of Lent. He shares his experience of fasting in a desert found in Peru. From this he learned the importance of FASTING and PRAYER. Msgr. Esseff challenges us to discern what the Father in Heaven is asking us to do this Lent through fasting, so we can purely and perfectly follow His Holy Will. And he describes ALMSGIVING, and story from an experience he had with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The Church prepares a spiritual retreat for all of us during Lent. The Holy Spirit is transforming you in a radical way so that you become more like Jesus Christ...the day by day exercise of Morning Prayer, the Eucharist and Evening Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, and the other moments of contemplative prayer aids in the transformation...our ego decreases and Jesus increases in our minds and in our hearts. The post Preparing for Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 1: Ash Wednesday – “Return to Me with Your Whole Heart” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Joel 2:12-13 “But now—it is the Lord who speaks—come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken, ... Read more The post Day 1: Ash Wednesday – “Return to Me with Your Whole Heart” – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 9 – Stepping into Lent – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ash Wednesday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 8 – Preparing a Space for Prayer – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC15 – Receptivity to God’s Presence – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 7 – Opening Your Heart to Grace – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 6 – Seeking Grace in the Sacraments – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 5 – Deepening My Prayer Life – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sister Josephine Garrett and Kris McGregor discuss Wilderness Within, a Lenten journal designed to guide individuals in deepening their spiritual journey. The post IP#507 Sr. Josephine Garrett – Wilderness Within on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 4 – Readiness for Sacrifice – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 3 – Removing Obstacles – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the significance of St. Gregory of Narek being declared the 36th Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015. The post St. Gregory of Narek – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Discerning Heart Prepared: 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent Opening Prayer (Pray each day before the daily reflection) Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. Help me ... Read more The post Day 2 – Expectant Waiting – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the final moments of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, highlighting the depth of suffering, love, and spiritual transformation within their family. Thérèse’s last hours, marked by intense physical pain and the darkness of faith, reveal her unwavering trust in God and love for others, even as she struggled to breathe. Her final words, “My God, I love You,” encapsulate her entire spiritual journey. The post TM12 – The Death of St. Thérèse – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Heavenly Father, as I prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, I open my heart to You. Let this be a time of renewal, where I grow in love, sacrifice, and prayer. The post Day 1 – A Heart That Desires Renewal – 9 Days of Spiritual Preparation for Lent appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC14 – Graces from Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss the fourth day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s 16‑day retreat. They reflect on how contemplative prayer is not about performing spiritual exercises to achieve a measurable outcome but about surrendering one’s own control and expectations to welcome God’s transformative love. The post BTP-LR4 – Day 4 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Straight to Heaven: A Practical Guide for Growing in Holiness" with Fr. Thomas Morrow. The post IP#494 Fr. Thomas Morrow – Straight to Heaven on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC13 – The Incipient Signs of the Grace of Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s retreat, The Last Retreat, focusing on the transformative power of prayer. Elizabeth’s mission is to guide souls into mystical contemplation, where deep prayer fosters ... Read more The post BTP-LR3 – Day 3 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC7 – Practical Steps for Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the importance of the family in our lives. He shares two very personal stories to offer insight on the role of fathers in the heart of each family. The post The Beatitudes – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What a joy to discuss the 2nd edition of "The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombiere" with John Galten, who wrote the forward to the book. Filled with an abundance of wisdom this little work is a must for those seeking solid spiritual guidance. In this podcast, we discuss the great legacy of St. Claude as well as the historical and spiritual richness of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John is a delight to talk with him, his joy for Christ and deep respect for St. Claude is utterly engaging. The post IP#323 John Galten – The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude De La Colombiere on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mary Dudro-Gordon and Kris McGregor discuss Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Elisabeth and Félix Leseur by Bernadette Chovelon. The post IP#374 – Mary Dudro – Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Élisabeth and Félix Leseur on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she continues her conversation about the book "8 Steps to Energize Your Faith" with Joe Paprocki. The post IP#491 Joe Paprocki – 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "8 Steps to Energize Your Faith" with Joe Paprocki in Part One of this episode of Inside the Pages. The post IP#490 Joe Paprocki – 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC12 – Dawning Light of the Gift of Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 5. It is the same for the soul that has entered into the “fortress of holy recollection”: the eye of its soul, opened in the light of faith, discovers its God present, living within it; in turn it remains so present to Him, in beautiful simplicity, that He guards it with a jealous care. Then disturbances from without and tempests from within may arise; its self-esteem may be wounded: “Nescivi”! God may hide Himself, withdraw His sensible grace: “Nescivi .” Or, as St. Paul writes: “For love of Him I have forfeited everything.” Then the Master is free, free to flow into the soul, to give Himself “according to His measure.” And the soul thus simplified, unified, becomes the throne of the Unchanging One, since “unity is the throne of the Holy Trinity.” The post BTP-LR2 – Day 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Patricia McEachern, an associate professor of French at Drew University in Missouri, discusses her book "A Holy Life: The Writings of St. Bernadette of Lourdes" with Bruce and Kris McGregor. The post St. Bernadette, A Holy Life – In Conversation with Patricia McEachern – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC6 – Using Colloquy in Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time. (make your request) We feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard. O Mother of My Lord, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the importance of the family in our lives. He shares two very personal stories to offer insight on the role of fathers in the heart of each family. The post How Do You Respond to the Father? – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.
(make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Apocalypse of the Sovereign Self: Recovering the Christian Mystery of Personhood" with Gil Bailie. The post IP#499 Gil Bailie – The Apocalypse of the Sovereign Self on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the gracious Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favor we so earnestly seek in this novena. (make your request) O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in your hair and the roses of earth at your feet, look with compassion upon us today as you did so long ago on Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes. O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favorably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Donald Haggerty explores St. John of the Cross’ insights on contemplation, highlighting the impact of self-seeking tendencies in prayer. The post SJC11 – Barricades on the Road to Contemplation, Part 2 – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we your wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the angels and saints and your own-the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified in heaven and on earth. Our Lady of Lourdes, as you looked down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her rosary in the grotto, look down now, we beseech you, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted you by your Divine Son, sweet Mother of God, give to each of us all that your motherly heart sees we need and at this moment look with special favor on the grace we seek in this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Last Retreat Day 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 1. “Nescivi.” 1 “I no longer knew anything.” This is what the “bride of the Canticles ” sings after having been brought into the “inner cellar.” 2 It seems to me that this must also be the refrain of a praise of glory on this first day of retreat in which the Master makes her penetrate the depths of the bottomless abyss so that He may teach her to fulfill the work which will be hers for eternity and which she must already perform in time, which is eternity begun and still in progress. 3 “Nescivi”! I no longer know anything, I do not want to know anything except “to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death.” 4 “Those whom God has foreknown He has also predestined to become confirmed to the image of His divine Son,” 5 the One crucified by love. When I am wholly identified with this divine Exemplar, 6 when I have wholly passed into Him and He into me, then I will fulfill my eternal vocation: the one for which God has “chosen me in Him ” 7 “in principio,” the one I will continue “in aeternum” when, immersed in the bosom of my Trinity, I will be the unceasing praise of His glory, Laudem gloriae ejus. The post BTP-LR1 – Day 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now I beseech you to hear our fervent prayer and do, we beseech you, grant us the petition we now so earnestly seek. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the distinction between meditation and contemplation in the Ignatian tradition, and how both forms of prayer deepen one's relationship with God. The post MC5 – God’s Presence in Silence – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures for the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. The post The Presentation in the Temple – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DAY ONE
O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, virgin and mother, queen of heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and in virtue of this title preserved from original sin, we kneel before you as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in you that as we contemplate your glorious appearance at Lourdes, you will look with mercy on our present petition and secure for us a favorable answer to the request for which we are making this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this compelling conversation with Deacon James Keating, a spiritual master of the highest order, we discuss those things that block us from having a closer relationship with God. We also discuss the importance of making time for Lectio Divina, living in the liturgy of the Church, and the danger of letting prayer become too complex. The post IP#484 – Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Abiding in Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God" with Fr. Basil Nortz in part two of this two-part interview. The post IP#498 Fr. Basil Nortz – Holy Silence, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God" with Fr. Basil Nortz in part one of this two-part interview. The post IP#497 Fr. Basil Nortz – Holy Silence, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC10 – Barricades on the Road to Contemplation, Part 1 – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Using the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, Fr. Mauritius Wilde defines soberness not merely as abstinence but as living with balance and attentiveness to one's true needs, avoiding unhealthy compensations such as overeating, excessive internet use, or addictive behaviors. The post HRS4 – Finding Balance – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothhey Gallagher Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC4 – Encountering Christ in Scripture – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 St. Thomas you have taught Suppose a person entering a house were to feel heat on the porch, and going further, were to feel the heat increasing, the more they penetrated within. Doubtless, such a person would believe there was a fire in the house, even though they did not see the fire ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 8 St. Thomas you have taught “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” “We can’t have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.” ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 St. Thomas you have taught “Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.” “We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor and Fr. John Burns as they discuss his book 'Lift Up Your Heart' on this episode of Inside the Pages The post IP#318 Fr. John Burns – Lift Up Your Heart on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 St. Thomas you have taught us to pray… Virgin full of goodness, Mother of mercy, I entrust to you my body and my soul, my thoughts and my actions, my life and my death. My Queen, come to my aid and deliver me from the snares of the devil. Obtain for me the grace of ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC9 – Purification of the Will for Love Alone – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 5 St. Thomas you have taught that: “The world tempts us either by attaching us to it in prosperity, or by filling us with fear of adversity. But faith overcomes this in that we believe in a life to come better than this one, and hence we despise the ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A leader who is not sober can do a great deal of damage to those for whom he is responsible and, of course, harm the cause he is meant to serve. If you allow yourself to be seized with emotions, such as anger, vindictiveness, sadness, pride or envy - whatever "demons" you want to call them here - then you are not in contact with yourself and not in contact with your people. One is identified with the feeling and has no clear view of the truths. The task of the manager is to decide. However, to make the right decision requires a sober consideration of the alternatives that are given. The leader may need a break to make the right choice. The "discernment of spirits", like those taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) is only possible if we can be completely free and open inside, sober and not driven by emotions. One might follow this rule: When I am very upset, frustrated, angry, fearful, sad, whatever mood you might feel, make no decisions and do not respond immediately to those you lead. Give yourself one night to think about it and pray. It often happens that after this break, which does not have to be long, you will find a completely different perspective and have time to assess alternatives. If you do not spontaneously act out of feeling, step back until you are sober and compassionate enough to respond appropriately. The post HRS3 – Leadership and Soberness – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 4 St. Thomas you have taught that: “Many cry to the Lord that they may win riches, that they may avoid losses; they cry that their family may be established, they ask for temporal happiness, for worldly dignities; and, lastly, they cry for bodily health, which is the patrimony ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Think for a moment of the piety of the Madonna when the angel told her that the Spirit would overshadow her. What sentiments of humility, confidence and courage! At the very moment when she understood that God had given her His heart, that is, His Son, she gave herself to God. Her soul was flooded with charity, so she could say with the sacred spouse, "...My heart trembled within me, and I grew faint when he spoke." [Sg:5:4] As far as we are concerned, we receive a similar grace in Communion, because not an angel but Jesus Christ Himself assures us that in it the Holy Spirit descends on us. Heavenly power covers us with its shadow and the Son of God really comes to us. He can say that He is conceived and born in us. Truly then, the soul can respond with the Madonna, "I am the servant of the Lord; let is be done to me as you say." [Lk 1:38] (Spiritual Directory, Art. 12) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mike Aquilina shares with us the story of St. Agnes. A young girl who would help to break open the hearts of many so that grace could pour in. She was "a lamb for Christ". -
A prayer to St. Agnes
Let us gain courage for our own battle
by honoring the martyrdom of the glorious virgin Agnes.
St. Agnes, vessel of honor,
flower of unfading fragrance,beloved of the choirs of Angels,you are an example to the worth of virtue and chastity.
O you who wear a Martyr’s palm
and a virgin’s wreath,
pray for us that,
though unworthy of a special crown,
we may have our names written in the list of Saints. The post St. Agnes, A Lamb for Christ – In Conversation With Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a treatise On Virgins by Saint Ambrose, bishop Too young to be punished, yet old enough for a martyr’s crown Today is the birthday of a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr; let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint Agnes, who is said ... Read more The post “Too young to be punished, yet old enough for a martyr’s crown” (St. Agnes) – Saint Ambrose from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 3 St. Thomas you have taught that: “God loves his creatures, and he loves each one the more, the more it shares his own goodness, which is the first and primary object of his love. Therefore he wants the desires of his rational creatures to be fulfilled because they ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8 One of the greatest proofs of love that Jesus displayed on the cross was putting up with the imperfections of His neighbor. There He showed us that He has a heart that loves us tenderly and watches over us kindly. He even showed His love for those who put Him to death. In those dire moments the Savior expressed thoughts of love even for his executioners, pardoning them in the very act of sinning! How petty-minded we are when we cannot bring ourselves to forget some injury received, even after a long time! Whoever sincerely pardons another calls down abundant blessings and perfectly imitates Christ. (Spiritual Treatises IV; O. VI, pp. 65-66) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC3 – Walking with Christ in Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 2 St. Thomas you have taught that: “Even though the natural light of the human mind is inadequate to make known what is revealed by faith, nevertheless what is divinely taught to us by faith cannot be contrary to what we are endowed with by nature. One or the ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 Our intellect is ordinarily full of ideas, opinions and considerations suggested by self-love. This is the root of many conflicts within the soul, putting before us all sorts of reasons dictated by human prudence to justify our pretensions. People who make use of this false prudence, instead of enlightening their intellect, obscure it. They reject advice given to them and let those reasons prevail in their minds which support their own opinions, even wrong ones. Make use of the virtue of prudence because it is good, but make good use of it. Employ it only rarely, with simplicity, and solely for the glory of God. (Sermons 30; O. IX, pp. 297-298) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena Day 1 Day 1 St. Thomas you have taught that: “God Himself is the rule and mode of virtue. Our faith is measured by divine truth, our hope by the greatness of His power and faithful affection, our charity by His goodness. His truth, power and goodness outreach any measure ... Read more The post St. Thomas Aquinas Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Do not pay any attention to the kind of work you do, but rather to the honor that it brings to God, even though it may seem quite trivial. Desire only to do the Divine Will, following Divine Providence, which is the disposition of Divine Wisdom. In a word, if your works are pleasing to God and recognized as such, that is all that matters. Work hard every day at increasing your purity of heart, which consists in appraising things and weighing them in the balance of God's will. (Letters 280; O. XIII, p. 53) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This poor life is only a journey to the happy life to come. We must not be angry with one another on the way, but rather we must march on as a band of brothers and sisters united in meekness, peace and love. I state absolutely and make no exception: do not be angry at all if that is possible. Do no accept any pretext whatever for opening your heart's door to anger. Saint James tells us positively and without reservation," ... a man's anger does not fulfill God's justice." [Jas 1:20] (INT. Part III, Ch. 8; O. III, p. 162) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anthony of the Desert, Father of the Church – In Conversation With Mike Aquilina Born: c. 251, Herakleopolis Magna, Egypt Died: 356, Mount Colzim, Egypt With Kris and Bruce McGregor, Mike Aquilina discusses the life and influence of St. Anthony of the Desert, a foundational figure in Christian monasticism. St. Anthony, renowned for his ... Read more The post St. Anthony of the Desert, Father of the Church – In Conversation With Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Self-love dies only when our body dies, so we must, while we live in this land of exile, continue to counterattack its assaults on our senses and its underhanded tactics. It is enough if we firmly withstand, giving no willful or deliberate consent ... When we feel within ourselves the first movements of self-love or of other passions, let us prostrate ourselves immediately before the heart of God and tell Him, in a spirit of confidence and humility, "Lord, have mercy on me because I am a very weak creature." Then let us tranquilly rest in peace and put ourselves at God's disposal. (Letters 1675; O. XIX, pp. 272-273) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC8 – The Will’s Capacity for Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 9 Day 9 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: Abbe Pambo asked Abba Anthony, “What ought I to do?” and the old man said to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue and ... Read more The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I desire very little, and what I do desire I desire very little; I have hardly any desires, but if I were to begin my life all over again I would want to have none at all ... Ask for nothing, refuse nothing; we must simply abandon ourselves into the hands of Providence, without nourishing any other desire but to do whatever God wills. St. Paul practiced this act of absolute abandonment at the very moment of his conversion. When he was deprived of his sight, he immediately said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" [cf. Act 22:10] From that moment on he put himself completely at God's disposal. All our perfection consists precisely in the practical application of this principle. (Spiritual Treatises XXI, O. VI, pp. 383-384) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The origin of the virtue of soberness is attributed to the monastic tradition. The German term "nüchtern" (sober in English) is borrowed from the Latin "nocturnus" and describes the state of the monk at night (see Friedrich Kluge, etymological dictionary of the German language). So, to gain access to what "soberness" really means, Fr. Mauritius discusses what role the night plays for the monks and how they spend it. Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of the Benedictine order, has much to say. His observations can also help us to reflect on how we spend the night. The post HRS2 – Winding Down With God – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: A brother renounced the world and gave his goods to the poor, but he kept back a little for his personal expenses. He went to see Abba Anthony. When he told him this, the old man said to him, “If you want to be a monk, go into the village, buy some meat, cover your naked body with it and come here like that.” The brother did so, and the dogs and birds tore at his flesh. When he came back the old man asked him whether he had followed his advice. He showed him his wounded body, and Abba Anthony said, “Those who renounce the world but want to keep something for themselves are torn in this way by the demons who make war on them.” The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
State openly that you desire to be devout. I do not say that you should assert that you are devout but that you desire to be devout. Do not be ashamed to practice the ordinary, necessary actions that bring us to the love of God. Acknowledge frankly that you are trying to meditate, that you would rather die than commit a mortal sin, that you are resolved to frequent the sacraments and to follow your director's advice. This candid confession of our desire to serve God and to consecrate ourselves entirely to His love is most acceptable to His Divine Majesty. (INT. V, Ch. 18; O. III, p. 365) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 There is no clock, no matter how good it may be, that doesn't need resetting and rewinding twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition, at least once a year it must be taken apart to remove the dirt clogging it, straighten out bent parts and repair those worn out. In like manner, every morning and evening a person who really takes care of his heart must rewind it for God's service by means of certain practices of piety. At least once a year he must take it apart and examine every piece in detail; that is, every affection and passion, in order to repair whatever defects there may be. (INT. Part 5, Ch. 1; O. III, p. 340) The post St. Francis de Sales Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and work of St. Hilary of Poitiers Born: 310 AD,
Died: May 2, 367 AD, The post St. Hilary of Poitiers – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 7 Day 7 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: The brothers praised a monk before Abba Anthony. When the monk came to see him, Anthony wanted to know how he would bear insults, and seeing that he could not bear them at all, he ... Read more The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 2 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC2 – Power of Imaginative Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: A hunter in the desert saw Abba Anthony enjoying himself with the brethren and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brethren, the old man said to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.” So, he did. The old man said, “Shoot another,” and he did so. Then the old man said, “Shoot yet again,” and the hunter replied “If I bend my bow so much I will break it.” Then the old man said to him, “It is the same with the work of God. If we stretch the brethren beyond measure they will soon break. Sometimes it is necessary to come down to meet their needs.” When he heard these words the hunter was pierced by compunction and, greatly edified by the old man, he went away. As for the brethren, they went home strengthened.
Dear God, St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us. For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 5 Day 5 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: Some brothers came to find Abba Anthony to tell him about the visions they were having, and to find out from him if they were true or if they came from the demons. They had ... Read more The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Baptism of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Baptism of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 4 Day 4 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: Abbe Pambo asked Abba Anthony, “What ought I to do?” and the old man said to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue ... Read more The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Saturday after the Epiphany Sunday- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor take a look at the spiritual development of Marie, cousin of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, through her letters to Celine, and Thérèse’s teachings. The post TM11 – Spiritual Fruits of Small Acts – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: “When the demons see Christians, specially the monks, working joyfully and growing in the spirit, first they fight them with temptation, and by placing obstacles to hinder their growth, trying to inject evil thoughts in their minds; but there is no reason for fear from their temptations because their offenses fail instantly by prayer and fasting, especially if you have had armed yourself with faith and the sign of the cross.” The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Friday after the Epiphany Sunday- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: Someone asked Abba Anthony, "What must one do in order to please God?" The old man replied, "Pay attention to what I tell you: whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes, whatever you do, do it according to the testimony of the holy Scriptures; in whatever place you live, do not easily leave it. Keep these three precepts and you will be saved." Dear God, St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us. The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Thursday after the Epiphany Sunday- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC7 – Asceticism: Recovery of a Neglected Value – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert: When the holy Abba Anthony lived in the desert he was beset by acedia (lack of care, sloth), and attacked by many sinful thoughts. He said to God, "Lord, I want to be saved but these thoughts do not leave me alone; what shall I do in my affliction? How can I be saved?" A short while afterward, when he got up to go out, Anthony saw a man like himself sitting at his work, getting up from his work to pray, then sitting down again and plaiting a rope, then getting up again to pray. It was an angel of the Lord sent to correct and reassure him. He heard the angel saying to him, "Do this and you will be saved." At these words, Anthony was filled with joy and courage. He did this, and he was saved.
Dear God, St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us. The post St. Anthony of the Desert Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Wednesday after the Epiphany Sunday- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Are you being caught up in the swirl and chaos of fear, violence, and anger assaulting our world today? Father Mauritius Wilde invites us to contemplate the Benedictine understanding of sobriety. He does not advocate for the renunciation of enjoyment, but rather to accept what God has in store for us. This series will shed light on the facets of this ancient and yet up-to-date concept and shows the spiritual and practical significance it can have for us in the current social situation. The post HRS1 – The Nature of Our Need – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Tuesday after the Epiphany of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Mediation in the Ignatian tradition with Fr. Timothy Gallagher. Fr. Gallagher introduces us to meditation and contemplation - the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice. The post MC1 – Introduction – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Monday after the Epiphany of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Twelve Drummers Drumming ..." sounding out the cadence of what we believe in our lives, the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed: 1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
5. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8. The holy catholic Church,
9. The communion of saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And life everlasting. The post The Twelfth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Epiphany of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping ..." symbolizing the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. The list does not include Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple who betrayed Jesus. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus called the twelve to His side, called them to leave their homes and families, just as Jesus left his to teach us to live worthily. As we are called this holy season to help the poor and needy, the weak, the inflicted and the abandoned help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and sometimes painful paths of service to others. Amen. The post The Eleventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday Before the Epiphany - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 9 Jesús Nos Dice Cerrad los ojos y dejaos llevar por la fluida corriente de mi gracia; cerrad los ojos y no pensad en el presente, alejando, del futuro, los pensamientos, igual que lo haríais de la tentación. Reposad en mí, confiad en mi bondad ... Read more The post Día 9 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC6 – Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – Surrender Prayer Novena Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all ... Read more The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten Lords A Leaping ..." the lords or rulers of our lives establish the law. The lords stand for the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which are holy and good, by which we should live and by which we are all judged. (Gal 3:10-28) Prayer: Heavenly Father we strive to live by your commandments, help us oh Lord. We pray for those who have been called to rule, give them good judgment, discernment, and humbleness. Lord, help us to honor those who have been called to lead and pray for them and their families. Amen. The post The Tenth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Most Holy Name of Jesus - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Most Holy Name of Jesus – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 8 Jesús Nos Dice Cerrad los ojos y dejaos llevar por la fluida corriente de mi gracia; cerrad los ojos y no pensad en el presente, alejando, del futuro, los pensamientos, igual que lo haríais de la tentación. Reposad en mí, confiad en mi bondad ... Read more The post Día 8 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Nine Ladies Dancing ..." who were the least of the servants in a home. They symbolize Christ’s love for the least of us, and His faithfulness to those who don’t deserve it. The eight maids stand for the Beatitudes or blessings listed in Matthew. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for standing by us when we least deserve it…we remember today that blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake….let us open our lives to Your blessings! Amen. The post The Ninth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts Quote: “I saw a great mountain the color of iron, and enthroned on it One of such great glory that it blinded my sight. On each side of him there extended a soft shadow, like a wing of ... Read more The post Day 1 – The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eight Maids a Milking ..." who were the least of the servants in a home. They symbolize Christ’s love for the least of us, and His faithfulness to those who don’t deserve it. The eight maids stand for the Beatitudes or blessings listed in Matthew. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for standing by us when we least deserve it…we remember today that blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake….let us open our lives to Your blessings! Amen. The post The Eighth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever perform miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. ... Read more The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 7 Jesús Nos Dice Yo obro milagros en proporción del pleno abandono en mí, y a la ausencia de preocupaciones vuestras. ¡Yo derramo tesoros de gracia cuando vosotros estáis en la plena pobreza! Si apreciáis vuestros recursos, por pocos que sean, o si los buscáis, ... Read more The post Día 7 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor examine the profound and often overlooked suffering of St. Thérèse of Lisieux during the final months of her life in 1897. The narrative begins with the context of her perpetual profession as a Carmelite and the subsequent public ceremony where she received the black veil, marking her definitive commitment. The post TM10 – A Heart Set on Holiness – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A Swimming ..." representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion or the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, penance, Eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. This is a day of new beginning, seven is the number of finality and we finish the old year and begin anew this day. Prayer: Lord, examine our hearts today, let us come to You as anew, pure as the snow of the season. Show us our conscience, help us take Your words to heart, and make a new beginning. Lord, let this season of birth be a new birth in me. Amen The post The Seventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 6 Jesús Nos Dice No descansáis nunca, queréis valorarlo todo, escudriñarlo todo, pensar en todo, y os abandonáis así a las fuerzas humanas, o peor, a los hombres, confiando en su intervención. Es esto lo que obstaculiza, impide mis palabras y mis cálculos. ¡Oh, como ... Read more The post Día 6 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength... The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Six Geese A Laying ..." symbolizing the six days of the creation. Eggs are also a universal symbol of new life. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are reminded this day that there is holiness in the ordinary. There is holiness in the birth of a new child, in the creation of life, and in the ordinary task of raising those children. We are blessed to all be Your children, brothers, and sisters in Christ. Help us to bear our unique responsibility to bring forth into the world the gifts we have received. Lord, let us see the holiness every day in the face of children. Amen. The post The Sixth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and concludes the series with reflections from St. Therese of Lisieux. The post SISL19 – Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 5 Jesús Nos Dice Y cuando yo os tenga que liderar por un camino diferente al que vais, yo os prepararé; os llevaré en brazos; dejaré que os encontréis, como cuando los niños duermen en brazos de sus madres, al otro lado del río. Lo ... Read more The post Día 5 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find... The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas - A Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Msgr. Esseff discusses honoring our parents - The reality of our society and the challenge - The wounds and the need for healing The post Holy Family Sunday: Honoring Mother and Father – Building a Kingdom of Love /w Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 4 Jesús Nos Dice Mira, ¿tú ves que la enfermedad apremia en vez de menguar? No te turbes, cierra los ojos y dime con confianza: hágase tu voluntad, “Jesús, ocúpate Tú de ello”. Te digo que así lo haré y que intervendré como médico, y ... Read more The post Día 4 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings ..." pointing to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. This is the history of humanity’s fall from grace and God’s response to make those people a light unto the world. Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us through the wilderness of our lives, let us live as light unto the Earth by Your light radiating through us. As we light candles in our homes and trim them with lights, let us be mindful that salvation and reconciliation come through your Son, the living light Jesus Christ. Amen. The post The Fifth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 4 You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it”. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and ... Read more The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of the Holy Family - A Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of the Holy Family – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me; "You take care of it", then closes it's eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the our Father: "Hallowed be thy Name", that is, be glorified in my need. "Thy kingdom come", that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven", that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: "Thy will be done", which is the same as saying: "You take care of it", I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations. O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times) Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Amen For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE (Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com) The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds ..."symbolizing the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which proclaim the good news of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give thanks for the good news! We are blessed to have heard it in our lives and are called to share the news with others. Help us share the news with just one today, Lord. Bless those whose lives are dedicated to the proclamation of the news…the ministers, priests, missionaries, teachers, evangelists and saints of the Church. This holiday help us to foster Your kingdom on Earth! Amen. The post The Fourth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 3 Jesús Nos Dice ¡Cuántas cosas realizo cuando el alma, tanto en sus necesidades espirituales como en aquellas materiales, se vuelve a mí, me mira y diciéndome: “Jesús, ocúpate Tú de ello”, cierra los ojos y reposa. Obtenéis pocas gracias cuando os atormentáis por producirlas, ... Read more The post Día 3 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of the Holy Innocents - A Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of the Holy Innocents – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"Probes: Deep Sea Diving into St. John's Gospel" is a beautiful union of Scripture Study and the prayer experience of Lectio Divina. I've never seen anything quite like it (and I hope I see more). What the reader will find is that diving deeper is actually climbing higher. Under Dr. Kreeft's guidance, we learn to ask penetrating questions of Sacred Scripture, but more importantly, we learn to listen to the Word for the answers. Designed for community study or individual reflection, this is the "John" book I have been waiting for! Thank you once again Dr. Kreeft! The post IP#352 Dr. Peter Kreeft – Probes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Three French Hens ..." symbolic of the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize the three theological values of faith, hope, and charity or sacrificial love and foretells of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Prayer: Father, we give thanks for family and the sacrificial love that is the glue that holds families together. We give thanks regardless of the situation and know You will bless us in our rejoicing. Jesus, we give thanks for Your exquisite, exemplary life and the model that it provides for our family and all others. We pray we can share faith, hope, and love this holiday season. Holy Spirit, we thank You for your presence in our life at all times. Amen. The post The Third Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 2 Jesús Nos Dice: ¿Entregarse a mí no significa ni inquietarse, ni estar amargado, ni perder la esperanza, ni tampoco significa ofrecerme una oración pidiéndome que le siga y transformarle la preocupación en oración. Está en contra de esta entrega, profundamente en contra, la preocupación, ... Read more The post Día 2 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena Day 2 Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see to their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their chi ldlike efforts get in their mother's way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act, saying "You take care of it". Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations. O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times) Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Amen For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE (Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com) The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist - A Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Jesús Nos Dice: ¿Por qué se confunden al preocuparse? Dejadme a mí el cuidado de vuestros negocios y todo mantendrá la calma. Le digo que todo acto de verdadera, ciega y completa rendición a mí me produce el efecto que deseáis y que resuelve toda complicada situación. The post Día 1 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his look at the lives of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her cousin, Marie Guérin, who joined the Carmel as Sister Marie of the Eucharist in 1895. The post TM9 – The Passion of Saint Therese – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena - Day 1 Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations. O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times) Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Amen The post Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Two Turtle Doves ..." which represent the Old and New Testaments, which bear witness to God’s relationship with all mankind. God’s relationship is begun in the New Testament in His covenant with Abraham and his Descendants and is fulfilled in the New Testament by the new covenant of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, who came to earth through Your Son Jesus Christ we thank You for the gift of your Son, Your new covenant that we may have an intimate relationship with You, and the gift of Your Word. As we exchange gifts, Father, let us recognize and bear witness to the fact that You have given the greatest gifts of all. Amen. The post The Second Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it. The post “Proclaim it to the World” – a Christmas message from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 25: Christ Born in Us Today The crib showing the nativity, in all the cities and villages and Catholic homes of the world, is not only there to commemorate Christ’s first coming to earth, it is there as a symbol of Christ’s birth in us. Christmas does not only mean that God became man ... Read more The post Day 25: Christ Born in Us Today – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Christmas Day - A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Christmas Day – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 24: A Gentle Love Born in Our Hearts How small and gentle his coming was. He came as an infant. The night in which He came was noisy and crowded; it is unlikely that in the traffic of the travelers to Bethlehem the tiny wail of the newly-born could be heard. God approaches gently, ... Read more The post Day 24: A Gentle Love Born in Our Hearts – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – Life Eternal O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on our image of God in prayer. The post SISL18 – Image of God – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This Advent and Christmas season, Kris McGregor, Founder of Discerning Hearts, shares a heartfelt message of gratitude and hope for our listeners. For over 14 years, Discerning Hearts has been blessed to provide free spiritual resources to millions of listeners in over 265 countries, rooted in the timeless wisdom of saints like St. Ignatius of ... Read more The post A Special Message from Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Emmanuel O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself ... Read more The post O Emmanuel – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Seventh Antiphon – December 23nd: O Emmanuel O Emmanuel,[1] king and lawgiver,[2] desire of the nations,[3] Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. We have here a variation on the theme that Jesus, who is Emmanuel – God with us – is present in the Church and in the ... Read more The post O Emmanuel – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 23: Resting in Christ, Living His Love In Advent, Christ rested in Mary—still, silent, helpless, utterly dependent. The Creator trusted Himself to His creature. He trusted the expression of His love to her, the expression of God’s love for the world, and of His love of His Father. Just as the work of His ... Read more The post Day 23: Resting in Christ, Living His Love – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Christmas Novena – Day 8 – Holiness O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas. Divine Infant, after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem, You wished to ... Read more The post A Christmas Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the 4th Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a commentary of Luke by Venerable Bede, priest (Lib 1, 46-55: CCL 120, 37-39) The Magnificat Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Lord has exalted me by a gift so great, so unheard of, that language is useless to describe it, and ... Read more The post The Magnificat – Venerable Bede from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Rex Gentium O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay. Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to ... Read more The post O Rex Gentium – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sixth Antiphon – December 22nd: O Rex Gentium O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart,[1] O Keystone[2] of the mighty arch of man;[3] come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.[4] This antiphon rejoices that the Lord is king not just of the Jews but us ... Read more The post O Rex Gentium – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 22: Surrendering to Christ’s Life Within Us The Infant Christ is the whole Christ. Christ was not more God, more Christ, more man, on the Cross than He was in His Mother’s womb. His first tear, His first smile, His first breath, His first pulsation in the womb of His Mother, could have redeemed ... Read more The post Day 22: Surrendering to Christ’s Life Within Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 – Forgiveness
O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the 4th Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Oriens
O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. The post O Oriens – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fifth Antiphon – December 21st: O Oriens O Radiant Dawn,[1] Splendor of Eternal Light,[2] Sun of Justice;[3] Come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.[4] The Lord here is invoked as the Light of the World[5] coming as the real sol invictus at the end of time calling us ... Read more The post O Oriens – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 21: Trusting with Christ’s Heart However difficult or however insignificant our life may seem to be, it is precious to God as Christ is precious to God. On each one in whom Christ lives, the whole of the infinite love of God is concentrated at every moment. If this were realized there could be ... Read more The post Day 21: Trusting with Christ’s Heart – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 – Peace
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Embracing Hope and Presence - Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings about waiting with hope, using the Christian understanding of time and history. The post Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Clavis David
O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. The post O Clavis David – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fourth Antiphon – December 20th: O Clavis David O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven,[1] Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,[2] and lead your captive people into freedom The Lord Jesus is ... Read more The post O Clavis David – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 20: Christ, the Word of God’s Love Neither have we any words to tell of God’s love for us, but God gave His Word, Christ is the Word, telling how God loves the word. Everything that Christ said and did and experienced on earth is the Word saying, “see how God loves you!” Not ... Read more The post Day 20: Christ, the Word of God’s Love – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5 – Love
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us to love as You love this Christmas The post A Christmas Novena – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This reflection was given during a special Discerning Hearts Advent evening of prayer and meditation service at St. Margaret Mary's Church, in Omaha, NE The post The Gift of Holiness – Advent Retreat Reflection by Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
IP#503 Spiritual Masters: Living and Praying in the Catholic Tradition by Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post IP#503 Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes – Spiritual Masters on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4 – Hope
O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you, kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer. The post O Radix Jesse – The O Antiphons reflection with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Third Antiphon – December 19th: O Virga Jesse O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised as a sign for all peoples;[1] kings stand silent in your presence;[2] The nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.[3] Here we call on the Lord as the ... Read more The post O Virga Jesse – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 19: The Incarnation in Our Suffering World Christ was born not because there was joy in the world, but because there was suffering in it. Not to riches, but to poverty. Not to satiety but to hunger and thirst. Not to security, but to danger, to exile, to homelessness, to destitution and crucifixion. His ... Read more The post Day 19: The Incarnation in Our Suffering World – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher continues his look at the lives of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her cousin, Marie Guérin, who joined the Carmel as Sister Marie of the Eucharist in 1895. The post TM8 – Walking the Little Way Together – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Adonai O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm. Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a ... Read more The post O Adonai – O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel[1] who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,[2] who gave him the holy law on Sinai. Come stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.[3] The post O Adonai – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 – Faith
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord, deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect faith in you this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 18: Seasons of Rest and Trust If Christ is to come to flower and bear fruit in individual lives, there must be seasons of rest in which there is almost no activity but the giving wholly of self to nourish the supernatural life; just as the earth in which the seed is buried is ... Read more The post Day 18: Seasons of Rest and Trust – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Sapientia – Come O Wisdom O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence. Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has ... Read more The post O Sapientia – Come O Wisdom – O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
For unless the new man, by being made in the likeness of sinful flesh, had taken on himself the nature of our first parents, unless he had stooped to be one in substance with his mother while sharing the Father's substance and, being alone free from sin, united our nature to his, the whole human race would still be held captive under the dominion of Satan. The Conqueror's victory would have profited us nothing if the battle had been fought outside our human condition. But through this wonderful blending the mystery of new birth shone upon us, so that through the same Spirit by whom Christ was conceived and brought forth we too might be born again in a spiritual birth; and in consequence the evangelist declares the faithful to have been born not of blood, nor of the desire of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The post The Mystery of Our Reconciliation with God – Pope St. Leo the Great from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. The post SJC5 – Mystery of Believing – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
First Antiphon -
December 17th: O Sapientia O, Wisdom, O holy Word of God,[1] you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.[2] Come and show your people the way to salvation.[3] The post O Sapientia – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 17: Welcoming Christ in Others It is part of God’s plan for us that Christ shall come to us in everyone; it is in their particular role that we must learn to know him. He may come as a little child, making enormous demands, giving enormous consolation. He may come as a stranger, so ... Read more The post Day 17: Welcoming Christ in Others – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2 – Humility O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life, and death. We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on sharing our spiritual struggles with others. The post SISL17 – A Need to Share – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 – Joy
O Lord, infant Jesus, fill us with Joy! The birth of any child is a cause for joy and so much more is the birth of You our Savior. We pray in union with Mary, Your mother, for a greater joy this Christmas. The post A Christmas Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 16: The Sacred Vigil of Love It is only necessary to give ourselves to that life, all that we are, to pray without ceasing, not by a continual effort to concentrate our minds but by a growing awareness that Christ is being formed in our lives from what we are. We must trust Him ... Read more The post Day 16: Trusting Christ’s Quiet Growth in Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Third Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Advent season as a time of joy, repentance, and renewal, urging listeners to recognize Christ’s presence not just in history or the future but in their lives today. Drawing from scripture, he describes baptized Christians ... Read more The post The Third Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 15: The Sacred Vigil of Love The fostering of an infant’s life is a thing of terror as well as of beauty. We are face to face with life at its most precious, housed in its frailest. That life depends for its survival upon us, upon the intelligence, the skill, the perseverance, the unceasing, ... Read more The post Day 15: The Sacred Vigil of Love – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this conversation, we discuss the significance of St. John of the Cross and his relationship with St. Teresa of Avila. Dr. Lilles will also shed some light on the relationship between the Carmelites and the Jesuits, as well as St. John of Avila. The post St. John of the Cross with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Beginning to Pray Special – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
....For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ: In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labours, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training. All these are lesser things, disposing the soul for the lofty sanctuary of the knowledge of the mysteries of Christ: this is the highest wisdom attainable in this life. Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.... The post “The knowledge of the mystery hidden within Christ Jesus” – St. John of the Cross from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 14: Patience in the Hidden Growth of Sorrow Sometimes this Advent season of the soul is a recurring rhythm through life, deliberately chosen as such or simply given to us. Sometimes it is the immediate result of conversion or of a new awareness of God or of an increase of Love. Sometimes it is ... Read more The post Day 14: Patience in the Hidden Growth of Sorrow – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on growth in prayer. The post SISL16 – Growth – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 13: The True Fruit of Advent in Suffering “We need the season of Advent; we need it in suffering, in joy, and in thought. We need it in everything that is to bear fruit in our lives. People sometimes get disheartened because they have read that suffering ennobles and have met people who seem ... Read more The post Day 13: The True Fruit of Advent in Suffering – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena St. John of the Cross you have said: “Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.” (1) “When a ... Read more The post Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Our Lady of Guadalupe – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the profound significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her universal message of love and protection, using the historical and spiritual context of her apparition to St. Juan Diego in 1531. At a time when the Church ... Read more The post Our Lady of Guadalupe – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 12: The Virtue of Patience in Small Things “There are things that refuse to be violated by speed, that demand at least their proper time of growth; you can’t, for example, cut out the time you will leave an apple pie in the oven. If you do, you won’t have an apple pie. If ... Read more The post Day 12: The Virtue of Patience in Small Things – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. In this episode, they continue their conversation on that which leads to the experience of the Dark Nights often associated with St. John of the Cross The post SJC4 – Pure Faith in Contemplative Prayer – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 11: Letting Christ Grow Within Us “We ought to let everything grow in us, as Christ grew in Mary. And we ought to realize that in everything that does grow quietly in us, Christ grows. We should let thoughts and words and songs grow slowly and unfold in darkness in us” Commentary: Caryll Houselander ... Read more The post Day 11: Letting Christ Grow Within Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 9 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This reflection was given during a special advent evening of prayer and meditation service at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, in Omaha, NE The post The Gift of Holiness at Christmas with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 - St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post Day 6 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 10: Faith in the Hidden Christ “This time of Advent is absolutely essential to our contemplation too. If we have truly given our humanity to be changed into Christ, it is essential to us that we do not disturb this time of growth. It is a time of darkness, of faith. We shall not ... Read more The post Day 10: Faith in the Hidden Christ – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Bring unity, Mother, to the various factions within the Church and the wider public so that all may work to establish a culture of life. The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 8 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. John of the Cross you have said: It is clear that the desires weary and fatigue the soul; for they are like restless and discontented children, who are ever demanding this or that from their mother, and are never contented. And even as one that digs because he covets a treasure is wearied and fatigued, even so is the soul wearied and fatigued in order to attain that which its desires demand of it; and although in the end it may attain it, it is still weary, because it is never satisfied The post Day 5 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her activity in our lives. He helps us to understand the Immaculate Conception. The post The Immaculate Conception – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9: The Silent Growth of Divine Love “Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of divine love growing in silence…For nine months, Christ grew in his mother’s body. By his own will, she formed him from herself, from the simplicity of her daily life.” Commentary: Caryll Houselander ... Read more The post Day 9: The Silent Growth of Divine Love – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 7 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 7 Mystical Rose, your miraculous signs of Castilian roses in winter and your image on the tilma of Juan Diego led to the conversion of eight million Aztec people to Catholicism in just seven years. Mary, Mother of the Americas, intercede again for your children in the ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the readings from the Second Sunday of Advent in this Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post The Second Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the 2nd week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 8 versus 5-11 The post Sunday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena St. John of the Cross you have said: The road and ascent to God, then, necessarily demands a habitual effort to renounce and mortify the appetites; the sooner this mortification is achieved, the sooner the soul reaches the top. But until the appetites are ... Read more The post Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8: Transformed by Divine Love “When God enters into our passions, joys, desires, sorrows, into our relationship with one another, our nature undergoes a transubstantiation. The Paraclete Who rests in the human heart changes the substance of our humanness to Christ, we are charged with the power of Christ’s love. Love is God in ... Read more The post Day 8: Embracing God’s Vision for Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day Six Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion. Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 6 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 2 - The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ambrose, the catechumen who became a bishop, in part 1 of a 2-part conversation. The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 - The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ambrose, the catechumen who became a bishop, in part 1 of a 2-part conversation. The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Mother of the King of the Universe,
most perfect member of the human race,
"our tainted nature’s solitary boast,"
we turn to you as mother,
advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary,
assist us in our present necessity.
By your Immaculate Conception,
O Mary conceived without sin,
we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart
to intercede for us with your Divine Son
and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead... (State your intention here...) O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen. On the last day of this Novena, recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 9 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena St. John of the Cross you have said: Before this Divine fire of love is introduced into the substance of the soul, and is united with it, by means of a purity and purgation that is perfect and complete, this flame is wounding the ... Read more The post Day 3 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe - Day 5 Day Five Virgin gentle in mercy, in Juan Diego’s anxiety, to bring a priest to his dying uncle he failed to keep his appointment with you. Yet, you rewarded his filial love by restoring his uncle to health. Your compassion allowed Juan Diego to fulfill the mission you gave him, returning to the bishop with the proof the bishop sought. Teach us, Mother, to put God’s holy will ahead of all created things, including our loved ones, and help remove the obstacles that prevent us from following God’s will.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7: Embracing God’s Vision for Us “I often think that the ideal of our perfection that we set up, and often go through torture to achieve, may not be God’s idea of how He wants us to be at all. That may be something quite different that we never would have thought of, and ... Read more The post Day 7: Embracing God’s Vision for Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles offers a captivating exploration of the spiritual significance of St. Nicholas through the reflections of Pope Benedict XVI. St. Nicholas, known for his generosity and kindness, serves as a model of Christ’s light, especially during Advent. His actions, rooted ... Read more The post Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Adam English has done an outstanding job of bringing to life the story of St. Nicholas of Myra. Going deep into the historical documents, he travails between the myths and the reality of this extraordinary bishop who would become an iconic saint. I love this kind of read...steeped in rich history and filled with an enthusiastic joy for the adventure of discovery. The post IP#180 Adam English – The Saint Who Would Be Santa on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Most gracious Virgin Mary,
beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
intercede with him for us
that we be granted the favor which we petition
for so earnestly in this novena... (State your intention here...) O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence
that your prayers in our behalf
will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O Glorious Mother of God,
in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception,
hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions. The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 8 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
When there is union of love, the image of the Beloved is so sketched in the will and drawn so vividly, that it is true to say that the Beloved lives in the lover and the lover in the Beloved... The post Day 2 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 4 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 5 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4
Virgin most wise, you chose a humble farmer to announce your motherly concern to the people of Mexico. Although Juan Diego felt unequal to the mission you gave him, you encouraged him to persevere. Faced with powerful anti-life forces today, we also feel unequal to the mission God has given us of building a culture of life and a civilization of love. Help us to persevere always in this great campaign for life, assured of your help and prayers. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6: A Home for Christ Within “Christ asks for a home in your soul, where he can be at rest with you, where he can talk easily to you, where you and he, alone together, can laugh and be silent and be delighted with one another.“ Commentary: Houselander’s vision of Christ seeking a “home” in ... Read more The post Day 6: A Home for Christ Within – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Contemplative Faith: Certitude in Darkness – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty Fr. Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the interconnectedness of saints, using examples like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who embraced St. John’s teachings, influencing others like St. Teresa of Calcutta. Pope St. John Paul II’s deep engagement ... Read more The post SJC3 – Contemplative Faith: Certitude in Darkness – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast St. John of the Cross you have said: What, more do you want, 0 soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfactions, fullness, and kingdom -your Beloved whom you ... Read more The post Day 1 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven,
we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception
preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son.
We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception.
To the one ever-reigning God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
three in one Person,
one in nature,
we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception.
O Mother of the Word mad Flesh,
listen to our petition as we ask
this special grace during this novena... The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 7 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 3 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 Mother of God, your ribboned sash identified you as a pregnant woman, a woman who bore the Christ Child to a world in darkness and who through two millennia has borne the light and love of Christ to a world that has largely rejected Him. May ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36 The post Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5: Seeing God’s Love in the Ordinary “Every ordinary thing in your life is a word of God’s love: your home, your work, the clothes you wear, the air you breathe, the food you eat…. the flowers under your feet are the courtesy of God’s heart flung down on You! All these things say one ... Read more The post Day 5: Seeing God’s Love in the Ordinary – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. John Damascene pt 2 Born: 676 AD, Damascus, Syria
Died: December 4, 749 AD, Mar Saba, Jordan The post St. John Damascene, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI audience 2009:
John Damascene, a personage of prime importance in the history of Byzantine Theology, a great Doctor in the history of the Universal Church. Above all he was an eyewitness of the passage from the Greek and Syrian Christian cultures shared by the Eastern part of the Byzantine Empire, to the Islamic culture, which spread through its military conquests in the territory commonly known as the Middle or Near East. John, born into a wealthy Christian family, at an early age assumed the role, perhaps already held by his father, of Treasurer of the Caliphate. Very soon, however, dissatisfied with life at court, he decided on a monastic life, and entered the monastery of Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. This was around the year 700. He never again left the monastery, but dedicated all his energy to ascesis and literary work, not disdaining a certain amount of pastoral activity, as is shown by his numerous homilies. His liturgical commemoration is on the 4 December. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him Doctor of the Universal Church in 1890 The post St. John Damascene, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven,
we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception
preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son.
We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception.
To the one ever-reigning God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
three in one Person,
one in nature,
we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception.
O Mother of the Word mad Flesh,
listen to our petition as we ask
this special grace during this novena... The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 6 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 2 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mary, Mother of divine grace, you appeared to Juan Diego standing on the moon and robed in a royal mantle adorned with stars The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4: Bringing Christ to the Everyday “Sometimes it may seem to us that there is no purpose in our lives, that going day after day for years to this office or that school or factory is nothing else but waste and weariness. But it may be that God has sent us there because but ... Read more The post Day 4: Bringing Christ to the Everyday – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Día 1 – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. “Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, creador y redentor mío, por ser vos quien sois, y porque os amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberos ofendido. Propongo enmendarme y confesarme a su ... Read more The post Primer dia – Novena a la Virgen de Guadalupe – Podcasts De Corazones Discernidores appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 1 Pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe (Pope John Paul II, January 25, 1979) O Immaculate Virgin, mother of the true God and mother of the Church! You, who … revealed your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A letter from St Francis Xavier to St Ignatius Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel We have visited the villages of the new converts who accepted the Christian religion a few years ago. No Portuguese live here, the country is so utterly barren and poor. The native Christians have no priests. ... Read more The post Dec. 3 St. Francis Xavier – “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary,
did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son,
we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son,
you did preserve her from all stain of sin,
grant that through her intercession,
we may be favored with the granting of the grace
that we seek for at this time... The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 5 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3: The Word of Love in Our Humanity “Christ used the flesh and blood of Mary for his life on earth, the Word of love was uttered in her heartbeat. Christ used his own body to utter his love on earth; his perfectly real body, with bone and sinew and blood and tears; Christ uses ... Read more The post Day 3: The Gift of Christ in Each Other – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the often overlooked relationships that shaped the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Reflecting on the profound and enduring influence of Thérèse's extended family, Fr. Gallagher takes a special focus on her cousin Marie Guérin, who was both a close friend and spiritual companion to Thérèse. The post TM7 – The Poetry of Saint Thérèse – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Mary, Mother of God,
endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception
with the fullness of grace;
unique among women
in that you are both mother and virgin;
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ,
we ask you to look down with a tender heart
from your throne and listen to our prayers
as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us
the favor for which we now plead... The post A Novena to the Immaculate Conception – Day 4 appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2: The Gift of Christ in Each Other “I saw that it is the will of Christ’s love to be put into the hands of sinners, to trust Himself to men, that He may be their gift to one another that they may comfort Him in each other, give Him to each other. In ... Read more The post Day 2: The Gift of Christ in Each Other – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the start of this new Advent season in the life of the Church. He makes suggestions on how we can make our spiritual journey more fruitful, not only for ourselves but also for the world. The post The First Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Wednesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 11 – The Battles of the Seventh Mansion – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan BurkeDan Burke and Kris McGregor share reflections on the progression through the “mansions” of the soul described by St. Teresa.
The “seventh mansion” symbolizes an advanced state of unity with God, where spiritual battles diminish as the soul reaches detachment from earthly attachments, sin, and even subtle demonic deceptions. Here, humility and a profound awareness of one’s need for God become central to one’s life, fostering a deep, abiding reliance on divine grace rather than on personal willpower. While this level of holiness is rare, it remains an ultimate spiritual goal and a foretaste of heaven.
The idea of a “universal call to holiness” affirmed by Vatican II, makes this journey accessible to all—whether through monastic disciplines or daily life responsibilities, like those of a mother or even those with limited time for prayer can reach profound spiritual heights if they orient their lives toward God with discipline and trust.
Spiritual readings like St. Teresa’s are meant not merely for knowledge but for self-transformation, deepening one’s relationship with God. If we approach these writings with a purely intellectual focus, we risk developing a “critical spirit” rather than authentic growth in love and humility.
Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions1. Understanding Spiritual Progress: How do you interpret the stages of the soul’s journey in St. Teresa’s Interior Castle as it applies to your own spiritual life? 2. Humility and Detachment: In what ways can you cultivate the humility necessary to detach from earthly attachments and recognize your complete reliance on God? 3. Embracing the Universal Call to Holiness: How does the concept of a universal call to holiness influence your understanding of your personal vocation? 4. Practicing Disciplined Prayer: How might you incorporate mental prayer more consistently, even amid daily obligations, to deepen your relationship with God? 5. Transforming Knowledge into Relationship: When you read spiritual books, do you seek to grow in relationship with God, or are you primarily acquiring knowledge? 6. Identifying and Addressing Root Sins: What recurring weaknesses or sins have you identified in yourself, and how might greater humility help you address them? 7. Responding to Truth with Action: How can you take the insights from spiritual readings and translate them into practical actions in your daily life? 8. Navigating Spiritual Deceptions: How do you discern and guard against the subtle deceptions that may arise as you progress in your spiritual journey? 9. Reflecting on Your Need for God: How often do you acknowledge your need for God, and in what ways can you reinforce this awareness in your life? 10. Commitment to Holiness Amid Challenges: How can you continue pursuing holiness despite suffering or challenges that may arise in your spiritual growth?
You can find the book here.An excerpt from the book:
“Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director.“
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke’s Discerning Hearts page here:
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
The post TSP11 – The Battles of the Seventh Mansion – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss The Prayer of St. John Paul II. Dr. Lilles reflects on "Sign of Contradiction," the Lenten Retreat preached in 1976 by Karol Cardinal Wojtyla to Pope Paul VI and the papal household. The post The Prayer of St. John Paul II – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I Don’t Feel God’s Love – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the spiritual journey, focusing on the experience of spiritual consolation and desolation using the story of Kathy, a participant in a six-week parish prayer program, as an example of how these experiences ... Read more The post SISL10 – I Don’t Feel God’s Love – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What a delight to discuss with Fr. Cassian Koenemann O.S.B. The Grace of “Nothingness” - Navigating the Spiritual Life with Blessed Columba Marmion. Many today are unaware of the teachings of this great 20th-century spiritual master, but his influence can be seen in the lives of today's beloved saints, including St. Teresa of Calcutta. Thanks to Fr. Cassain, we can all better benefit from Bl. Columba's great spiritual legacy. We HIGHLY recommend this book for the spiritual library. Don't miss the opportunity to grow in "nothingness", your life will richer for it. The post IP#485 Fr. Cassian Koenemann – The Grace of Nothingness on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In 2011, in Paray le Monial, France, I had the chance to speak with Msgr. John Esseff at the First Sacred Heart World Congress. Msgr. Esseff is one of the founders of the Sacred Heart Apostolate, sponsor of this event which brought laity, religious, and priests from around the world. Talks were given by Cardinal Raymond Burke, Bishop Robert Herman, Christendom College President Timothy O'Donnell, and EWTN show host and author Fr. Mitch Pacwa, as well as many others Why did they come to this small French community nestled in Eastern France? Because our Lord choice this place and two very remarkably humble saints to communicate the message of his Sacred Heart. He said to St. Margaret Mary: "My Divine Heart is so inflamed with love for mankind ... that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning charity and must spread them abroad by your means." She described that His Heart was on fire and surrounded by a crown of thorns. Our Lord told her that the flames represented His love for humanity, and the thorns represented man's sinfulness and ingratitude. Jesus informed her that her mission was to establish the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, and He revealed twelve promises that He would bestow upon all those who practice the devotion. She had three more visions over the next year and a half in which Jesus instructed her in a devotion that was to become known as the Nine Fridays. Christ also inspired Margaret Mary to establish the Holy Hour and to receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the final revelation, the Lord asked that a feast of reparation be instituted for the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi. Blessed Claude de la Colombiere, a holy and experienced Jesuit, arrived as confessor to the nuns, and in him Margaret Mary recognized the understanding guide that had been promised to her in the visions. He became convinced that her experiences were genuine and adopted the teaching of the Sacred Heart that the visions had communicated to her.
Msgr. Esseff talks about that message, what it means for us today, and how we can live it out. The post Living in the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 - Entering the Fifth Mansion - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post TSP7 – Entering the Fifth Mansion – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Teresa of Avila, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: March 28, 1515, Gotarrendura, Spain Died: October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain Nationality: Spanish Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor continue their look into the life, spirituality, and teachings of St. Teresa of ... Read more The post St. Teresa of Avila, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Teresa of Avila, Part 1– The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: March 28, 1515, Gotarrendura, Spain Died: October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain Nationality: Spanish Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and legacy of St. Teresa of Ávila, a Spanish Carmelite ... Read more The post St. Teresa of Avila, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the theme of spiritual desolation and the power of spiritual companionship in overcoming discouragement. They discuss a man named Bob who meets with a priest, Father Reed, to discuss ... Read more The post SISL9 – I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the often overlooked relationships that shaped the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Reflecting on the profound and enduring influence of Thérèse's extended family, Fr. Gallagher takes a special focus on her cousin Marie Guérin, who was both a close friend and spiritual companion to Thérèse. The post TM4 – Overcoming Scruples – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "30 Days to Your New Life" with Anthony DeStefano The post IP#488 Anthony DeStefano – 30 Days to Your New Life on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I have already given several copies of this book to friends, that is how much I love this book! REMEMBER the airplane rule! You must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can help others. This principle is an essential guidepost for all of us. "It's OK To Start With You" is steeped in Catholic wisdom. You are in good hands with Julia Marie Hogan as your guide through the process of entering into "authentic self-care." No matter what your season in life, I HIGHLY recommend this book because it's never too late to start. It will not disappoint! The post IP#338 – Julia Marie Hogan – It’s OK To Start With You on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 - Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post TSP6 – Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
It's always a delight to talk with Fr. Donald Calloway, particularly when it's about Our Lady! In "Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon", Fr. Calloway proves once again to be one of the Blessed Mother's great knights in our modern-day spiritual battle. His humble, joy-filled witness is inspiring! Along with the Sacraments of the Church and Sacred Scripture, Fr. Calloway knows exactly what we need to enhance and deepen our experience of grace in these crazy challenging times which we now live in - The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary! For the restless contemplative heart, there is no place better to ponder the presence and mysteries of God than in Our Lady's "garden of prayer." In that prayer, she will bring us to encounter Christ, and through Him, with Him, and in Him, the world will be transformed. This fantastic book is like a multi-faceted diamond. In its pages, Fr. Calloway shares the rich history of the Holy Rosary, beautifully pious devotional reflections (with stunning artwork as well), and the stories of those whose lives encourage us to become champions of this devotion as well! This is a must have in every Catholic home and parish! The post IP#306 Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC – Champions of the Rosary on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and the disquiet that can come from temptations and ways the enemy can bring desolation into areas of nonspiritual vulnerability in our lives. The post SISL8 – I’m Troubled and I’m Tempted; I’m Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A letter from St Francis of Assisi to all the faithful “It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our ... Read more The post We must be simple, humble and pure – St. Francis of Assisi from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. The post Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – Living Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1317 – Jesus speaks to Faustina: “If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal ... Read more The post Day 9 – Living Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 - Entering the Fourth Mansion - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post TSP5 – Entering the Fourth Mansion – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 9: Detachment St. Francis, you understood that to follow Christ perfectly, one must be detached from all that is not God. You surrendered not only your material possessions, but even your own will, seeking only to do the ... Read more The post Day 9 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World" by Fr. John Horgan is a very special work which gives us all a beautiful glimpse of the invisible messengers of God. My conversation about the Holy Angels with Fr. Horgan was a pure joy! This is a phenomenal work and one that will be sure to become a classic on the subject! Don't miss. The post IP#331 Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff begins a series of teachings on The Holy Angels. In this episode, he discusses our GUARDIAN ANGELS. The post The Guardian Angels – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 8: Compassion St. Francis, your heart was filled with compassion for all people and creatures, for you saw in them the love of the Creator. You were moved by the sufferings of others and sought to ease their ... Read more The post Day 8 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 – Mercy for Others – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 367 – Jesus speaks to Faustina: “My heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it ... Read more The post Day 7 – Mercy for Others – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the often overlooked relationships that shaped the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Reflecting on the profound and enduring influence of Thérèse's extended family, Fr. Gallagher takes a special focus on her cousin Marie Guérin, who was both a close friend and spiritual companion to Thérèse. The post TM3 – Facing Temptations with Grace – St. Therese and Marie: A Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
With Anthony Ryan, Marketing Director for Ignatius Press, we discuss Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Didier-Marie Golay, who is Chaplain of Lisieux and a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. We discuss the great saint known as the "Little Flower of Lisieux" and the members of her family, and how the witness of their lives continue to shine a light on the pathway to holiness for all of us. The post IP#481 – Anthony Ryan – Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Didier-Marie Golay on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Therese, the Little Flower - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff The post St. Therese, the Little Flower – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 7: Service St. Francis, you lived out the Gospel commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, serving the poor, the sick, and the marginalized with great humility and love. You saw in each person the image of Christ, ... Read more The post Day 7 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 – Strength from the Cross – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1558 – Faustina writes: “In difficult moments I will fix my gaze upon the silent heart of Jesus, stretched upon the cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful heart will flow down ... Read more The post Day 6 – Strength from the Cross – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Jerome -
Born: 347 AD, Štrigova, Croatia
Died: September 30, 420 AD, Bethlehem What can we learn from St Jerome? It seems to me, this above all; to love the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. St Jerome said: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ". It is therefore important that every Christian live in contact and in personal dialogue with the Word of God given to us in Sacred Scripture. This dialogue with Scripture must always have two dimensions: on the one hand, it must be a truly personal dialogue because God speaks with each one of us through Sacred Scripture and it has a message for each one. We must not read Sacred Scripture as a word of the past but as the Word of God that is also addressed to us, and we must try to understand what it is that the Lord wants to tell us. However, to avoid falling into individualism, we must bear in mind that the Word of God has been given to us precisely in order to build communion and to join forces in the truth on our journey towards God. Thus, although it is always a personal Word, it is also a Word that builds community, that builds the Church. We must therefore read it in communion with the living Church. The privileged place for reading and listening to the Word of God is the liturgy, in which, celebrating the Word and making Christ's Body present in the Sacrament, we actualize the Word in our lives and make it present among us. We must never forget that the Word of God transcends time. Human opinions come and go. What is very modern today will be very antiquated tomorrow. On the other hand, the Word of God is the Word of eternal life, it bears within it eternity and is valid for ever. By carrying the Word of God within us, we therefore carry within us eternity, eternal life. I thus conclude with a word St Jerome once addressed to St Paulinus of Nola. In it the great exegete expressed this very reality, that is, in the Word of God we receive eternity, eternal life. St Jerome said: "Seek to learn on earth those truths which will remain ever valid in Heaven" (Ep. 53, 10). The post St. Jerome – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 6: Joy St. Francis, your heart was filled with heavenly joy, even in the midst of trials and sufferings. You understood that true joy comes from a heart that is united with Christ and surrendered to God’s will. ... Read more The post Day 6 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5 – Overcoming Discouragement and Anxiety – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1488 – Jesus speaks to Faustina: “The greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue. All temptations united together ought not disturb ... Read more The post Day 5 – Overcoming Discouragement and Anxiety – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 5: Poverty St. Francis, you embraced Lady Poverty, imitating Christ who was born in a humble manger and died naked upon the Cross. By detaching yourself from the things of this world, you found the riches of Heaven, ... Read more The post Day 5 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4 – Humility Before God – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 593 – Faustina writes: “A humble soul does not trust itself, but places all its confidence in God. God defends the humble and delivers him from snares and miseries. The humble man, though he be ... Read more The post Day 4 – Humility Before God – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John EsseffDay 4: Love of CreationSt. Francis, you praised God through all of His creation, seeing in every creature the hand of the Creator. In your “Canticle of the Creatures,” you praised the Lord for Brother Sun and Sister Moon, recognizing that all of nature reflects God’s goodness and beauty. You remind us that creation is a gift from God, entrusted to us as stewards, and that we are called to use it for His glory and the good of others. At the same time, you knew that creation must never be worshiped, for only God, the Creator, is to be adored.
Let us pray:
St. Francis, lover of all God’s creation, intercede for me that I may grow in my appreciation for the beauty of the world around me and my responsibility to care for it as a gift from God. Help me to respect the earth and all its creatures, using the resources God has given us wisely and for His glory. May I see in the wonders of creation a reflection of the Creator’s infinite love and majesty.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
St. Francis, pray for us.
For the entire 9-Day St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Hearts with Msgr. John Esseff tap hereThe post Day 4 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 – The Power of Suffering – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning HeartFrom the Diary of St. Faustina, 57 – Faustina writes:
“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering, the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering, love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love. This true, pure love gives the soul strength and power.”
Suffering, when united with Christ, becomes a source of spiritual strength. St. Faustina teaches us that through suffering, love is purified and becomes like that of Christ. How do you respond to the sufferings in your life? Do you view them as burdens, or do you see them as opportunities to grow in holiness and draw nearer to Jesus? Today, reflect on the way you bear your crosses. Jesus is present in your sufferings, and when you unite them to His, they become a means to greater love, a source of grace, and a path to sanctity.
Prayer & Petition:
Lord Jesus, You suffered for me, and I want to unite my sufferings with Yours. Help me to embrace the crosses in my life with patience and trust, knowing that You are with me. Strengthen my heart through suffering and make my love for You purer and more selfless. St. Faustina, help me to accept my sufferings as a grace that brings me closer to Christ and allows me to participate in His saving work. Amen.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, I ask for the grace to live more fully in Your mercy. Help me to trust in You completely, to offer mercy to others, and to live in the joy of Your love. May St. Faustina guide me in my journey toward holiness, and may her prayers obtain for me the graces I most need. Amen.
St. Faustina, pray for us.
You find the entire 9-Day St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart tap hereYou can find the Discerning Hearts “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” tap here
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You find the Diary here
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Day 9 – The Celestial Choir of Angels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels NovenaV/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be
Day 9 – The Celestial Choir of Angels
The ANGELS primary focus is the caretakership of humanity and the world. While the lowest ranked of all angelic beings—if one accepts the idea of a regulated angelic organization—angels are nevertheless members of the heavenly host and thus possess the profound and beautiful attributes given to them by their Creator. They are beings of pure spirituality and exist to fulfill the tasks given to them by God. Chief among these are to act as messengers of the Lord to the earth and guardians of the human soul.
Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 293-299). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory. Amen.
Our Father …Hail Mary
O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Visit here for the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Michael and the Holy AngelsVisit here for the Chaplet of St. Michael – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
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Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels NovenaV/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory Be
Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels
The ARCHANGELS primary duty, as is clear from their appearances in Scripture, is to carry out the will of God as it relates directly to humanity. They bring to the world the prayerful blessings of the Lord and the special concern of God for each and every human life. It is for that reason that the archangels—like their close counterparts the Angels—are said to intervene so regularly in the affairs of men and women, be it on a battlefield, in an impending disaster, or in the private anguish and sorrow of the living. In each case they impart a portion of their immense compassion and love, giving comfort, solace, or fortitude at the darkest of moments.
Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z (Kindle Locations 517-522). Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. Kindle Edition.
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen
Our Father …Hail Mary
O GLORIOUS Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil, who turn to thee with confidence, and enable us by thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V/. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R/. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, hast appointed the most glorious Archangel, St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech Thee, to be delivered from all our enemies that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Visit here for the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Michael and the Holy AngelsVisit here for the Chaplet of St. Michael – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
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Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 3: Humility St. Francis, you embraced the profound humility of Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). You considered yourself the least of all and sought not your own glory, but the glory ... Read more The post Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 699 – Jesus speaks to Faustina: “Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire ... Read more The post Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 2: Peace St. Francis, you were a true instrument of peace, not only in your actions but in your entire way of life. You lived out the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), reconciling enemies, ... Read more The post Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1578 – Jesus speaks to Faustina: “The graces of My mercy are drawn by one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust ... Read more The post Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
How Can I Be Drawn to Such Things? – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss a character named Beth to illustrate the struggles of spiritual desolation and how to respond to them. Beth, after a long and tiring day, finds herself discouraged and lacking ... Read more The post SISL7 – How Can I Be Drawn to Such Things? – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Day 1: Simplicity St. Francis embraced a life of radical simplicity, recognizing that material possessions often distract us from God. His life teaches us to let go of unnecessary attachments and to trust fully in God’s providence. Francis found ... Read more The post Day 1 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 - How the Enemy Works - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post TSP4 – How the Enemy Works – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the often overlooked relationships that shaped the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Reflecting on the profound and enduring influence of Thérèse's extended family, Fr. Gallagher takes a special focus on her cousin Marie Guérin, who was both a close friend and spiritual companion to Thérèse. The post TM2 – An Audience with the Pope – St. Therese and Marie: A Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. - Habits of Freedom on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor What a delight to talk again with Fr. Christopher Collins S.J., this time about his book Habits of Freedom: 5 Ignatian Tools for Clearing Your Mind and Resting Daily in the Lord The post IP#489 Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. – Habits of Freedom on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 - How the Enemy Affects Us - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post TSP3 – How the Enemy Affects Us – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Robert Bellarmine – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Robert Bellarmine – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI 7. Hildegard’s eminent doctrine echoes the teaching of the Apostles, the Fathers and writings of her own day, while it finds a constant point of reference in the Rule of Saint Benedict. The monastic liturgy and the interiorization of sacred Scripture are central to her thought which, focusing on the mystery of the Incarnation, is expressed in a profound unity of style and inner content that runs through all her writings. The teaching of the holy Benedictine nun stands as a beacon for homo viator. Her message appears extraordinarily timely in today’s world, which is especially sensitive to the values that she proposed and lived. For example, we think of Hildegard’s charismatic and speculative capacity, which offers a lively incentive to theological research; her reflection on the mystery of Christ, considered in its beauty; the dialogue of the Church and theology with culture, science and contemporary art; the ideal of the consecrated life as a possibility for human fulfilment; her appreciation of the liturgy as a celebration of life; her understanding of the reform of the Church, not as an empty change of structure but as conversion of heart; her sensitivity to nature, whose laws are to be safeguarded and not violated. For these reasons the attribution of the title of Doctor of the Universal Church to Hildegard of Bingen has great significance for today’s world and an extraordinary importance for women. In Hildegard are expressed the most noble values of womanhood: hence the presence of women in the Church and in society is also illumined by her presence, both from the perspective of scientific research and that of pastoral activity. Her ability to speak to those who were far from the faith and from the Church make Hildegard a credible witness of the new evangelization. The post St. Hildegard von Bingen, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An excerpt from a teaching by Pope Benedict XVI on St. Hildegard: 1. A “light for her people and her time”: in these words Blessed John Paul II, my Venerable Predecessor, described Saint Hildegard of Bingen in 1979, on the occasion of the eight-hundredth anniversary of the death of this German mystic. This great woman truly stands out crystal clear against the horizon of history for her holiness of life and the originality of her teaching. And, as with every authentic human and theological experience, her authority reaches far beyond the confines of a single epoch or society; despite the distance of time and culture, her thought has proven to be of lasting relevance. The post St. Hildegard von Bingen, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SISL6 - I've Lost My Peace - Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post SISL6 – I’ve Lost My Peace – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He describes in detail the true horror of this means of execution and what it meant to be crucified in the time of Jesus. But he also talks about the great love that God has for us in embracing the Cross for our sake and what it means for us today. A very powerful reflection. The post Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World" with Fr. Aaron Wessman. The post IP#484 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World" with Fr. Aaron Wessman. The post IP#483 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Holy Name of Mary - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Most Holy Name of Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 2 - Recognizing Temptation - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke The post Ep 2 – Recognizing Temptation – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SISL5 - I Can't See - Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post SISL5 – I Can’t See – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the birth of the Virgin Mary and the importance of the Blessed Mother in our lives. The gift of her presence in the action of salvation history and role is the "Mother" of us all. The post The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on his experiences with Mother Teresa on the eve of her canonization! Several of the stories he has not shared on any of his previous programs.
Rather than be "admirers" of Mother Teresa, Msgr. Esseff asks all of us to pray to become "imitators" of this little one of God's children who has now become one of His great saints! Carrier of God's Tender Love and Mercy Lord Jesus, merciful Face of the Father, you came to give us the Good News of the Father’s mercy and tenderness. We thank you for the gift of our dearest Mother, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who will be canonized in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. You chose her to be your presence, your love and compassion to the brokenhearted, the unwanted, the abandoned and the dying. She responded wholeheartedly to your cry, ‘I Thirst,’ by the holiness of her life and humble works of love to the poorest of the poor. We pray, through her intercession, for the grace to experience your merciful love and share it in our own families, communities and with all our suffering brothers and sisters. Help us to give our “hearts to love and hands to serve” after the example of Mother Teresa. Lord Jesus, bless every member of our family, our parish, our diocese, our country, especially those most in need, that we all may be transformed by your merciful love. Amen. Text © Mother Teresa Center of the Missionaries of Charity The post Special Encore: The Canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the audience given by Pope Benedict XVI on St. Gregory the Great: Before concluding it is necessary to say a word on the relationship that Pope Gregory nurtured with the Patriarchs of Antioch, of Alexandria and of Constantinople itself. He always concerned himself with recognizing and respecting rights, protecting them from every interference that would limit legitimate autonomy. Still, if St Gregory, in the context of the historical situation, was opposed to the title "ecumenical" on the part of the Patriarch of Constantinople, it was not to limit or negate this legitimate authority but rather because he was concerned about the fraternal unity of the universal Church. Above all he was profoundly convinced that humility should be the fundamental virtue for every Bishop, even more so for the Patriarch. Gregory remained a simple monk in his heart and therefore was decisively contrary to great titles. He wanted to be - and this is his expression -servus servorum Dei. Coined by him, this phrase was not just a pious formula on his lips but a true manifestation of his way of living and acting. He was intimately struck by the humility of God, who in Christ made himself our servant. He washed and washes our dirty feet. Therefore, he was convinced that a Bishop, above all, should imitate this humility of God and follow Christ in this way. His desire was to live truly as a monk, in permanent contact with the Word of God, but for love of God he knew how to make himself the servant of all in a time full of tribulation and suffering. He knew how to make himself the "servant of the servants". Precisely because he was this, he is great and also shows us the measure of true greatness. The post St. Gregory the Great, pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Born: 540 AD, Rome, Italy
Died: March 12, 604 AD, Rome, Italy
For more on St. Gregory the Great and his teachings From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2008 Today I would like to present the figure of one of the greatest Fathers in the history of the Church, one of four Doctors of the West, Pope St Gregory, who was Bishop of Rome from 590 to 604, and who earned the traditional title of Magnus/the Great. Gregory was truly a great Pope and a great Doctor of the Church! He was born in Rome about 540 into a rich patrician family of the gens Anicia, who were distinguished not only for their noble blood but also for their adherence to the Christian faith and for their service to the Apostolic See. Two Popes came from this family: Felix III (483-492), the great-great grandfather of Gregory, and Agapetus (535-536). The house in which Gregory grew up stood on the Clivus Scauri, surrounded by majestic buildings that attested to the greatness of ancient Rome and the spiritual strength of Christianity. The example of his parents Gordian and Sylvia, both venerated as Saints, and those of his father's sisters, Aemiliana and Tharsilla, who lived in their own home as consecrated virgins following a path of prayer and self-denial, inspired lofty Christian sentiments in him. But the cloistered withdrawal of Gregory did not last long. The precious experience that he gained in civil administration during a period marked by serious problems, the relationships he had had in this post with the Byzantines and the universal respect that he acquired induced Pope Pelagius to appoint him deacon and to send him to Constantinople as his "apocrisarius" - today one would say "Apostolic Nuncio" in order to help overcome the last traces of the Monophysite controversy and above all to obtain the Emperor's support in the effort to check the Lombard invaders. The stay at Constantinople, where he resumed monastic life with a group of monks, was very important for Gregory, since it permitted him to acquire direct experience of the Byzantine world, as well as to approach the problem of the Lombards, who would later put his ability and energy to the test during the years of his Pontificate. After some years he was recalled to Rome by the Pope, who appointed him his secretary. They were difficult years: the continual rain, flooding due to overflowing rivers, the famine that afflicted many regions of Italy as well as Rome. Finally, even the plague broke out, which claimed numerous victims, among whom was also Pope Pelagius II. The clergy, people and senate were unanimous in choosing Gregory as his successor to the See of Peter. He tried to resist, even attempting to flee, but to no avail: finally, he had to yield. The year was 590. The post St. Gregory the Great, pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 – Introduction – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan BurkeIn this introductory episode, Dan Burke and Kris McGregor delve into Dan’s spiritual journey, his admiration for St. Teresa of Ávila, and his book on navigating the spiritual life. Dan shares how he began his Catholic journey after being raised Jewish and later becoming a Southern Baptist. He struggled with prayer and sought guidance through various Protestant resources until discovering St. Teresa’s writings, which profoundly impacted him.
Throughout their conversation, Dan discusses the importance of St. Teresa’s “Interior Castle,” describing it as a seminal work on prayer that guides believers in their journey towards union with God. He highlights St. Teresa’s deep spirituality, authenticity, and her insights into the workings of the devil, which are often overlooked in modern spiritual discourse.
The complementary roles of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross in Catholic spirituality and how their insights continue to offer a concrete path for those seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions1. Revisiting Spiritual Foundations: How does St. Teresa’s concept of the interior castle deepen your understanding of the spiritual journey? 2. Understanding Spiritual Warfare: What insights from the episode help you recognize the enemy’s tactics in your own spiritual life? 3. Influence of Saints: How does Dan Burke’s reflection on St. Teresa of Avila inspire you to seek guidance from saints in your spiritual practices? 4. Role of Humility: In what ways can humility, as discussed in the conversation, shape your approach to spiritual growth? 5. Embracing Vulnerability: How does the vulnerability of St. Teresa encourage you to acknowledge your own weaknesses before God? 6. Spiritual Companionship: What role does spiritual direction or companionship play in your journey, as modeled by Dan Burke’s experiences? 7. Integration of Prayer and Action: How can you balance the contemplative insights of St. Teresa with the concrete actions needed in your daily life?
You can find the book here.An excerpt from the book:
“Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director.“
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke’s Discerning Hearts page here:
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
The post TSP1 – Introduction – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I Can’t Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the struggles many people face in their spiritual lives, this time by using a case study involving “Paul,” a high school teacher who becomes overextended by balancing his full-time job, pursuing a master’s ... Read more The post SISL4 – I Can’t Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor begin a discussion on the often overlooked relationships that shaped the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Reflecting on the profound and enduring influence of Thérèse's extended family, Fr. Gallagher takes a special focus on her cousin Marie Guérin, who was both a close friend and spiritual companion to Thérèse. The post TM1 – Introduction – St. Therese and Marie: A Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
El Cielo en la Fe Día 1 Oración 2 por Santa Isabel de la Trinidad - Comenzando a orar con el Dr. Anthony Lilles - Podcast Corazones Discernientes The post BTP2 – El Cielo en la Fe Día 1 Oración 2 por Santa Isabel de la Trinidad – Comenzando a orar con el Dr. Anthony Lilles – Podcast Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Augustine of Hippo (part 2) - From Pope Benedict's audience: After his Baptism, Augustine decided to return to Africa with his friends, with the idea of living a community life of the monastic kind at the service of God. However, while awaiting their departure in Ostia, his mother fell ill unexpectedly and died shortly afterwards, breaking her son's heart. Having returned to his homeland at last, the convert settled in Hippo for the very purpose of founding a monastery. In this city on the African coast he was ordained a priest in 391, despite his reticence, and with a few companions began the monastic life which had long been in his mind, dividing his time between prayer, study and preaching. All he wanted was to be at the service of the truth. He did not feel he had a vocation to pastoral life but realized later that God was calling him to be a pastor among others and thus to offer people the gift of the truth. He was ordained a Bishop in Hippo four years later, in 395. Augustine continued to deepen his study of Scripture and of the texts of the Christian tradition and was an exemplary Bishop in his tireless pastoral commitment: he preached several times a week to his faithful, supported the poor and orphans, supervised the formation of the clergy and the organization of mens' and womens' monasteries. In short, the former rhetorician asserted himself as one of the most important exponents of Christianity of that time. He was very active in the government of his Diocese - with remarkable, even civil, implications - in the more than 35 years of his Episcopate, and the Bishop of Hippo actually exercised a vast influence in his guidance of the Catholic Church in Roman Africa and, more generally, in the Christianity of his time, coping with religious tendencies and tenacious, disruptive heresies such as Manichaeism, Donatism and Pelagianism, which endangered the Christian faith in the one God, rich in mercy. And Augustine entrusted himself to God every day until the very end of his life: smitten by fever, while for almost three months his Hippo was being besieged by vandal invaders, the Bishop - his friend Possidius recounts in his Vita Augustini - asked that the penitential psalms be transcribed in large characters, "and that the sheets be attached to the wall, so that while he was bedridden during his illness he could see and read them and he shed constant hot tears" (31, 2). This is how Augustine spent the last days of his life. He died on 28 August 430, when he was not yet 76. We will devote our next encounters to his work, his message and his inner experience. The post St. Augustine of Hippo, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DC9 St. Augustine of Hippo (part 1) - The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 13 November 354
Died: 28 August 430 From Pope Benedict XVI Wednesday Audience 2008: "Thus, Augustine followed his reading of the philosophers' writings by reading Scripture anew, especially the Pauline Letters. His conversion to Christianity on 15 August 386 therefore came at the end of a long and tormented inner journey - of which we shall speak in another catechesis -, and the African moved to the countryside, north of Milan by Lake Como - with his mother Monica, his son Adeodatus and a small group of friends - to prepare himself for Baptism. So it was that at the age of 32 Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in the Cathedral of Milan on 24 April 387, during the Easter Vigil." For more visit post.... The post St. Augustine of Hippo, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss "the two liturgies," the external and internal action of the Eucharist. Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: The Noetic faculty in the heart (meaning perception of the heart)
Hesychia - stilleness, rest, quiet, silence The post PSM12 – The Two Liturgies: External and Internal – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
El Cielo en la Fe Día 1 Oración 1 por Santa Isabel de la Trinidad - Comenzando a orar con el Dr. Anthony Lilles - Podcast Corazones Discernientes The post BTP1 El Cielo en la Fe Día 1 Oración 1 por Santa Isabel de la Trinidad – Comenzando a orar con el Dr. Anthony Lilles – Podcast Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SISL3 - I Try to Pray, but I'm So Discouraged - Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post SISL3 – I Try to Pray, but I’m So Discouraged – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Embracing God’s Will with Obedience - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Embracing God’s Will with Obedience – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 11 – La Novena Regla – Resistir a la desolación espiritual con la Regla 9 La Novena Regla: Hay tres causas principales por las que nos encontramos desolados. La primera, porque somos tibios, perezosos o negligentes en nuestros ejercicios espirituales, y así por nuestras faltas se aleja de nosotros el consuelo espiritual. La segunda, para probarnos ... Read more The post DOS11 – La Novena Regla – El propósito de la desolación espiritual espiritual con la Regla 9 – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
With Fr. John Bartunek, we continue with part 2 of our discussion on "The Better Part: The Gospels." During our conversation, we discuss the importance of prayer and the scriptures, the nature of spiritual direction, and how we can develop our friendship with Christ. It's always a joy to talk with Fr. Bartunek. We couldn't recommend this 4-volume set more highly. The post IP#364 Fr. John Bartunek – The Better Part: The Gospels pt. 2 – Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
With Fr. John Bartunek, we begin part 1 of our discussion on "The Better Part: The Gospels." During our conversation, we discuss the importance of prayer and the scriptures, the nature of spiritual direction, and how we can develop our friendship with Christ. It's always a joy to talk with Fr. Bartunek. We couldn't recommend this 4-volume set more highly. The post IP#363 Fr. John Bartunek – The Better Part: The Gospels pt. 1 – Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the queenship of Mary and her role as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Beginning with a story from Bishop Sheen about Mary’s maternal love and her ability to open the gates of heaven for everyone, including the outcasts, Msgr. Esseff highlights Mary’s universal motherhood, rooted in her divine maternity, and her tender care for all humanity, particularly the lowly, sick, and suffering.
Reflecting on Mary’s appearances in various apparitions—Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes—and her role in guiding souls to heaven, it reminds us of her humility, which allowed her to crush Satan’s head, as symbolized by her title as the Immaculate Conception. Msgr. Esseff also discusses how Mary, as the Queen of Hearts, intercedes for her children, offering gifts through the Miraculous Medal and the power of prayer.
The queenship of Mary serves as a model of love, humility, and intercession for all believers.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding Mary’s Queenship: How does recognizing Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth influence your perception of her role in your spiritual life? 2. Embracing Humility: How can Mary’s example of humility inspire you to place others before yourself in your daily interactions? 3. Trust in Mary’s Intercession: In what specific areas of your life can you more fully trust in Mary’s powerful intercession and seek her help? 4. Role of Apparitions: How do the messages of Mary in her apparitions (such as Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe) call you to a deeper conversion and commitment to prayer? 5. Mary and the Sick: How can you follow Mary’s example by offering support and compassion to those who are sick or suffering around you? 6. Living Childlike Faith: What practical steps can you take to embrace a childlike faith, fully relying on God’s providence as Mary did? 7. The Reversal of Roles in Heaven: How does the idea that “the last will be first” challenge your current attitudes and behaviors towards others, especially those who are marginalized?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Saint Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders .
The post The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 11 – Ascetical Struggle and a Mystical Joy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg, Ph.D.Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor explore a dense definition of liturgy as “the resis of the Trinity canonically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification”. Dr. Fagerberg explains that liturgy is not just a human ritual but the active work of God in the cosmos, drawing participants into the divine life. Touching on various aspects of liturgical participation, including the struggle many people feel in engaging with liturgy due to distractions or personal preferences, Dr. Fagerberg advises approaching liturgy as a sacred “tryst” with God, a meeting between divine and human lovers, where the focus should be on prayer rather than criticism.
They discuss the concept of liturgy as a transformative process that requires both God’s grace and human cooperation. Dr. Fagerberg contrasts this with an automatic, thoughtless participation, urging a more intentional and spiritually prepared engagement. He introduces the idea of liturgical asceticism, where one develops capacities for deeper liturgical participation over a lifetime, akin to preparing for the “eighth day” or the eschatological fulfillment in the resurrection.
This goes into the notion of liturgical time, distinguishing between “Kronos” (ordinary time) and “Kairos” (sacred time), and how liturgy allows worshippers to step into this sacred time, experiencing a reality larger than the temporal world. They discuss how different people, like theologians or laypersons, may apprehend liturgy differently, but all are invited to enter into its mystery with a heart prepared by spiritual practices, such as contemplation and asceticism.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: The definition of liturgy:* Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
“This is why it’s important for worshiping on Sunday, the Lord’s Day for the Lord’s people in the Lord’s house at the Lord’s table. Sunday is this eighth day, the day of the resurrection. After six days of creation, got rested on the seventh, and when humanity fell into sin, God had to act again. So Sunday, the day of resurrection, is like one more day in the Book of Genesis being added as an appendix. And Taft says to anyone beginning the study of Sunday, “The initial impression is one of confusion.” Sunday is the first day, the day of creation, the day of light, the day of the new time. I think it’s just named the cosmic dimensions of Sunday, but it’s also the last day, the eighth day, the day beyond the days, the day of Jubilee, the day of the end time.
Now he has named the eschatological dimensions of Sunday. It’s the day of the resurrection, the day of the post-resurrection appearances and meals. Watch for that in the scripture readings eight days later on Sunday. It’s the day of the descent of the Spirit and the day of the ascension. These are the historical Jesus days.
And then, he gives finally the ecclesiological church meanings. The day of the assembly, the day of the Eucharist, the day of baptism, the day of ordinations. Until one asks, “Is there anything Sunday doesn’t mean?” And the answer of course, is no. For the early Church Sunday was indeed everything. The symbolic day, a sign of the time of the church between ascension and parousia, the time in which we are living now, it’s the day symbolic of all days for… And here’s the quote, which I stumbled on in our earlier conversation so I can slip it in here. “It’s a day symbolic of all days for the purpose of all Christian liturgy is to express in a ritual moment that which should be the basic stance of every moment of our lives.”
Once a year you celebrate a birthday in a ritual way, but that doesn’t mean you don’t love your kid for the other 364 days. Once a week, you enter into this Eucharistic uplift and twist with God, but that doesn’t mean you forget about him for the other days of the week. What you do on Sunday morning should be an expression of the basic stance of every day, of every hour, of every moment. Well, that seems to me like an ascetical struggle and a mystical joy.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding Liturgy’s Divine Nature: How does recognizing liturgy as the active work of God in the cosmos, rather than a mere human ritual, change your approach to participating in it? 2. Entering Sacred Time: How can you become more aware of the transition from “Kronos” to “Kairos” during the liturgy, and what practices might help you prepare for this sacred encounter? 3. Prayerful Participation: In what ways can you focus more on prayer and less on criticism during liturgical celebrations, especially when distractions arise? 4. Liturgy as a Tryst with God: How does viewing liturgy as a meeting between divine and human lovers influence your relationship with God during the Mass? 5. Developing Liturgical Capacities: What steps can you take to cultivate the spiritual capacities needed for a deeper, more transformative participation in the liturgy? 6. Balancing Grace and Cooperation: How do you understand the balance between God’s grace and your own cooperation in the liturgical experience, and how can this understanding enhance your spiritual life? 7. The Role of Asceticism in Liturgy: How might embracing a more ascetical approach to your spiritual life prepare you for a fuller participation in the liturgy and the life of the Church?
For more podcast episodes of this series visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John’s University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg’s work has explored how the Church’s lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church’s lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton’s Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).
Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg’s books: The post PSM11 – Ascetical Struggle and a Mystical Joy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009 I would now like to reflect on only two of the main aspects of Bernard's rich doctrine: they concern Jesus Christ and Mary Most Holy, his Mother. His concern for the Christian's intimate and vital participation in God's love in Jesus Christ brings no new guidelines to the scientific status of theology. However, in a more decisive manner than ever, the Abbot of Clairvaux embodies the theologian, the contemplative and the mystic. Jesus alone Bernard insists in the face of the complex dialectical reasoning of his time Jesus alone is "honey in the mouth, song to the ear, jubilation in the heart (mel in ore, in aure melos, in corde iubilum)". The title Doctor Mellifluus, attributed to Bernard by tradition, stems precisely from this; indeed, his praise of Jesus Christ "flowed like honey". In the extenuating battles between Nominalists and Realists two philosophical currents of the time the Abbot of Clairvaux never tired of repeating that only one name counts, that of Jesus of Nazareth. "All food of the soul is dry", he professed, "unless it is moistened with this oil; insipid, unless it is seasoned with this salt. What you write has no savour for me unless I have read Jesus in it" (In Canticum Sermones XV, 6: PL 183, 847). For Bernard, in fact, true knowledge of God consisted in a personal, profound experience of Jesus Christ and of his love. And, dear brothers and sisters, this is true for every Christian: faith is first and foremost a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus, it is having an experience of his closeness, his friendship and his love. It is in this way that we learn to know him ever better, to love him and to follow him more and more. May this happen to each one of us! The post St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France
Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France
Books: Two-Fold Knowledge For more on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and his teachings
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009 Today I would like to talk about St Bernard of Clairvaux, called "the last of the Fathers" of the Church because once again in the 12th century he renewed and brought to the fore the important theology of the Fathers. The post St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode Dr. Lilles begins the discussion on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and his teachings found in "The 12 Steps to Humility and Pride". The post St. Bernard and the 12 Steps to Humility and Pride – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 10 – La Octava Regla – Confianza y paciencia con la Regla 8 La Octava Regla: Que quien esté en desolación se esfuerce por ser paciente, lo cual es contrario a las vejaciones que le sobrevienen. Que piense que pronto será consolado, usando diligentemente los medios contra tal desolación, como se dice en la ... Read more The post DOS10 – La Octava Regla – Confianza y paciencia con la Regla 8 – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I Just Can’t Pray – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the spiritual struggles many face, particularly when prayer feels burdensome or difficult to maintain. Framed through the story of “John,” a man with a solid prayer life who experiences a period of ... Read more The post SISL2 – I Just Can’t Pray – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 9 –La Séptima Regla -Resistere alla desolazione spirituale con la Regla 7 La Séptima Regla: Que aquel que está en desolación considere cómo el Señor le ha dejado en prueba con sus poderes naturales para que pueda resistir las diversas agitaciones y tentaciones del enemigo, ya que puede resistir con la ayuda divina, que ... Read more The post DOS9- La Séptima Regla – Resistere alla desolazione spirituale con la Regla 7 – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode of "Inside the Pages", Kris McGregor interviews Dr. Christopher Reed about his book "Sacred Conversations." Exploring the integration of faith into everyday interactions and emphasizes the importance of meaningful dialogue guided by agape love—selfless, Christ-like love. Dr. Reed shares how a pivotal conversation inspired him to write the book in just 21 days, offering a process involving invitation, intention, inquiry, illumination, and integration to guide faith-based conversations. The post IP#505 Dr. Christopher Reed – Sacred Conversations on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
While praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded. He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching. Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: "Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple" (Ps. 27:2). Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: "Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord ... in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord" (Ps. 133:1-3), "I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it. The post The Ninth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and what death really means. Reading 21 COR 15:20-27 Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.” The post The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. DominicThe Eighth Way of PrayerWhile praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded.
He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching.
Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: “Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple” (Ps. 27:2).
Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: “Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord … in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord” (Ps. 133:1-3), “I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it.
.
The text was taken from the book St. Dominic: Biographical Documents, edited by Fr. Francis C. Lehner, O.P. The chapter “The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic” was translated by Fr. Andrew Kolzow, O.P.“The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic” from St. Dominic: Biographical Documents, © 1964 by The Thomist Press.Nihil obstat: Reverend A. D. Lee, O.P. Censor DeputatusImprimatur: Patrick A. O’Boyle Archbishop of WashingtonApril 29,1964
For the complete list visit:The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. DominicThe post The Eighth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 8 –La Sexta Regla – El camino de la desolación con la Regla 6 La Sexta Regla: Aunque en la desolación no debemos cambiar nuestros primeros propósitos, es muy ventajoso cambiarnos intensamente contra la desolación misma, como insistiendo más en la oración, en la meditación, en el mucho examen y en extendernos en algún ... Read more The post DOS8- La Sexta Regla – El camino de la desolación con la Regla 6 – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode we discuss letter 335. In this special letter, shortly before her death, Elizabeth sends this letter to a friend Sister Marie-Odile. This is a very poignant letter and conversation. The post BTP-L14 – Letter 335 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
While praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded. He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching. Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: "Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple" (Ps. 27:2). Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: "Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord ... in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord" (Ps. 133:1-3), "I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it. The post The Seventh Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 10 – The Inward then Outward, Upward then Downward Movement of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D. Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss how marriage, as a sacrament, symbolizes the union between Christ and the Church, reflecting God’s original plan before the Fall. Discussing asceticism in the ... Read more The post PSM10 – The Inward then Outward, Upward then Downward Movement of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Sixth Way of Prayer nine-ways-6Our holy Father, Saint Dominic, was also seen to pray standing erect with his hands and arms outstretched forcefully in the form of a cross. He prayed in this way when God, through his supplications, raised to life the boy Napoleon in the sacristy of the Church of Saint Sixtus in Rome, and when he was raised from the ground at the celebration of Mass, as the good and holy Sister Cecilia, who was present with many other people and saw him, narrates. He was like Elias who stretched himself out and lay upon the widow's son when he raised him to life. In a similar manner he prayed near Toulouse when he delivered the group of English pilgrims from danger of drowning in the river. Our Lord prayed thus while hanging on the cross, that is, with his hands and arms extended and "with a loud cry and tears ... he was heard because of his reverent submission" [Heb. 5:7]. Nor did the holy man Dominic resort to this manner of praying unless he was inspired by God to know that something great and marvelous was to come about through the power of his prayer. Although he did not forbid the brethren to pray in this way, neither did he encourage them to do so. We do not know what he said when he stood with his hands and arms extended in the form of a cross and raised the boy to life. Perhaps it was those words of Elias: "O Lord, my God, let the soul of this child, I beseech thee, return into his body" (III Kings 17:21). He certainly followed the prophet's exterior manner in his prayers on that occasion. The friars and sisters, however, as well as the nobles and cardinals, and all others present were so struck by this most unusual and astonishing way of prayer that they failed to remember the words he spoke. Afterwards, they did not feel free to ask Dominic about these matters because this holy and remarkable man inspired in them a great sense of awe and reverence by reason of the miracle. In a grave and mature manner, he would slowly pronounce the words in the Psalter which mention this way of prayer. He used to say attentively: "O Lord, the God of my salvation: I have cried in the day and in the night before thee," as far as that verse "All the day I have cried to thee, O Lord: I stretched out my hands to thee" (Ps. 87:2-10). Then he would add: "Hear, O Lord, my prayer give ear to my supplication in thy truth . . ." He would continue the prayer to these words: "I stretched forth my hands to thee . . . Hear me speedily, O Lord" (Ps. 142:1-7). This example of our father's prayer would help devout souls to appreciate more easily his great zeal and wisdom in praying thus. This is true whether, in doing so, he wished to move God in some wonderful manner through his prayer or whether he felt through some interior inspiration that God was to move him to seek some singular grace for himself or his neighbor. He then shone with the spiritual insight of David, the ardor of Elias, the charity of Christ, and with a profound devotion, as the drawing serves to indicate. The post The Sixth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Introduction – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor begin a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. Spiritual struggles are not only common but can be a positive sign of a growing and alive spiritual life. Centering around recognizing and understanding ... Read more The post SISL1 – Introduction – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Fifth Way of Prayer When he was in the convent, our holy father Dominic would sometimes remain before the altar, standing erect without supporting himself or leaning upon anything. Often his hands would be extended before his breast in the manner of an open book; he would stand with great reverence and devotion as if reading in the very presence of God. Deep in prayer, he appeared to be meditating upon the words of God, and he seemed to repeat them to himself in a sweet voice. He regularly prayed in this way for it was Our Lord's manner as Saint Luke tells us: ". . . according to his custom he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to read" [Luke 4:16]. The psalmist also tells us that "Phinees stood up and prayed, and the slaughter ceased" [Ps. 105:30]. He would sometimes join his hands, clasping them firmly together before eyes filled with tears and restrain himself. At other times he would raise his hands to his shoulders as the priest does at Mass. He appeared then to be listening carefully as if to hear something spoken from the altar. If one had seen his great devotion as he stood erect and prayed, he would certainly have thought that he was observing a prophet, first speaking with an angel or with God himself, then listening, then silently thinking of those things which had been revealed to him. On a journey he would secretly steal away at the time for prayer and, standing, would immediately raise his mind to heaven. One would then have heard him speaking sweetly and with supreme delight some loving words from his heart and from the riches of Holy Scripture which he seemed to draw from the fountains of the Savior. The friars were very much moved by the sight of their father and master praying in this manner. Thus, having become more fervent, they were instructed in the way of reverent and constant prayer: "Behold as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress . . ." [Ps. 122:2]. The post The Fifth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4 v. 20 -24: 22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - RCVCE The post Christ’s Healing Sacrament – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Fourth Way of Prayer After this, Saint Dominic would remain before the altar or in the chapter room with his gaze fixed on the Crucified One, looking upon Him with perfect attention. He genuflected frequently, again and again. He would continue sometimes from after Compline until midnight, now rising, now kneeling again, like the apostle Saint James, or the leper of the gospel who said on bended knee: "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean" [Matt. 8:2]. He was like Saint Stephen who knelt and called out with a loud cry: "Lord, do not lay this sin against them" [Acts 7:60]. Thus there was formed in our holy father, Saint Dominic, a great confidence in God's mercy towards himself, all sinners, and for the perseverance of the younger brethren whom he sent forth to preach to souls. Sometimes he could not even restrain his voice, and the friars would hear him murmuring: "Unto thee will I cry, O Lord: O my God, be not thou silent to me: lest if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit" [Ps. 27:1] and comparable phrases from the Sacred Scripture. At other times, however, he spoke within himself and his voice could not be heard. He would remain in genuflection for a long while, rapt in spirit; on occasion, while in this position, it appeared from his face that his mind had penetrated heaven and soon he reflected an intense joy as he wiped away the flowing tears. He was in a stage of longing and anticipation like a thirsty man who has reached a spring, and like a traveler who is at last approaching his homeland. Then he would become more absorbed and ardent as he moved in an agile manner but with great grace, now arising, now genuflecting. He was so accustomed to bend his knees to God in this way that when he traveled, in the inns after a weary journey, or along the wayside while his companions rested or slept, he would return to these genuflections, his own intimate and personal form of worship. This way of prayer he taught his brethren more by example than by words. The post The Fourth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Third Way - The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic The post The Third Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Compelling just isn't a big enough word to capture the work that Fr. Paul Hamans has given us in this book. "Edith Stein and Companions on the Way to Auschwitz" not only gives us a portrait of the great saint, but gives us the faces and insights into the hearts of those we call "companions"...be prepared to be both heartbroken and inspired at the same time. The post IP#14 – Fr. Paul Hamans – Edith Stein and Companions on the Way to Auschwitz on Inside the Pages appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What a joy to discover "Embracing Edith Stein: Wisdom for Women from St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross" by author Anne Costa. Far from a clinical dissertation on Edith Stein's writings, Anne introduces us to a woman with whom she has shared a rich spiritual friendship. By learning from and then implementing her wealth of teaching, Anne gives a saint who can help us to grow in faith and wisdom . Highly recommended! The post IP#251 – Anne Costa – Embracing Edith Stein on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sr. Regina van den Berg – Communion with Christ according to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor In this episode of “Inside the Pages”, Sr. Regina van den Berg joins in conversation with Kris McGregor about Sr. Regina’s book, Communion with Christ. Focusing on the life and spirituality ... Read more The post IP#283 – Sr. Regina van den Berg – Communion with Christ according to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Second Way of Prayer St. Dominic used to pray by throwing himself outstretched upon the ground, lying on his face. He would feel great remorse in his heart and call to mind those words of the Gospel, saying sometimes in a voice loud enough to be heard: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." [Luke 18:13] With devotion and reverence he repeated that verse of David: "I am he that has sinned, I have done wickedly." [II Kings 24:17]. Then he would weep and groan vehemently and say: "I am not worthy to see the heights of heaven because of the greatness of my iniquity, for I have aroused thy anger and done what is evil in thy sight"(28). From the psalm: "Deus auribus nostris audivimus" he said fervently and devoutly: "For our soul is cast down to the dust, our belly is flat on the earth!" [Ps. 43:25]. To this he would add: "My soul is prostrate in the dust; quicken thou me according to thy word" [Ps. 118:25]. Wishing to teach the brethren to pray reverently, he would sometimes say to them: When those devout Magi entered the dwelling they found the child with Mary, his mother, and falling down they worshipped him. There is no doubt that we too have found the God-Man with Mary, his handmaid. "Come, let us adore and fall down in prostration before God, and let us weep before God, and let us weep before the Lord that made us" [Ps. 94:61. He would also exhort the young men, and say to them: If you cannot weep for your own sins because you have none, remember that there are many sinners who can be disposed for mercy and charity. It was for these that the prophets lamented; and when Jesus saw them, he wept bitterly. The holy David also wept as he said: "I beheld the transgressors and began to grieve" [Ps. 118:158]. The post The Second Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The First Way of Prayer Saint Dominic's first way of prayer was to humble himself before the altar as if Christ, signified by the altar, were truly and personally present and not in symbol alone. He would say with Judith: "O Lord, God, the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased Thee [Judith 9:16]. "It was through humility that the Canaanite woman and the prodigal son obtained what they desired; as for me, "I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof" [Matt. 8:8] for "I have been humbled before you exceedingly, O Lord [Ps. 118:107].: In this way our holy father, standing erect, bowed his head and humbly considering Christ, his Head, compared his lowliness with the excellence of Christ. He then gave himself completely in showing his veneration. The brethren were taught to do this whenever they passed before the humiliation of the Crucified One in order that Christ, so greatly humbled for us, might see us humbled before his majesty. And he commanded the friars to humble themselves in this way before the entire Trinity whenever they chanted solemnly: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." In this manner of profoundly inclining his head, as shown in the drawing, Saint Dominic began his prayer. The post Introduction & The First Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning HeartDay 9 – Embracing the CrossFrom the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
One cannot desire freedom from the Cross when one is especially chosen for the Cross.*
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross speaks to the acceptance of suffering as a necessary part of the Christian life. She suggests that such challenges, often seen as burdens, are opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper communion with Christ. Edith Stein’s acceptance of her own suffering, particularly during the Holocaust, serves as a powerful testament to this belief. Her willingness to embrace the cross, even unto death, illustrates a profound trust in God’s providence and the redemptive power of suffering.
One cannot desire freedom from the Cross when one is especially chosen for the Cross.*
How can you embrace your challenges and sufferings as a part of your spiritual journey and calling?
Accept the difficulties in your life as opportunities for spiritual growth and unity with Christ’s suffering. Offer these challenges in prayer, seeking strength and grace to endure them with faith, and trust in God’s plan for your redemption and sanctification. Emulate the example of Edith Stein, who saw her sufferings as a way to participate in the mystery of the Cross and grow closer to Christ.
A Prayer of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me and I shall meet with peace
All-powerful, ever-living God, you gave Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross the courage to witness to the gospel of Christ even to the point of giving her life for it.By her prayers, help us to endure all suffering for love of you and to seek you with all our hearts, for you alone are the source of life.Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.*Citation: Edith Stein, The Collected Works of Edith Stein, Volume 3: The Way of the Cross. Translated by Hilda Graef (ICS Publications, 2006), p. 11.
For the complete 9-Day St. Teresa of Benedicta Novena for the Discerning Hearts visit hereThe post Day 9 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP-L13 - Letter 269 - The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post BTP-L13 – Letter 269 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 8 – Love of Neighbor From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Our love of neighbour is the measure of our love of God. For Christians—and not only for them—no one is a ‘stranger’. The love of Christ knows ... Read more The post Day 8 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
powerpress] A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 9 – Enduring Influence A teaching from St. Dominic: “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” St. Dominic’s life was a testament to his deep faith ... Read more The post Day 9 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 7 – Quest for Truth From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Anyone who seeks the truth is seeking God, whether consciously or unconsciously.* Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross underscores the intrinsic connection between the search for truth ... Read more The post Day 7 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
powerpress] A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 8 – Rosary Devotion A teaching from St. Dominic: “Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary will infallibly receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.” St. Dominic’s words emphasize the profound importance and power of the Rosary ... Read more The post Day 8 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Transfiguration of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Transfiguration of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 9 - The Liturgical Bridge to Mystery - Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D. Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the "stages" of the spiritual journey and the vices which hinder growth in holiness. Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: - Praktike (purgation), Physike (illumination), and Theologia (union with God) The post PSM9 – The Liturgical Bridge to Mystery – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 6 – Trust and Surrender From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross When night comes, and retrospect shows that everything was patchwork and much which one had planned was left undone; when so many things rouse shame and regret, ... Read more The post Day 6 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 7 – The Power of Marian Devotion A teaching from St. Dominic: “One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world” St. Dominic’s prophecy about the Rosary and the Scapular highlights the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in ... Read more The post Day 7 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Gallagher, in this concluding episode, reviews the different dimensions of the Examen prayer and applications for our lives. The post DPD8 – Dimensions of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 5 – Nurturing Soul From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross The soul of woman must therefore be expansive and open to all human beings; it must be quiet so that no small weak flame will be extinguished by ... Read more The post Day 5 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4 v. 20 -24: 22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - RCVCE The post What it Means to “Put on Christ” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 6– Mastering Passions A teaching from St. Dominic: “A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them, or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.” St. Dominic practiced a disciplined lifestyle, ... Read more The post Day 6 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 4 – Joy Amidst Suffering From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross To suffer and to be happy although suffering, to have one’s feet on the earth, to walk on the dirty and rough paths of this earth and ... Read more The post Day 4 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning HeartDay 5– Spiritual DefenseA teaching from St. Dominic:
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
St. Dominic, renowned for his humility and dedication to a simple life, advised using spiritual tools over physical ones. He promoted prayer and humility as true defenses in life. This reflection invites us to consider what we rely on for protection and strength—encouraging a shift from external symbols of power to internal virtues.
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
How can you cultivate humility and spiritual discipline in your life? Cultivating humility and spiritual discipline involves setting regular times for prayer, such as daily morning and evening prayers, and engaging in fasting and almsgiving to foster self-denial and charity. Simplify your lifestyle, focusing on spiritual growth over material possessions. Seek guidance through spiritual direction, and participate in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, to maintain a close relationship with God. Additionally, involve yourself in acts of service within your community to cultivate a humble heart and a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.
“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
The Dominican Blessing, from an anonymous 13th-century English Dominican, captures St. Dominic’s timeless call for blessings, healing, and divine guidance.
May God the Father, who made us, bless us.
May God the Son, who redeemed us, send healing into our midst.
May God the Holy Spirit, who gives us life, move within us.
May God give us eyes to see to God, ears to hear God, and hands to bring God’s work into the world.
May we walk with God and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the eternal Kingdom.
Amen
Lord God, you gave Saint Dominic to the Church of his day as a great preacher of your truth.We pray that he will help us in our time by his merits, his teaching, and his unfailing prayer.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever.Amen.St. Dominic Quotation take from: Raymond of Capua, “Life of St. Dominic.”
For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Dominic visit hereThe post Day 5 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he continues his talk about the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. In this episode, he discusses the importance of the Sacred Heart and how it plays a pivotal role in spiritual warfare within our daily lives. The post SH9 – The Sacred Heart and Selfless Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 3 – Vocation and Purpose From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Each woman who lives in the light of eternity can fulfill her vocation, no matter if it is in marriage, in a religious order, or in a ... Read more The post Day 3 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 4– Spiritual Vigilance A teaching from St. Dominic: “Charity, above all things, must guide our actions.” St. Dominic, known for his compassionate approach, founded the Dominican Order with a focus on preaching and charitable works. This highlights charity as the highest guiding principle, aligning with ... Read more The post Day 4 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Heart Day 2 – Truth and Love From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth!* In these words, Saint Teresa Benedicta ... Read more The post Day 2 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 3– Spiritual Vigilance A teaching from St. Dominic: “The enemy never sleeps, yet you seem to sleep.” St. Dominic was known for his dedication to a life of prayer and vigilance, often spending nights in prayer and seeking God’s guidance. This calls us to be ... Read more The post Day 3 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Novena for the Discerning Hearts Day 1 -Intrinsic Value of Women From the writings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Woman naturally seeks to embrace that which is living, personal, and whole. To cherish, guard, protect, nourish, and advance growth is her natural maternal yearning.* Saint Teresa ... Read more The post Day 1 – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Novena for the Discerning Hearts – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 224 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss a letter from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity on the challenging subject of death and how true spirituality must address it. Elizabeth’s reflections offer comfort and guidance to Madame ... Read more The post BTP-L12 – Letter 224 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 St. Alphonsus you have said: “Think of what the Saints have done for their neighbor because they loved God. But what Saint's love for God can match Mary's? She loved Him more in the first moment of her existence than all the Saints and angels ever loved Him or will love Him... Just as there is not one among all the Blessed who loves God as Mary does, so there is no one, after God, who loves us as much as this most loving Mother does. Furthermore, if we heaped together all the love that mothers have for their children, all the love of husbands and wives, all the love of all the angels and Saints for their clients, it could never equal Mary's love for even a single soul.” The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 2– The Power of Prayer A teaching from St. Dominic: “I would be of more use to you if I prayed for you than if I preached to you.” St. Dominic was renowned for his deep devotion to prayer, often spending entire nights in prayerful ... Read more The post Day 2 – A St. Dominic Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart Day 1– Sharing Faith A teaching from St. Dominic: “We must sow the seed, not hoard it.” In Catholic teaching, evangelization is a fundamental aspect of living out one’s faith. This quote reminds us of the parable of the sower, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of ... Read more The post Day 1 – A Novena St. Dominic for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss our baptism and the meaning of "mystagogy."
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
- What is it to live the liturgy?
- What occurs at our baptism?
- What is our role true role in the liturgical celebration?
- What is the nature of "mystagogy? The post PSM8 – The Life of Mystagogy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Peter Chrysologus – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 406 AD, Imola, Italy * Died:* July 31, 450 AD
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Peter Chrysologus, a Doctor of the Church known as the “Doctor of Homilies” due to his exceptional preaching skills. Chrysologus, who lived from around 380 to 450 AD, was noted for his brief, clear, and impactful homilies that conveyed deep theological truths concisely to avoid boring his congregation. His teachings emphasized prayer, fasting, and mercy, which he believed were interdependent and vital for a steadfast faith and virtuous life.
Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII, Chrysologus was honored during a period of rationalism and skepticism in Europe. His ability to distill complex theological concepts into accessible and inspiring messages made him an essential figure during the Enlightenment. Despite the turmoil of his era, including the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of various heresies like Arianism and Monophysitism, Chrysologus remained a steadfast defender of orthodox Christian doctrine.
Chrysologus’s significant influence is highlighted by his relationship with Pope Leo the Great and his response to the heretic Eutyches, which emphasized papal primacy and the importance of unity in the Church. His eloquence and gentle nature, combined with his theological depth, made his homilies resonate deeply with his congregation and contributed to his lasting legacy in the Church. The podcast underscores the relevance of Chrysologus’s teachings in today’s context of social and religious challenges, encouraging listeners to draw inspiration from his life and work.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding the Impact of Brevity in Homilies: How can the example of St. Peter Chrysologus’s concise and clear homilies inspire contemporary preachers to communicate more effectively? 2. Emulating the Zeal for Truth: In what ways can we, as modern Catholics, emulate St. Peter Chrysologus’s zeal for defending and teaching the true faith amidst today’s skepticism and rationalism? 3. Integrating Prayer, Fasting, and Mercy: How can we incorporate St. Peter Chrysologus’s teaching on the interdependence of prayer, fasting, and mercy into our daily spiritual practices? 4. Importance of Papal Primacy: Why is understanding and respecting papal primacy, as emphasized by St. Peter Chrysologus, important for maintaining unity and orthodoxy in the Church today? 5. Living the Faith Through Action: Reflect on a specific way you can live out your faith in action, following the example of St. Peter Chrysologus’s life and teachings. 6. Addressing Modern Heresies: What are some modern-day heresies or false teachings that the Church faces, and how can we effectively respond to them using the wisdom of St. Peter Chrysologus? 7. Importance of Holiness in Relationships: How does the relationship between St. Peter Chrysologus and other Church leaders like Pope Leo the Great illustrate the importance of fostering holy and supportive relationships within the Church community? 8. Lessons from Historical Context: How can the historical context of St. Peter Chrysologus’s time help us understand and address the challenges facing the Church in our current era? 9. Role of Homilies in Worship: Why is it crucial for homilies to be integrated within the context of worship and liturgy, as St. Peter Chrysologus exemplified? 10. Personal Spiritual Growth: Reflect on a recent homily that deeply moved you. How did it inspire your spiritual growth, and how can you seek to apply its message in your life?
For more on St. Peter Chrysologus and his teachingsFrom Wikipedia:
“Peter was born in Imola, where Cornelius, bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Imola, baptized him, educated him, and ordained him a deacon. He was made an archdeacon through the influence of Emperor Valentinian III. Pope Sixtus III appointed Peter as Bishop of Ravenna (or perhaps archbishop) circa 433, apparently rejecting the candidate whom the people of the city ofRavenna elected. The traditional account, as recorded in the Roman Breviary, is that Sixtus had a vision of Pope Saint Peter the Apostle and Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna, the first bishop of that see, who showed Sixtus a young man, the next Bishop of Ravenna. When a group from Ravenna arrived, including Cornelius and his archdeacon Peter from Imola, Sixtus recognized Peter as the young man in his vision and consecrated him as a bishop.
People knew Saint Peter Chrysologus, the Doctor of Homilies, for his short but inspired talks; he supposedly feared boring his audience. His piety and zeal won universal admiration. After hearing oratory of his first homily as bishop, Roman Empress Galla Placidia supposedly gave him the surname Chrysologus, meaning “golden-worded.” Empress Galla Placidia patronized many of projects of Bishop Saint Peter.
In his extant homilies, bishop Peter explained Biblical texts briefly and concisely. He also condemned Arianism and Monophysitism as heresies and explained beautifully the Apostles’ Creed, the mystery of the Incarnation, and other topics in simple and clear language. He dedicated a series of homilies to Saint John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Peter advocated daily reception of Eucharist. He urged his listeners to confide in the forgiveness offered through Christ. He shared the confidence of Saint Pope Leo I the Great (440-461), another doctor of the Church.
A synod held in Constantinople in 448 condemned Eutyches for Monophysitism; Eutyches then appealed to Saint Peter Chrysologus but failed in his endeavour to win the support of the Bishop. The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon(451) preserves the text of letter of Saint Peter Chrysologus in response to Eutyches; Peter admonishes Eutyches to accept the ruling of the synod and to give obedience to the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Saint Peter.
Archbishop Felix of Ravenna in the early eighth century collected and preserved 176 of his homilies. Various authors edited and translated these works into numerous languages.
Death and venerationSt Peter died circa or after 450 during a visit to Imola, the town of his birth. Older reference books say he died on 2 December, but a more recent interpretation of the ninth-century “Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiae Ravennatis” indicated that he died on 31 July. When in 1729 he was declared a Doctor of the Church, his feast day, not already included in the Tridentine Calendar, was inserted in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints for celebration on 4 December. In 1969 his feast was moved to 30 July, as close as possible to the day of his death, 31 July, the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.”
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
The post St. Peter Chrysologus – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer. Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the the fifth step - RENEWAL - which is how we move forward after our encounter with God in our prayer. The post DPD7 – Steps to Spiritual Renewal – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 St. Alphonsus you have said: There can be no greater Lord than God; neither can there be a more ardent lover than He. Far from despising our confidence in Him, He rejoices that we have it—confidence and familiarity and affection like that which little children show toward their mothers. .... Just as a mother finds pleasure in taking her little child on her lap, there to feed and caress him, in like manner our loving God shows His fondness for His beloved souls who have given themselves entirely to Him and have placed all their hope in His goodness. The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on several stories, along with the Gospel, that demonstrates Christian unity through, with, and in Christ. The post We Are One Body in Christ– Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Alphonsus you have said: You are not asked to apply your mind continually to the thought of God and lay aside the fulfillment of your duties and your recreations. ... Your God is ever beside you—indeed, He is even within you. “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28). Not only is there no need of an intermediary through whom He would want you to speak to Him, but He finds His delight in having you treat with Him personally and in all confidence. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears—of everything that concerns you. But above all, converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him.. The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4
St. Alphonsus you have said: “If you wish to strengthen your confidence in God still more, often recall the loving way in which He has acted toward you, and how mercifully He has tried to bring you out of your sinful life, to break your attachment to the things of earth and draw you to His love. With such thoughts in your mind, now that you have resolved to love Him and please Him with all your strength, your only fear should be to fear God too much and to place too little confidence in Him.” The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she continues her discussion about the book "The History of Exorcism" with Adam Blai in Part 2 of this two-part conversation. The post IP#502 Adam Blai – The History of Exorcism, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 St. Alphonsus you have said: “The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone.” The post Novena to St. Alphonsus Liguori – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode is part 2 of our conversation on letter 214, with a special focus on suffering and humility united to Christ in our prayer: The post BTP-L11 – Letter 214 pt. 2 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2
St. Alphonsus you have said: “Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears— of everything that concerns you. Converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him.” The post St. Alphonsus Liguori Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he continues his talk about the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. In this episode, he discusses the importance of the Sacred Heart and how it plays a pivotal role in spiritual warfare within our daily lives. The post SH8 – The Sacred Heart and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff shares with us the great leagacy of prayer and reform left to us by St Charbel Makhluf St Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858) powerful saints for our times. The post The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss a "thicker" definition of liturgy. Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification.
The difference between being involved with ministry and being consciously present to the mystery of God.
The nature of synergy in regards to liturgy, and in particular the celebration of the mass. The post PSM7 – The Definition of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1 St. Alphonsus you have said: "If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us. Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will. " The post Day 1 St. Alphonsus Liguori Novena Day 1 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH7 – The Sacred Heart and Abandonment – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 214, Pt. 1 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss the letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, specifically focusing on a letter she wrote on November 29, 1904, to Father Chaveyard, who was preparing for his ... Read more The post BTP-L10 – Letter 214 pt. 1 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 - The Mystery of Liturgical Synergy - Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss what is meant by full and active participation in the liturgy.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
The difference between being involved with ministry and being consciously present to the mystery of God.
The nature of synergy in regards to liturgy, and in particular the celebration of the mass. The post PSM6 – The Synergy of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer.
Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the fourth step - FORGIVENESS. Then we approach the fifth step - RENEWAL - which is how we move forward after our encounter with God in our prayer. The post DPD6 – God’s Unconditional Love – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure, pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 1221, Bagnoregio, Italy * Died: July 15, 1274, Lyon, France * Education*: University of Paris
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Bonaventure. They highlight his significance as a theologian, his practical approach to administration as the master general of the Franciscans, and his influence in the Church, particularly at the Council of Lyon, which attempted to reunify the Eastern and Western Churches. Dr. Bunson emphasizes Bonaventure’s humility and his deep theological insights, particularly his focus on mystical contemplation and Christ-centered spirituality.
Despite being compared to Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure is noted for his unique blend of intellectual and practical theology, his emphasis on love, and his impact on both the Franciscan Order and broader Church theology. His life of deep prayer, contemplation, and active engagement with the world makes him a significant figure in Church history and a Doctor of the Church.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Significance of St. Bonaventure’s Theological Contributions: How can St. Bonaventure’s emphasis on mystical contemplation and practical theology inspire your own spiritual practices? 2. Humility and Leadership: In what ways does Bonaventure’s humility, as seen in his resignation from the Archbishop of York position, challenge your understanding of true leadership? 3. Christ-Centered Spirituality: How does Bonaventure’s focus on Christ and the cross influence your personal journey towards holiness and love? 4. Role in Church Unity: Reflect on the significance of Bonaventure’s efforts at the Council of Lyon and consider how you can contribute to unity within the Church today. 5. Balancing Knowledge and Practice: How can Bonaventure’s balance of intellectual study and practical application guide you in living out your faith more fully? 6. Living a Life of Love: What steps can you take to ensure that love remains at the core of your spiritual and everyday life, as exemplified by St. Bonaventure? 7. Integration of Prayer and Action: How can you integrate contemplative prayer and active engagement with the world in your own life, following Bonaventure’s example? 8. The Importance of Guidance: How can seeking spiritual guidance, as Bonaventure did, help you grow in your faith and understanding of God’s will?
For more on St. Bonaventure and his teachingsFrom Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Bonaventure
In this regard, St Bonaventure, as Minister General of the Franciscans, took a line of government which showed clearly that the new Order could not, as a community, live at the same “eschatological height” as St Francis, in whom he saw the future world anticipated, but guided at the same time by healthy realism and by spiritual courage he had to come as close as possible to the maximum realization of the Sermon on the Mount, which for St Francis was the rule, but nevertheless bearing in mind the limitations of the human being who is marked by original sin.
Thus we see that for St Bonaventure governing was not merely action but above all was thinking and praying. At the root of his government we always find prayer and thought; all his decisions are the result of reflection, of thought illumined by prayer. His intimate contact with Christ always accompanied his work as Minister General and therefore he composed a series of theological and mystical writings that express the soul of his government. They also manifest his intention of guiding the Order inwardly, that is, of governing not only by means of commands and structures, but by guiding and illuminating souls, orienting them to Christ.
I would like to mention only one of these writings, which are the soul of his government and point out the way to follow, both for the individual and for the community: the Itinerarium mentis in Deum, [The Mind’s Road to God], which is a “manual” for mystical contemplation. This book was conceived in a deeply spiritual place: Mount La Verna, where St Francis had received the stigmata. In the introduction the author describes the circumstances that gave rise to this writing: “While I meditated on the possible ascent of the mind to God, amongst other things there occurred that miracle which happened in the same place to the blessed Francis himself, namely the vision of the winged Seraph in the form of a Crucifix. While meditating upon this vision, I immediately saw that it offered me the ecstatic contemplation of Fr Francis himself as well as the way that leads to it” (cf. The Mind’s Road to God, Prologue, 2, in Opere di San Bonaventura. Opuscoli Teologici / 1, Rome 1993, p. 499).
The six wings of the Seraph thus became the symbol of the six stages that lead man progressively from the knowledge of God, through the observation of the world and creatures and through the exploration of the soul itself with its faculties, to the satisfying union with the Trinity through Christ, in imitation of St Francis of Assisi. The last words of St Bonaventure’s Itinerarium, which respond to the question of how it is possible to reach this mystical communion with God, should be made to sink to the depths of the heart: “If you should wish to know how these things come about, (the mystical communion with God) question grace, not instruction; desire, not intellect; the cry of prayer, not pursuit of study; the spouse, not the teacher; God, not man; darkness, not clarity; not light, but the fire that inflames all and transports to God with fullest unction and burning affection…. Let us then… pass over into darkness; let us impose silence on cares, concupiscence, and phantasms; let us pass over with the Crucified Christ from this world to the Father, so that when the Father is shown to us we may say with Philip, “It is enough for me‘” (cf. ibid., VII 6).
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
The post St. Bonaventure, pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure, pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 1221, Bagnoregio, Italy Died: July 15, 1274, Lyon, France Education: University of Paris Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Bonaventure, a significant figure in the 13th-century Catholic Church. St. ... Read more The post St. Bonaventure, pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Sacred Heart and the Elderly – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff discusses the profound need for Jesus in institutions like nursing homes. Msgr. Esseff highlights the plight of the elderly and infirm, often warehoused in substandard conditions. He recounts a poignant story to illustrate how caring for our elders teaches future generations to do the same, emphasizing the importance of honoring parents as per the fourth commandment.
He reflects on the societal neglect of the unborn and elderly, describing how a strong, love-filled heart of Jesus should be the center of the body of Christ, which is the Church. Msgr. Esseff urges for the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be the heart of homes and institutions, promoting a universal love and care for all members, especially the vulnerable.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Personal Experience with Elder Care: How have you personally experienced the care of elderly family members, and what challenges and blessings have you encountered? 2. Honoring the Fourth Commandment: In what ways can you more fully honor the commandment to “Honor your father and mother,” especially when they are elderly or infirm? 3. Sacred Heart of Jesus: How can you invite the Sacred Heart of Jesus into your home and community to bring His love and care to all, especially the vulnerable? 4. Societal Attitudes Towards the Vulnerable: Reflect on how society treats the elderly and the unborn; what can you do to advocate for better care and respect for these groups? 5. Lessons for Future Generations: What lessons about caring for the elderly and honoring parents are you passing on to your children and those around you?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The post SH6 – The Sacred Heart and the Elderly – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Benedict, Listening, and Discernment – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore the significance of studying the lives of saints and mystics, focusing on their teachings on prayer and spirituality. Dr. Lilles emphasizes that while some experiences of the saints are unique, their wisdom is a universal patrimony of the Church. He highlights that faith involves not only believing in God and His teachings but also seeking a deep, loving union with Him. This series aims to help listeners discern God’s voice amidst the many influences in their lives, drawing on the writings of saints like John of Avila, St. Benedict, and Teresa of Avila. The process of discernment, according to Lilles, involves recognizing other influences and learning to listen attentively to God, which the saints mastered through their obedient and contemplative lives.
Dr. Lilles introduces four key concepts from St. Benedict’s Rule that are essential for deep listening and obedience to God: the search for God (quaerere Deum), sacred reading (Lectio Divina), conversion of life (conversatio morum), and living with oneself (arbitrium suum). He explains that Lectio Divina is more than a technique; it is a way of life that transforms the heart and aligns it with God’s will. This transformation leads to a deeper conversion and the ability to live peacefully with oneself, free from the distractions of the world. The series encourages listeners to prepare through prayer and attentiveness, allowing the wisdom of the saints to deepen their spiritual journey and lead to meaningful changes in their lives.
fsdfsdf1. The Significance of Saints: How do the lives and teachings of saints deepen your understanding of prayer and spirituality? 2. Faith and Union with God: In what ways can you seek a deeper, loving union with God in your daily life? 3. Discernment: How can you better discern God’s voice amidst the various influences in your life? 4. St. Benedict’s Rule: How can the concepts of quaerere Deum, Lectio Divina, conversatio morum, and arbitrium suum guide your spiritual journey? 5. Lectio Divina: How can you incorporate Lectio Divina into your daily routine to transform your heart and align with God’s will? 6. Conversion of Life: What steps can you take to foster a deeper conversion and live peacefully with yourself, free from worldly distractions? 7. Preparation through Prayer: How can you prepare yourself through prayer and attentiveness to allow the wisdom of the saints to influence your spiritual growth?
Dr. Lilles offers 4 key points we should keep in mind as we move forward in this series1. The Search for God 2. Listening to God – Lectio Divina 3. Conversion to God – Conversatio Morum 4. Living with oneself and letting God fashion one into His image
All four points can be found in the “Holy Rule of St. Benedict” paragraph #58:
CHAPTER LVIII
Of the Manner of Admitting BrethrenLet easy admission not be given to one who newly cometh to change his life; but, as the Apostle saith, “Try the spirits, whether they be of God” (1 Jn 4:1). If, therefore, the newcomer keepeth on knocking, and after four or five days it is seen that he patiently beareth the harsh treatment offered him and the difficulty of admission, and that he persevereth in his request, let admission be granted him, and let him live for a few days in the apartment of the guests.
But afterward let him live in the apartment of novices, and there let him meditate, eat, and sleep. Let a senior also be appointed for him, who is qualified to win souls, who will observe him with great care and see whether he really seeketh God, whether he is eager for the Work of God, obedience and humiliations. Let him be shown all the hard and rugged things through which we pass on to God.
If he promiseth to remain steadfast, let this Rule be read to him in order after the lapse of two months, and let it be said to him: Behold the law under which thou desirest to combat. If thou canst keep it, enter; if, however, thou canst not, depart freely. If he still persevereth, then let him be taken back to the aforesaid apartment of the novices, and let him be tried again in all patience. And after the lapse of six months let the Rule be read over to him, that he may know for what purpose he entereth. And if he still remaineth firm, let the same Rule be read to him again after four months. And if, after having weighed the matter with himself he promiseth to keep everything, and to do everything that is commanded him, then let him be received into the community, knowing that he is now placed under the law of the Rule, and that from that day forward it is no longer permitted to him to wrest his neck from under the yoke of the Rule, which after so long a deliberation he was at liberty either to refuse or to accept.
Let him who is received promise in the oratory, in the presence of all, before God and His saints, stability, the conversion of morals, and obedience, in order that, if he should ever do otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by God “Whom he mocketh.” Let him make a written statement of his promise in the name of the saints whose relics are there, and of the Abbot there present. Let him write this document with his own hand; or at least, if he doth not know how to write, let another write it at his request, and let the novice make his mark, and with his own hand place it on the altar. When he hath placed it there, let the novice next begin the verse: “Uphold me, O Lord, according to Thy word and I shall live; and let me not be confounded in my expectations” (Ps 118[119]:116). Then let all the brotherhood repeat this verse three times, adding the Gloria Patri.
The let that novice brother cast himself down at the feet of all, that they may pray for him; and from that day let him be counted in the brotherhood. If he hath any property, let him first either dispose of it to the poor or bestow it on the monastery by a formal donation, reserving nothing for himself as indeed he should know that from that day onward he will no longer have power even over his own body.
Let him, therefore, be divested at once in the oratory of the garments with which he is clothed, and be vested in the garb of the monastery. But let the clothes of which he was divested by laid by in the wardrobe to be preserved, that, if on the devil’s suasion he should ever consent to leave the monastery (which God forbid) he be then stripped of his monastic habit and cast out. But let him not receive the document of his profession which the Abbot took from the altar, but let it be preserved in the monastery.
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP30 St. Benedict, Listening, and Discernment – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 185 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss a significant letter from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, written on November 28, 1903, to her brother-in-law. At this point, St. Elizabeth has been in the Carmelite order for ... Read more The post BTP-L9 – Letter 185 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the mystical participation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the liturgy.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: What is the relationship between Mary and the liturgy of the Church? What is Liturgical Dogma? Why is dogma important? What is the authentic nature of "full and active participation"? The post PSM5 – The Marian Mystery and the Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Journeying with the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the third step of the Examen prayer, which is the review of one’s day. Fr. Gallagher explains that the term “examen” comes from the Spanish word for examination, and he refers to this step as “review.” This involves looking back over the day to see where God was present and where the enemy tried to lead one astray. The goal is to develop “eyes of faith” that are vigilant and can recognize the action of God and the enemy in daily life.
Fr. Gallagher uses a reflective example of “Susan,” a composite character from his experiences. Susan has been attending daily Mass for six months and incorporates the Examen into her routine. One day, after Mass, she feels deep spiritual consolation, realizing that attending daily Mass has brought her closer to God and improved her patience and availability to others. This reinforces her commitment to the practice. On another day, Susan experiences spiritual desolation, feeling distant from God and lacking energy for spiritual activities. Despite this, she gets herself to Mass, albeit late. In her review, she identifies this as an instance of the enemy’s tactic to discourage her and recognizes the importance of being faithful to her spiritual commitments.
The Examen helps one become more aware of spiritual consolations and desolations, allowing for growth and a deeper understanding of God’s grace and the enemy’s tactics. This practice, combined with knowledge of St. Ignatius’ rules for the discernment of spirits, enriches one’s spiritual life.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding the Purpose of the Examen: How does the Examen prayer help us see the action of the Lord and the enemy in our daily lives? 2. Spiritual Consolation and Desolation: Can you identify moments of spiritual consolation and desolation in your recent experiences, and how did you respond to them? 3. Practicing Discernment: What steps can you take to incorporate the daily review of spiritual experiences into your prayer routine? 4. The Impact of Daily Mass: How has attending daily Mass influenced your spiritual life and relationship with God? 5. Responding to Desolation: When facing spiritual desolation, what strategies can you employ to remain faithful to your spiritual commitments? 6. The Role of Forgiveness: How does asking for God’s forgiveness daily affect your sense of spiritual growth and personal peace? 7. Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics: Are there specific times or situations where you find it challenging to stick to your spiritual plans, and how can you better recognize and counteract these tactics? 8. The Joy of Forgiveness: Reflect on a time when you felt profound joy after experiencing God’s forgiveness; how did this affect your spiritual journey? 9. Living the Ordinary with Awareness: How can you bring greater spiritual awareness to the seemingly ordinary events of your day? 10. Applying Ignatian Principles: How familiar are you with St. Ignatius’ rules for discernment of spirits, and how can you apply them to deepen your practice of the Examen?
As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.OUR FATHER.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DPD5 – Journeying with the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH5 – The Sacred Heart and Work – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
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Letter 184 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor delve into the letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, during a fruitful and transformative period of her life. This period, from 1903 until her death in 1906, marks her religious profession and an intense intimacy with Christ, during which she composed her major works and many significant letters.
The profound personal and spiritual insights found in Elizabeth’s letters, particularly her reflections on heaven, the Eucharist, and divine intimacy reveal her deep spiritual experiences and thoughts, especially when writing to priests, close friends, and spiritual companions.
One highlighted letter, written on November 24, 1903, to Madame S., illustrates Elizabeth’s vision of heaven as a place where we are completely loved by God. She describes heaven as our true homeland where infinite love awaits us. This intimate union with God, Elizabeth argues, can be experienced even now through faith, prayer, and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
Touching on the value of letter writing in spiritual life, contrasting it with today’s brief, text-oriented communication, letters, like those of Elizabeth, serve both to communicate personal experiences and to deepen one’s own spiritual understanding.
Elizabeth’s selective sharing of her inner life, her devotion to mental prayer, and her trust in Jesus’ continual presence and transformative power are key themes. Dr. Lilles and McGregor explore how her faith in God’s love, even amid suffering, offers a model for finding purpose and healing in modern, often broken, human relationships.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Personal Spiritual Growth: How can I incorporate more reflective and meaningful letter writing into my spiritual practice, following the example of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity? 2. Intimacy with Christ: In what ways can I deepen my personal relationship with Christ to experience a greater intimacy and love similar to St. Elizabeth’s? 3. Value of Solitude: How can I create more moments of silence and solitude in my life to foster a deeper union with God? 4. Faith in Difficult Times: How can I maintain and strengthen my faith in God’s presence during times when I feel spiritually dry or distant from Him? 5. Witness of the Saints: How can the lives and writings of the saints, particularly St. Elizabeth, inspire and guide me in my own spiritual journey? 6. Healing through Prayer: How can I use mental prayer as a means to heal from past hurts and alienation, and grow closer to God? 7. Living Heaven on Earth: How can I strive to live out the heavenly love and union with God in my everyday life, as St. Elizabeth describes? 8. Embracing Sacrifices: What beautiful but lesser goods might I need to renounce to fully embrace the love and grace of God in my life? 9. Understanding Divine Love: How can I better understand and accept that my true fulfillment comes from being loved by God and loving Him in return? 10. Prayer Discipline: What specific practices can I adopt to persevere in prayer and deepen my faith, especially when I feel nothing is happening?
Letter 184
[November 24, 1903]
Dijon Carmel,
November 24J. M. +J. T.
“My Beloved is all mine and I am all His!”2 Madame and dear sister, I was very touched by your good wishes. I, for my part, celebrated your feast day, too, since Saint Elizabeth is your patron,3 for it does us much good to look into the soul of saints and then to follow them through faith right up to Heaven; there, they are all luminous with the light of God, whom they contemplate face to face for all eternity! . . . This Heaven of the saints is our homeland, the “Father’s House”4 where we are awaited, where we are loved, where one day we too will be able to fly and rest in the bosom of Infinite Love!
When we consider the divine world that envelops us already here in our exile and in which we can move, oh, then things here below disappear: all of that doesn’t exist, it is less than nothing. The saints, for their part, understood true knowledge so well, the knowledge that makes us leave everything, and especially ourselves, so we can fly to God and live solely with Him! Dear Madame, He is within us to sanctify us, so let us ask Him to be Himself our sanctity.5 When Our Lord was on earth, the Gospel says “a secret power went out from Him,”6 at His touch the sick recovered their health, the dead were restored to life. Well, He is still living! living in the tabernacle in His adorable Sacrament, living in our souls. He Himself said: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our home in him,”7 so since He is there, let us keep Him company as a friend does with the One he loves! The essence of our life in Carmel is this divine, wholly intimate union; it is what makes our solitude so precious, for, as our holy father John of the Cross, whose feast we are celebrating today, said, “Two hearts who love each other prefer solitude to anything else.”8 On Saturday,9 the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, we had the beautiful ceremony of the renewal of our vows. Oh! dear Madame, what a beautiful day, what joy to be bound to the service of so good a Master, to tell Him that one is His until death, “sponsa Christi.” I am so happy to feel that you too are given to Him, and it seems to me that, from up in Heaven, our great Saint Elizabeth must bless and seal the union of our souls. Please tell your little Sister Imelda of Jesus10 that I very happily grant her wish by remembering her each day before God; I ask her to pray for me too, especially to say “thank you” to Him who has chosen the better part for me! I was very happy to have news of you through Mama, who was so well received, so spoiled when she was with you,11 I don’t know how to express my gratitude to all of you for that. As for me, I will never go to your beautiful mountains again, but I will follow you there in soul and heart, asking Him who is our “rendez-vous” to draw us to those other mountains, those divine summits that are so far from earth they nearly touch Heaven; I remain wholly united with you there beneath the rays of the Sun of Love! . . . 12 Sister M. Eliz. of the Trinity r.c.i.”
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 134-135). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L8 – Letter 184 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 – The Form of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor explore the theme of holiness through the lives of prominent Catholic figures such as Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, Fulton Sheen, and John Paul II. These individuals, despite their different paths and actions, shared a common foundation in their daily practice of adoration and sacramental life: the importance of receiving spiritual nourishment to give to others.
Dr. Fagerberg discusses the necessity of balancing active service with liturgical life, comparing it to the need to inhale before exhaling. This balance ensures that service is rooted in a communion with Christ rather than being mere social work. The conversation delves into the concept of genuine worship, emphasizing that true worship should be directed towards God, not the actions or movements themselves.
The dangers of ego in spirituality, noting that true prayer involves listening to Christ rather than merely talking about oneself. The significance of the Psalms in Christian prayer is highlighted, as they represent a dialogue between God and Christ. The importance of liturgy in shaping spiritual life, not as an expression of personal feelings, but as a way to conform to God’s will. Liturgy is described as a formative process that aligns believers with the divine order, likened to a mask that eventually shapes the wearer’s face to fit it.
Dr. Fagerberg touches on the distinction between dulia (reverence to saints and holy places) and latria (worship due to God alone), cautioning against idolatry. The podcast concludes with reflections on the transformative power of liturgy in leading to deification, allowing believers to see and interact with the world through the light of divine grace.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:* The experience of lukewarm prayer. * The nature of humility and worship. * What is the form of liturgy? * What is Dulia and Latria? * Liturgy comes from whom we are worshipping.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
“The odd thing is that we can sometimes be proud of our humility and our self knowledge which makes us more vainglorious I have a couple of lines that I’m proud of having written, and this is one of them. So long as there is this old Adam ego humility will feel like humiliation. And if you wake up in the morning with a Christian smile and say, dear God, I’d like to become more humble today. He’ll accommodate you. There will be humiliations. Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. Oh, I meant to hold my tongue. Oh, I’m not even, I’m going to fact like it’s humiliating. Yes. That’s what it is to carry these crosses to be nailed with Jesus to the cross is for you to die to yourself, to your seam. This isn’t ego like healthy your strength. This is like me for as myself second, or there’s anything left. I’ll take it. This is a, God is my servant. Rather than me being his servant.”
More taken from the discussion:
“It’s not as if God is changing so rapidly, that new material has to be inserted into the liturgy. Just to keep up with him. If the liturgy were totally or even significantly culturally dependent, then we could say that it would need continual revision for, with a changing material. The form would have to be different too, but liturgy is not an expression of how people see things. Rather it proposes instead how God sees all people.”
And still more:
“They are Dulia and Latria. Dulia means a homage or reverence or respect you pay dulia to distinguished persons, or even places. The Archangel Gabriel gets dulia. Saint Augustin gets dulia. Mother Theresa gets dulia. The grotto at Notre Dame gets dulia. Lartia is different from dulia. And I don’t know if I can give it a single English word. So instead I’ll give it a description. Latria is what we give God. And only God, because he is God, you can give dulia to the emperor, but you must give latria to God. And you ought not to give latria to the emperor because that would be giving latria to something other than God, to an image of God, to something lesser than God, which in Greek was the word eídolo. And that’s where the word idolatry comes from idos lateria is giving latria to something other than God.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Role of Adoration in Daily Life: How can we integrate daily adoration into our routine to ensure that our actions are inspired and sustained by our relationship with Christ? 2. Balancing Service and Worship: In what ways can we ensure that our charitable actions are rooted in our communion with Christ rather than mere social work? 3. Self-Knowledge and Humility: How can we cultivate true humility and self-knowledge in our spiritual journey, avoiding the trap of becoming proud of our humility? 4. Understanding Worship and Worth-ship: What does it mean to truly worship God and give Him worth-ship in our daily lives? 5. The Importance of Liturgy: How does participating in liturgy shape our understanding of God and our relationship with Him? 6. Conforming to Christ’s Liturgy: In what ways can our worship and daily life reflect Christ’s liturgy before the Father? 7. Idolatry and True Worship: How can we avoid idolatry by ensuring that our ultimate concern and worship are directed solely to God? 8. Formative Power of Liturgy: How can we allow the liturgy to form us into the people God calls us to be? 9. Seeing the World with New Eyes: How does our participation in the liturgy help us to see the world through the eyes of faith and respond accordingly? 10. Prioritizing Greater Goods: How can we discern and prioritize greater goods in our life, continually moving closer to God’s ultimate good?
For more podcast episodes of this series visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John’s University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg’s work has explored how the Church’s lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church’s lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton’s Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).
Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg’s books: The post PSM4 – The Form of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflecting on the Day with God – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss how consistent prayer fosters a deeper relationship with God, with each type of prayer—be it Mass, the Rosary, or scripture reading—adding its unique richness. The Examen prayer, in particular, cultivates an awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.
The third step of the Examen is the review of the day. This step involves reflecting on the events of the day to discern where God was present and where temptations or spiritual desolations occurred. Fr. Gallagher explains that this practice helps us become more aware of our spiritual experiences, leading to greater discernment in our lives.
Fr. Gallagher then introduces the concepts of spiritual consolation and desolation as described by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Spiritual consolation includes feelings of joy, hope, and closeness to God, while spiritual desolation involves feelings of abandonment, darkness, and spiritual dryness. He shares two examples: one of spiritual consolation, where a simple email exchange resolved an unresolved tension and led to a deeper connection, and one of spiritual desolation, where he felt heavy and discouraged during a retreat but recognized the need to avoid making decisions in such a state.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Role of the Examen Prayer: How does the Examen prayer deepen our awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives? 2. Practicing Gratitude: How can you incorporate a daily practice of gratitude into your prayer life? 3. Petition for Divine Insight: How does seeking divine insight transform your understanding of your spiritual experiences? 4. Reviewing the Day with God: How can reviewing your day with God help you identify moments of spiritual consolation and desolation? 5. Discernment of Spirits: How can familiarizing yourself with St. Ignatius’ 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits enhance your practice of the Examen? 6. Recognizing Spiritual Consolation: Reflect on a recent experience of spiritual consolation and how it affected your spiritual life. 7. Addressing Spiritual Desolation: How can understanding moments of spiritual desolation help you respond more effectively and seek God’s presence? 8. Applying the Examen in Daily Life: How can you integrate the steps of the Examen prayer into your daily routine? 9. The Gift of Reflection: How can the Examen prayer lead to spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God? 10. Practical Examples of the Examen: Reflect on a specific instance where you could apply the steps of the Examen and how it might change your perspective and response.
As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.OUR FATHER.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DPD4 – Reflecting on the Day with God – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH4 – The Sacred Heart and Schools – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DC12 St. Cyril of Alexandria - The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Cyril of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 169, Part Two – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor continue the discussion on a letter by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity dated July 15, 1903. The letter reflects Elizabeth’s deep spiritual joy and sense of fulfillment in her vocation as a Carmelite nun. She expresses her profound connection with God, the joy of living by the Carmelite rule, and the intimacy of her prayer life. Elizabeth writes about her desire to love God intensely and her understanding that her heaven has begun on earth through her faith and suffering for Christ. She conveys how prayer and a heart-to-heart relationship with God bring her immense happiness and fulfillment.
Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor highlight key themes from Elizabeth’s letter,: the importance of trusting God’s plan for one’s vocation, whether it be religious life, marriage, or another path. Elizabeth’s life and writings can inspire individuals to embrace their own vocations with faith and love, trusting that God has a purpose for every experience and hardship; and the universal call to holiness and the joy that comes from a deep, prayerful relationship with God, which Elizabeth exemplifies.
The true fulfillment of one’s vocation involves a continuous act of trust and self-gift to God. No matter the state of life, each person can become a “prey of love” and find deep satisfaction in living out their unique call from God. Elizabeth’s joy, born out of her contemplative prayer and love for God, serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of a life devoted to God.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Trusting in God’s Plan for Your Vocation How can you deepen your trust in God’s plan for your vocation, especially during times of doubt or difficulty? 2. Embracing Your Unique Call In what ways can you fully embrace and live out your unique call from God, whether it be in religious life, marriage, or another vocation? 3. Finding Joy in Prayer How can you cultivate a heart-to-heart prayer life with God that brings you deep joy and fulfillment? 4. Surrendering to God’s Will What steps can you take to surrender more fully to God’s will in your daily life, following the example of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity? 5. Supporting Others in Their Vocations How can you support and encourage others in discerning and living out their vocations? 6. Overcoming Spiritual Dryness What practices can help you persevere in prayer during times of spiritual dryness and aridity? 7. Recognizing the Presence of God How can you become more aware of God’s loving presence in your daily life and let this awareness guide your actions and decisions? 8. Joyful Witness to Christ In what ways can you share the joy of your relationship with Christ with others, becoming a source of living water for those around you? 9. Understanding the Church’s Heart How can you better appreciate and contribute to the Church as a mystery of love, beyond its organizational aspects? 10. Developing a Simple Relationship with God What can you do to simplify your relationship with God and approach Him with the trust and simplicity of a child?
Letter 169
To Canon Angles
[ July 15, 1903]
Dijon Carmel,J. M. + J. T.
“Monsieur le Chanoine,
My dear Mama, whom I saw last week, brought me your good letter, and I assure you that I can indeed sympathize with the suffering your eyes are causing you, and I am praying fervently for you. I was wondering a little what had become of you, but you find your little Carmelite close to God, don’t you? And that is where she finds you too; then no more distance, no more separation, but already, as in Heaven, the fusion of hearts and souls! . . . How many things have happened since my last letter! I heard the Church say “Veni sponsa Christi” [Come, bride of Christ]; she consecrated me, and now all is “consummated.” Rather, everything is beginning, for profession is only a dawn; and each day my “life as a bride”3 seems to me more beautiful, more luminous, more enveloped in peace and love. During the night that preceded the great day, while I was in choir awaiting the Bridegroom, I understood that my Heaven was beginning on earth; Heaven in faith, with suffering and immolation for Him whom I love! . . . I so wish to love Him, to love Him as my seraphic Mother did, even to dying of it. We sing “O charitatis Victima” on her feast day, and that is my whole ambition: to be the prey of love! I think that in Carmel it is so simple to live by love; from morning to evening the Rule is there to express the will of God, moment by moment. If you knew how I love this Rule, which is the way He wants me to become holy. I do not know if I will have the happiness of giving my Bridegroom the witness of my blood [by martyrdom], but at least, if I fully live my Carmelite life, I have the consolation of wearing myself out for Him, for Him alone. Then what difference does the work He wills for me make? Since He is always with me, prayer, the heart-to-heart, must never end! I feel Him so alive in my soul. I have only to recollect myself to find Him within me, and that is my whole happiness. He has placed in my heart a thirst for the infinite and such a great need for love that He alone can satisfy it. I go to Him like a little child to its mother so He may fill, invade, everything, and then take me and carry me away in His arms. I think we must be so simple with God!
I am longing to send you my good Mama; you will see how God is working in this beloved soul. Sometimes I cry for happiness and gratitude; it is so good to be devoted to your mother, to feel that she, too, is completely His, to be able to tell her about your soul and to be completely understood! . . . You really are the great attraction of the trip, I assure you; I love to remember those vacations at Saint-Hilaire, then at Carcassonne and Labastide, they were the best ones I had. With what fatherly goodness you received the confidences I so loved to make to you; I would be happy if one day they could be made once again through my dear grilles. Won’t you come to bless your little Carmelite and, quite close to her, thank Him who “has loved her exceedingly,” for, you see, my happiness can no longer be expressed. Listen to what is being sung in my soul and all that is rising from the heart of the bride to the Heart of the Bridegroom for you whose little child she will always be. Send her your best blessing; at Holy Mass, bathe her in the Blood of the Bridegroom; it is the purity of the bride, and she is so thirsting for it! A Dieu, monsieur le Chanoine, affectionately and respectfully yours,
Sr. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.”
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 110-111). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L7 – Letter 169 pt. 2 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 - Living Mystery in the Mundane - Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss how "mundane" liturgical theology consecrates the world and sanctifies our daily life.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
What is a "mundane" liturgical theology? The call to holiness is here and now. How the Church serves a Mother. Why liturgy? Why worship? Why are we called? The post PSM3 – Living Mystery in the Mundane – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Steps to a Deeper Prayer Life – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss how the Examen opens our spiritual eyes, helping us see God’s concrete ways of loving us, which deepens our relationship with Him.
The Examen begins with gratitude, reflecting on specific moments where God has shown His love. Fr. Gallagher provides a detailed example through Jean, who reflects on various events of her day, recognizing God’s presence and expressing gratitude for each moment, whether it be a supportive conversation with her husband, a reassuring Mass reading, or a productive workday.
The second step is petition, where one asks for God’s help to see and understand the spiritual realities of the day. Fr. Gallagher underscores the importance of recognizing prayer as a gift from God, requiring His grace to perceive spiritual truths and guidance.
The importance of not rushing through the Examen, allowing ample time to recognize and be grateful for God’s specific gifts, and maintaining an awareness of the relational aspect of prayer, contrasting it with self-reliant efforts of moral improvement. This approach fosters a deeper spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Awareness of God’s Love How have you experienced God’s concrete love in your life today? 2. Gratitude in Daily Moments What specific moments from today are you grateful for, and how did they reveal God’s presence? 3. Recognition of Gifts Can you identify particular gifts or blessings from God in today’s events or interactions? 4. Spiritual Insights from Reflection What spiritual insights did you gain as you reflected on today’s experiences with God? 5. Prayer of Petition How can you ask God for greater clarity and understanding of His presence in your daily life? 6. Growth in Relationship with God In what ways can the Examen prayer deepen your relationship with God? 7. Responding to God’s Love How do you feel called to respond to the love and blessings you have recognized in your day? 8. Patience in Prayer Are you allowing yourself enough time to fully engage with each step of the Examen prayer? 9. Dependence on God’s Grace How can you cultivate a greater dependence on God’s grace in your prayer life? 10. Relational Aspect of Prayer How does recognizing prayer as a relational act with God change your approach to it?
As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.OUR FATHER.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DPD3 – Steps to a Deeper Prayer Life – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Adam Blai on “The History of Exorcism,” Part One – Inside the Pages with Kris McGregorIn Part 1 of this conversation, Adam Blai discusses with Kris McGregor the history and practice of exorcism. Adam Blai emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and history of exorcism to demystify misconceptions often perpetuated by media. He explains that exorcism has been a part of human history since ancient times and that it involves a range of prayers, with solemn exorcism being qualitatively different from deliverance prayers.
He shares his journey into this ministry, highlighting his background in psychology and how his curiosity about spiritual phenomena led him to work with exorcists. He clarifies that as a layperson, his role is to train and coach priests, not to perform exorcisms himself. The conversation covers the development of institutes like the Pope Leo XIII Institute, which train exorcists and their teams, emphasizing the need for proper order and protection in this ministry.
He touches on the use of Psalms in exorcism rituals, the distinction between possession and other forms of spiritual oppression, and the rigorous process required to determine if a solemn exorcism is necessary and of relying on documented signs of possession rather than subjective discernment to ensure the appropriate response and the crucial role of the bishop in granting permission for solemn exorcisms.
You can find the book here.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding the Historical Context of Exorcism How does knowing the history and context of exorcism help demystify common misconceptions about the practice? 2. The Role of Exorcism in the Church In what ways does exorcism contribute to the spiritual life and mission of the Church, both historically and in contemporary practice? 3. The Importance of Proper Training and Authority Why is it essential for exorcists to be properly trained and authorized by the Church? How does this safeguard the integrity of the ministry? 4. The Distinction Between Solemn Exorcism and Deliverance Prayers What are the key differences between solemn exorcism and deliverance prayers, and why is it important to understand these distinctions? 5. The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Warfare How does the use of Psalms and other Scripture passages in exorcism highlight the power of God’s word in combating evil? 6. Personal and Community Protection in Spiritual Ministry What steps can laypeople and clergy take to ensure they are protected when involved in spiritual ministry, especially in deliverance and exorcism work? 7. The Discernment Process in Identifying Possession How does the objective process of documenting signs of possession before requesting a solemn exorcism from the bishop reflect the Church’s careful approach to spiritual matters? 8. The Balance Between Charismatic and Institutional Responses How can the Church maintain a balance between the charismatic expressions of faith and the structured, institutional responses to spiritual phenomena? 9. Trusting in God’s Sovereignty Over Evil In what ways does recognizing Jesus’ ultimate authority over evil influence the approach to exorcism and deliverance ministry? 10. Personal Reflection on Spiritual Readiness Reflect on your own spiritual practices and readiness. How can you ensure you are spiritually prepared to face challenges and assist others in spiritual battles?
From the book description:
“Due to the advancement of observable evil in our society, the topic of exorcism has increasingly come to the forefront in the West in this century. In Hollywood movies, exorcism has often been sensationalized and misconstrued. Although volumes have been written about demons and exorcism, little has been explained about what solemn exorcism really is within the larger context of deliverance ministry. But now, Church-decreed expert on demonology and exorcism Adam Blai thoroughly explores the roots of exorcism and breaks open its significance for you.
You will find answers to wide-ranging questions such as: Is possession an exclusively Christian phenomenon, or is it a universal problem? Did exorcism exist before Jesus, or did He introduce it? If it predated Christianity, how did other cultures see it and deal with it? How do other world religions view the phenomenon of possession and exorcism? Are there other methods of confronting it besides the Catholic rite?
Blai lays out how exorcisms were performed in the earliest days of the Church. Over time, a liturgical rite was developed and teachings were provided to safeguard the faithful in the practice of exorcisms.
In these pages, Blai reveals:
- Twenty-one guidelines for exorcists, produced under St. Charles Borromeo
- Fascinating examples of actual exorcisms (some made famous in movies!)
- Astounding examples of how saints helped drive out demons (even from the great beyond!)
- Which psalm is known for offering protection and deliverance from evil spirits (Can you guess?)
- The revolutionary way in which Jesus performed exorcisms
You will learn about how a harpist helped deliver King Saul of an evil spirit and how the spirits of giants tormented people. As you read about the evolution of exorcism, you will observe how strange practices sometimes occurred through the use of magic and superstition. You will also find five exorcism guidelines from the Middle Ages and four signs of genuine possession today.
Additionally, you will see how the 1614 rite of exorcism differs from the 1998 rite. You will also find a helpful appendix about how to determine whether a disturbance is spiritual, mental, or medical. Extensive references are included throughout the book.”
For Part 2 of this conversation visit: IP#502 Adam Blai – The History of Exorcism, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts
About the Author: Adam Blai (pronounced “Bly”) is a Church-decreed expert on religious demonology and exorcism in the Pittsburgh diocese. He is an auxiliary member of the International Association of Exorcists based in Rome. Over the past decade, he has helped educate priests regarding exorcism at national conferences, seminars, and through consultation on many cases in several dioceses.
The post IP#501 Adam Blai – The History of Exorcism, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Gifts of the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff discusses the concept of enthronement and consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He emphasizes that the initiation of this devotion is God’s work, not ours. God calls individuals and families by name to belong to Him, initiating a relationship and union through prayer and consecration. This act of consecration involves giving back to God all that He has given us, including our very being, desires, and actions.
Msgr. Esseff explains that consecration is a powerful gift and a reciprocal promise: as we consecrate ourselves to God, He promises to bestow peace upon our families and homes. He recounts personal and observed experiences where the enthronement of the Sacred Heart brought inner peace, even amidst external turmoil and conflict.
Msgr. Esseff shares examples from various contexts, including religious life, marriage, and even a prison, to illustrate the transformative power of enthronement. He underscores that while conflicts and disagreements may still arise, the promise of peace and fulfillment in one’s state of life remains steadfast through devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. God’s Call and Our Response Reflect on how you have sensed God’s call in your life and how you have responded to it. 2. The Gift of Consecration What areas of your life do you need to consecrate more fully to God? 3. Experiencing God’s Peace How have you experienced God’s peace during times of conflict or turmoil? 4. Living Your Vocation In what ways do you see God’s grace supporting you in your current vocation? 5. Communicating in Relationships How can you improve communication with your loved ones to foster peace and understanding? 6. Trusting God’s Promises Do you trust in God’s promises, and how can you strengthen that trust? 7. Transformative Power of Devotion How can the examples of the transformative power of enthronement inspire you to invite the Sacred Heart into your life?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The post SH3 – The Gifts of the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 169 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor delve into the life and spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Dr. Lilles brings up her significance as a prophet for our times, offering a grounding in the Holy Trinity amid the frenzy of modern life. He explains how Elizabeth’s deep faith and prayer life provide a sense of heaven on earth, which resonates with many people today.
They explore Elizabeth’s relationships, especially her correspondence with Father Les, an old family friend and priest. Recounting how Elizabeth confided her vocation to Father Les as a child and how he supported her throughout her religious journey, we see Elizabeth’s profound spiritual insights, even during her “dark night,” illustrate her unwavering faith and eventual spiritual renewal.
Elizabeth’s letters, particularly one written in July 1903, reveal her spiritual depth and commitment. She writes about her intense desire to love God, seeing her profession as a dawn and her life as a bride of Christ as enveloped in peace and love. Her prayer life and silent communion with God allowed her to feel deeply connected to others, even when physically separated.
The broader implications of Elizabeth’s spirituality, emphasizing the importance of silent prayer and the mystical union with Christ. This union transcends physical separation, offering a profound sense of communion with others through Christ. This deep prayer life is not just a private endeavor but integral to the mystical body of Christ, fostering connections that surpass physical proximity.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding St. Elizabeth of the Trinity What qualities of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity make her a special prophet for our time according to Dr. Anthony Lilles? 2. Spiritual Grounding How does St. Elizabeth of the Trinity offer a sense of grounding through the Holy Trinity in today’s frenzied world? 3. Personal Relationships In what ways did St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s letters reflect her deep love and spiritual connection with her friends and family? 4. Overcoming Darkness How did St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s experience of the dark night of the soul impact her spiritual journey and writings? 5. The Role of Silent Prayer Why does Dr. Anthony Lilles emphasize silent prayer as essential for deepening our communion with Christ and others? 6. Mystical Body of Christ How does the concept of the mystical body of Christ relate to our spiritual unity and personal relationships according to the discussion? 7. Sacraments and Communion What is the significance of the sacraments of initiation in fostering our union with Christ and each other? 8. Prayer and Mission How does St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s understanding of her mission on earth relate to her identity and prayer life? 9. Embracing Suffering What does St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s life teach us about embracing suffering and its role in our spiritual growth? 10. Surrender and Trust How does St. Elizabeth of the Trinity exemplify joyful surrender to God’s will, and what can we learn from her example?
St. Elizabeth of the TrinityLetter 169
L 169
To Canon Angles
[ July 15, 1903]
Dijon Carmel,J. M. + J. T.
Monsieur le Chanoine,
My dear Mama, whom I saw last week, brought me your good letter, and I assure you that I can indeed sympathize with the suffering your eyes are causing you, and I am praying fervently for you. I was wondering a little what had become of you, but you find your little Carmelite close to God, don’t you? And that is where she finds you too; then no more distance, no more separation, but already, as in Heaven, the fusion of hearts and souls! . . . How many things have happened since my last letter! I heard the Church say “Veni sponsa Christi” [Come, bride of Christ]; she consecrated me, and now all is “consummated.” Rather, everything is beginning, for profession is only a dawn; and each day my “life as a bride”3 seems to me more beautiful, more luminous, more enveloped in peace and love. During the night that preceded the great day, while I was in choir awaiting the Bridegroom, I understood that my Heaven was beginning on earth; Heaven in faith, with suffering and immolation for Him whom I love! . . . I so wish to love Him, to love Him as my seraphic Mother did, even to dying of it. We sing “O charitatis Victima” on her feast day, and that is my whole ambition: to be the prey of love! I think that in Carmel it is so simple to live by love; from morning to evening the Rule is there to express the will of God, moment by moment. If you knew how I love this Rule, which is the way He wants me to become holy. I do not know if I will have the happiness of giving my Bridegroom the witness of my blood [by martyrdom], but at least, if I fully live my Carmelite life, I have the consolation of wearing myself out for Him, for Him alone. Then what difference does the work He wills for me make? Since He is always with me, prayer, the heart-to-heart, must never end! I feel Him so alive in my soul. I have only to recollect myself to find Him within me, and that is my whole happiness. He has placed in my heart a thirst for the infinite and such a great need for love that He alone can satisfy it. I go to Him like a little child to its mother so He may fill, invade, everything, and then take me and carry me away in His arms. I think we must be so simple with God!
I am longing to send you my good Mama; you will see how God is working in this beloved soul. Sometimes I cry for happiness and gratitude; it is so good to be devoted to your mother, to feel that she, too, is completely His, to be able to tell her about your soul and to be completely understood! . . . You really are the great attraction of the trip, I assure you; I love to remember those vacations at Saint-Hilaire, then at Carcassonne and Labastide, they were the best ones I had. With what fatherly goodness you received the confidences I so loved to make to you; I would be happy if one day they could be made once again through my dear grilles. Won’t you come to bless your little Carmelite and, quite close to her, thank Him who “has loved her exceedingly,” for, you see, my happiness can no longer be expressed. Listen to what is being sung in my soul and all that is rising from the heart of the bride to the Heart of the Bridegroom for you whose little child she will always be. Send her your best blessing; at Holy Mass, bathe her in the Blood of the Bridegroom; it is the purity of the bride, and she is so thirsting for it! A Dieu, monsieur le Chanoine, affectionately and respectfully yours,
Sr. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 110-111). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L6 – Letter 169, pt. 1 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 2 - Liturgy as the Mystical Encounter - Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D. Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss liturgy as the mystical encounter with our spouse, with our bridegroom Christ
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
What melody is this liturgy supposed to be creating?
What is Liturgical Asceticism?
The influence of the Desert Fathers and St. Benedict of Nursia.
Who's liturgy should we be doing on Sunday morning?
Whose liturgy should we be doing in our lives? The post PSM2 – Liturgy as the Mystical Encounter – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the Examen Prayer, a significant practice in Ignatian spirituality introduced by St. Ignatius of Loyola. They emphasize its role in enhancing one’s spiritual life by fostering a clear-sighted faith and increasing awareness of God’s presence and actions in daily life. Fr. Gallagher explains that the Examen Prayer is not just introspection or examination but a relational dialogue between the person and God.
The first step in the Examen is gratitude, where one reflects on the day to recognize and appreciate the gifts and love received from God. This step sets a positive foundation for the rest of the prayer, encouraging individuals to focus on God’s actions before considering their responses. Gallagher shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how recognizing these daily gifts can transform one’s perspective and deepen the relationship with God.
Gratitude, he argues, is the most effective way to grow in love for God, as it opens the heart to the endless outpouring of God’s gifts. This practice, even when initially challenging, gradually reshapes one’s spiritual awareness and relationship with the divine. Fr. Gallagher concludes by encouraging listeners to start incorporating the Examen into their daily routine to experience its transformative effects.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Essence of the Examen Prayer How does the Examen Prayer foster a deeper relationship with God rather than being just an act of introspection or examination? 2. Importance of Gratitude Why does St. Ignatius prioritize gratitude as the first step in the Examen Prayer, and how can this practice transform our daily spiritual lives? 3. Recognition of God’s Gifts Reflect on a specific instance in your life where recognizing God’s gifts changed your perspective. How can daily acknowledgment of these gifts impact your overall spiritual growth? 4. Overcoming Initial Challenges What challenges might you face when starting the Examen Prayer, especially in the step of gratitude, and how can persistence help in overcoming these challenges? 5. Daily Application and Benefits How can setting aside a few minutes each day to practice the Examen Prayer, specifically focusing on gratitude, lead to a richer and more fulfilling spiritual life? 6. Relationship Dynamics In what ways can recognizing and appreciating the gifts from God change your relationship with Him and others in your life? 7. Practical Implementation Considering Fr. Gallagher’s examples, how can you practically implement the Examen Prayer in your daily routine to enhance your spiritual awareness and relationship with God?
As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.OUR FATHER.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DPD2 – Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Joseph Pearce - Faith of Our Fathers on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor What a delight to once again talk with the prolific Joseph Pearce. This time about his extraordinary book Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England. A compelling read that spans the story of a great nation and the heartbeat that makes the lion roar. The post IP#488 Joseph Pearce – Faith of Our Fathers on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor as they continue to discuss the life and teachings of St. Anthony of Padua The post St. Anthony of Padua – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Introduction to the Enthronement, Continued – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff discusses preparing for Jesus’ presence in the home, the importance of confession, and heart examination, symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
He advises creating a dedicated space in the home for these images to foster spiritual unity and devotion within the family. The enthronement ceremony involves professing faith, consecrating the home, and establishing a continuous spiritual connection with Jesus, leading to a transformative and sanctified family life.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Reflect on the importance of preparation: What steps do you take to prepare your heart for Jesus’ presence in your life? 2. Confession and spiritual inventory: How can a thorough examination and confession help in receiving Jesus more fully? 3. External and internal preparation: How do you balance the physical preparation of your home with the spiritual readiness of your heart? 4. The significance of sacred images: What does the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolize for you and your family? 5. Family unity in faith: How can your family come together to embrace and live out your faith daily? 6. The role of the Holy Spirit: How do you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and home to reveal and cleanse what separates you from God? 7. Consecration and commitment: What does it mean to consecrate your home and family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? 8. Living out faith publicly: How can you publicly profess and live out your faith within your community? 9. The impact of spiritual devotion: How does having a dedicated space for prayer and reflection impact your family’s spiritual life? 10. Understanding enthronement: How do you understand and explain the significance of the enthronement ceremony to others?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The post SH2 – Introduction to the Sacred Heart, Continued – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 165 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor look into a letter from Elizabeth of the Trinity that reflects her profound reflections on the Eucharist and its spiritual significance. Elizabeth sees the Eucharist as the ultimate expression of God’s love, a foretaste of the beatific vision, and a source of heavenly communion on earth: The union with God through the Eucharist, where believers experience a deep, personal love and presence of God, which transforms them.
They also touch on the historical context of Elizabeth’s time, particularly the closing of the Carmel chapel due to anti-church sentiments in France. Despite external turmoil, Elizabeth focuses on the internal, spiritual reality, urging believers to find solace and transformation in the Eucharist.
Elizabeth’s insights are relevant today, especially for those struggling with self-worth and life’s hardships. She encourages turning inward to God’s immense love in the Eucharist, withdrawing from external distractions, and embracing the presence of Christ in faith, even amidst darkness and trials; as well as renunciation, humility, and accepting God’s trials to make space for His presence in our hearts. The role of Mary, the Mother of God, in guiding believers towards a simple, fruitful surrender to God’s will.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding Elizabeth’s View of the Eucharist How does Elizabeth of the Trinity describe the Eucharist as a consummation of God’s love and a foretaste of the beatific vision? 2. Historical Context and Spiritual Focus What does Elizabeth’s focus on spiritual realities instead of external turmoil teach us about handling modern-day challenges? 3. Dealing with Self-Loathing and Hardships How can Elizabeth’s perspective on God’s immense love help individuals struggling with self-loathing and feelings of failure? 4. Renunciation and Creating Space for God What are practical ways we can practice renunciation in our daily lives to make space for God’s peace and presence? 5. Embracing Trials for Spiritual Growth How can accepting and surrendering to God during times of trial open our hearts to a deeper relationship with Him? 6. Role of Mary in Spiritual Life How can we look to Mary, the Mother of God, for guidance and support in our spiritual journey towards a simple, fruitful surrender? 7. Eucharist as Bread for the Journey In what ways can receiving the Eucharist strengthen and heal us, especially in times of spiritual sickness or challenge? 8. Silence and Peace in a Noisy World How can we cultivate a soul that is wholly at peace amid the noise and distractions of modern life? 9. Faith in Darkness What does it mean to have “faith in darkness,” and how can this deepen our bond with Jesus? 10. Support of the Saints and Angels How can the knowledge that we are supported by the saints, angels, and the Blessed Mother give us courage and strength in our faith journey?
St. Elizabeth of the TrinityLetter 165[ June 14, 1903]
Dijon Carmel, June 14
J. M. + J. T.“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”2
Monsieur l’Abbé, It seems to me that nothing better expresses the love in God’s Heart than the Eucharist: it is union, consummation, He in us, we in Him, and isn’t that Heaven on earth? Heaven in faith while awaiting the face-to-face vision we so desire. Then “we will be satisfied when His glory appears,”3 when we see Him in His light. Don’t you find that the thought of this meeting refreshes the soul, this talk with Him whom it loves solely? Then everything disappears and it seems that one is already entering into the mystery of God! . . .
This whole mystery is so much “ours,” as you said to me in your letter. Oh! pray, won’t you, that I may live fully my bridal dowry. That I may be wholly available, wholly vigilant in faith, so the Master can bear me wherever He wishes. I wish to stay always close to Him who knows the whole mystery, to hear everything from Him. “The language of the Word is the infusion of the gift,”4 oh yes, it is really so, isn’t it, that He speaks to our soul in silence. I find this dear silence a blessing. From Ascension to Pentecost, we were in retreat in the Cenacle, waiting for the Holy Spirit, and it was so good.5 During that whole Octave6 we have the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the oratory; those are divine hours spent in this little corner of Heaven where we possess the vision in substance under the humble Host. Yes, He whom the blessed contemplate in light and we adore in faith is really the same One. The other day someone wrote me such a beautiful thought, I send it on to you: “Faith is the face-to-face in darkness.”7 Why wouldn’t it be so for us, since God is in us and since He asks only to take possession of us as He took possession of the saints? Only, they were always attentive, as Père Vallée says: “They are silent, recollected, and their only activity is to be the being who receives.”8 Let us unite ourselves, therefore, Father, in making happy Him who “has loved us exceedingly,”9 as Saint Paul says. Let us make a dwelling for Him in our soul that is wholly at peace,10 in which the canticle of love, of thanksgiving, is always being sung; and then that great silence, the echo of the silence that is in God! . . . Then, as you said, let us approach the all-pure, all-luminous Virgin, that she may present us to Him whom she has penetrated so profoundly, and may our life be a continual communion, a wholly simple movement toward God. Pray to the Queen of Carmel for me; I, for my part, pray fervently for you, I assure you, and I remain with you in adoration and love! . . .
Sister Marie Elizabeth of the Trinity, r.c.i.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 105-106). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L5 – Letter 165 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 - The River of the Liturgy - Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D. Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor begin this 16 episode series that explores various aspects of Liturgical Theology. Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: What is "liturgy"?
What is "mysticism"?
The significance of baptism.
Understanding "teleology". What's the telos of a human being?
Understanding the connection between the interior heart personal liturgy and the exterior sacramental public liturgy The post PSM1 – The River of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Living the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the Ignatian practice of the Examen prayer. Fr. Gallagher explains that the Examen is a method of prayer designed to help individuals reflect on their daily spiritual experiences. It involves a brief period of introspection, typically 10-15 minutes, during which one reviews the events of the day to discern where God was present, how one responded to His presence, and how to improve future responses to both consolations and desolations.
The Examen is deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality and serves as a practical way to apply the teachings on discernment of spirits to everyday life. He illustrates this with examples from the lives of saints such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Brother Lawrence, and Blessed Pierre Favre, highlighting how ordinary moments can be transformed into profound spiritual encounters through attentive reflection and openness to God’s grace.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding the Examen Prayer: How can the Examen prayer help me recognize God’s presence in my daily life? 2. Application of Discernment: In what ways can I apply the teachings on discernment of spirits to my everyday experiences? 3. Daily Reflection: How can I incorporate a 10-15 minute period of reflection to review my day and my spiritual responses? 4. Recognizing Consolation and Desolation: What moments of consolation or desolation have I experienced today, and how did I respond to them? 5. Openness to Grace: How can I be more open to recognizing and responding to God’s grace in the small, ordinary moments of my day? 6. Spiritual Growth: How does regularly practicing the Examen prayer contribute to my spiritual growth and awareness? 7. Relationship with Jesus: In what ways does the Examen prayer deepen my personal relationship with Jesus? 8. Contemplation in Action: How can I become more of a contemplative in action, finding God in the midst of my busy life? 9. Learning from Saints: What can I learn from the experiences of saints like St. Thérèse, Brother Lawrence, and Blessed Pierre Favre regarding attentiveness to God’s presence? 10. Commitment to Practice: How committed am I to making the Examen prayer a regular part of my spiritual routine, and what steps can I take to ensure consistency?
As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)
METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.OUR FATHER.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DPD1 – Living the Examen Prayer – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Born: 306 AD, Nisibis, Turkey
Died: June 9, 373 AD, Edessa, Turkey
Full name: Ephrem of Nisibis From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
The figure of Ephrem is still absolutely timely for the life of the various Christian Churches. We discover him in the first place as a theologian who reflects poetically, on the basis of Holy Scripture, on the mystery of man's redemption brought about by Christ, the Word of God incarnate. His is a theological reflection expressed in images and symbols taken from nature, daily life and the Bible. Ephrem gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical character: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community. Ephrem's reflection on the theme of God the Creator is important: nothing in creation is isolated and the world, next to Sacred Scripture, is a Bible of God. By using his freedom wrongly, man upsets the cosmic order. The role of women was important to Ephrem. The way he spoke of them was always inspired with sensitivity and respect: the dwelling place of Jesus in Mary's womb greatly increased women's dignity. Ephrem held that just as there is no Redemption without Jesus, there is no Incarnation without Mary. The divine and human dimensions of the mystery of our redemption can already be found in Ephrem's texts; poetically and with fundamentally scriptural images, he anticipated the theological background and in some way the very language of the great Christological definitions of the fifth-century Councils. Ephrem, honoured by Christian tradition with the title "Harp of the Holy Spirit", remained a deacon of the Church throughout his life. It was a crucial and emblematic decision: he was a deacon, a servant, in his liturgical ministry, and more radically, in his love for Christ, whose praises he sang in an unparalleled way, and also in his love for his brethren, whom he introduced with rare skill to the knowledge of divine Revelation. For more visit Vatican.va The post St. Ephrem of Syria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Introduction to the Enthronement – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff discusses the importance of enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in families and individual hearts. He emphasizes that this act is not merely symbolic but a profound relationship with Jesus, making Him the head of every family and individual life.
Msgr. Esseff explains the historical and theological significance of the Sacred Heart, highlighting how Jesus’ heart is a symbol of divine love, revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Jesus showed her His heart to demonstrate His immense love and to invite humanity to respond with love in return.
He also addresses the challenges faced by families today, underscoring that the enthronement of the Sacred Heart can bring unity, healing, and strength to households. Msgr. Esseff calls on listeners, regardless of their denomination, to invite Jesus into their homes and hearts, emphasizing that God’s love is universal and transformative.
Msgr. Esseff goes into the broader spiritual warfare, noting that love is stronger than hate and that Jesus’ love is the ultimate answer to the world’s suffering and division; encouraging listeners to embrace this love and to establish a deep, personal relationship with Jesus through the devotion to His Sacred Heart.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding the Enthronement: What does it mean to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your home and heart, and how can this act transform your personal and family life? 2. Jesus’ Love for Humanity: How does the image of the Sacred Heart reveal the depth of Jesus’ love for you personally, and how can you respond to this love in your daily actions? 3. Historical Significance: What is the significance of Jesus’ revelation to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and how does it influence your understanding of the Sacred Heart devotion? 4. Family as a Reflection of Divine Love: In what ways can your family become a reflection of the divine love of the Trinity, and what steps can you take to foster this unity? 5. Overcoming Spiritual Challenges: How can the enthronement of the Sacred Heart help you and your family overcome spiritual and emotional challenges in today’s world? 6. Universal Love and Acceptance: How does Jesus’ universal love, as discussed in the podcast, challenge you to love others, including those who may be difficult to love or who oppose your beliefs? 7. Personal Relationship with Jesus: What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and to make Him the center of your life? 8. Spiritual Warfare and Love: How can you embody the message that love is stronger than hate in your interactions with others, especially in situations of conflict or misunderstanding? 9. Daily Reflection and Union with Christ: How can you incorporate daily reflections on your union with Jesus into your routine, and what impact might this have on your spiritual growth? 10. Inclusive Invitation to Devotion: What does it mean for non-Catholic Christians to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes, and how can this act foster greater unity among different Christian denominations?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The post SH1 – Introduction to the Enthronement – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 14We pick up with Léonie at the dawn of the 1930s, in an era where world events begin to collide cataclysmically. She is writing to her older sister, Marie, about Pauline’s jubilee and recalling challenging medical procedures.
We also discuss the profound impact the teachings and writings of St. Francis de Sales and, to a lesser extent, St. Jane de Chantal and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had on Léonie. Finally, Fr. Gallagher observes how the Salesian spirituality is very much in keeping with the “Little Way” of her sister, St. Therese, they are.
Léonie then imparts profound insights to her sisters following a retreat, which still rings true for all of us today.
Fr. Gallagher says, “Léonie’s life holds a significant story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child,’ and we’ll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly.”
As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled “developmentally delayed.” Yet those who knew her well described her as having a “heart of gold.”
Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is “a bearer of hope” in this landmark series.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Embracing Physical Suffering: How can Léonie Martin’s acceptance of her physical sufferings inspire you to endure your own challenges with patience and grace? 2. Role of Humility in Spiritual Growth: How can embracing humility and recognizing your own limitations help you grow in your spiritual life? 3. 6. Influence of Spirituality of Saints: What aspects of St. Francis de Sales’ and St. Thérèse’s teachings resonate with you, and how can you incorporate them into your daily life? 4. Living the Little Way: How can you apply the principles of the “little way” in your daily actions and interactions with others? 5. Trust in God’s Mercy: How can Léonie’s complete trust in God’s mercy encourage you to surrender your weaknesses and limitations to God? 6. Spiritual Communion with Others: In what ways can you strengthen your spiritual communion with others, especially during times of physical or emotional suffering? The 4 Sisters - Marie, Pauline, Leonie, and CelineSt. ThérèseA resource used for this seriesImages in this post of the Martin/Guerin family are used with permission from the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux website for strictly non-commercial use. We encourage you to visit the website for more information on this remarkable family.
For more series Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcasts, visit here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
The post Ep. 14 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Listening with the ear of the heart, Fr. Mauritius Wilde guides us through "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In this episode, Fr. Mauritius talks about how God wants to meet us in the places we do not want to be and how in our weakness God be strong. He also discusses the essence of true friendship. The post LP4 – Lessons from The Little Prince – Encountering Foreign Worlds with The Little Prince with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 162 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss a letter from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity to a seminarian, Monsieur l’Abbé. Elizabeth, a Carmelite nun, corresponds with him to support his journey through the seminary. This particular letter, written on February 24, 1903, before Lent, reflects Elizabeth’s deep spirituality and her contemplative life dedicated to prayer for seminarians and priests.
Elizabeth speaks about being in communion with God and the importance of contemplative prayer. She draws on the imagery of being caught, carried away, and invaded by God’s love. This mystical prayer, according to Lilles, is characterized by God’s divine action in the soul rather than the individual’s efforts. She also discusses the balance between contemplation and action, using the biblical figures of Mary Magdalene and Martha to illustrate her point. Elizabeth believes that even in active roles, one can maintain a contemplative, prayerful state.
The conversation then touches on the significance of the face of Christ in contemplative prayer and how it reveals the love of the Father and the truth about humanity. Lilles explains that contemplative prayer involves seeing with the heart and perceiving divine truths through faith.
Her letter also addresses the challenges faced by the Church and individuals during times of political and social turmoil. She encourages focusing on the eternal mystery of the Trinity rather than being consumed by external events. By living in the will of the Father and remaining in His love, Elizabeth believes one can find peace and purpose regardless of external circumstances.
Letter 162[April 28–30, 1903]
Dijon Carmel, April
J. M. + J. T.
“My good little Aunts,
It seems to me that Carlipa and Dijon are very close, for my heart has quickly jumped the distance to go find yours! And my Divine Bridegroom gives me wings like this so I can fly off to you: these wings are prayer, and then this unity in faith and love creates the communion of saints! . . . I have many things to tell you, my little Aunts, but where to begin? Oh! if you knew how beautiful Holy Week is in Carmel! I wish you could have attended our beautiful Offices, and especially on our beautiful feast of Easter. On that day, we chant Matins at 3 o’clock in the morning, we enter the choir in procession, wearing our white mantles, each holding a candle and singing the Regina Coeli. At 5 o’clock, we have the Mass of the Resurrection, followed by a magnificent procession in our beautiful garden. Everything was so still, so mysterious, that it seemed our Master was going to appear to us along the solitary paths as He once did to Mary Magdalene, and if our eyes did not see Him, at least our souls met Him in faith. Faith is so good; it is Heaven in darkness, but one day the veil will be lifted and we will contemplate in His light Him whom we love; while awaiting the Bridegroom’s “Veni” we must spend ourselves, suffer for Him, and, above all, love Him greatly. Thank Him for having called your little Elizabeth to Carmel for the persecution;2 I do not know what awaits us, and this perspective of having to suffer because I am His delights my soul. I love my dear cloister so much, and sometimes I have wondered if I don’t love this dear little cell too much,3 where it is so good to be “alone with the Alone.”4 Perhaps one day He will ask me to sacrifice it. I am ready to follow Him everywhere, and my soul will say with Saint Paul: “Who will separate me from the love of Christ?”5 I have within me a solitude where He dwells, and nothing can take that away from me! . . .
Guite had the good idea of passing your dear photographs on to me. I introduced you to our Reverend Mother, since she has heard her little lamb,6 who loves you so much, speak about you for so long. I was also delighted to show her your dear house; what sweet memories it brings back to me. I spent so many wonderful vacations, certainly the best, there among you. And the Serre, is it still so beautiful? What fine prayers must be offered there! Would you tell Monsieur le Curé that I send him my soul to say the Office with him in that dear little valley, pay him my respects and ask him to pray much for me. He is so good, I am sure he would really want to remember me at his Mass. My little Aunts, if you knew how I love your beautiful breviaries! I can’t say it enough, and each time I use them, I take your souls with mine to enter into communion with all Heaven. I assure you that you have made me very happy; they follow me everywhere, and day and night my prayer for you is my “thank you”!
I am leaving you to go to Matins “with you.” I still have many things to tell you, but there’s the bell, so I only have time to kiss you, as well as my good Aunt, from the best of my heart.
Your little Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.
Pray for my dear Mama. Events have really saddened her, but her courage edifies me and I thank Him who has given me such a good one. Hello to Anna.”
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 101-102). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Role of Silence in Prayer: How can you incorporate silence into your daily prayer life to foster deeper communion with God? 2. Balancing Action and Contemplation: How can you maintain a spirit of contemplation and attentiveness to God’s presence while engaged in everyday activities? 3. Embracing Mystical Prayer: In what ways can you open yourself to the divine action of the Holy Spirit in your soul during prayer? 4. The Importance of Humility: How can you cultivate humility and reliance on God’s grace in your spiritual journey? 5. Living in the Father’s Will: How can you remain faithful and trusting in God’s will amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life? 6. The Contemplative Gaze: How can you develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the humanity and divinity of Jesus through contemplative prayer? 7. The Grace of Baptism: How does the grace received in baptism influence your prayer life and relationship with God? 8. Responding to God’s Call: How can you discern and respond to God’s call in your life, whether in contemplative prayer or active ministry? 9. The Impact of Scripture: How can you incorporate the reading and meditation of Scripture into your prayer routine to enhance your spiritual growth? 10. The Example of Saints: How can the lives and teachings of saints like Elizabeth of the Trinity inspire and guide your own spiritual practices?
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L3 – Letter 162 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Peace of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor delve into the third mode of discernment proposed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. They explore how to prayerfully discern between significant life choices when clarity isn’t achieved through the first or second modes of discernment. Fr. Gallagher explains the method of evaluating options based on their advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of God’s greater glory.
He discusses a second approach within the third mode involving three simple tests: advising another in the same situation, reflecting from the perspective of life’s end, and considering the decision in light of eternity. Fr. Gallagher shares a personal example of using this method during his tenure as provincial to decide whether to continue or step down, illustrating the process and its efficacy, as well as the importance of not rushing the discernment process, maintaining a peaceful heart, and seeking guidance from a spiritual director.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Researching Options: Have I researched well the different options before making a decision? 2. Tranquil Time: Am I in a tranquil time where my heart is at peace and free from emotional pressure? 3. God’s Greater Glory: Is my primary consideration which option will promote God’s greater glory? 4. Spiritual Freedom: Am I spiritually free to choose either option, with no other motivations at play? 5. Seeking God’s Help: Have I sought God’s help in prayer before considering the advantages and disadvantages? 6. Listing Reasons: Have I listed the advantages and disadvantages in a clear and organized manner? 7. Faith-Based Reasons: Are the reasons I listed based on faith and God’s greater glory? 8. Preponderance of Reasons: Do I see clearly towards which option the preponderance of reasons leans? 9. Second Way of Third Mode: If I lack clarity, have I employed the second way of third mode discernment with the three simple tests? 10. Spiritual Guide Consultation: Have I discussed my discernment process with a spiritual guide? 11. Seeking Confirmation: Once I feel clarity, have I brought my discerned decision to God in prayer for His confirmation?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG12 – The Peace of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the great feast of Corpus Christi. He discusses the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The tragedy becomes when we look upon the Blessed Sacrament as a "something" instead of a "Someone". The post Corpus Christi Sunday – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Solemnity of Corpus Christi – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
It's all about relationship. What to do now? 1. Go to Mass, if possible, daily Mass
2. The sacrament of confession
3. Daily Prayer
4. Talk to a priest
5. Read the Gospels
6. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
7. Eucharistic adoration
8. Live a life of virtue
9. Spiritual reading
10. Hang around good people The post IJCY7- What Now? Nurturing the Relationship – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 13We encounter the American Carmelite priest, Fr. Albert Dolan, who is on a quest to seek out the Martin Sisters and to learn more about them and their experiences with their canonized sister, now St. Thérèse.
Later on, Léonie falls ill with influenza and is visited by then-Bishop Suhard, the Bishop of Bayeux-Lisieux. She then relates her other chronic health issues to her sisters, and of how well she is being tended to at the Visitation monastery.
This episode is lovely, for we get to see Léonie through the eyes of others, who are non-family members.
Fr. Gallagher says, “Léonie’s life holds a very important story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child,’ and we’ll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly.”
As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled “developmentally delayed.” Yet those who knew her well described her as having a “heart of gold.”
Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is “a bearer of hope” in this landmark series.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Role Models in Faith: How can we be inspired by Fr. Albert Dolan’s devotion and persistence in spreading the message of St. Therese of Lisieux? 2. Overcoming Challenges: What can Léonie’s transformation from a troubled youth to a devout nun teach us about perseverance and growth in our own spiritual lives? 3. Humility and Kindness: How does Léonie’s humble and kind demeanor, despite her plain appearance, challenge our perceptions of true beauty and holiness? 4. Gratitude in Vocation: What can we learn from Léonie’s unwavering gratitude for her vocation, even amid difficulties and suffering? 5. Spiritual Growth: How does Léonie’s continuous effort to grow spiritually, even in her later years, inspire us to never stop seeking holiness? 6. Handling Sensitivity: How can Léonie’s struggle with sensitivity and meticulousness guide us in managing our own personal quirks and challenges with grace? 7. Devotion and Sacrifice: How can Léonie’sacceptance of suffering and offering it up for the intentions of the Church deepen our understanding of redemptive suffering? 8. Expressions of Love: What does Léonie’s affectionate and positive language in her letters teach us about expressing love and gratitude in our daily interactions? 9. Faith in Adversity: How can Léonie’s steadfast faith and joy, even in the face of illness and suffering, inspire us to trust in God’s plan during our own trials? 10. Role of Community: How does the support and care Léonie received from her community reflect the importance of communal love and support in our faith journey? The 4 Sisters - Marie, Pauline, Leonie, and CelineSt. ThérèseFr. Albert Dolan, O.Carm.Bishop SuhardA resource used for this seriesImages in this post of the Martin/Guerin family are used with permission from the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux website for strictly non-commercial use. We encourage you to visit the website for more information on this remarkable family.
For more series Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcasts, visit here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
The post Ep. 13 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 10:32-45
The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him: ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans, who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.’
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. ‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’ He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’
When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him: ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans, who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.’
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. ‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’ He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’
When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once more taking the Twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him: ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans, who will mock him and spit at him and scourge him and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.’
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him. ‘Master,’ they said to him ‘we want you to do us a favour.’ He said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.’
When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Embracing Our Unique Characters – Encountering Foreign Worlds with The Little Prince with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B.Fr. Mauritius Wilde and Kris McGregor discuss Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince,” exploring the encounters and lessons of the titular character as he travels from one planet to another. Each planet’s inhabitants, including the monarch, lamplighter, and businessman, represent various human oddities and flaws, highlighting the peculiar nature of adults from the Little Prince’s perspective.
Fr. Wilde draws parallels between the novella and spiritual themes: everyone is a “character” with unique flaws and quirks. He discusses how the strange behaviors of the Little Prince’s encounters can be seen as reflective of human conditions and societal norms, suggesting that Saint-Exupéry is pointing out the absurdities and “sicknesses” of our times.
The conversation then shifts to Christian themes, with Fr. Wilde likening the Little Prince’s journey to Jesus’ approach to the marginalized and broken in society. He stresses the importance of compassion and understanding rather than judgment, echoing Jesus’ teachings to love and serve those who are struggling. This comparison is extended to the concept of shame and the vicious cycles of negative behaviors, using the example of the drunkard from the novella to illustrate how people can become trapped in self-destructive patterns.
The Christian belief in redemption and the possibility of breaking free from these cycles at any point, with external help and faith play crucial roles; and the importance of embracing one’s unique characteristics and not succumbing to societal pressures to conform, as true beauty and individuality lie in our differences.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Unique Characters: How can we embrace and appreciate the unique “characters” in our lives as reflections of God’s creation? 2. Compassion Over Judgment: In what ways can we show compassion rather than judgment towards those who are struggling? 3. Breaking Vicious Cycles: What are some negative behaviors or habits in our lives that we need to break free from, and how can faith help us in this process? 4. Embracing Limitations: How can we accept and work within our limitations while still striving to live a fulfilling and purposeful life? 5. Dangers of Conformity: How can we resist societal pressures to conform and instead celebrate our unique identities and differences? 6. Role of Shame: How does shame affect our relationship with ourselves and with God, and how can we overcome it through faith? 7. Jesus as the Good Shepherd: How can we allow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to guide us and heal our wounds, especially when we are resistant to change? 8. Responsibility for Ourselves: In what ways can we take responsibility for our own spiritual and personal growth, following Jesus’ example?
One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
The story of a stranded pilot, an extraordinary little boy, and their remarkable friendship, The Little Prince has become a cherished fable for generations of readers. As enchanting as it is wise, this beloved classic captures the mysteries of the heart and opens us to the meaning of life and the magic of love.
taken from the back an edition of the book no longer in print
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, NE
The post LP3 – Embracing Our Unique Characters – Encountering Foreign Worlds with The Little Prince with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Three Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue the discussion on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s three modes of discernment. The first mode is “clarity beyond doubting,” where a person has an unmistakable sense of certainty about God’s will. The second mode involves “attraction of the heart,” where spiritual consolation consistently attracts one to a specific option over time.
The third mode, “preponderance of reasons,” is used when the first two modes don’t provide clarity. This involves:
- Clearly identifying options.
- Gathering relevant data.
- Maintaining an open heart to both options.
- Evaluating advantages and disadvantages of each option in light of God’s greater glory.
- Reviewing reasons prayerfully to see which option has a greater preponderance of reasons.
Fr. Gallagher illustrates this with Patrick, who discerned whether to accept a full-time position in prison ministry. Through prayer, reflection, and spiritual guidance, Patrick used this method and gained clarity, which was confirmed by scripture and peace in his decision. This structured approach helps many people discern God’s will.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Understanding Modes of Discernment: What are the three modes of discernment according to St. Ignatius of Loyola? 2. Clarity Beyond Doubting: Have you ever experienced clarity beyond doubting in your discernment process? 3. Attraction of the Heart: How do spiritual consolations guide you in discerning God’s will? 4. Preponderance of Reasons: How can you apply the method of preponderance of reasons to your current decisions? 5. Identifying Options: Are you clear about the options you are discerning between? 6. Gathering Relevant Data: Do you have all the necessary information about each option? 7. Maintaining Open Heart: Is your heart truly open to whichever option God may call you to choose? 8. Evaluating Options: How do you evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option concerning God’s greater glory? 9. Seeking Confirmation: How do you seek confirmation from God once you believe you’ve discerned His will? 10. Role of Spiritual Guidance: How important is spiritual guidance in your discernment process?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG11 – Three Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Holy Trinity - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Most Holy Trinity – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bede the Venerable – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 672 AD, Jarrow, United Kingdom * Died: May 26, 735 AD, Jarrow, United Kingdom * Nationality: English * Feast:* 25 May (Western Churches); 27 May (Orthodox Church and the General Roman Calendar from 1899–1969)
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and legacy of the Venerable Bede, the only Doctor of the Church from England. Dr. Bunson highlights Bede’s contributions to theology, history, and learning during a time often mischaracterized as the Dark Ages. Bede is celebrated for his “Ecclesiastical History of the English People,” his biblical commentaries, and his role in developing the AD/BC dating system.
Elevated as a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1899, Bede’s work symbolized the endurance and intellectual richness of the Catholic faith in the British Isles, even during periods of suppression. His life in the monastic communities of Northumbria was marked by relentless scholarship, teaching, and prayer, embodying the quiet dedication and intellectual vibrancy of monastic life.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Legacy of Venerable Bede: How does Bede’s dedication to learning and teaching inspire your own approach to faith and education? 2. Historical Context and Faith: What can we learn from Bede’s ability to find faith and meaning in the historical events of his time? 3. Role of Monastic Life: How does Bede’s monastic lifestyle of prayer, study, and teaching reflect the values we should strive for in our own lives? 4. Contribution to Theology and History: In what ways do Bede’s theological and historical works enhance our understanding of the Catholic faith? 5. Endurance of Faith: How does Bede’s life demonstrate the endurance and resilience of the Catholic faith through times of adversity? 6. Integration of Faith and Reason: How does Bede’s integration of faith with scientific and historical knowledge challenge the modern perception of the relationship between faith and reason? 7. Significance of the Church in History: Why is it important to study the ecclesiastical history of the Church, as Bede did, to understand the development of Christian faith? 8. Quiet Dedication: How can Bede’s model of quiet, tireless dedication to the Church serve as a guide for our personal spiritual practices?
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009
“By his way of creating theology, interweaving the Bible, liturgy and history, Bede has a timely message for the different “states of life”: a) for scholars (doctores ac doctrices) he recalls two essential tasks: to examine the marvels of the word of God in order to present them in an attractive form to the faithful; to explain the dogmatic truths, avoiding heretical complications and keeping to “Catholic simplicity”, with the attitude of the lowly and humble to whom God is pleased to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom; b) pastors, for their part, must give priority to preaching, not only through verbal or hagiographic language but also by giving importance to icons, processions and pilgrimages. Bede recommends that they use the vulgate as he himself does, explaining the “Our Father” and the “Creed” in Northumbrian and continuing, until the last day of his life, his commentary on the Gospel of John in the vulgate; c) Bede recommends to consecrated people who devote themselves to the Divine Office, living in the joy of fraternal communion and progressing in the spiritual life by means of ascesis and contemplation that they attend to the apostolate no one possesses the Gospel for himself alone but must perceive it as a gift for others too both by collaborating with Bishops in pastoral activities of various kinds for the young Christian communities and by offering themselves for the evangelizing mission among the pagans, outside their own country, as “peregrini pro amore Dei”.
Making this viewpoint his own, in his commentary on the Song of Songs Bede presents the Synagogue and the Church as collaborators in the dissemination of God’s word. Christ the Bridegroom wants a hard-working Church, “weathered by the efforts of evangelization” there is a clear reference to the word in the Song of Songs (1: 5), where the bride says “Nigra sum sed formosa” (“I am very dark, but comely”) intent on tilling other fields or vineyards and in establishing among the new peoples “not a temporary hut but a permanent dwelling place”, in other words, intent on integrating the Gospel into their social fabric and cultural institutions. In this perspective the holy Doctor urges lay faithful to be diligent in religious instruction, imitating those “insatiable crowds of the Gospel who did not even allow the Apostles time to take a mouthful”. He teaches them how to pray ceaselessly, “reproducing in life what they celebrate in the liturgy”, offering all their actions as a spiritual sacrifice in union with Christ. He explains to parents that in their small domestic circle too they can exercise “the priestly office as pastors and guides”, giving their children a Christian upbringing. He also affirms that he knows many of the faithful (men and women, married and single) “capable of irreproachable conduct who, if appropriately guided, will be able every day to receive Eucharistic communion” (Epist. ad Ecgberctum, ed. Plummer, p. 419).
The fame of holiness and wisdom that Bede already enjoyed in his lifetime, earned him the title of “Venerable”. Pope Sergius I called him this when he wrote to his Abbot in 701 asking him to allow him to come to Rome temporarily to give advice on matters of universal interest. After his death, Bede’s writings were widely disseminated in his homeland and on the European continent. Bishop St Boniface, the great missionary of Germany, (d. 754), asked the Archbishop of York and the Abbot of Wearmouth several times to have some of his works transcribed and sent to him so that he and his companions might also enjoy the spiritual light that shone from them. A century later, Notker Balbulus, Abbot of Sankt Gallen (d. 912), noting the extraordinary influence of Bede, compared him to a new sun that God had caused to rise, not in the East but in the West, to illuminate the world. Apart from the rhetorical emphasis, it is a fact that with his works Bede made an effective contribution to building a Christian Europe in which the various peoples and cultures amalgamated with one another, thereby giving them a single physiognomy, inspired by the Christian faith. Let us pray that today too there may be figures of Bede’s stature, to keep the whole continent united; let us pray that we may all be willing to rediscover our common roots, in order to be builders of a profoundly human and authentically Christian Europe.”
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
The post St. Bede the Venerable – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bede the Venerable – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 672 AD, Jarrow, United Kingdom * Died: May 26, 735 AD, Jarrow, United Kingdom * Nationality: English * Feast:* 25 May (Western Churches); 27 May (Orthodox Church and the General Roman Calendar from 1899–1969)
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and legacy of the Venerable Bede, the only Doctor of the Church from England. Dr. Bunson highlights Bede’s contributions to theology, history, and learning during a time often mischaracterized as the Dark Ages. Bede is celebrated for his “Ecclesiastical History of the English People,” his biblical commentaries, and his role in developing the AD/BC dating system.
Elevated as a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1899, Bede’s work symbolized the endurance and intellectual richness of the Catholic faith in the British Isles, even during periods of suppression. His life in the monastic communities of Northumbria was marked by relentless scholarship, teaching, and prayer, embodying the quiet dedication and intellectual vibrancy of monastic life.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. The Legacy of Venerable Bede: How does Bede’s dedication to learning and teaching inspire your own approach to faith and education? 2. Historical Context and Faith: What can we learn from Bede’s ability to find faith and meaning in the historical events of his time? 3. Role of Monastic Life: How does Bede’s monastic lifestyle of prayer, study, and teaching reflect the values we should strive for in our own lives? 4. Contribution to Theology and History: In what ways do Bede’s theological and historical works enhance our understanding of the Catholic faith? 5. Endurance of Faith: How does Bede’s life demonstrate the endurance and resilience of the Catholic faith through times of adversity? 6. Integration of Faith and Reason: How does Bede’s integration of faith with scientific and historical knowledge challenge the modern perception of the relationship between faith and reason? 7. Significance of the Church in History: Why is it important to study the ecclesiastical history of the Church, as Bede did, to understand the development of Christian faith? 8. Quiet Dedication: How can Bede’s model of quiet, tireless dedication to the Church serve as a guide for our personal spiritual practices?
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009
“By his way of creating theology, interweaving the Bible, liturgy and history, Bede has a timely message for the different “states of life”: a) for scholars (doctores ac doctrices) he recalls two essential tasks: to examine the marvels of the word of God in order to present them in an attractive form to the faithful; to explain the dogmatic truths, avoiding heretical complications and keeping to “Catholic simplicity”, with the attitude of the lowly and humble to whom God is pleased to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom; b) pastors, for their part, must give priority to preaching, not only through verbal or hagiographic language but also by giving importance to icons, processions and pilgrimages. Bede recommends that they use the vulgate as he himself does, explaining the “Our Father” and the “Creed” in Northumbrian and continuing, until the last day of his life, his commentary on the Gospel of John in the vulgate; c) Bede recommends to consecrated people who devote themselves to the Divine Office, living in the joy of fraternal communion and progressing in the spiritual life by means of ascesis and contemplation that they attend to the apostolate no one possesses the Gospel for himself alone but must perceive it as a gift for others too both by collaborating with Bishops in pastoral activities of various kinds for the young Christian communities and by offering themselves for the evangelizing mission among the pagans, outside their own country, as “peregrini pro amore Dei”.
Making this viewpoint his own, in his commentary on the Song of Songs Bede presents the Synagogue and the Church as collaborators in the dissemination of God’s word. Christ the Bridegroom wants a hard-working Church, “weathered by the efforts of evangelization” there is a clear reference to the word in the Song of Songs (1: 5), where the bride says “Nigra sum sed formosa” (“I am very dark, but comely”) intent on tilling other fields or vineyards and in establishing among the new peoples “not a temporary hut but a permanent dwelling place”, in other words, intent on integrating the Gospel into their social fabric and cultural institutions. In this perspective the holy Doctor urges lay faithful to be diligent in religious instruction, imitating those “insatiable crowds of the Gospel who did not even allow the Apostles time to take a mouthful”. He teaches them how to pray ceaselessly, “reproducing in life what they celebrate in the liturgy”, offering all their actions as a spiritual sacrifice in union with Christ. He explains to parents that in their small domestic circle too they can exercise “the priestly office as pastors and guides”, giving their children a Christian upbringing. He also affirms that he knows many of the faithful (men and women, married and single) “capable of irreproachable conduct who, if appropriately guided, will be able every day to receive Eucharistic communion” (Epist. ad Ecgberctum, ed. Plummer, p. 419).
The fame of holiness and wisdom that Bede already enjoyed in his lifetime, earned him the title of “Venerable”. Pope Sergius I called him this when he wrote to his Abbot in 701 asking him to allow him to come to Rome temporarily to give advice on matters of universal interest. After his death, Bede’s writings were widely disseminated in his homeland and on the European continent. Bishop St Boniface, the great missionary of Germany, (d. 754), asked the Archbishop of York and the Abbot of Wearmouth several times to have some of his works transcribed and sent to him so that he and his companions might also enjoy the spiritual light that shone from them. A century later, Notker Balbulus, Abbot of Sankt Gallen (d. 912), noting the extraordinary influence of Bede, compared him to a new sun that God had caused to rise, not in the East but in the West, to illuminate the world. Apart from the rhetorical emphasis, it is a fact that with his works Bede made an effective contribution to building a Christian Europe in which the various peoples and cultures amalgamated with one another, thereby giving them a single physiognomy, inspired by the Christian faith. Let us pray that today too there may be figures of Bede’s stature, to keep the whole continent united; let us pray that we may all be willing to rediscover our common roots, in order to be builders of a profoundly human and authentically Christian Europe.”
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
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Be Not Afraid – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul HoesingFr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the process of vocational discernment as a step-by-step journey, guided by spiritual directors, focusing on encountering Jesus and finding peace in His will.
They cover the eighth lesson: that fear is not from God and discernment involves distinguishing thoughts and feelings that bring peace from those that bring fear; using examples to illustrate how fear can mislead and how trust in Jesus and guidance from spiritual advisors can help overcome it.
The ninth lesson focuses on standing firm in faith, resisting lies and fears, and continually trusting in God’s will. The importance of persistent prayer, clarity, and patience in the discernment process, with practical examples shows how young men can navigate their fears and find clarity in their vocation journey.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Transformation through God’s Grace: How does Léonie Martin’s transformation illustrate the power of God’s grace in a believer’s life? 2. Importance of Spiritual Relationships: How have your spiritual relationships helped you grow in your faith? 3. Embracing Littleness and Humility: How can you incorporate the virtues of humility and gentleness into your daily life? 4. Facing Spiritual and Physical Struggles: Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual or physical struggles and found strength in your faith. 5. Impact of Family and Upbringing on Faith: How has your family and upbringing influenced your faith, and how can you strengthen this foundation?
Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector
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A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 12In this episode, we jump ahead 15 years to 1915. Léonie is now a cloistered religious, Sister Françoise-Thérèse of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Caen. She is doing her best to live the “little way” as described by her younger sister Thérèse, whose cause for canonization is rapidly moving forward. This process graces her with an opportunity to visit with her three living sisters, Marie, Celine, and Pauline at the Carmel in Lisieux.
Pauline, now Mother Agnes of Jesus and prioress of the Carmel, develops a close relationship with Léonie. She will serve Léonie as a mother figure and spiritual director for the rest of her life. Their correspondence speaks of Léonie’s spiritual growth during this period.
Fr. Gallagher says, “Léonie’s life holds a very important story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child,’ and we’ll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly.”
As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled “developmentally delayed.” Yet those who knew her well described her as having a “heart of gold.”
Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is “a bearer of hope” in this landmark series.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Transformation through God’s Grace How does Léonie Martin’s transformation illustrate the power of God’s grace in a believer’s life? 2. Importance of Spiritual Relationships How have your spiritual relationships helped you grow in your faith? 3. Embracing Littleness and Humility How can you incorporate the virtues of humility and gentleness into your daily life? 4. Facing Spiritual and Physical Struggles Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual or physical struggles and found strength in your faith. 5. Impact of Family and Upbringing on Faith How has your family and upbringing influenced your faith, and how can you strengthen this foundation? The 4 Sisters - Marie, Pauline, Leonie, and CelineSt. ThérèseA resource used for this seriesImages in this post of the Martin/Guerin family are used with permission from the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux website for strictly non-commercial use. We encourage you to visit the website for more information on this remarkable family.
For more series Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcasts, visit here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
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Letter 157 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore a letter written by Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity to Madame de Sourdon. Elizabeth, a Carmelite nun, writes to a close family friend, responding to a prayer request and sharing her own experiences and insights on suffering and prayer. She empathizes with Madame de Sourdon’s distress over a mutual friend’s illness, recalling her own past sorrows and the support she received through prayer; and the value of suffering, explaining that it can unite souls and bring them closer to God. This notion contrasts with modern views that often see suffering as something to be avoided.
St. Elizabeth encourages Madame de Sourdon to fully surrender to God, assuring her that in doing so, she will find solace and strength. The importance of intercessory prayer, noting that it creates a communion of saints, where believers support each other spiritually. She also speaks of the profound happiness she has found in her own relationship with God, a joy she wishes to share with her friend.
Dr. Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss how Elizabeth’s letter reflects deep theological and spiritual truths; exploring how intercessory prayer is not about changing God’s mind but about participating in His eternal plan. Prayer is an act of love and trust in God, a means of fostering a closer relationship with Him.
Letter 157
[157]To Madame de Sourdon
[February 21, 1903]
Carmel, Saturday eveningJ. M. + J. T.
“Dear Madame,
Before your letter I received a few lines from Madame de Maizières, a cry from the heart my soul has really responded to, I assure you. When you write to her, would you tell her that we are praying fervently in Carmel and that I never once attend the Divine Office without commending to God the health of the dear patient who causes so much concern to those who love him. I understand this distress so well, and God above all understands it!You remember, dear Madame, the distressing hours I have known myself. I will never forget how good you were to the poor little one who thought she was about to lose her mother. What painful memories—they are the bond, as it were, that unites our souls. Those are God’s times. Père Didon says “any destiny that doesn’t have its calvary is a punishment from God.” Oh, then, if we knew how to surrender ourselves totally into the hands of Him who is our Father. . . . I recommend your intentions to Him. Do not doubt Him, dear Madame, abandon everything to Him, as well as to your little friend. . . . She will be your advocate . . . for her mission is to pray unceasingly, and you know how much that holds true for you! She is so HAPPY, with a happiness that God alone knows, for He is its sole Object, a happiness that closely resembles that of Heaven. During this Lent, so divine in Carmel, my soul will be especially united to yours. I am asking God to show you the sweetness of His presence and to make your soul a sanctuary where He can come to be consoled. Will you let me enter there and, with you, adore Him who dwells there?
I kiss my dear Françoise whom I love so much and your sweet Marie-Louise. I pray fervently for them, and I am always all yours; don’t you feel that?
Your little friend,
Sr. M. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.Would you tell my dear Mama that my soul is one with hers and that I love her with all my heart.”
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 94-95). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Understanding Sister Elizabeth’s Letter: What does St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s letter reveal about her spiritual life and relationship with her community? 2. The Role of Intercessory Prayer: How does St. Elizabeth demonstrate the power and importance of intercessory prayer in her letter to Madame de Sourdon? 3. The Communion of Saints: What insights about the communion of saints can we draw from St. Elizabeth’s exchange with Madame de Sourdon? 4. The Mystery of Suffering: How does St. Elizabeth’s view of suffering challenge or support your own understanding of its role in the Christian life? 5. Responding to God’s Presence: In what ways does Sister Elizabeth encourage Madame de Sourdon to recognize and respond to God’s presence in her life? 6. The Call to Surrender: How does St. Elizabeth’s exhortation to “abandon everything to Him” resonate with your personal faith journey? 7. The Gift of Friendship: What role does spiritual friendship play in the life of faith, as illustrated by Sister Elizabeth’s relationship with Madame de Sourdon? 8. Experiencing Divine Joy: How does St. Elizabeth describe the joy she finds in her relationship with God, and how can we seek a similar joy in our lives?
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
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Compassionate Listening in Faith – Encountering Foreign Worlds with The Little Prince with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B.Fr. Mauritius Wilde and Kris McGregor delve into the themes of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince,” focusing particularly on communication and understanding. They discuss how language varies not just between different spoken languages but also between generations and social contexts, leading to potential misunderstandings. The importance of listening with compassion and empathy, acknowledging that words can have different meanings in different “worlds.” He uses examples from “The Little Prince” and real-life observations to illustrate how differing interpretations of the same words can lead to miscommunication.
Fr. Wilde also reflects on the impact of social media and modern communication on language, noting how it has shifted over time and across generations. The conversation touches on how cultural expressions, like those in rap music, can be misunderstood by those from different backgrounds, further widening the communication gap.
They explore the idea that true understanding requires entering the “world” of the other person, as illustrated by the various characters in “The Little Prince” who each view stars differently. This concept is likened to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’s idea of compassion, where one shares and understands another’s heart and experiences. Fr. Wilde also connects these ideas to the life of Jesus, highlighting His approach of deep empathy and respect for individuals, such as the blind man and the Samaritan woman. Jesus’s interactions reflect a non-judgmental, compassionate understanding that seeks to connect with people on a profound level.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Importance of Compassion in Communication: How can you practice compassionate listening in your daily interactions to better understand others? 2. Generational Language Differences: How do you adapt your communication style when interacting with people from different generations? 3. Social Media’s Impact on Language: In what ways has social media influenced your use of language, and how can you ensure it doesn’t hinder genuine understanding? 4. Cultural Expressions and Misunderstanding: How can you better appreciate and understand cultural expressions that are different from your own to avoid miscommunication? 5. Entering Another’s World: What steps can you take to truly enter and understand the “world” of another person in your life? 6. Jesus’s Compassionate Approach: How can you emulate Jesus’s approach of deep empathy and respect in your relationships with others? 7. Embracing Mystery in Others: How can you cultivate an attitude of wonder and openness to the mystery of each person’s unique experience and perspective? 8. Individual Reflection and Connection with God: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with God to better reflect His love and understanding in your interactions?
One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
The story of a stranded pilot, an extraordinary little boy, and their remarkable friendship, The Little Prince has become a cherished fable for generations of readers. As enchanting as it is wise, this beloved classic captures the mysteries of the heart and opens us to the meaning of life and the magic of love.
taken from the back an edition of the book no longer in print
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, NE
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Steps in Spiritual Guidance – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue the discussion on the three modes of discernment, using the example of Jessica, a woman discerning her religious vocation. Fr. Gallagher explains that Jessica experienced a consistent attraction toward religious life whenever she felt spiritual consolation, an example of St. Ignatius’s second mode of discernment.
The second mode involves recognizing a pattern of spiritual attraction over time. He also describes the necessary prerequisites for discernment, such as a disposition of heart open to God’s will and the use of spiritual means like prayer, scripture, and spiritual direction.
The conversation shifts to the third mode of discernment, which involves a “preponderance of reasons.” This mode is used when neither the first nor the second mode provides clarity. It involves listing and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each option in a time of spiritual tranquility, always considering God’s greater glory.
Fr. Gallagher outlines how Ignatius approached this mode, seeking a time of peace, praying for guidance, and maintaining a disposition of openness to God’s will. Discernment requires ongoing spiritual formation and the support of a competent spiritual director.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Understanding Attraction in Discernment: How have you experienced consistent spiritual attraction towards a particular vocation or life choice? 2. Disposition of Heart: Are you truly open to accepting God’s will, whatever it may be? 3. Use of Spiritual Means: How regularly do you engage in prayer, scripture reading, and seeking spiritual guidance? 4. Recognizing Spiritual Consolation: Can you identify moments of spiritual consolation in your life, and what choices do they seem to draw you towards? 5. Identifying Spiritual Desolation: Have you experienced spiritual desolation, and how has it influenced your discernment process? 6. Importance of Spiritual Tranquility: Are you able to find a state of spiritual tranquility, free from strong emotional highs and lows, to aid in your discernment? 7. Advantages and Disadvantages: How do you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of your options in terms of God’s greater glory? 8. Seeking Confirmation: Do you seek confirmation from God through prayer that your discernment is aligned with His will? 9. Role of Spiritual Direction: How can a competent spiritual director assist you in your discernment journey? 10. Continuous Spiritual Formation: What steps are you taking for ongoing spiritual formation to better understand and follow God’s will?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG10 – Steps in Spiritual Guidance – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the great gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples 2000 years ago and what it means for us today! The post Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. – Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregorSr. Mary Ann Fatula discusses her book Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit: Keys to a Transformed Life and a Joyful Heart with host Kris McGregor. They explore the central theme of the book: the profound impact of developing a close relationship with the Holy Spirit on leading a joyful and transformed life. Sr. Mary Ann emphasizes that true joy and the foretaste of heaven on earth are impossible without the Holy Spirit, who is the giver of joy and love.
They discuss how various saints, including St. John Henry Newman and St. Angela of Foligno, have spoken about their experiences with the Holy Spirit. Sr. Mary Ann shares insights from her book about how the Holy Spirit acts in our lives, citing examples from the saints and church teachings to illustrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Sr. Mary Ann highlights the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit as a person and using personal and intimate language in prayer to foster this relationship. The role of the Holy Spirit in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, explains how these sacraments deeply connect us with the Holy Spirit and the entire Holy Trinity.
Sr. Mary Ann encourages listeners to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives, asking for His joy, peace, and love, and trusting in His guidance and strength.
You can find this book here.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Personal Relationship with the Holy Spirit: How can you deepen your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? 2. Joy and Transformation: In what ways has your relationship with the Holy Spirit brought joy and transformation to your life? 3. Influence of the Saints: Which saints’ experiences with the Holy Spirit resonate most with you and why? 4. Prayer and Intimacy: What intimate and personal language can you use in your prayers to the Holy Spirit? 5. Sacramental Understanding: How does understanding your baptism and confirmation deepen your connection with the Holy Spirit? 6. Love as the Foundation: How can you prioritize asking for the gift of love from the Holy Spirit before seeking other gifts? 7. Daily Surrender: How can you incorporate a daily surrender to the Holy Spirit in your routine? 8. Overcoming Anxiety: How can a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit help you manage anxiety and troubles? 9. Inspiration from Our Lady: How does the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary inspire your relationship with the Holy Spirit? 10. Sharing the Holy Spirit’s Love: How can you spread the kindness and love of the Holy Spirit to others in your life?
From the book description
“Regardless of our past, or the trials afflicting us now or those we may face in the future, when we draw near to the Holy Spirit, our lives change for the better. Closeness with the Holy Spirit is the “secret” of holiness and happiness.
In this short yet penetrating work, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula reflects on how tenderly and powerfully the Holy Spirit offers us the precious gift of intimacy with Himself. Through the graces of our Baptism and Confirmation, the Holy Spirit― the Third Divine Person who is the Father’s and Son’s sublime Love for Each other ― gives Himself to us to be our “Beloved,” our mighty Healer, our intimate Friend and Consoler, our constant Companion and Strength, our gentle Teacher and Guide.
Every page of this exquisite book will speak to your heart. Using the Church’s hymns and prayers, you will learn to pray to the Holy Spirit with love and tenderness, entrusting Him with your every concern, and inviting Him to possess you and anoint your every breath and moment of your life.
The saints show us how the Holy Spirit truly is our fierce “Protector” who loves us and “fights” powerfully for us. When we are weighed down with problems and worries, when we long for more joy and serenity, the Holy Spirit invites us to draw close to Him and let Him do for us what we cannot do ourselves.
It is the Holy Spirit who lifts us up when we are discouraged and fills us with His comfort and peace when we are sad and lonely. The Holy Spirit is the One who deepens our intimacy with the Father and the Son, and who gives us a heart full of empathy for others.
Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit invites you to taste the sweetness of the Holy Spirit and savor in your own life the wonders He accomplishes in those who draw close to Him.”
Also listen to Sr. Mary Ann Fatula discuss Heaven Splendor on this Inside the Pages Podcast with Kris McGregorThe post IP#478 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P. – Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 11In this episode, after the death of her sister Thérèse and inspired by her witness and teachings. Léonie attempts for a fourth time to enter into religious life.
Her sisters, Pauline, Marie, and Celine, along with her Uncle Isodore and Aunt Celine Guerin, offer Léonie letters of encouragement, joy, and hope as she begins again an attempt to enter into religious life at the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen. She desires to be a little “violet” in order to love and live as Sister Françoise-Thérèse, a new name she has selected to honor St. Francis de Sales and her sister Thérèse.
Her perseverance inspires, but will she finally make it to final vows?
Fr. Gallagher says, “Léonie’s life holds a very important story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child,’ and we’ll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly.”
As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled “developmentally delayed.” Yet those who knew her well described her as having a “heart of gold.”
Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is “a bearer of hope” in this landmark series.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Perseverance in Faith: How does Léonie Martin’s repeated attempts to join the Visitation Monastery inspire you to persevere in your own faith journey? 2. Role of Family Support: In what ways can you provide or seek support from your family in your spiritual endeavors? 3. Impact of Spiritual Guidance: How has the guidance of spiritual mentors influenced your faith, similar to Léonie’s connection with her sister Thérèse? 4. Finding the Right Environment: Reflect on the importance of finding a nurturing environment for your spiritual growth. Where do you feel most supported in your faith? 5. Joy in Vocation: How can Léonie’s joy and contentment upon professing her vows encourage you to find joy in your own vocation or life path? 6. Power of Correspondence: Consider the role of communication in Léonie’s journey. How can you use communication to strengthen your faith and support others? 7. Faith and Maturity: How does Léonie’s maturity and resolve in her letters inspire you to approach challenges in your own faith with maturity? 8. Role of Prayer: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to draw strength and perseverance, as seen in Léonie’s life? MariePaulineCélineSt. ThérèseA resource used for this seriesImages in this post of the Martin/Guerin family are used with permission from the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux website for strictly non-commercial use. We encourage you to visit the website for more information on this remarkable family.
For more series Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcasts, visit here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
The post Ep. 11 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Letter 111 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony LillesDr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor take a look into the spiritual life and letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Through her letters, they aim to explore her life, spiritual mission, and doctrinal insights through selected letters she wrote while in the Carmelite convent.
The discussion begins with Letter 111, written to a family friend. Elizabeth expresses her profound joy in experiencing Lent, Holy Week, and Easter in Carmel, revealing her deep sense of fulfillment and spiritual intimacy with God. This letter highlights her connection with God, her commitment to her vocation, and her belief in the spiritual benefits her life in Carmel brings to her family and others.
Dr. Lilles discusses St. Elizabeth’s unique ability to connect deeply with others through her letters, showcasing her genuine affection and spiritual insight. They also discuss the challenges she faced, such as her mother’s initial resistance to her entering Carmel and the tension it caused. Despite these challenges, she remained convinced that her vocation was a blessing for her family.
Reflecting on the broader themes of sacrifice, obedience, and the joy found in following God’s will, despite external misunderstandings and disappointments; St. Elizabeth’s letters serve as a testament to the transformative power of a life devoted to prayer and union with God.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Letter 111[April 7, 1902]1
Dijon Carmel, April 7
“J. M. + J. T.
Dear Monsieur le Chanoine,
If you only knew how good it is to spend Lent, Holy Week, and Easter in Carmel—it is something unique! With what joy I sang Alleluia, wrapped in the white mantle, clothed in the dear habit that I have so longed to wear. It was quite wonderful, I assure you, to spend Holy Thursday close to Him, and I would have spent the night as well, but the Master wanted me to rest. But that does not matter, does it? We find Him in our sleep just as we do in prayer, since He is in everything, everywhere, and always! At 2 o’clock I went down to choir; you can guess what a glorious time I had, and also what I said on your behalf! More and more I love the dear grilles that make me His prisoner of love. It is so good to think that we are prisoners, in chains for each other; more than that, that we are but one victim, offered to the Father for souls, so that they may be wholly consummated in Unity.
When you think of your little Carmelite, thank Him who has given her so beautiful a part. Sometimes I think that it is an anticipated Heaven: the horizon is so beautiful, it is He! Oh! what will it be like above since here below He already makes our union so intimate? You know my homesickness for Heaven, it does not diminish, for I already live in that Heaven, since I carry it within me; in Carmel it seems that we are already so near. Won’t you come to see me some day and continue through the grille the fine conversations you used to have with your little Elizabeth? Do you remember the first time I confided my secret to you in the cloister of Saint-Hilaire? I spent some happy moments with you and I am asking God to reward you for the good you have done me. I still remember my joy when I was able to have a little conference with you and entrust my great secret to you. I was only a child, but you never doubted the divine call!
I have not seen my dear Mama yet; I am expecting her at the first opportunity. My little Guite came last week. It had been nearly two months since we had seen each other, so you can guess what a meeting it was! I am overjoyed to see all the good God is doing in the souls of my darlings. He has taken me in order to give Himself more, and I can see I am doing them much more good in my dear Carmel than when I was near them; oh, how good God is! I am leaving you to go to prayer where we have the Blessed Sacrament exposed every Sunday. I only have time to ask your blessing; I know it is a fatherly one for your little Carmelite.
M. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Thank you very much for your pretty holy card. Please give my greetings to my dear Marie-Louise. Tell her she has certainly not been forgotten!”
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 42-43). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. Joy in Sacrifice: How can I find joy in the sacrifices I make for God and others? 2. Obedience to God’s Will: Am I willing to follow God’s will even when it causes misunderstandings or disappointment among those I love? 3. Intimacy with God: How can I deepen my sense of intimacy and union with God in my daily life? 4. Spiritual Mission: What unique spiritual mission do I feel called to pursue in my own life? 5. Connection with Others: How can I genuinely connect and show love to others, as St. Elizabeth did through her letters? 6. Perseverance in Faith: How can I persevere in my faith journey despite external challenges and pressures? 7. Impact of Prayer: Do I believe that my life of prayer can have a profound impact on the lives of those around me? 8. Responding to God’s Call: What fears or reservations do I need to overcome to fully respond to God’s call in my life? 9. Understanding Sacrifice: How can I help others understand and respect the sacrifices I make for my faith? 10. Finding Joy in Obedience: In what ways can I find joy in being obedient to God’s direction for my life?
We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .
The post BTP-L1 – Letter 111 – The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Listening with the ear of the heart, Fr. Mauritius Wilde guides us through "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In this episode, Fr. Mauritius gives us some background on the work and it's surprising spiritual overtones. It has been translated into more than 190 languages and sold more than 200 million copies, making it one of the bestselling books ever. It has been adapted to various media over the decades, including stage, screen, and operatic works. "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. The story of a stranded pilot, an extraordinary little boy, and their remarkable friendship, The Little Prince has become a cherished fable for generations of readers. As enchanting as it is wise, this beloved classic captures the mysteries of the heart and opens us to the meaning of life and the magic of love." The post HR-LP1 – Introduction – Encountering Foreign Worlds with The Little Prince with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on Our Lady of Fatima and the power of the Holy Rosary. It is a tremendous instrument of peace to those who pray in Our Lady's garden of prayer. Anyone seeking peace in the world, as well in their own lives, should turn to Our Lady and her Holy Rosary. The way to the face of God can be found in the Holy Rosary and all the mysteries contained in this treasury of grace. The post Our Lady of Fatima and the Power of the Holy Rosary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Second Mode of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the second mode of discernment according to St. Ignatius of Loyola. This mode involves a consistent attraction of the heart toward one option over a period of time, particularly during spiritual consolation.
They examine an experience from St. Ignatius’s life where he discerned whether the Jesuits should continue living in radical poverty. Ignatius sought God’s guidance through Mass for 40 consecutive days, experiencing spiritual consolation and a consistent inclination toward radical poverty until the 40th day, when he faced spiritual desolation and doubts.
Fr. Gallagher reminds us of the importance of spiritual guidance in discernment, noting that it’s a process over time rather than a single moment of clarity. He illustrates this mode with the stories of Richard, who discerned a call to Jesuit life, and Jessica, who felt drawn to religious life over time.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Understanding Second Mode Discernment: How does St. Ignatius describe the second mode of discernment, and what are its key components? 2. Ignatius’s Experience and its Significance: Reflect on Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment regarding the vow of poverty. What significance does his experience hold for understanding second mode discernment? 3. Spiritual Consolation and Desolation: How does Fr. Gallagher differentiate between spiritual consolation and desolation in the context of discernment? 4. The Role of Spiritual Guidance: What is the importance of seeking spiritual guidance in the discernment process, according to Fr. Gallagher? 5. Pattern of Consistent Attraction: Discuss the significance of experiencing a consistent attraction toward one option over time in discernment according to the second mode. 6. Richard’s Discernment Journey: Analyze Richard’s discernment process. How did his experience exemplify second mode discernment? 7. Jessica’s Experience: Reflect on Jessica’s discernment journey. How did her story illustrate the consistent attraction of the heart over time? 8. Comparison with First Mode Discernment: Compare and contrast first mode discernment with second mode discernment, considering aspects like clarity and doubt. 9. Challenges and Resolving Conflicts: Explore the challenges individuals might face when their desires conflict with the attractions of the heart in discernment. How can these conflicts be resolved? 10. The Importance of Time in Discernment: Fr. Gallagher emphasizes the significance of giving discernment the time it needs. Reflect on the importance of patience and perseverance in the discernment process.
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG9 – Second Mode of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the meaning of Our Lord's Ascension in this Discerning Hearts Podcast. The post Where is Jesus? A Reflection on the Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Ascension of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Ascension of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. John of Avila, Part 2 - The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. John of Avila, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. John of Avila, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: January 6, 1499, Almodóvar del Campo, Spain * Died:* May 10, 1569, Montilla, Spain
Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and impact of St. John of Avila, a doctor of the Church. They highlight his influence on spiritual figures like Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, John of God, and Francis Borja during the Catholic Reformation in 16th-century Spain.
Born into a deeply faithful family, John displayed intellectual brilliance and a love for the faith, particularly the Eucharist, from an early age. Initially studying law, John felt called to priesthood and dedicated himself to prayer and discernment. Encouraged by a Franciscan friar, he embraced his vocation, eventually becoming a renowned preacher and spiritual guide. His homilies, grounded in scripture and grace, attracted large crowds and led to a revitalization of the faith in Andalusia.
Despite facing opposition and a year-long investigation by the Inquisition, John remained steadfast in his commitment to reform, care for the poor, and authentic Gospel living. He established schools and influenced the formation of various religious orders, leaving a lasting legacy in the Church.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions1. St. John of Avila’s Influence: How did St. John of Avila influence key figures like Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Francis Borja during the Catholic Reformation in Spain? 2. Obedience and Service: Reflect on St. John’s obedience to authority, even when it meant redirecting his plans to serve the Church in Andalusia. How can we emulate this obedience in our own lives? 3. Courage in Preaching: Despite facing opposition, St. John preached fearlessly against the wealth of the clergy and advocated for care for the poor. How can we summon similar courage in living out the Gospel in today’s society? 4. Spiritual Formation and Holiness: Discuss how St. John’s spiritual guidance and example contributed to the formation and holiness of individuals like Francis Borja and Teresa of Avila. How can spiritual mentors shape our own journey of faith?
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. John of Avila
“Thanks to his insight into the times and his excellent academic training, John of Avila was an outstanding theologian and a true humanist. He proposed the establishment of an international court of arbitration to avoid wars and he invented and patented a number of engineering devices. Leading a life of great poverty, he devoted himself above all to encouraging the Christian life of those who readily listened to his preaching and followed him everywhere. He was especially concerned for the education and instruction of boys and young men, especially those studying for the priesthood. He founded several minor and major colleges, which after the Council of Trent would become seminaries along the lines laid down by that Council. He also founded the University of Baeza, which was known for centuries for its work of training clerics and laity.
John of Avila was a contemporary, friend and counsellor of great saints, and one of the most celebrated and widely esteemed spiritual masters of his time. Saint Ignatius Loyola, who held him in high regard, was eager for him to enter the nascent “Company” which was to become the Society of Jesus. Although he himself did not enter, the Master directed some thirty of his best students to the Society. Juan Ciudad, later Saint John of God, the founder of the Order of Hospitallers, was converted by listening to the saintly Master and thereafter relied on him as his spiritual director. The grandee Saint Francis Borgia, later the General of the Society of Jesus, was another important convert thanks to the help of Father Avila. Saint Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia, disseminated Father Avila’s catechetical method in his diocese and throughout the south of Spain. Among Father Avila’s friends were Saint Peter of Alcántara, Provincial of the Franciscans and reformer of the Order, and Saint John de Ribera, Bishop of Badajoz, who asked him to provide preachers to renew his diocese and later, as Archbishop of Valencia, kept a manuscript in his library containing 82 of John’s sermons. Teresa of Jesus, now a Doctor of the Church, underwent great trials before she was able to send him the manuscript of her Autobiography. Saint John of the Cross, also a Doctor of the Church, was in touch with his disciples in Baeza who assisted in the Carmelite reform. Blessed Bartholomew of the Martyrs was acquainted with his life and holiness through common friends, and many others acknowledged the moral and spiritual authority of the Master.”
For more visit \Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
The post St. John of Avila, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Journeying with Jesus – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul HoesingFr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the guide for discernment, which is not just for those considering priesthood but for all seeking to discern God’s will in their lives. They explore lessons based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, emphasizing the importance of encountering Jesus, desiring what he desires, and trusting him. The process involves becoming aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and desires, understanding them in God’s presence, and taking action. Discernment takes time, akin to the gradual conversion experienced by the apostles.
Fr. Hoesing delves into the incremental nature of discernment, where individuals progress step by step, rather than seeking immediate answers to complex questions. The importance of seminary formation is to provide young men with the necessary human and spiritual development; addressing societal pressures on career decisions and the need for proper human formation, especially in the seminary environment.
The role of spiritual direction is important, guiding individuals through discernment and helping them articulate their prayers and petitions. Fr. Hoesing concludes with reflections on finding peace in Jesus, recognizing his presence, and anchoring oneself in Christ for fruitful discernment.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Encountering Jesus and Trusting Him: How does the encounter with Jesus impact one’s discernment process? 2. Understanding Thoughts, Feelings, and Desires in God’s Presence: Reflect on the importance of becoming aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and desires in the discernment journey. 3. Patience in Discernment: How can we cultivate patience in our discernment process, understanding that it takes time? 4. Incremental Nature of Discernment: Consider the idea of discernment as an incremental journey rather than seeking immediate answers. How does this perspective shift our approach to discernment? 5. Role of Seminary Formation: Reflect on the significance of seminary formation in providing the necessary human and spiritual development for those discerning priesthood. 6. Navigating Societal Pressures: How can we navigate societal pressures on career decisions, especially regarding vocations, and prioritize discernment of God’s will? 7. Importance of Spiritual Direction: Reflect on the role of spiritual direction in guiding individuals through discernment and helping them articulate their prayers and petitions. 8. Finding Peace in Jesus: How do we recognize and anchor ourselves in the peace that comes from encountering Jesus in our discernment journey? 9. Closing Reflections: Consider St. Teresa of Jesus’ prayer: “Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything passes. God never changes. Patience obtains all.” How does this prayer resonate with your discernment journey? 10. Prayer for Guidance: Pray for God’s blessing and guidance in your discernment, seeking to live fully and radically in Christ.
Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector
The post IJCY4 – Journeying with Jesus – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ep. 10 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Ep. 10 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Ascension of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Ascension of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP-LOT18 - Awareness of the Presence of Christ - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post BTP-LOT18 – Awareness of the Presence of Christ – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Two Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the first two modes of discernment. The first mode involves receiving clarity beyond doubting, where individuals experience an unquestionable sense of God’s call. Examples include Anne and Gary, who had unshakeable clarity in their vocations. Seeking guidance from a spiritual director is encouraged in such discernment.
The second mode, discernment through the attraction of the heart, involves recognizing spiritual consolation and desolation. Spiritual consolation is marked by an uplifting sense of God’s presence, joy, and increased faith, hope, and charity. Examples from the lives of individuals like Raïssa Maritain and St. Thérèse of Lisieux illustrate this. On the other hand, spiritual desolation is characterized by heaviness, doubt, and a sense of separation from God.
Fr. Gallagher reminds us of the importance of recognizing and rejecting spiritual desolation’s discouraging tactics. St. Ignatius’s own experience regarding the vow of poverty illustrates discernment through attraction, where sustained experiences of spiritual consolation lead to clarity in discerning God’s will.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Discerning God’s Call: How can we discern God’s will in our lives amidst the various choices and decisions we face? 2. Spiritual Consolation and Desolation: What are some ways we can differentiate between spiritual consolation and desolation in our own spiritual experiences? 3. Seeking Guidance: Why is it important to seek guidance from a wise spiritual director or mentor, especially during significant discernments? 4. Recognizing God’s Voice: In what ways can we become more attuned to God’s voice and guidance in our lives, particularly during times of discernment? 5. Patterns in Spiritual Experience: How can we recognize patterns in our spiritual experiences, such as consistent inclinations towards certain choices during times of consolation? 6. Revisiting Spiritual Teachings: Why is it beneficial to revisit and deepen our understanding of spiritual teachings, such as those outlined in St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG8 – Two Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Two Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy GallagherFr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the first two modes of discernment. The first mode involves receiving clarity beyond doubting, where individuals experience an unquestionable sense of God’s call. Examples include Anne and Gary, who had unshakeable clarity in their vocations. Seeking guidance from a spiritual director is encouraged in such discernment.
The second mode, discernment through the attraction of the heart, involves recognizing spiritual consolation and desolation. Spiritual consolation is marked by an uplifting sense of God’s presence, joy, and increased faith, hope, and charity. Examples from the lives of individuals like Raïssa Maritain and St. Thérèse of Lisieux illustrate this. On the other hand, spiritual desolation is characterized by heaviness, doubt, and a sense of separation from God.
Fr. Gallagher reminds us of the importance of recognizing and rejecting spiritual desolation’s discouraging tactics. St. Ignatius’s own experience regarding the vow of poverty illustrates discernment through attraction, where sustained experiences of spiritual consolation lead to clarity in discerning God’s will.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Discerning God’s Call: How can we discern God’s will in our lives amidst the various choices and decisions we face? 2. Spiritual Consolation and Desolation: What are some ways we can differentiate between spiritual consolation and desolation in our own spiritual experiences? 3. Seeking Guidance: Why is it important to seek guidance from a wise spiritual director or mentor, especially during significant discernments? 4. Recognizing God’s Voice: In what ways can we become more attuned to God’s voice and guidance in our lives, particularly during times of discernment? 5. Patterns in Spiritual Experience: How can we recognize patterns in our spiritual experiences, such as consistent inclinations towards certain choices during times of consolation? 6. Revisiting Spiritual Teachings: Why is it beneficial to revisit and deepen our understanding of spiritual teachings, such as those outlined in St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises?
From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:
“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made
The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.
The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.
The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly.
If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.”
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” pageThe post DWG8 – Two Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Remain In My Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the concept of divine love and its expression through individuals. Msgr. Esseff emphasizes that it is not the individual’s love for God that matters most, but rather God’s love for humanity, demonstrated through the sacrifice of sending His son. He illustrates this with anecdotes of individuals, including children and married couples, who exemplify sacrificial love.
Msgr. Esseff argues that true holiness comes not from individual efforts to be virtuous but from allowing God’s love to flow through oneself. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in aligning one’s actions with God’s will, rather than pursuing personal agendas or virtue for its own sake. The role of parents in nurturing a spirit of sacrificial love in their children and highlights the transformative power of encountering the poor and suffering.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Understanding Divine Love: How does Msgr. Esseff differentiate between human love for God and God’s love for humanity, as discussed in the podcast? 2. Role of Sacrificial Love: What examples of sacrificial love does Msgr. Esseff provide from the anecdotes shared in the podcast, and how do they illustrate the concept he is conveying? 3. The Source of Holiness: According to the podcast, where does true holiness originate, and what implications does this have for personal spiritual growth? 4. Discernment and God’s Will: What role does discernment play in aligning one’s actions with God’s will, as emphasized by Msgr. Esseff, and how can individuals cultivate this practice in their daily lives? 5. Parental Influence and Family Life: How does Msgr. Esseff address the responsibility of parents in nurturing sacrificial love within their families, and what impact does this have on the spiritual development of children? 6. Transformation Through Encountering Others: Reflecting on the anecdotes shared about encountering the poor and suffering, how can such experiences transform individuals’ perspectives on love and service?
From the Gospel of John 15:9-17:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
The post Remain In My Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Navigating Vocation Discernment – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul HoesingFr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood, drawing lessons from the teachings of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. They discuss the importance of encountering Christ personally, desiring what God desires, and ultimately, trusting in God’s plan. Trust, they explain, is foundational to the discernment process, encompassing elements of faith, love, and hope.
Trust in God requires dependence on Him, especially during life’s storms and uncertainties. Exploring the biblical story of Peter walking on water as an allegory for trust, highlighting how Peter’s fear arose when he took his eyes off Jesus and how it related to the need to keep focused on Christ amid life’s challenges, understanding that He is always present to guide and support.
Additionally, they address common fears and doubts that may arise during discernment, urging listeners to bring these concerns to God and trust in His provision. They encourage a mindset of gratitude and openness to God’s leading, acknowledging that the discernment journey is a process that unfolds gradually, with each step guided by God’s hand.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Encountering Christ Personally: How have you personally encountered Christ in your life, and how has this encounter influenced your understanding of your vocation journey? 2. Learning to Desire What God Desires: Reflect on your deepest desires. Do they align with what you believe God desires for you? How can you cultivate a greater alignment between your desires and God’s will? 3. Trusting in God’s Plan: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God’s plan? How can you deepen your trust in Him, especially during times of uncertainty or difficulty? 4. Dependence on God: Consider moments when you have felt most dependent on God. How did He provide for you during those times, and how did it impact your relationship with Him? 5. Keeping Focus on Christ: Reflect on instances when you’ve allowed fear or distractions to take your focus away from Christ. What steps can you take to keep your eyes fixed on Him, especially during challenging circumstances? 6. Gratitude and Openness: How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your discernment journey, even amidst doubts or fears? How does gratitude help to foster openness to God’s will? 7. Trusting in God’s Timing: Are there areas in your life where you feel rushed or anxious about discerning God’s will? How can you surrender these concerns and trust in God’s timing? 8. Prayer and Surrender: Take time to pray and surrender your fears, doubts, and desires to God. How does this act of surrender deepen your trust in His guidance and provision?
Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector
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Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and work of St. Athansius of Alexandria From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
Athanasius was undoubtedly one of the most important and revered early Church Fathers. But this great Saint was above all the impassioned theologian of the Incarnation of the Logos, the Word of God who - as the Prologue of the fourth Gospel says - "became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1: 14).
For this very reason Athanasius was also the most important and tenacious adversary of the Arian heresy, which at that time threatened faith in Christ, reduced to a creature "halfway" between God and man, according to a recurring tendency in history which we also see manifested today in various forms. The post St. Athanasius of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ep. 9 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Ep. 9 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Perfect Love and Perfect Union – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor explore St. Catherine’s view on the stages of spiritual development, which culminate in perfect union with God. They discuss how her teaching departs from traditional paradigms, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and love of God and neighbor; especially St. Catherine’s imagery of the Christ Bridge, where the soul experiences intimacy and peace with God.
Fr. McDermott explains Catherine’s emphasis on suffering and the importance of God’s honor and the salvation of souls. They also discuss the concept of perfect union with God, acknowledging that true union can only be fully realized in heaven.
Throughout the discussion, they tell listeners of St. Catherine’s humility and her warning against intellectual pride, emphasizing the transformative power of love and correct knowledge of God. Fr. McDermott highlights Catherine’s belief in the transformative nature of grace and the importance of virtues in becoming Christ-like. He expresses optimism about a renewed interest in Catherine’s teachings, facilitated by recent translations of her works.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Stages of Spiritual Development: How does St. Catherine’s understanding of the stages of spiritual development differ from traditional paradigms? 2. The Christ Bridge: What significance does Catherine attribute to the imagery of the Christ Bridge, particularly in terms of spiritual intimacy and peace? 3. Embracing Suffering: Reflect on the concept of embracing suffering as discussed by Fr. McDermott. How does this align with Catherine’s teachings, and how might it challenge contemporary attitudes towards suffering? 4. Perfect Union with God: Fr. McDermott explains the idea of perfect union with God as presented by Catherine. How does this understanding relate to our earthly experiences and our ultimate destiny in heaven? 5. Humility and Intellectual Pursuit: Consider Catherine’s emphasis on humility and her warning against intellectual pride. How can we cultivate humility in our pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth? 6. Transformative Power of Love: Reflect on the notion that love transforms us into what we love. How does this principle manifest in our relationship with God and others? 7. Relevance to the Church: Fr. McDermott highlights Catherine’s love for the Church. How can her teachings inspire a deeper appreciation for the Church’s role in our spiritual journey? 8. Renewed Interest in Catherine’s Teachings: In light of recent translations of Catherine’s works, how might her teachings find new relevance and resonance in contemporary Catholic and Protestant communities?
This series is based on ‘Catherine of Siena’ by Fr. Thomas McDermottFor the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit hereFr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.
The post SCS8 – Perfect Love and Perfect Union – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Why We Think What We Think by Dan LeRoy on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregorIn this episode of Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor, guest Dan LeRoy discusses his book, which explores the decline of philosophical thinking in the Western world. They discuss the importance of philosophy for fostering critical thinking and understanding cultural shifts. LeRoy critiques modern philosophy for becoming disconnected from practical realities, arguing that it has contributed to societal confusion and dissatisfaction.
They explore historical and philosophical influences, highlighting how figures like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and later, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, have shaped Western thought. The discussion emphasizes the enduring relevance of classical philosophers and the consequences of abandoning their teachings in modern times. LeRoy argues that reconnecting with these foundational ideas is essential for addressing contemporary issues and achieving true happiness, which aligns with the pursuit of virtue and truth.
LeRoy also critiques modern philosophical trends that prioritize individual happiness over communal responsibility, linking these trends to broader societal unhappiness. The conversation underscores the need for a philosophical renaissance that embraces ancient and medieval thinkers’ rigorous, virtue-oriented approach to remedying modern existential and ethical dilemmas.
You can find the book here.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Personal Reflection on Philosophy: How does your understanding of philosophy align with the perspectives shared by Dan Leroy? In what ways can you incorporate philosophical thinking into your daily life to make more informed, virtuous decisions? 2. Role of Virtue: How do you define virtue in your own life? Reflect on how the pursuit of virtue can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, as discussed by LeRoy. Are there areas in your life where you could strive more actively for virtue? 3. Influence of Historical Philosophers: Consider the impact of philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas on your own understanding of the world. How do their teachings on truth and virtue resonate with your personal beliefs and practices? 4. Modern Philosophy’s Disconnect: LeRoy discusses the disconnect of modern philosophy from practical and ethical concerns. Reflect on any modern philosophical ideas or movements you are aware of. Do you agree that they are disconnected from “real-world” applications? Why or why not? 5. Critical Thinking in Culture: In what ways do you think critical thinking is lacking in today’s culture? How can the revival of classical philosophical principles contribute to solving contemporary problems? 6. Philosophy and the Catholic Faith: Reflect on how philosophy can complement your Catholic faith. How can embracing philosophical inquiry enhance your spiritual life and your understanding of Catholic teachings? 7. Community and Individualism: Reflect on the tension between individualism and community responsibilities as discussed in the episode. How do you balance personal freedom with communal obligations in your own life? 8. Pursuit of Truth and Happiness: How does your pursuit of truth impact your happiness? Do you agree with the assertion that true happiness comes from fulfilling our purpose and seeking virtue? Why or why not? 9. Engagement with Philosophical Texts: Are there philosophical texts or thinkers you have been meaning to explore? What might be holding you back, and how could engaging with these materials enrich your intellectual and spiritual life? 10. Action Steps: Based on the discussion in the podcast, what are some practical steps you can take to deepen your philosophical understanding and apply it to your life challenges?
From the book’s description:
We’re all starting to hear people ask how the world has gotten to be the way it is. Grafted onto the usual complaints about why people are so greedy, self-absorbed, and callous toward one another are new expressions of frustration about even more fundamental concerns. Why can’t we agree on concepts that used to be basic common sense? Why does our very language now seem to be a minefield that only the most wily and tactical (or cynical) among us can navigate?
The only way to understand fully how we have arrived at this state — and what, if anything, we might be able to do about it — is to embark on a journey back in time to see where we went off the rails. With candor and occasional humor, Dan LeRoy tells the sweeping story of Western thought from its beginnings to the present, revealing the souls and idiosyncrasies of its greatest thinkers. Through stirring vignettes, he tells the real story of how our customs and thought patterns developed and then relates it to our current moment of rupture.
In pages that sometimes read like an Indiana Jones adventure, LeRoy explains the detour that philosophy took nearly a thousand years ago that has led Western society to its current, dire situation. With sharp pen and clear eye, he reveals:
- The roots of classical philosophy, including empiricism (Ready to wade into the water?)
- How views on ethics and morality began to take shape even before Christ
- The three ways to attain happiness, according to the Big Three philosophers
- Four splinter groups and how their philosophies impact us today
- The enduring teachings of Sts. Augustine and Aquinas, among many others
About the AuthorDan LeRoy is an author, journalist and teacher who has been the director of the Writing and Publishing Department at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, Pennsylvania, since 2006. His writing about music and politics has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, the Village Voice, Alternative Press, Esquire, and National Review Online.
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In this episode, Fr. Gallagher discusses the Three Modes, and in particular the we discuss "The First Mode": When there is a clarity without doubting. Sometimes the right decision is unmistakably clear. We know what the right choice is. This knowledge is a gift from God. All we need do is act on what we know to be the right direction. Often this takes some time. We put off acting on what we know we should do. The post DWG7 – Trusting God in Vocation Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us learn from St Catherine to love Christ and the Church with courage, intensely and sincerely. Therefore let us make our own St Catherine’s words that we read in the Dialogue of Divine Providence at the end of the chapter that speaks of Christ as a bridge: “out of mercy you have washed us in his Blood, out of mercy you have wished to converse with creatures. O crazed with love! It did not suffice for you to take flesh, but you also wished to die!... O mercy! My heart drowns in thinking of you: for no matter where I turn to think, I find only mercy” (chapter 30, pp. 79-80). The post St. Catherine of Siena, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Catherine of Siena, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Catherine of Siena, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Excerpt from the Beginning to Pray Blog site: Christ is the bridge to the Father and we cross this bridge by allowing our hearts to be pierced by what the Lord has done for us. The passion of Christ reveals at once the truth about who God is and who we are in his sight. For her, among the greatest blocks to the spiritual life is ignorance. Knowledge of God and knowledge of self go hand in hand in progressing toward spiritual maturity. But the knowing is not simply an intellectual trip. It as the kind of knowing informed by the loving affection of a real friendship. The friendship she describes in tender terms evokes the deepest joys and sorrows all at once. The gift of tears, so central to early Dominican spirituality, is a beautiful part of this description. She presents those holy affections as the only proper response to the great love revealed in Christ crucified. These tears move us away from sin and into the very heart of God. She describes this as a journey that begins with kissing the feet of Jesus and entering into his wounded side. For her, intimacy with the Lord is always through the Cross and informed by a profound gratitude and humility. The post BTP22 – St. Catherine of Siena: Passion for Truth – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“Stages” in the Spiritual Life – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor explore the stages of spiritual development as an upward spiral rather than linear progression. Fr. McDermott tells us of St. Catherine’s focus on love for God and neighbor, cautioning against becoming attached to spiritual consolations.
Perseverance through dark nights of the soul highlights the importance of pure love for God. The significance of tears in spiritual experience and the imagery of the heart of Christ are described as as a window to divine love. St. Catherine sees friendship as essential for spiritual growth, emphasizing the interconnectedness of believers.
Fr. McDermott explains St. Catherine’s interpretation of the open side of Christ’s heart as a symbol of divine love and the importance of participation in that love. He encourages listeners not to feel discouraged if they don’t fully understand St. Catherine’s teachings, but to seek spiritual guidance and persevere in their journey. They also warn against spiritual gluttony and pride, advocating for humility and seeking spiritual direction within the Church.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Understanding Spiritual Development: How does Fr. McDermott describe the stages of spiritual development as an upward spiral rather than a linear progression? 2. Love for God and Neighbor: What caution does Fr. McDermott give regarding becoming attached to spiritual consolations, and what does he emphasize as the true focus of spiritual growth? 3. Perseverance through Dark Nights: What is the significance of persevering through dark nights of the soul in Catherine’s teaching, and what does it reveal about the nature of love for God? 4. Importance of Tears: How does Catherine’s teaching on tears reflect different stages of spiritual experience, and what is their significance in spiritual growth? 5. Imagery of the Heart of Christ: What does the imagery of the heart of Christ represent, and how does it serve as a window to divine love according to Fr. McDermott? 6. Emphasis on Friendship: Why does Catherine emphasize the importance of friendship in spiritual growth, and how does it relate to our relationship with God? 7. Participation in Divine Love: How does Catherine’s teaching emphasize the concept of participation in divine love, and what significance does this hold for believers? 8. Seeking Spiritual Guidance: What advice does Fr. McDermott give to listeners who may feel discouraged or confused by Catherine’s teachings, and what is the importance of spiritual direction within the Church?
This series is based on ‘Catherine of Siena’ by Fr. Thomas McDermottFor the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit hereFr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.
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Trusting in God’s Goodness – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul HoesingFr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss the importance of prayer, sacraments, and living a virtuous life in discerning one’s vocation; going into the idea of desiring what God desires for us, highlighting the need to overcome fear and trust in God’s goodness.
Drawing from biblical examples like Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, they underscore the importance of openness to God’s will and the journey of faith. They also discuss the role of family dynamics in shaping one’s openness to God’s plan, cautioning against isolation and the value of healthy relationships. The episode concludes with reflections on trusting in God’s guidance and seeking His will with a sincere heart.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Trusting in God’s Goodness: Do you trust that God always wants what is best for you? 2. Overcoming Fear: Where do you begin to become afraid of giving God permission to lead you? 3. Surrendering to God’s Will: When do you begin to try to manipulate God or want what you think will make you happy? 4. Affirming God’s Leadership: How can you cultivate a mindset of continually saying to yourself, “Father, I give you permission to lead me”? 5. Developing Trust: How can you deepen your trust in God’s goodness and His plans for your life? 6. Family Influence: Reflect on the impact of your family dynamics on your openness to God’s will. 7. Building Healthy Relationships: In what ways can you nurture spiritually healthy relationships and discern which relationships lead you closer to God? 8. Seeking God’s Will: How can you actively seek God’s will with a sincere heart, ready to receive His guidance?
Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector
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“The Precious Blood”, “The Christ Bridge” and Other Topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss St. Catherine of Siena’s teachings on the significance of the blood of Christ in her spiritual development. St. Catherine’s fixation on the blood of Christ stems from her belief that it reveals the depth of God’s love for humanity. She sees the blood not only as grace but also as a symbol of a new energy field that believers are invited to immerse themselves in, allowing it to transform them.
They discuss St. Catherine’s central metaphor of the “Christ Bridge,” which represents the journey of spiritual growth. The bridge spans from heaven to earth, with various stages symbolizing different levels of spiritual advancement. She emphasizes the importance of virtues as stepping stones on this bridge and highlights the necessity of human relationships in spiritual development.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:1. Reflection on the Blood of Christ: How does St. Catherine of Siena’s focus on Christ’s blood deepen your understanding of God’s love and its transformative power in your life? 2. The Christ Bridge Metaphor: Reflect on your spiritual journey in light of Catherine’s metaphor of the “Christ Bridge.” How do you perceive your progress on this bridge, and what virtues do you see as stepping stones for further growth? 3. Virtues and Human Relationships: Consider the role of virtues and human relationships in your spiritual development. How can you cultivate virtues and foster meaningful connections with others to deepen your relationship with God? 4. Exploring Saints’ Lives: How might delving into the lives of saints, particularly St. Catherine of Siena, enrich your spiritual journey and provide guidance for navigating challenges and seeking deeper prayer life? 5. Relevance of Catherine’s Teachings: In what ways do you find St. Catherine’s teachings relevant for your life as a modern believer? How can you apply her insights to cultivate a more vibrant and transformative spiritual life?
This series is based on ‘Catherine of Siena’ by Fr. Thomas McDermottFor the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit hereFr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.
The post SCS6 – “The Precious Blood”, “The Christ Bridge” and Other Topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP-LOT17 - Extraordinary Mystical Phenomenon - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post BTP-LOT17 – Extraordinary Mystical Phenomenon – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this enlightening episode, Father Thomas McDermott O.P. delves into St. Catherine of Siena's spiritual legacy, exploring her status as a Doctor of the Church and the profound depth of her teachings as presented in her principal work, The Dialogue, and her extensive letters. Father McDermott elucidates St. Catherine's mystical experiences, particularly during her communion, where she received divine locutions that formed the basis of her writings. The episode highlights the core themes of St. Catherine's teachings, including the importance of truth and self-knowledge, the practical application of theology in everyday Christian life, and virtues like humility, obedience, and patience. A significant focus is also placed on the concept of divinization, a key aspect of her theology, which illustrates how humans are invited to share in God’s divinity through grace. This discussion sheds light on St. Catherine's theological contributions. It underscores her timeless impact on Christian spirituality and ecclesiastical teachings, offering valuable insights into living a virtuous Christian life rooted in contemplative practice and practical action. The post SCS5 – The Supreme Truth and other topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Anslem part 2 an excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI's reflection on St. Anslem:
Dear brothers and sisters, may the love of the truth and the constant thirst for God that marked St Anselm's entire existence be an incentive to every Christian to seek tirelessly an ever more intimate union with Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. In addition, may the zeal full of courage that distinguished his pastoral action and occasionally brought him misunderstanding, sorrow and even exile be an encouragement for Pastors, for consecrated people and for all the faithful to love Christ's Church, to pray, to work and to suffer for her, without ever abandoning or betraying her. May the Virgin Mother of God, for whom St Anselm had a tender, filial devotion, obtain this grace for us. "Mary, it is you whom my heart yearns to love", St Anselm wrote, "it is you whom my tongue ardently desires to praise". The post St. Anselm, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Born: 1033, Aosta, Italy
Died: April 21, 1109, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Full name: Anselmo d'Aosta
Books: Proslogion, More The post St. Anselm, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DWG6 - Understanding Marriage and Priesthood - The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post DWG6 – Understanding Marriage and Priesthood – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 4th Sunday of Easter, and in particular, Our Lord's teachings on the role of the Good Shepherd. At the end of this episode, Msgr. Esseff offers a prayer with St. Padre Pio for healing. The post The Good Shepherd and St. Pio – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Whether it's to the priesthood, religious life, married life...discerning what our vocation is can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Fr. Hoesing discusses what discernment is, what the process is like, and what can help guide us along the way. The post IJCY1 – Hearing God’s Voice – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ep 7 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Ep. 7 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Fr. McDermott discusses the experience of St. Catherine's intervention in the events in Avignon, France and her influence with the Pope. Fr. McDermott speaks of her time in Rome and the events surrounding her death. And we lay the groundwork for our future episodes which we discuss specific aspects of St. Catherine's teachings. The post SCS4 – The Avignon and Rome Years – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
IP#503 Spiritual Masters: Living and Praying in the Catholic Tradition by Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post IP#503 Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes – Spiritual Masters on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
One of the finest translations of St. Bernadette's writings (her diary, etc) has been done by Patricia McEachern. The book is called "A Holy Life: The Writings of St. Bernadette of Lourdes". It's just beautiful. It reveals so much about this holy soul, St. Bernadette! Her "little way" was much like another holy soul, St. Therese...who knew these daughters of France would have so much in common. But then again, should we really be surprised? The post St. Bernadette, A Holy Life- In Conversation with Patricia McEachern – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Fr. McDermott discusses the experience of St. Catherine's "Mystical Espousal" and it's spiritual relevance. The virtues are discussed as central to St. Catherine's teachings and the importance of properly understanding their value in our lives. The response to the needs of one's neighbor is emphasized. In particular, the special interaction with Andrea, the woman with cancer, is presented as an extraordinary moment of grace which aided in St. Catherine's spiritual maturity and growth in holiness. Fr. McDermott addresses the contemporary "controversy" over the actions taken in this particular experience. The other experiences of the summer 1380, the exchange of hearts the mystical death are discussed, as well as, the saint's invisible stigmata. The post SCS3 – The Mystical Experiences – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode offers a continuing look at the importance of the disposition of heart and the means which help us to be open to God's will. Then Fr. Gallagher begins the opening conversation on the vocation God may be calling us to. The post DWG5 – Listening for God’s Voice – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week of Easter - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Third Week of Easter – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Nature of Spiritual Direction – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor delve into the topic of spiritual direction, using insights from the experiences of St. Teresa of Avila. The significance of spiritual guidance and the challenges that can arise ... Read more The post BTP-LOT16 – The Nature of Spiritual Direction – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ep. 6 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Ep. 6 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Fr. McDermott discusses the difference between solitude and isolation by means of moments in St. Catherine's life. What is a "Third Order" and why did St. Catherine choose this means to live out her life? A dream affected St. Catherine deeply. Fr. McDermott teaches how we can discern dreams that might occur in our lives. Why would St. Catherine have a special devotion to St. Mary Magdalene? Fr. McDermott discusses the significance of the "fundamental maxim" and the imagery of "the well", and the times of temptation that began to occur in her life and the experience of "The Dark Night of Self-Knowledge". The post SCS2 – The Fundamental Maxim and The Dark Night of Self-Knowldege – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SCS1 - Introduction & Childhood - St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post SCS1 – Introduction & Childhood – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode offers a look at the importance of the disposition of heart, which like the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeks the will of God in whatever He wants. How do we gain that disposition and what are the means of obtaining that grace is what discussed in the next several episodes. In this conversation the importance of the retreat and even more importantly the role of sacraments is discussed. The post DWG4 – Deepening Spiritual Foundations – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 10 Prayer 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 44. ...In the heaven of our soul let us be praises of glory of the Holy Trinity, praises of love of our Immaculate Mother. One day the veil will fall, we will be introduced into the eternal courts, and there will we will sing in the bosom of infinite Love. And God will give us "the new name promised to the Victor."" What will it be? LAUDEM GLORIAE" The post BTP20 – Heaven In Faith: Day 10 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings ofPope Benedict XVI General Audience 2008 To understand Isidore better it is first of all necessary to recall the complexity of the political situations in his time to which I have already referred: during the years of his boyhood he was obliged to experience the bitterness of exile. He was nevertheless pervaded with apostolic enthusiasm. He experienced the rapture of contributing to the formation of a people that was at last rediscovering its unity, both political and religious, with the providential conversion of Hermenegild, the heir to the Visigoth throne, from Arianism to the Catholic faith. Yet we must not underestimate the enormous difficulty of coming to grips with such very serious problems as were the relations with heretics and with the Jews. There was a whole series of problems which appear very concrete to us today too, especially if we consider what is happening in certain regions in which we seem almost to be witnessing the recurrence of situations very similar to those that existed on the Iberian Peninsular in that sixth century. The wealth of cultural knowledge that Isidore had assimilated enabled him to constantly compare the Christian newness with the Greco-Roman cultural heritage, however, rather than the precious gift of synthesis it would seem that he possessed the gift of collatio, that is, of collecting, which he expressed in an extraordinary personal erudition, although it was not always ordered as might have been desired. The post St. Isidore of Seville – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ep. 5 - A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin - Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post Ep. 5 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 7 –La Quinta Regla – Adoptar la regla 5 en tiempos de desolación La Quinta Regla: En tiempo de desolación nunca hacer mudanza; sino estar firme y constante en las resoluciones y determinación en que se estaba el día anterior a dicha desolación, o en la determinación en que se estaba en la consolación ... Read more The post DOS7- La Quinta Regla – Adoptar la regla 5 en tiempos de desolación – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 10 Prayer 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 40. "It seems to me that the attitude of the Virgin during the months that elapsed between the Annunciation and the Nativity is the model for interior souls, those whom God has chosen to live within, in the depths of the bottomless abyss. In what peace, in what recollection Mary lent herself to everything she did! How even the most trivial things were divinized by her! For through it all the Virgin remained the adorer of the gift of God! This did not prevent her from spending herself outwardly when it was a matter of charity" The post BTP19 – Heaven In Faith: Day 10 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP18 - Heaven In Faith: Day 9 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post BTP18 – Heaven In Faith: Day 9 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DWG3 - Foundation of Discernment - The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post DWG3 – Foundation of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"A Day of Vigil with the Blessed Virgin Mary" - A Holy Saturday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post “A Day of Vigil with the Blessed Virgin Mary” – A Holy Saturday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of Good Friday for the life of every Christian. We are closely united to Jesus in his Passion. Who are the people who have caused you to suffer? What are wounds that have been inflicted during your lifetime? What are the wounds you have inflicted on others? How can those wounds be healed? He also proclaims how the Cross of Christ defeated the devil and continues to defeat the enemy today. The post A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Mystery of Good Friday - A Special Conversation with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. and Kris McGregor - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post The Mystery of Good Friday – A Special Conversation with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. and Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, we come to learn of "the pivotal moment" in the life of Léonie. Even with all of the physical and emotional issues suffered by Léonie, there seemed to be something more, a mystery as it were, that prevented Zélie from having a deep maternal relationship with her struggling daughter. Zélie would say that this inability to win the heart of this difficult daughter was for her "the greatest sorrow of her life." Since the death of Sr. Marie Dosithée (Élise Guérin), Zélie begged her beloved oldest sister to intercede for her in heaven in order to return her poor child's heart to her. At this same time Marie, her oldest daughter, having finished her time at boarding school was now home. Marie, who began to help with the care for her younger sisters, became aware of an alarming situation involving the maid Louise and her concealed abusive treatment of Léonie. She promptly informed her mother. Zélie, with this new knowledge and understanding, took immediate action. The post Ep 4 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP-LOT15 - Stages of Spiritual Growth - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post BTP-LOT15 – Stages of Spiritual Growth – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP17 - Heaven In Faith: Day 9 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post BTP17 – Heaven In Faith: Day 9 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Communal worship speaks to this need. We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world. The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity. The post CTD6 – The Oasis of Lent – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode offers a instruction on how important it is to allow God to guide us not only in the big discernments of life, but also the decisions we make everyday The post DWG2 – God’s Guidance in Everyday Decisions – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 16 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 8 Prayer 2- "It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ..." From "Heaven in Faith: Day 8 Prayer 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 30. Let us lovingly eat this bread of the will of God. If sometimes His will is more crucifying, we can doubtless say with our adored Master: "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by," but we will add immediately: "Yet not as I will, but as You will"; and in strength and serenity, with the divine Crucified, we will also climb our calvary singing in the depths of our hearts and raising a hymn of thanksgiving to the Father. The post BTP16 – Heaven In Faith: Day 8 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Palm Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 8 Prayer 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 26. This is how the mystery of predestination, the mystery of divine election appeared to the enlightened gaze of the Apostle. "Those whom He has foreknown" Are not we of that number? Cannot God say to our soul what he once said through the voice of His prophet: "I passed by you and saw you. I saw that the time had come for you to be loved. I spread my garment over you. I swore to you to protect you, and I made a covenant with you, and you became mine." The post BTP15 – Heaven In Faith: Day 8 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, we begin to hear from the perspective of St. Therese and her early memories of Léonie. Also, Zélie continues to share her fears, frustrations, deep concerns for her Léonie. She thinks she has found an answer with the arrival of two retired nuns. They might be able to teach her challenging daughter, but not all is what it appears to be with these two women. There is also something of a mystery surrounding Zélie and Leonie's relationship. What is preventing Zélie from breaking through to her daughter? Then another sad death affects the family, while Zélie begins to experience her own health failing. What will become of her poor Léonie? The post Ep 3 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 7 Prayer 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 24..."When God sees that we are prepared to receive His grace, His generous goodness is ready to give us the gift that will give us His likeness. Our aptitude for receiving His grace depends on the inner integrity with which we move towards Him." And then God, "bringing us His gifts," can "give Himself, imprint on us His likeness, forgive, and free us." The post BTP14 – Heaven In Faith: Day 7 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
CTD5 – Leaving the Desert - Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating - Discerning Hearts Podcast "Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation is, for many Catholics, a most daunting prospect. This sacrament has been the source of many jokes, composed perhaps by persons seeking to reduce the level of stress they feel regarding one of its main components: naming personal sin. The naming of one's own sin to oneself and to a priest is self-revelatory to the point of evoking anxiety. Initially, it can be true that some level of apprehension may accompany this sacrament, but over time with regular celebration of this form of worship, anxiety diminishes. Most positively the sacrament of reconciliation promotes truthful self-knowledge regarding sin in the context of Christ's saving presence. Once someone experiences both the naming of sin and the reception of God's mercy in this sacrament, he or she actually begins to celebrate this sacrament and see it as a great gift from Christ and his Church." The post CTD5 – Leaving the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Guided by Grace - “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor focus on discerning the will of God in Christian decision-making, particularly through an Ignatian lens. Fr. Gallagher teaches us that Christians seek to make choices consciously aligned with God's will, ranging from daily decisions to major life choices; and the importance of preparation through spiritual exercises such as examination of conscience, meditation, and prayer, which dispose the soul to discern God's will. The post DWG1 – Guided by Grace – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
BTP13 - Heaven In Faith: Day 7 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post BTP13 – Heaven In Faith: Day 7 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor as they discuss St. Cyril of Jerusalem in this Doctors of Church Discerning Hearts Podcast The post St. Cyril of Jerusalem – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post The Fifth Sunday of Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
It was a delight to talk once again to Dr. Kevin Vost. In his new book Three Irish Saints: A Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Style, he brings forward of 3 incredible saints who can help us bring about a greater awareness of ourselves, as well as bringing us closer to our relationship with God. Dr. Vost is a psychologist, and physical fitness expert who examines the lives of these three great saints reveals their gifts and virtues. He then explores the question: Are you a thinker, a doer, or a lover? Included is a simple self-test to find out which spiritual master you are most like. I was well aware of St. Patrick, knew much about St. Brigid, but was knew nothing about St. Kevin, but the list doesn't stop there, Dr. Vost brings the lives of other Irish saints as well. A fun and fascinating read. The post Dr. Kevin Vost – Three Irish Saints on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Bruce and I as we discuss with Dr. Philip Freeman, PhD, author of "St. Patrick of Ireland", the life of this great saint. A reading from the Confession of St Patrick (Conf 34,36,37,38,39) "I give thanks to my God tirelessly who kept me faithful in the day of trial, so that today I offer sacrifice to him confidently, the living sacrifice of my life to Christ, my Lord, who preserved me in all my troubles. I can say therefore: Who am I, Lord, and what is my calling that you should cooperate with me with such divine power? Today, among heathen peoples, I praise and proclaim your name in all places, not only when things go well but also in times of stress. Whether I receive good or ill, I return thanks equally to God, who taught me always to trust him unreservedly. His answer to my prayer inspired me in these latter days to undertake this holy and wonderful work in spite of my ignorance, and to imitate in some way those who, as the Lord foretold, would preach his Good News as a witness to all nations before the end of the world. How did I come by this wisdom which was not my own, I who neither knew what was in store for me, nor what it was to relish God? What was the source of the gift I got later, the great and beneficial gift of knowing and loving God, even if it meant leaving my homeland and my relatives? I came to the Irish heathens to preach the Good News and to put up with insults from unbelievers. I heard my mission abused, I endured many persecutions even to the extent of chains; I gave up my free-born status for the good of others. Should I be worthy I am ready to give even my life, promptly and gladly, for his name; and it is there that I wish to spend it until I die, if the Lord should graciously allow me. I am very much in debt to God; who gave me so much grace that through me many people were born again in God and afterwards confirmed, and that clergy were ordained for them everywhere. All this was for a people newly come to belief whom the Lord took from the very ends of the earth as he promised long ago, through his prophets: ‘To you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and will say, "How false are the idols our fathers made for themselves, how useless they are." 'And again: ‘I have made you a light for the nations so that you may be a means of salvation to the ends of the earth.’ I wish to wait there for the promise of one who never breaks his word, as he promises in the gospel: 'They will come from the east and the west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,' just as we believe the faithful will come from every part of the world." The post St. Patrick, the apostle of Ireland… In Conversation with Dr. Philip Freeman appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
5th Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 5th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 6 Prayer 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: If your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light. The post BTP12 – Heaven In Faith: Day 6 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, we hear a little more about her younger sister, Marie Hélène, who died at the age of 5, as well three other siblings, Joseph Louis, Joseph Jean-Baptiste, and Marie Mélanie-Thérèse, who all died during infancy. We then begin to experience the challenges of Leonie’s education and the ability to interact with others appropriately. What is the family to do? How can her challenges be addressed in love? We also here more from Leonie’s loving aunt, Zélie’s sister, Elise, now known as Sister Marie-Dosithée, a member the Visitation Sisters. The post Ep. 2 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 11 - Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 6 Prayer 1 - "To approach God we must believe" 19. "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us." That is our great act of faith, the way to repay our God love for love; it is "the mystery hidden" in the Father's heart, of which St. Paul speaks, which, at last, we penetrate and our whole soul thrills!" The post BTP11 – Heaven In Faith: Day 6 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"Any moral conversion, if it is to be real, must work its way into our minds and hearts. The conversion we undergo is one that transforms our entire person, and so our thought processes, habits, perceptions, and affections all become realigned to a new way of seeing good and evil Patience with ourselves, as well as with ohters who are also in the midst of conversion, becomes the key virtue to cultivate. God knows we are on the right track once we embrace such a conversion, and so being gentle on ourselves is not a sign of laxity or weakness of will, but a sign of wisdom. Of course, the start of a moral conversion can be dramatic and jumpstart a change, but over the long haul of life, the heart of a person must be fully cooperative; otherwise, the person will not adhere to the moral truth for long." The post CTD4 – The Desert of Sin – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 5 Prayer 2" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 17. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If any man listens to My voice and opens the door to Me, I ell come in to him and sup with him, and he with Me." Blessed the ears of the soul alert enough, recollected enough to hear the voice of the Word of God; blessed also the eyes of this soul which in the light of a deep and living faith can witness the "coming of the Master into His intimate sanctuary.'" The post BTP10 Heaven In Faith: Day 5 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SD10 - Recalling the Responses to Spiritual Desolation - Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post SD10 – Recalling the Responses to Spiritual Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Power of the Cross and Baptism – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In the podcast episode, Msgr. John Esseff discusses the cross and crucifixion, detailing their historical and theological significance, and connects these topics with the sacrament of baptism. Msgr. Esseff explains the evolution of the cross from a despised ... Read more The post The Power of the Cross and Baptism – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 10 - Finding Hope Amidst Despair - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Doran and Kris McGregor discuss societal challenges like addiction and suicide, reminding us of the importance of compassion and hope. They discuss the pressures individuals face to meet societal standards and how this can lead to self-medication and addiction. Using personal examples, Dr. Doran and Kris tell us two stories of family members who self-medicated via alcohol addiction, but have two dramatically different outcomes: one ending in tragedy and the other ending with hope. The post FJ10 – Finding Hope Amidst Despair – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 5 Prayer 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 17. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If any man listens to My voice and opens the door to Me, I ell come in to him and sup with him, and he with Me." Blessed the ears of the soul alert enough, recollected enough to hear the voice of the Word of God; blessed also the eyes of this soul which in the light of a deep and living faith can witness the "coming of the Master into His intimate sanctuary.'" The post BTP9 Heaven In Faith: Day 5 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor begin a new series that reflects on the life of the "forgotten" sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Servant of God Léonie Martin. Fr. Gallagher says, "Léonie's life holds a very important story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child’, and we'll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly." As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions, and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled "developmentally delayed". Yet those who knew her well described her as having a "heart of gold". Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is "a bearer of hope” in this landmark series. The post Ep. 1 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
- But to attain to this love the soul must first be "entirely surrendered, its "will must be calmly lost in God's will; so that its "inclinations," "its faculties" "move only in this love and for the sake of this love. I do every with love, I suffer everything with love: this is what David meant when he sang, 'I will keep all my strength for You.'" The post BTP8 Heaven In Faith: Day 4 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Waiting in the Desert - Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating - Discerning Hearts Podcasts "The ancient image of Lent as a time of withdrawal is relevant to the formation of conscience if we perceive that our consciences have been inordinately attached to anemic sources of influence. Christians are called to transform the world of culture, work, and politics according to the truths learned through Christ in the Church. It is a powerful and dignified calling. Lent affords us a good opportunity to repent of those habits, attitudes, or behaviors that reflect a preoccupation with the secular. Thus devoid of the religious, we are then called to eagerly respond to our faith and imbue the secular with religious and ethical meaning. To do less than this is to render our baptisms impotent and meaningless." The post CTD3 – Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Overcoming Pre-Event Desolation - Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss "pre-event desolation," a form of spiritual discouragement before significant spiritual activities. They highlight its tactics by the enemy to deter individuals from growth opportunities. Drawing from C.S. Lewis's "Perelandra," he tells us of the importance of recognizing and countering this desolation with prayer and trust. The post SD9 – Overcoming Pre-Event Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 Beginning to Pray: Day 4 Prayer 1 - "Our God, wrote St. Paul, is a consuming Fire" The post BTP7 Heaven In Faith Day 4 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Third Sunday of Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff For the third Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of scrutinies in the Catholic Church, emphasizing self-examination and deliverance from sin and Satan, especially for those preparing for baptism. He highlights the role of priests and exorcists in ... Read more The post The Third Sunday of Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Exploring the struggle of maintaining focus in prayer, balancing mental discipline with a heart-led approach to divine communion. The post CP14 – Prayerful Recollection and Divine Presence – Deepening Prayer Beyond Comfort – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
IP#347 Joel Stepanek - Chasing Humility on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post IP#347 Joel Stepanek – Chasing Humility on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 Beginning to Pray: Day 3 Prayer 2 - "You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" The post BTP6 Heaven In Faith Day 3 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP13 – Awareness of God’s Presence in Prayer – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Mauritius Wilde and Kris McGregor discuss St. Benedict's journey, emphasizing letting go of ego to dwell with God. TFr. Mauritius warns against the trap of false humility and the belief that techniques alone can lead to spiritual growth, stressing the role of grace in allowing God to enter our lives. The goal is to dwell with God in this life and in eternity, akin to the peaceful state imagined in heaven. CHAPTER III. "This said, he forthwith returned to the solitude he loved so well, and lived there with himself, in the sight of Him who seeth all things. " The post LSB7 – God’s Dwelling Within – The Life of St. Benedict – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP12 – Aridity in Prayer – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 Beginning to Pray: Day 3 Prayer 1 - "We will come to him and make our home in him" The post BTP5 Heaven In Faith Day 3 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 2 Prayer 2 - "Hurry and Come Down" The post BTP4 Heaven In Faith Day 2 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 8 - Fr. Gallagher answers other questions that come up about Spiritual Desolation. He then addresses the various qualities of Spiritual Desolation. The post SD8 – Confronting Desolation with Faith – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP11 – Deepening Prayer Beyond Comfort – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
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Episode 3 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 2 Prayer 1 - "The Kingdom of God is Within You"
From "Heaven in Faith: Day 2 Prayer 1" found in The Complete Works vol 1: 6. The same saint also says that "God is the center of the soul. So when the soul with all" its "strength will know God perfectly, love and enjoy Him fully, then it will have reached the deepest center that can be attained in Him." Before attaining this, the soul is already "in God who is its center," "but it is not yet in its deepest center, for it can still go further. Since love is what unites us to God, the more intense this love is, the more deeply the soul enters into God and the more it is centered in Him. When it "possess even one degree of love it is already in its center"; but when this love has attained its perfection, the soul will have penetrated into its deepest enter. There it will be transformed to the point of becoming very like God." The post BTP3 Heaven In Faith Day 2 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 2 Prayer 1 - "Abyss Calls to Abyss" The post BTP3 Heaven In Faith Day 2 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 2 Prayer 1 - "The Kingdom of God is Within You" The post BTP3 Heaven In Faith Day 2 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP9 – Dry Discomfort in Prayer – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 6 -La Cuarta Regla – Desolación Espiritual La Cuarta Regla: De la Desolación Espiritual. Llamo desolación a todo lo contrario de la tercera regla, como es la oscuridad del alma, la turbación en ella, el movimiento hacia las cosas bajas y terrenas, el desasosiego de las diferentes agitaciones y tentaciones, el movimiento hacia la ... Read more The post DOS6- La Cuarta Regla – Desolación Espiritual – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dealing with Serious Temptation - The Life of St. Benedict - The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B - Discerning Hearts Podcast We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. In this episode St. Benedict deals with serious temptation. If God calls you to restrain from something for the sake of His Kingdom, for the greater Love, this can include suffering and tension. We often try to avoid that. St. Benedict desires to be free and detached. So Benedict takes action in order to be open to grace and the love of God. His method in this story may seem archaic to some, but it shouldn't stop us from examining how we deal with temptation. The post LSB6 – Dealing with Serious Temptation – The Life of St. Benedict – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Thursday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 1st Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP8 – Understanding God Through Unknowing – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 1 Prayer 1 - "Remain in Me" The post BTP2 Heaven In Faith Day 1 Prayer 2 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP7 – Faith and Mystery – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 - Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion – "The Desert of Consumerism". Lent wants to remind us of our real identity. At first appearance a seeming “obligation,” Lent is actually a great gift. Are we brave enough to enter this desert, and then let it affect us so deeply as to turn us away from sin and false identities, turn us toward communion with the living God? The Church presents this season to us every year because it is hoped that this year will be our year to say “Yes” to Lent’s call to repentance. Lent should not be something we go through alone, but together. As the Hebrews wandered the desert for forty years, so we should enter Lent through the ecclesial community and share its challenges with brothers and sisters in Christ. Lent should not be what the elderly man in the barbershop characterized as “life as usual.” With our goal being moral conversion, let us now turn to see how God can facilitate that conversion when we take on a “lenten mind.” The post CTD1 – The Desert of Consumerism – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 Beginning to Pray: "Heaven in Faith" Day 1 Prayer 1 - "Remain in Me" The post BTP1 Heaven In Faith Day 1 Prayer 1 by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 7 - Fr. Gallagher helps us to understand the different aspects of dryness in prayer. Is it a sign of Spiritual Desolation? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes maybe. We continue with part 2 of this discussion in this episode. The post SD7 – Dryness in Prayer: Is it Spiritual Desolation? – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
. The post CP6 – Awareness of His Presence – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflection 5 – Seeking God Beyond Understanding – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts The mystery of a personal God is the source of prayer. But because his divine mystery is beyond our conception, we are likely to experience a certain strain in our reflections on his nature ... Read more The post CP5 – Seeking God Beyond Understanding – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflection 4 – Seeking God’s Face – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts God is never so hidden for long, provided our eyes are open. Indeed no one grows in faith without finding signs of God’s help and intervention in daily life, small favors that could be dismissed ... Read more The post CP4 – Seeking God’s Face – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflection 3 – The Hiddenness of God – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts God is more present in prayer than we may often think, turning toward us with a father’s solicitude to protect our soul in some manner, assuaging some doubt, removing some uncertainty. In this there ... Read more The post CP3 – The Hiddenness of God – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
FJ9 - Remembering Our COVID Experience and Lessons for the Future - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts In this episode, Dr. Stephen Doran and Kris McGregor explore brain death, its historical evolution, and challenges in determining death for organ transplantation. Highlighting the ontological nature of death, Dr. Doran cautions against dehumanizing language, and encourage trust in God for guidance in end-of-life decisions. He also mentions the significance of precise criteria and highlights the impact of a third party in organ donation decisions. The post FJ9 – Remembering Our COVID Experience and Lessons for the Future – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflection 2 – The Law of Divine Concealment – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts The law of divine concealment is inescapable in all deeper prayer. No contact with God in prayer, no spiritual experience or encounter, does not quickly hide him again. He manages always to flee. ... Read more The post CP2 – The Law of Divine Concealment – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Holiness Beyond Appearance - The Life of St. Benedict - The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde, O.S.B. We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. In this episode St. Benedict where he becomes free through detachment and becomes a light to others. The moment in St. Benedict's life is a great paradox. The one who outwardly looks like the beast, inwardly reveals the saint. The post LSB5 – Holiness Beyond Appearance – The Life of St. Benedict – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Reflection 1 – Deeper Prayer – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts What does it mean to speak of a soul becoming contemplative? This question is not answered simply by reference to the external setting of a life. An environment of solitude and silence may enhance the life ... Read more The post CP1 – Deeper Prayer – Reflections from Contemplative Provocations by Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Journey of Prayer - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT14 – The Journey of Prayer – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 - Fr. Gallagher helps us to understand the different aspects of dryness in prayer. Is it a sign of Spiritual Desolation? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes maybe. We begin part 1 of this discussion in this episode. The post SD6 – Dealing with Dryness in Prayer – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 2 – The Importance of Symbolic Language – Gertrude von Le Fort’s The Eternal Woman – Climbing Higher, Going Deeper w/Kris McGregor and Vivian Dudro Kris McGregor, along with Vivian Dudro, continues their discussion of The Eternal Woman by highlighting the importance of the introduction, urging listeners to approach it slowly and prayerfully to ... Read more The post CHGD2 – Gertrud von Le Fort’s The Eternal Woman – The Importance of Symbolic Language – Climbing Higher, Going Deeper w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 4" We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode St. Benedict is visited a priest on Easter Sunday morning in the cave and is called from his seclusion. The post LSB4 – Call From Seclusion – The Life of St. Benedict – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 - Fr. Gallagher helps us to understand the Dark Night as described by St. John of the Cross and how it differs from the experience of Spiritual Desolation. He also addresses the Dark Night metaphor and how it is used to describe some spiritual experiences that are not necessarily the same in meaning as that set forth by St. John of the Cross and how that can be confusing for some. The post SD5 – The Journey Through the Dark Night – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the major area that separates us from God...it's sloth. What is the truth about sloth? What does laziness really look like? To depend on oneself more than on God...."that I can do anything", "I can do it"....the man of faith says "God can do it". Jesus said without the Father, he could do nothing. That He does only what the Father tells him. The solution to sloth is obedience...the obedience to the will of the Father.
Msgr. Esseff takes a strong look at King David and his actions after he becomes king...a leader who became consumed with himself. Then he looks at a true leader...Jesus. Msgr. has a strong message and challenge for families, our country, the world and our Church. The post Sloth Can Separate Us from God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures for the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. The post The Presentation in the Temple – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Evan Collins interviews Fr. Fessio on a book tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, exploring his spiritual legacy and mentorship. The post In Conversation with Fr. Joseph Fessio – He Gave Us So Much by Robert Cardinal Sarah – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Journey of Prayer - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT13 – The Journey of Prayer – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode brings to his interaction with the monk called Romanus and the breaking of the bell outside the cave. The post LSB3 – Who Broke The Bell? – The Life of St. Benedict – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. – Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 Embarking on the Journey – Gertrude von Le Fort’s The Eternal Woman – Climbing Higher, Going Deeper w/Kris McGregor & Vivian Dudro Kris McGregor and Vivian Dudro shine a light on the influential works of Gertrud von Le Fort, focusing particularly on her masterpiece, The Eternal Woman. They share a deep understanding of ... Read more The post CHGD1 – Gertrud von Le Fort’s The Eternal Woman – Embarking on the Journey – Climbing Higher, Going Deeper w/ Kris McGregor – Discenring Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
FJ8 - Euthanasia Unveiled - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts In this episode, Dr. Stephen Doran and Kris McGregor explore brain death, its historical evolution, and challenges in determining death for organ transplantation. Highlighting the ontological nature of death, Dr. Doran cautions against dehumanizing language, and encourage trust in God for guidance in end-of-life decisions. He also mentions the significance of precise criteria and highlights the impact of a third party in organ donation decisions. The post FJ8 – Euthanasia Unveiled – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 5 – La Tercera Regla – Consolación espiritual La Tercera Regla: La tercera es de consolación espiritual. Llamo consolación cuando se causa algún movimiento interior en el alma, por el cual el alma llega a inflamarse de amor a su Creador y Señor; y cuando en consecuencia no puede amar ninguna cosa creada sobre ... Read more The post DOS5- La Tercera Regla – Consolación espiritual – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Insights into Rules 10 through 14 - Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post SD3 – Insights into Rules 10 through 14 – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Science is a gift from God, so why does it often seem to turn AGAINST God? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.” The post Episode 20 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Explore detachment's role in spiritual growth with St. Benedict. Reflect on challenges, symbolism, and finding peace in relationships. The post The Grace of Detachment – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saints Inspiring Saints - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT12 – Saints Inspiring Saints – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Navigating Spiritual Desolation - Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ignatius' rules on spiritual desolation and distinguishing between the actions of the good spirit and the enemy during the discernment process. In particular, Rules 5 through 9 provide practical guidance, advising against changes during desolation, promoting active spiritual tools, and addressing the causes and purposes of desolation. Fr. Gallagher makes note of the trial aspect, encouraging patience, and stresses the humility of recognizing spiritual consolation as a gift from God. The post SD2 – The Practical Guidance of Rules 5-9 – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and work of St. Hilary of Poitiers Born: 310 AD,
Died: May 2, 367 AD, The post St. Hilary of Poitiers – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We begin the reflection of the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode looks at the pivotal discernment he made as a young man to pursue the religious life. The aspect of detachment from our earthly family, particularly our earthly fathers, in favor of our Heavenly Father, is explored by Fr. Mauritius. The post LSB1 – The Life of St. Benedict – The Reception of the First Grace – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Is a “Christian humanism” possible? De Lubac says yes—but only if God comes first. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.” The post Episode 19, Part 2 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Teresa's Transformative Moment - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Discerning Hearts Podcast Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT11 – St. Teresa’s Transformative Moment – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 - Navigating the Ethical Crossroads - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. In this thoughtful episode of the Discerning Hearts Podcast, Dr. Stephen Doran joins Kris McGregor to discuss the complex and often emotional journey of end-of-life care. Covering topics from palliative care to the difficult decisions surrounding hospice and pain control, Dr. Doran brings a compassionate perspective to these challenging situations. The conversation delves into the importance of preparing for end-of-life scenarios, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discussion and decision-making well in advance. They discuss the principle of double effect in medical ethics, which allows for actions that have both good and bad effects, as long as the intention is to bring about the good effect. The post FJ5 – Saving a Life or Prolonging a Death – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 5 – Frodo’s Journey of Mercy and Transformation – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast Father Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the spiritual journey of Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings,” particularly the latter part of his journey. He highlights Frodo’s growth and sanctification, as ... Read more The post LORT5 – Frodo’s Journey of Mercy and Transformation – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
- The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT9 – Struggles with Prayer and Relationships – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Hidden Heroism of Hobbits - A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore themes from "The Lord of the Rings," focusing on Frodo Baggins and his transformative journey. They highlight Tolkien's inspiration from World War I, depicting the hidden heroism in ordinary people, particularly hobbits. The post LOTR4 – The Hidden Heroism of Hobbits – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel[1] who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,[2] who gave him the holy law on Sinai. Come stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.[3] The post O Adonai – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Explore Msgr. John Esseff's profound reflections on Christian spirituality, focusing on humility, simplicity, and the true essence of Christmas, alongside insights on Mary's role, the Nativity story, and the joy in poverty The post Embracing Humility and Simplicity – Third Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
First Antiphon -
December 17th: O Sapientia O, Wisdom, O holy Word of God,[1] you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.[2] Come and show your people the way to salvation.[3] The post O Sapientia – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Frodo’s Quest: Embracing Life’s Challenges – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast In this episode, Father Timothy Gallagher discusses the spiritual and personal growth lessons that can be drawn from the character of Frodo in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”. Host Kris McGregor and ... Read more The post LR3 – Frodo’s Quest: Embracing Life’s Challenges – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this conversation, we discuss the significance of St. John of the Cross and his relationship with St. Teresa of Avila. Dr. Lilles will also shed some light on the relationship between the Carmelites and the Jesuits, as well as St. John of Avila. The post St. John of the Cross with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Beginning to Pray Special – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Spiritual Awakening Through Suffering - The Life of St. Teresa of Avila - Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they take a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". The post BTP-LOT8 – A Spiritual Awakening Through Suffering – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast St. John of the Cross you have said: “Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease ... Read more The post Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Explore Tolkien's Christian influence in 'The Lord of the Rings' with Father Gallagher's insights on faith and storytelling. The post LOTR2 – Exploring the Christian Dimensions in Tolkien’s World – A Lord of the Rings Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episodio 2 - El despertar espiritual y la conversión de San Ignacio - El discernimiento de los espíritus: Liberar a los cautivos The post DOS2- El despertar espiritual y la conversión de San Ignacio – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8 - St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post Day 8- St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Eucharistic Heart of Tolkien - A "Lord of the Rings" Spiritual Retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcasts Fr. Timothy Gallagher delves into the profound connection between J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings," and his deep Catholic faith. Fr. Gallagher's insightful exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien's faith and its reflection in "The Lord of the Rings" unveils the depth and richness of this literary masterpiece. The narrative serves as a tapestry woven with Catholic themes, inviting readers to discover the profound truths embedded within its pages. The post LOR1 – The Eucharistic Heart of Tolkien – A “Lord of the Rings” Spiritual Retreat with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a treatise on The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St John of the Cross, priest (Lib.2 cap. 22) In Christ, God has spoken to us Under the ancient law prophets and priests sought from God revelations and visions which indeed they needed, for faith had as yet no firm foundation and the gospel law ... Read more The post “In Christ, God has spoken to us” – St. John of the Cross from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7 St. John of the Cross Novena - What God communicates to the soul in this intimate union is totally beyond words The post Day 7- St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 9 Day Nine Mother of our Savior, the conversion of your Aztec children brought an end to infant sacrifice in Mexico. Holy Mary, we implore your help to end the infant sacrifice by abortion throughout the Americas. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … Please ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff asks are you crying out, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" Do you believe that you have been transformed by your baptism? The post He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit! – 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 6 - St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post Day 6 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Bring unity, Mother, to the various factions within the Church and the wider public so that all may work to establish a culture of life. The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the 2nd Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. John of the Cross you have said: It is clear that the desires weary and fatigue the soul; for they are like restless and discontented children, who are ever demanding this or that from their mother, and are never contented. And even as one that digs because he covets a treasure is wearied and fatigued, even so is the soul wearied and fatigued in order to attain that which its desires demand of it; and although in the end it may attain it, it is still weary, because it is never satisfied The post Day 5 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 7 Day Seven Mystical Rose, your miraculous signs of Castilian roses in winter and your image on the tilma of Juan Diego led to the conversion of eight million Aztec people to Catholicism in just seven years. Mary, Mother of the Americas, intercede again for your children ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Blessed Mary, Advent, and Caryll Houselander – reflection by Deacon Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast Join Omar Gutierrez as he explores the profound themes of Advent in Caryll Houselander’s “The Reed of God.” Focusing on the anticipation and spiritual preparation that characterize this liturgical season, Gutierrez brings to life Houselander’s unique insights into ... Read more The post The Blessed Mary, Advent, and Caryll Houselander – reflection by Deacon Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Explorando el Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher: una charla con Kris McGregor sobre las raíces ignacianas y la aplicación práctica de esta enseñanza espiritual en la vida diaria, ofreciendo guía para comprender las fluctuaciones espirituales y herramientas para el crecimiento personal. The post DOS1- Introducción – Discernimiento de Espíritus con el Padre Timothy Gallagher – Podcasts de Corazones Discernientes appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary. God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed. Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself. The post “Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you” – St. Anselm from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena St. John of the Cross you have said: The road and ascent to God, then, necessarily demands a habitual effort to renounce and mortify the appetites; the sooner this mortification is achieved, the sooner the soul reaches the top. But until the appetites are ... Read more The post Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day Six Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion. Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 - The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ambrose, the catechumen who became a bishop, in part 1 of a 2-part conversation. The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 4 - Palliative Care, Hospice, and Pain Control - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran, M.D. In this thoughtful episode of the Discerning Hearts Podcast, Dr. Stephen Doran joins Kris McGregor to discuss the complex and often emotional journey of end-of-life care. Covering topics from palliative care to the difficult decisions surrounding hospice and pain control, Dr. Doran brings a compassionate perspective to these challenging situations. The conversation delves into the importance of preparing for end-of-life scenarios, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discussion and decision-making well in advance. They discuss the principle of double effect in medical ethics, which allows for actions that have both good and bad effects, as long as the intention is to bring about the good effect. The post FJ4 – Palliative Care, Hospice, and Pain Control – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe - Day 5 Day Five Virgin gentle in mercy, in Juan Diego’s anxiety, to bring a priest to his dying uncle he failed to keep his appointment with you. Yet, you rewarded his filial love by restoring his uncle to health. Your compassion allowed Juan Diego to fulfill the mission you gave him, returning to the bishop with the proof the bishop sought. Teach us, Mother, to put God’s holy will ahead of all created things, including our loved ones, and help remove the obstacles that prevent us from following God’s will.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36 The post Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Advent #3 – Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts In this third Advent reflection episode, Dr. Anthony Lilles offers a captivating exploration of St. Nicholas, known to many as Santa Claus. Dr. Lilles delves into the historical and spiritual significance of this beloved figure, ... Read more The post Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4
Virgin most wise, you chose a humble farmer to announce your motherly concern to the people of Mexico. Although Juan Diego felt unequal to the mission you gave him, you encouraged him to persevere. Faced with powerful anti-life forces today, we also feel unequal to the mission God has given us of building a culture of life and a civilization of love. Help us to persevere always in this great campaign for life, assured of your help and prayers. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 13 - In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the joy and gratitude of St. Therese and our call to become a saint. Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode: The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux) Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II St. Therese to her sister Celine: "Gratitude is the thing that brings us the most grace. I have learned this from experience. Try it and you will see. I am content with whatever God gives me and I show him this in a thousand different ways" The post LST13 – Joy and Gratitude – The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 Day Three Mother of God, your ribboned sash identified you as a pregnant woman, a woman who bore the Christ Child to a world in darkness and who through two millennia has borne the light and love of Christ to a world that has largely rejected ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Advent #2 – Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts In this episode of the Discerning Hearts podcast, Dr. Anthony Lilles focuses once again on the profound insights of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) from his work “Seeking God’s Face.” The episode explores the concept of ... Read more The post Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. John Damascene pt 2 Born: 676 AD, Damascus, Syria
Died: December 4, 749 AD, Mar Saba, Jordan The post DC19 St. John Damascene, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A pastoral letter by St Charles Borromeo
The season of Advent Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery. In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its innermost recesses, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seeds of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of his grace, and to make us children of God and heirs of eternal life.... The post The Season of Advent – St. Charles Borromeo from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. John Damascene, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post DC18 St. John Damascene, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Mary, Mother of divine grace, you appeared to Juan Diego standing on the moon and robed in a royal mantle adorned with stars The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Anthony Lilles, focusing on Pope Benedict XVI’s writings, discusses how illness, physically or emotionally, during Advent can be a unique spiritual opportunity. He emphasizes that suffering and difficulty can be a form of divine visitation, offering a chance for personal growth and deeper connection with God. Dr. Lilles encourages listeners to view every life ... Read more The post Finding Joy and Hope in Challenging Times – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff asks the question, "Are you prepared for the Lord's coming?" He challenges us to take a good look at our prayer lives and to prepare for the coming of Jesus in your life today. Gospel MK 13:33-37 Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” The post Are you prepared for the Lord’s coming? – First Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St Cyril of Jerusalem
The twofold coming of Christ We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. In general, whatever relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.
At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At the first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The post The Twofold Coming of Christ – St. Cyril of Jerusalem from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 9 – Surrender Prayer Novena Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all ... Read more The post Day 9 – Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila
Dr. Lilles discusses the Prayer of Recollection and the Prayer of Quiet.
CHAPTER 29-
Continues to describe methods for achieving this Prayer of Recollection. Says what little account we should make of being favored by our superiors.
CHAPTER 30
Describes the importance of understanding what we ask for in prayer. The nature of Prayer of Quiet.
The post BTP-WP8 Chapters 29 – 30 – Prayer of Recollection and Quiet – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray w/Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Comte, the father of “social science,” believes in a new god: MANKIND. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish part 2, chapter 2, of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.” The post Episode 10 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 36 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL80 – Part 3 – Chapter 36 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the homilies of St Bernard of Clairvaux on the glories of the Virgin Mother “And the Virgin’s name was Mary”. Let us speak a little about this name, which is said to mean “star of the sea,” and which so well befits the Virgin Mother. Rightly is she likened to a star. As a ... Read more
The post And the Virgin’s Name was Mary – St. Bernard of Clairvaux from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as he offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 8 discusses the Third Mode of the discernment process.
The post DWGS8 – Conference 8 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula on “The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints”Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book “The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints” with Sr. Mary Ann Fatula.
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
“Above all other blessings, the most precious gifts of the Holy Trinity to us are the Mass and the Eucharist. In this awe-inspiring book, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula takes you to the feet of the saints to ponder these Sacred Mysteries. You will learn how to rest in the Lord’s intimate physical presence and gain peace of soul, receiving the remedy for temptation, sweetness in struggles, and healing from pain.
As Sr. Mary Ann breaks opens the treasure house of writings on the Holy Eucharist, the saints will lovingly teach you about the immeasurable graces the Lord gives you at Mass and through this most wondrous sacrament. You will learn how to grow in recollection during Mass, how to cherish the Lord’s intimate presence in Holy Communion, and how to rest in the Lord in Eucharistic adoration. As your love for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament deepens, you will begin to treasure anew the delight of the Trinity’s intimate love, the light and warmth of the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and the joyful hope of eternal salvation.
In pondering with Sr. Mary Ann the insights of Church Fathers and other beloved saints, such as Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Ávila, John Henry Newman, John Vianney, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, the Mystery of Faith will come alive to you in a new way. You will never experience Mass in the same way again, nor will you tire of returning to these saints’ insights to be inspired again and again.
You will learn that, at every Mass, the Lord Himself makes present to us His most tender Last Supper, His sacred death on the Cross, and His glorious Resurrection in order to feed us with His own precious Body and Blood. You will discover many other astounding blessings that the Lord wants to pour out on us at Mass, such as the grace that transformed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s skepticism about the Catholic Church into a desire to give everything for the Faith. As you discover how to come to Mass with eagerness and awe, Sr. Mary Ann will unveils:
- The key to seeing with faith the profound mysteries invisibly taking place at Mass
- The depth of the Lord’s desire to work miracles of love for us through the Mass and the Eucharist
- The comfort, tenderness, and sweetness of the Lord’s intimate physical presence within us in the Eucharist
- Many other wonderful blessings the Lord lavishes upon us when we receive Holy Communion with the desire to love Him
- How the Holy Eucharist ignites our love for one another, especially the poor and the suffering
- The wondrous power of the Precious Blood of Jesus — even in the lives of hardened sinners
- The power of the Eucharist to make the devil flee from us
- The grace that the Eucharist gives us to approach death with confidence and trust
This is a must-read book for the Eucharistic revival. The saints show us that when people begin to appreciate the truth about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit powerfully draws them to the Church, or back to the Church, and immeasurably deepens the joy and love of those who learn to cherish the life-giving treasures of the Mass and the Eucharist.”
About the Author: Sr. Mary Ann, O.P., holds a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America and taught theology for more than 30 years at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio.
The post IP#500 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula – The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 2:
Beyond the ordinary activity of demons through temptation is their extraordinary activity. This destructive work is more powerful and manifests itself, not only in thoughts, but also in the physical realm. Most observers of demonic tactics agree that the following activities occur, but they sometimes differ in how they categorize the various phenomena.
Here’s one common way of classifying them: Infestation...Oppression...Obsession...Possession
The post POA4 – Extraordinary Activity – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hears Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Lilles talks about the nature of vocal prayer, the prayer of meditation, and the prayer of recollection. The post BTP-WP7 Chapters 20 thru 26 – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 4:38-44
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.
At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as he offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 7 discusses the Second Mode of the discernment process. The post DWGS7 – Conference 7 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Apocalypse of the Sovereign Self: Recovering the Christian Mystery of Personhood" with Gil Bailie. The post IP#499 Gil Bailie – The Apocalypse of the Sovereign Self on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 – “Temptation” – Put on The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.DDr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 2:
The ordinary activity of demons is subtle and occurs within our thought life. They plant ideas within our minds seeking to influence our reason, memory, and imagination — and ultimately, our will. They can suggest such ideas indirectly through our senses, especially through what we see and hear. The ideas may come through conversations, reading, or various social and communications media. Demons may also have a role in arranging circumstances around us in a way that leads to certain thoughts.
Meanwhile, thoughts may come into our mind directly from the Enemy as well. How is that possible? As we’ve noted, when words come to us from outside ourselves, they normally come through our senses, which help us to discern the physical medium that is their source.
But the demons have no physical bodies. So when they communicate thoughts to us without using a physical medium, we may not discern that the thoughts come from outside us. Instead, we may mistake the thoughts as our own — and that misperception is obviously to the Enemy’s advantage.
What kinds of thoughts do evil spirits suggest to us? Most often, they influence us through temptation. They entice us to commit sin. But how exactly do they provide us occasions of sin?
Visit here for other episodes in this series:Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D.
The “Manual for Spiritual Warfare” can be found here
Paul Thigpen, Ph.D, is the Editor of TAN Books in Charlotte, North Carolina. An internationally known speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning journalist, Paul has published forty-three books in a wide variety of genres and subjects: history and biography, spirituality and apologetics, anthologies and devotionals, family life and children’s books, study guides and reference works, fiction and collections of poetry and prayers. Paul graduated from Yale University in 1977 summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with Distinction in the Major of Religious Studies. He was later awarded the George W. Woodruff Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned an M.A. (1993) and a Ph.D. (1995) in Historical Theology. In 1993 he was named as a Jacob K. Javits Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education. He has served on the faculty of several universities and colleges. In 2008 Paul was appointed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to their National Advisory Council for a four-year term. He has served the Church as a theologian, historian, apologist, evangelist, and catechist in a number of settings,speaking frequently in Catholic and secular media broadcasts and at conferences, seminars, parish missions, and scholarly gatherings.The post POA3 – Temptation – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hears Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Basil Nortz on “Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God,” Part 2Join Kris McGregor as she continues her discussion on the book “Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God” with Fr. Basil Nortz in the conclusion of this two-part interview.
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
“Fr. Basil Nortz masterfully builds upon the classic reflections of Sr. Marie-Aimée de Jésus, a nineteenth-century spiritual mystic and Carmelite nun, on the twelve degrees of silence. By cultivating these types of silence, you will find out how you can — even amid your busy days filled with chatter, commotion, and noise — listen to the voice of God.
In these profound pages you will find ways to overcome your fear of silence and discover:
- Keys to obeying God’s will
- Kinds of silence that are holy and kinds that are unholy
- Ten tips on what to do — and what to avoid — to bridle your senses
- Seven ways to guard your imagination and foster recollection
- How to direct your emotions with reason and foster silence of the heart
- Effective ways of responding to injustice
You will learn the one sinful attitude that cuts us off from the merciful forgiveness of God and will acquire ways to stop passing judgment against others. Additionally, you will learn the most important attitude that disposes us to God’s plans and allows us to enter into His love and converse with Him affectionately throughout the day. Moreover, you will find practical techniques for overcoming distractions in prayer and advice from the saints on methods of meditation to develop silence of the spirit.
Above all, you will glean how to maintain peace of soul and live free from anxiety and despair, regardless of temptations or life’s battles. By relying totally on God, you will fearlessly rise after falls and begin again. You will begin to see the loving hand of God in all things, contemplate the light of His presence, and “be still” in the silence of His love.
“Holy silence is what helps the soul acquire the strength necessary to bear the presence of the all-pure God, who is ipsum esse subsistens (subsistent being itself),” explains Fr. Nortz. “The intensity of that fullness, far from inspiring languid inaction, produces a vibrant joyfulness that St. John expresses in the book of Revelation in terms of the saints singing with full voice.” “
About the Author: Reverend Basil Nortz, O.R.C., is a priest in the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. He graduated from Christendom College in 1986 with a B.A. in theology. His seminary studies were at the Insitutum Sapientiae in Anapolis, Brazil.
The post IP#498 Fr. Basil Nortz – Holy Silence, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Holy Silence: A Practical Guide to Recollection in God" with Fr. Basil Nortz in part one of this two-part interview. The post IP#497 Fr. Basil Nortz – Holy Silence, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 6 continues the discussion of the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process.
The post DWGS6 – Conference 6 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
These are indeed good days for book lovers because we are so blessed to have yet another Christian spiritual classic broken open for us Dr. Peter Kreeft! In "I Burned for Your Peace: Augustine's Confessions Unpacked", Dr. Kreeft gives us a guided tour through one of the finest works in all Western literature. In our conversation we discuss how St. Augustine, in many ways, is the everyman and why is life is so important for us today. Written in a personal dialogue with God, the saint's "Confessions" is more than an autobiography or a book of theology, it is, in the end, a living prayer. It is one man's compelling witness that is, as Dr. Kreeft will say, astonishingly contemporary. St. Augustine looks at himself so honestly, we can't help but see ourselves in the reflection. "I Burned for Your Peace" is the must have book to accompany you on this spiritual journey, especially if your heart is a restless one. So plan your pilgrimage now! Get the Frank Sheed translation of the "Confessions" as mentioned by Dr. Kreeft in our conversation and grab this book today The post IP#305 Dr. Peter Kreeft – I Burned for Your Peace on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness" with Dr. Larry Chapp in part two of this two-part interview. The post IP#496 Dr. Larry Chapp – Confessions of a Catholic Worker, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 1:
God is infinitely more powerful than the Devil and his hosts. So why doesn’t God prevent them from their evildoing on planet earth? We could ask a similar question about why God doesn’t stop human beings from committing wicked deeds. Evil’s continuing presence among us is a mystery we can’t fully figure out in this life.
Nevertheless, we can say this much: God allows evil because He’s powerful enough to bring out of even the greatest evil a much greater good.
The post POA2 – Why Does God Allow Evil? – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare w/Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness" with Dr. Larry Chapp in part one of this two-part interview. The post IP#495 Dr. Larry Chapp – Confessions of a Catholic Worker, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 35 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL79 – Part 3 – Chapter 35 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Lilles discusses the "Living Water" as described by St. Teresa of Avila "The Way of Perfection." We also discuss the nature of mystical prayer.
The post BTP-WP5 The Living Water & Nature of Mystical Prayer – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Queenship of Mary, Queen of Heaven. He talks about the joys and peace of the heavenly encounter with our Blessed Mother and with the Holy Trinity. It is a very special reflection...not to be missed
The post The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 5 discusses the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process. The post DWGS5 – Conference 5 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 34 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL78 – Part 3 – Chapter 34 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare Chapter 1:
Like it or not, you are at war.
No matter who you are — whether or not you know it — you have a mortal ene-
my who wants to destroy you, not just in this life, but in the next.
No matter where you live on this planet — whether or not you can see it — you live on a hotly contested battlefield, and you can’t escape the conflict.
It’s a spiritual war with crucial consequences in your everyday life. And the outcome of that war will determine your eternal destiny.
The first rule of any type of warfare is to know your enemy. How can you fight an adversary you can’t identify? Worse yet, how can you avoid being a casualty in a battle going on all around you if you don’t even recognize that you’re in danger?
The post POA1 – Know Your Enemy – Put On The Armor – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen Ph.D. – Discerning Hears Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Straight to Heaven: A Practical Guide for Growing in Holiness" with Fr. Thomas Morrow.
The post IP#494 Fr. Thomas Morrow – Straight to Heaven on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Lilles reviews teachings on Poverty, Humility, and, in particular, Friendship found in a broad overview of the first 18 chapters of "The Way of Perfection." We also discuss the value of the virtues and the importance of the "good example" in St. Teresa's writings. All of this will be essential to her foundational teachings on contemplative prayer.
The post BTP-WP4 A Broad Overview of First 18 Chapters – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and what death really means.
Reading 21 COR 15:20-27
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”
The post “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary”– Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 4 discusses spiritual means that Ignatius proposes to help discern: the sacraments and scripture. The post DWGS4 – Conference 4 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff discusses Discernment: Why is it such an important aspect of our spiritual lives? What is the role of the Spiritual Director in someone’s life? What are the signs of a good spiritual director? How do we find a good spiritual director? Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese ... Read more The post Discerning the Father’s Will for Our Lives – Building a Kingdom of Love w/Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Remaining with Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of John" with Fr. Brice Higginbotham.
The post IP#493 Fr. Brice Higginbotham – Remaining with Jesus on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they discuss one of St. Teresa of Avila's great masterworks "Way of Perfection". The post Chapters 3 – 4: The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray w/Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 33 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL77 – Part 3 – Chapter 33 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Why Comte DETESTED Jesus—and LOVED St. Paul. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin studying part 2, chapter 2, of Henri de Lubac’s classic “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.” The post Episode 9 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 9 St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: The title of Mary as our mother is not merely symbolic. Mary is our mother in the most real and lofty sense, a sense which surpasses that of earthly maternity The post Day 9 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Praying with St. Augustine" with Sarah Park McLaughlin. The post IP#492 Sarah Park McLaughlin – Praying with St. Augustine on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 8
St. Teresa Benedicta you have said:
To suffer and to be happy although suffering, to have one’s feet on the earth, to walk on the dirty and rough paths of this earth and yet to be enthroned with Christ at the Father’s right hand, to laugh and cry with the children of this world and ceaselessly to sing the praises of God with the choirs of angels this is the life of the Christian until the morning of eternity breaks forth.
The post Day 8 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 3 goes in depth about the disposition of heart needed in the discernment process. The post Conference 3 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 7
St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: The soul may take dryness and darkness as fortunate symptoms: symptoms that God is freeing her from herself. He is disentangling her from the activity of her faculties. Probably she would have been able to acquire much through this, her own activity, but never as completely, perfectly, and securely as she does now since God takes her by the hand. He is leading her in the darkness… by ways that she herself, in the happiest of wanderings while using her own eyes and feet, would never have succeeded in finding. The post Day 7 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 6 St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: In the Passion and death of Christ our sins were consumed by fire. If we accept that in faith, and if we accept the whole Christ in faith-filled surrender, which means, however, that we choose and walk the path of the imitation of Christ, then he will lead us “through his Passion and cross to the glory of his Resurrection.” This is exactly what is experienced in contemplation: passing through the expiatory flames to the bliss of the union of love. This explains its twofold character. It is death and resurrection. The post Day 6 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Transfiguration of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Transfiguration of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 5
St. Teresa Benedicta you have said:
Whatever did not fit in with my plan did lie within the plan of God. I have an even deeper and firmer belief that nothing is merely an accident when seen in the light of God, that my whole life down to the smallest details has been marked out for me in the plan of Divine Providence and has a completely coherent meaning in God’s all-seeing eyes. And so I am beginning to rejoice in the light of glory wherein this meaning will be unveiled to me.
The post Day 5 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Day 4 St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need. Then the rest of the day can take its course, under the same effort and strain, perhaps, but in peace. And when night looks back and you see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed: just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it to Him – really rest – and start the next day as a new life. The post Day 4 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they discuss one of St. Teresa of Avila's great masterworks "Way of Perfection". Dr. Lilles discusses Chapters 1 and 2. The post BTP-WP2 Chap 1 – 2: The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray w/Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3 -The soul may take dryness and darkness as fortunate symptoms: symptoms that God is freeing her from herself. The post Day 3 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she continues her conversation about the book "8 Steps to Energize Your Faith" with Joe Paprocki. The post IP#491 Joe Paprocki – 8 Steps to Energize Your Faith, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) – Day 2 St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: Immediately before, and for a good while after, my religious conversion, I was of the opinion that to lead a religious life meant one had to give up all that was secular and to live ... Read more
The post Day 2 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) – Day 1 St. Teresa Benedicta you have said: All authentic prayer is prayer of the church. Through every sincere prayer something happens in the church, and it is the church itself that is praying therein, for it is the Holy Spirit living in ... Read more
The post Day 1 – Novena to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 2 introduces us to the foundations of the discernment process and ways to utilize it when making significant choices. The post DWGS2 – Conference 2 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff ask us all "Why do you worry? Are you a servant of God or mammon?" in this Discerning Hearts Podcast - Catholic Spiritual Formation The post Why Do You Worry? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Feast of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 32 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL76 – Part 3 – Chapter 32 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This serves as an introduction to the life of Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada (28 March 1515 – 4 October 1582). In our opening conversation, we discuss 16th century Spain, events taking place in the world and the people associated with Teresa. Dr. Lilles also gives introductions to her various spiritual works and the importance of "The Way of Perfection". The post BTP-WP1 Introduction – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray w/Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
August Comte: How ”science” took over EVERYTHING. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin to read PART TWO of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac.
The post Episode 7 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Gospel Truth: How We Can Know What Christ Taught" with Gary Michuta The post IP#489 Gary Michuta – The Gospel Truth on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 1 offers an introduction to the life of St. Ignatius and establishes the challenges involved in everyday Christian decision making.
The post DWGS1 – Conference 1 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 31 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL75 – Part 3 – Chapter 31 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of St. James, Apostle - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of St. James, Apostle – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 30 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL74 – Part 3 – Chapter 30 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "30 Days to Your New Life" with Anthony DeStefano
The post IP#488 Anthony DeStefano – 30 Days to Your New Life on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Are CHRISTIANS responsible for God’s death? Nietzsche thought so. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish their study of PART ONE of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac, S.J.
The post Episode 6 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Saint Junipero Serra's Camino" with Stephen J. Binz
The post IP#487 Stephen J. Binz – Saint Junipero Serra’s Camino on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Sending. The post BWPM 13 – Sent to the World – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 29 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL73 – Part 3 – Chapter 29 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“Be hard, be terrible, be pitiless!” The world in the wake of Nietzsche, as we study part 1, chapter 3, of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”
The post Episode 5 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
My dear daughters, I’m hurrying to send you a few words today, the day when I’m least busy. I can’t wait to be with you again, so I hope that on Thursday we’ll have the happiness of being together, not to be parted from each other for a long time. My children, pay attention to ... Read more The post My Dear Daughters – from a Letter by St. Louis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "Church Councils: 100 Questions and Answers" with Paul Senz The post IP#486 Paul Senz – Church Councils on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a letter from Zélie Martin to her brother Isidore We must be willing to accept generously the will of the good God My dear friend, I am really worried about you. Every day my husband makes sad prophecies. He knows Paris and told me that you will be exposed to temptations that, because you are not pious enough, you will not be able to overcome. He told me that he experienced them himself, and that he needed a lot of courage to come out victoriously from all the battles. If you only knew what trials he had to go through ... I beg you, my dear Isidore, to do as I did; pray, and you will not be carried away by the current. If you succumb once you will be lost. On the road to perdition as on the road to salvation the first step is all important; afterwards you will be carried away by the current. When I closed the eyes of my dear little children and buried them, I really felt the pain. It is a pain to which I have always been resigned. I do not regret the pains and the anxieties I have had to endure on their account. Many people have said to me: “It would have been better if you had never had them.” I cannot tolerate these words. The pains and anxieties of this life cannot be compared to the eternal happiness of my children. After all, they have not been lost forever, life is short and full of suffering, we shall find them in heaven.... The post Accept Generously the Will of the Good God – From a Letter of St. Zélie Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH7 – The Sacred Heart and Abandonment – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St Benedict of Nursia, abbot Put Christ before everything From the Holy Rule (Prologus 4-22; cap. 72, 1-12: CSEL 75, 2-5, 162-163) Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection; that he, who has honored us by ... Read more
The post “Put Christ before everything”- St. Benedict of Nursia from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Sending. The post BWPM 12 – A Heart in Love – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 5 St. Bonaventure you have said: “Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant, and the mystery hidden from the ages. A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and ... Read more The post St. Bonaventure Novena Day 5 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Encountering Our True Selves in Christ - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff "He shall proclaim peace to the nations!" Peace begins inside the hearts of each baptized Christian. Do you know who you are? Have you truly encountered Jesus? The post BKL490 – Encountering Our True Selves in Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure you have said:
I confess before God that what made me love Saint Francis’ way of life so much was that it is exactly like the origin and the perfection of the Church itself, which began first with simple fishermen and afterward developed to include the most illustrious and learned doctors. You find the same thing in the Order of Saint Francis; in this way God reveals that it did not come about through human calculations but through Christ.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus’ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
The post St. Bonaventure Novena – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 3 St. Bonaventure you have said: In beautiful things St. Francis saw Beauty itself, and through His vestiges imprinted on creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making from all things a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him who is utterly desirable. If you desire to know … ask grace, not instruction; desire, not understanding; the groaning of prayer, not diligent reading; the Spouse, not the teacher; God, not man; darkness not clarity; not light, but fire that totally inflames and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections. Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus’ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation. All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. The post St. Bonaventure Novena Day 3 – Discerning Hearts podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Leaven of the Saints" with Dawn Marie Beutner. The post IP#485 Dawn Marie Beutner- The Leaven of the Saints on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure Novena - Day 2 St. Bonaventure you have said... The post St. Bonaventure Novena – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part two of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God.
The post HSE13 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 2 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH6 – The Sacred Heart and the Elderly – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Bonaventure you have said: The life of God – precisely because God is triune – does not belong to God alone. God who dwells in inaccessible light and eternal glory comes to us in the face of Christ and the activity of the Holy Spirit. Because of God’s outreach to the creature, God is said to be essentially relational, ecstatic, fecund, alive as passionate love. Divine life is therefore also our life. The heart of the Christian life is to be united with the God of Jesus Christ by means of communion with one another. The doctrine of the Trinity is, ultimately, therefore a teaching not about the abstract nature of God, nor about God in isolation from everything other than God, but a teaching about God’s life with us and our life with each other. Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus’ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation. All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. The post St. Bonaventure Novena – Day 1 – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Lamb of God. The post BWPM 11 – The Lamb and Mercy – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 28 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL72 – Part 3 – Chapter 28 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part one of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God.
The post HSE12 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 1 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Logic isn’t everything, but what happens when we reject it altogether? Two great philosophers go head to head: Kierkegaard (Christian) and Nietzsche (Atheist).
The post Episode 4 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance.
The post SH5 – The Sacred Heart and Work – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration. The post BWPM 10 – Give Us This Day – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 27 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL71 – Part 3 – Chapter 27 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Atheism is boring: the lifeless life of Nietzsche. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish chapter 1 of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.” The post Episode 3 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Wieck discusses consolation, desolation, and how they impact the Second Week Rules for discernment.
The post HSE11 – Consolation, Desolation, and Rules of the Second Week – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH4 – The Sacred Heart and Schools – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration.
The post BWPM 9 – Jesus’ Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 26 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL70 – Part 3 – Chapter 26 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The return of the gods: When we kill God, something darker takes His place. This week, we take on Feuerbach and Nietzsche as Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro read Henri de Lubac's landmark study “The Drama of Atheism Humanism.”
The post Episode 2 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH3 – The Gifts of the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor as they continue to discuss the life and teachings of St. Anthony of Padua
The post St. Anthony of Padua – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom w/ Dr. Matthew Bunson appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Preface and the Holy, Holy, Holy. The post BWPM 8 – Before the Throne of God – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
“Down with God, up with man!” In this tour-de-force “The Drama of Atheist Humanism,” written during the godless persecutions of World War II, acclaimed scholar Cardinal Henri de Lubac enters the heart of modern atheism: a dark yet brilliant quest to destroy a God who, they think, suppresses mankind. Joseph Pearce, Father Fessio, and Vivian Dudro begin by studying the two godfathers of atheism: Karl Marx and his hero Ludwig Feuerbach. The post Episode 1 – The Drama of Atheist Humanism – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH2 – Introduction to the Sacred Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Presentation of the Gifts (also known as the Offertory). The post BWPM 7 – Bread, Wine, and the Gift of Self – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 12:1-12
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We begin a conversation with Msgr. Esseff about the darkness of our present age. Then he discusses the remedy...our relationship with Holy Trinity, and in particular, with the Father in Heaven. The post The Holy Trinity and our relationship with God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Holy Trinity - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Most Holy Trinity – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 25 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL69 – Part 3 – Chapter 25 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he introduces us to the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and of its incredible importance. The post SH1 – Introduction to the Enthronement – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 24 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL68 – Part 3 – Chapter 24 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Profession of Faith. The post BWPM 6 – The Courage of the Martyrs – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of Pentecost - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Feast of Pentecost – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John EsseffMsgr. Esseff reflects on the great gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples 2000 years ago and what it means for us today!
Sequence — Veni, Sancte SpiritusCome, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around t
The post Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Is Latin better or worse for the Mass? Sparks fly in this concluding episode of our study of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.” The post Episode 17 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 23 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL67 – Part 3 – Chapter 23 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World" with Fr. Aaron Wessman. The post IP#484 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Wieck discusses consolation, desolation, and the ways the Enemy can strike our weak points. The post HSE10 – Consolation and Desolation – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Liturgy of the Word. The post BWPM 5 – A Disciple’s Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What’s kneeling at Mass all about? Find out with Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro as they read the final chapter of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy!” The post Episode 16 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the meaning of Our Lord's Ascension in this Discerning Hearts Podcast. The post Where is Jesus? A Reflection on the Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love – Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Ascension of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post The Ascension of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World" with Fr. Aaron Wessman. The post IP#483 Fr. Aaron Wessman – The Church’s Mission in a Polarized World, Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they begin this new series that takes a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". Dr. Lilles continues an overview of St. Teresa's youth and experiences with friendships, both healthy and unhealthy. The post BTP-LOT2 – St. Teresa on Friendships – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 22 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL66 – Part 3 – Chapter 22 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Collect. The post BWPM4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on Our Lady of Fatima and the power of the Holy Rosary. It is a tremendous instrument of peace to those who pray in Our Lady's garden of prayer. Anyone seeking peace in the world, as well in their own lives, should turn to Our Lady and her Holy Rosary. The way to the face of God can be found in the Holy Rosary and all the mysteries contained in this treasury of grace. The post Our Lady of Fatima and the Power of the Holy Rosary with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The real meaning of “active participation” in the Mass. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro break down the first half of the last chapter of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.” The post Episode 15 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce – FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 21 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL65 – Part 3 – Chapter 21 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor as they begin this new series that takes a deep dive into the life of St. Teresa of Avila, using her autobiography, "The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus of The Order of Our Lady of Carmel". In this episode, Dr. Lilles begins a broad overview of how her autobiography came to be and begins an exposition into her younger years. The post BTP-LOT1 – Introduction – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Gloria. The post BWPM 3 – A Heart Filled with Praise – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Loving the Excommunicate – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual TheologyDiscerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.”
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the book:
“As if anticipating a too-narrow interpretation of the words “our” and “us” in these New Testament texts and the enveloping commentary, the Catechism immediately adds: “At the end of the parable of the lost sheep Jesus recalled that God’s love excludes no one: ‘So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish’ (Mt 18:14). He affirms that he came ‘to give his life as a ransom for many’; this last term is not restrictive, but contrasts the whole of humanity with the unique person of the redeemer who hands himself over to save us (Mt 20:28; cf. Rom 5:18–19).”35 With unmistakable consistency, from paragraph no. 50 through no. 618 and beyond, the Catechism interprets the biblical testimony as refraining from placing restrictions on God’s love for sinners. Instead, it avows the universal scope of “the Father’s plan of divine salvation” in sending his Son as atonement for the sins of all, for the sake of all, for love of all.”Turek, Margaret. Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology (pp. 128-129). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:
“This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.
The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book’s central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10).
The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God’s own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God’s redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.”
The post AT10 – Loving the Excommunicate – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 20 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER XX. Of the Difference between True and FalseFriendship
TAKE notice, my child, that the honey of Heraclyum, which is so poisonous, altogether resembles that which is wholesome, and there is great danger of mistaking one for the other, or of mixing them, for the virtue of one would not counteract the harmfulness of the other. We must be on our guard not to be deceived in making friendships, especially between persons of the opposite sexes, for not unfrequently Satan deludes those who love one another.
They may begin with a virtuous affection, but if discretion be lacking, frivolity will creep in, and then sensuality, till their love becomes carnal: even in spiritual love there is a danger if people are not on the watch, although it is not so easy to be deluded therein, inasmuch as the very purity and transparency of spiritual affection show Satan’s stains more promptly. Consequently, when he seeks to interpose, he does it stealthily, and strives to insinuate impurity almost imperceptibly. You may distinguish between worldly friendship and that which is good and holy, just as one distinguishes that poisonous honey from what is good—it is sweeter to the taste than ordinary honey, owing to the aconite infused;—and so worldly friendship is profuse in honeyed words, passionate endearments, commendations of beauty and sensual charms, while true friendship speaks a simple honest language, lauding nought save the Grace of God, it’s one only foundation.
That strange honey causes giddiness; and so false friendship upsets the mind, makes its victim to totter in the ways of purity and devotion, inducing affected, mincing looks, sensual caresses, inordinate sighings, petty complaints of not being loved, slight but questionable familiarities, gallantries, embraces, and the like, which are sure precursors of evil; whereas true friendship is modest and straightforward in every glance, loving and pure in caresses, has no sighs save for Heaven, no complaints save that God is not loved sufficiently.
That honey confuses the sight, and worldly friendship confuses the judgment, so that men think themselves right while doing evil, and assume their excuses and pretexts to be valid reasoning. They fear the light and love darkness; but true friendship is clear-sighted, and hides nothing—rather seeks to be seen as good men. Lastly, this poisonous honey leaves an exceeding bitter taste behind; and so false friendship turns to evil desires, upbraidings, slander, deceit, sorrow, confusion and jealousies, too often ending in downright sin; but pure friendship is always the same—modest, courteous and loving—knowing no change save an increasingly pure and perfect union, a type of the blessed friendships of Heaven.
When young people indulge in looks, words or actions which they would not like to be seen by their parents, husbands or confessors, it is a sure sign that they are damaging their conscience and their honor. Our Lady was troubled when the Angel appeared to her in human form, because she was alone, and he spoke to her with flattering although heavenly words. O Saviour of the world, if purity itself fears an Angel in human shape, how much more need that our impurity should fear men, although they take the likeness of an Angel, if they speak words of earthliness and sensuality!
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –The post IDL64 – Part 3 – Chapter 20 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
What is a “rite,” and why are there so many? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro untangle the meaning of different liturgical styles with the help of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.” The post Episode 14 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 19 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER IX. Of Real Friendship
DO you, my child, love every one with the pure love of charity, but have no friendship save with those whose intercourse is good and true, and the purer the bond which unites you so much higher will your friendship be. If your intercourse is based on science it is praiseworthy, still more if it arises from a participation in goodness, prudence, justice and the like; but if the bond of your mutual liking be charity, devotion and Christian perfection, God knows how very precious a friendship it is! Precious because it comes from God, because it tends to God, because God is the link that binds you, because it will last forever in Him. Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure forever there. I am not now speaking of simple charity, a love due to all mankind, but of that spiritual friendship which binds souls together, leading them to share devotions and spiritual interests, so as to have but one mind between them. Such as these may well cry out, “Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity!”
Even so, for the “precious ointment” of devotion trickles continually from one heart to the other, so that truly we may say that to such friendship the Lord promises His Blessing and life for evermore. To my mind all other friendships are but as a shadow with respect to this, its links mere fragile glass compared to the golden bond of true devotion. Do you form no other friendships? I say “form,” because you have no right to cast aside or neglect the natural bonds which draw you to relations, connections, benefactors or neighbors. My rules apply to those you deliberately choose to make. There are some who will tell you that you should avoid all special affection or friendship, as likely to engross the heart, distract the mind, excite jealousy, and whatnot. But they are confusing things. They have read in the works of saintly and devout writers that individual friendships and special intimacies are a great hindrance in religious life, and therefore they suppose it to be the same with all the world, which is not at all the case.
Whereas in a well-regulated community every one’s aim is true devotion, there is no need for individual intercourse, which might exceed due limits;—in the world those who aim at a devout life require to be united one with another by a holy friendship, which excites, stimulates and encourages them in welldoing. Just as men traversing a plain have no need to hold one another up, as they have who are amid slippery mountain paths, so religious do not need the stay of individual friendships; but those who are living in the world require such for strength and comfort amid the difficulties which beset them. In the world all have not one aim, one mind, and therefore we must take to us congenial friends, nor is there any undue partiality in such attachments, which are but as the separation of good from evil, the sheep from the goats, the bee from the drone—a necessary separation.
No one can deny that our Dear Lord loved S. John, Lazarus, Martha, Magdalene, with a specially tender friendship, since we are told so in Holy Scripture; and we know that S. Paul dearly loved S. Mark, S. Petronilla, as S. Paul Timothy and Thecla. S. Gregory Nazianzen boasts continually of his friendship with the great S. Basil, of which he says: “It seemed as though with two bodies we had but one soul, and if we may not believe those who say that all things are in all else, at least one must affirm that we were two in one, and one in two —the only object that both had being to grow in holiness, and to mould our present life to our future hopes, thereby forsaking this mortal world before our death.” And S. Augustine says that S. Ambrose loved S. Monica by reason of her many virtues, and that she in return loved him as an Angel of God.
What need to affirm such an unquestionable fact! S. Jerome, S. Augustine, S. Gregory, S. Bernard, and all the most notable servants of God, have had special friendships, which in nowise hindered their perfection. S. Paul, in describing evil men, says that they were “without natural affection,” i.e. without friendship. And S. Thomas, in common with other philosophers, acknowledges that friendship is a virtue, and he certainly means individual friendships, because he says that we cannot bestow perfect friendship on many persons. So we see that the highest grace does not lie in being without friendships, but in having none which are not good, holy and true.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –The post IDL63 – Part 3 – Chapter 19 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Penitential rite of the Mass. The post BWPM2 – O God, Be Merciful – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of St. James and St. Phillip - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Feast of St. James and St. Phillip – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Reasons for Spiritual Desolation – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Wieck discusses reasons we often fall into desolation.
An excerpt from the conversation:
“A critical piece of the discernment of spirits is this toggling back and forth from one side to another, between consolation and desolation. Now, this is a really critical insight of Saint Ignatius. So helpful. Imagine there’s two angles at which we serve the Lord, either through consolation on one side and desolation from the other side, so consolation or desolation. In consolation, so he defines his terms very well, thankfully, he calls it an interior movement in which the soul is inflamed with love of its creator and Lord. And therefore, it can love everything on the face of the Earth and the Lord, kind of like the principle of foundation, all things are created to the praise, reverence, and service of God. I should use them insofar as they help me to praise, reverence, and serve God.
So in consolation, I feel inflamed with the love of God, I want to grow in the love of God. I’m so grateful to be alive. I can, he says, “even shed tears from love,” love of my Lord, perhaps even from sorrow from my sin, so that would be in consolation, spiritual consolation we’re speaking about. Spiritual consolation, I might be sorry for my sins, or the passion of Christ, what he’s done for me. I’m amazed by that. Everything leads towards the praise, reverence, and service of God, though. Note that direction, that direction, so in spiritual consolation, I feel buoyant. “I feel an increase,” he says, “in the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. I’m growing in the love of the Lord,” so wonderful experience. There’s an interior joy in me. I’m more and more attracted to heavenly things, and to the salvation of my soul. I’m feeling peace from our Lord. That’s a wonderful experience.”
Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at the White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.
The post HSE9 – The Reasons for Spiritual Desolation – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Discerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, "Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology." The post AT9 – The Divine Love of Atonement – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Monday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the dialogue On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctorSaint Catherine of Siena
Eternal God, eternal Trinity, you have made the blood of Christ so precious through his sharing in your divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for you. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light. I desire above all to see you, the true light, as you really are.
I have tasted and seen the depth of your mystery and the beauty of your creation with the light of my understanding. I have clothed myself with your likeness and have seen what I shall be. Eternal Father, you have given me a share in your power and the wisdom that Christ claims as his own, and your Holy Spirit has given me the desire to love you. You are my Creator, eternal Trinity, and I am your creature. You have made of me a new creation in the blood of your Son, and I know that you are moved with love at the beauty of your creation, for you have enlightened me.
Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light and causes me to know your truth. By this light, reflected as it were in a mirror, I recognise that you are the highest good, one we can neither comprehend nor fathom. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love.
You are the garment which covers our nakedness, and in our hunger you are a satisfying food, for you are sweetness and in you there is no taste of bitterness, O triune God!
Let us pray.Almighty God, you made Saint Catherine of Siena
a contemplative lover of the Lord’s sufferings
and an ardent servant of your church.
Grant through her prayer
that your people may be united to Christ in his mystery,
and rejoice for ever in the revelation of his glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
The post I tasted and I saw – Saint Catherine of Siena from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Rock music: is it good? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack Pope Benedict's analysis of music in ”The Spirit of the Liturgy.” The post Episode 13 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Standards of Christ – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode focuses on the standards of Christ versus the standards of the Enemy.
An excerpt from the conversation:
“So Satan always is trying to tempt Jesus to focus on himself, and Jesus instead is constantly focused on the Father. His center is always on the Father. He’s eccentric. From and center, his center is always away from Himself in the Father. He’s a man in love. This is the son of God made flesh. You and I will only find ourselves in being in love. So all right. So that’s the temptation of Satan. And so creature comforts, by the way, in religious life, there’s a lot of temptations for little ways of taking a trip or maybe pocketing some money or things like that. Poverty, St. Ignatius says is the bulwark of the religious life.
So it’s the protecting bulwark of the religious life. And that will be the first to be attacked by Satan. It’s the first to go, pocket money on the side. People may give me, entitled to do certain things with money sent my way. We’ve seen some good priests in religious recently, very popular ones that have first fallen, allowed poverty to kind of be broken down, and then one thing leads to another, and then unfortunately, we read about them in the papers. It’s so sad and scandalous.
But that’s the common way Satan works with us. So we do have to watch all kinds of things like my wardrobe. Do I keep allowing new things to be brought in there, or do each time I add something, I subtract something also? Am I living a certain simplicity of life? That’s the invitation, not to keep needing more and more things to live a higher and higher standard of living. That’s the danger.”
Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.
The post HSE8 – Standards of Christ – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 18 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER XVIII. On Frivolous Attachments
SUCH foolish attachments between man and woman without any matrimonial intentions as are called amourettes,—mere abortions, or rather phantoms of friendship,—must not, idle and empty as they are, profane the name of friendship or love. Yet such frivolous, contemptible attractions often snare the hearts of both men and women, and although they may end in downright sin, there is no such intention on the part of their victims, who consciously do but yield to foolish trifling and toying. Some such have no object beyond the actual indulgence of a passing inclination; others are excited by vanity, which takes pleasure in captivating hearts; some are stimulated by a combination of both these motives. But all such friendships are evil, hollow, and vain; evil, in that they often lead to sinful deeds, and draw the heart from God, and from the husband or wife who is its lawful owner; hollow, in that they are baseless and without root; vain, in that neither gain, honour, nor satisfaction can come from such. On the contrary, nothing comes of them but a loss of time and credit, and unreasoning excitement, mistrust, jealousy, and perturbation.
S. Gregory Nazianzen speaks very wisely on this subject, admonishing vain women, and his words are equally applicable to men:—“Your natural beauty will suffice your husband, but if it is exhibited to all, like a net spread before birds, what will be the end? You will be taken by whoever admires you, looks and glances will be exchanged, smiles and tender words, at first hesitatingly exchanged, but soon more boldly given and received. Far be it from me to describe the end, but this much I will say, nothing said or done by young men and women under such circumstances is perilous. One act of levity leads to another, as the links in a chain.” They who tamper with such things will fall into the trap. They fancy that they only mean to amuse themselves, but will not go too far. Little you know, forsooth! The tiny spark will burst into a flame, and, overpowering your heart, it will reduce your good resolutions to ashes, and your reputation to smoke. “Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent?” asks the Wise Man; and with him I ask, Do you, in your folly, imagine that you can lightly handle love as you please? You think to trifle with it, but it will sting you cruelly, and then everyone will mock you, and laugh at your foolish pretension to harbor a venomous serpent in your bosom, which has poisoned and lost alike your honor and your soul. What fatal blindness is to stake all that is most precious to man! Yes, I say it advisedly, for God desires to have us only for the sake of our soul, or the soul through our will, and our will for love’s sake. Surely we have not by any means a sufficient store of love to offer God, and yet in our madness and folly we lavish and waste it on vain frivolous objects, as though we had enough and to spare.
Our Dear Lord, Who demands nought save our love in return for our creation, preservation and redemption, will require a strict account of the senseless way in which we have frittered and wasted it. If He will call us to account for idle words, how will it be with respect to idle, foolish, pernicious friendships? Husbandmen know that the walnut tree is very harmful in a vineyard or field, because it absorbs the fatness of the land and draws it away from the other crops; its thick foliage overshadows and deprives them of sunshine; and, moreover, it attracts passers-by, who tread down and spoil all that is around while striving to gather its fruit. So with these foolish love affairs and the soul; they engross it, so that it is unable to bring forth good works; their superfluous foliage—flirtations, dallyings and idle talk—consume profitable time; and, moreover, they lead to so many temptations, distractions, suspicions, and the like, that the heart becomes altogether crushed and spoiled.
Such follies not only banish Heavenly Love, they likewise drive out the fear of God, enervate the mind, and damage reputation. They may be the plaything of courts, but assuredly they are as a plague spot of the heart.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –The post IDL62 – Part 3 – Chapter 18 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Seventh Mansions Chapter 4 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:Concludes by describing what appears to be Our Lord’s aim in granting the soul such great favours and says how necessary it is for Martha and Mary to walk in each other’s company. This chapter is very profitable. You must not take it, sisters, that the effects which I have described as occurring in these souls are invariably present all the time; it is for this reason that, whenever I have remembered to do so, I have referred to them as being present “habitually”.
Sometimes Our Lord leaves such souls to their own nature, and when that happens, all the poisonous things in the environs and mansions of this castle seem to come together to avenge themselves on them for the time during which they have not been able to have them in their power. It is true that this lasts only for a short time — for a single day, or a little longer, at the most — and in the course of the ensuing turmoil, which as a rule is the result of some chance happening, it becomes clear what the soul is gaining from the good Companion Who is with it. For the Lord gives it great determination, so that it will on no account turn aside from His service and from its own good resolutions.
On the contrary, these resolutions seem to increase, and so the soul will not make the slightest move which may deflect it from its resolve. This, as I say, happens rarely, but Our Lord’s will is for the soul not to forget what it is — for one reason, so that it may always be humble; for another, so that it may the better realize what it owes to His Majesty and what a great favour it is receiving, and may praise Him.
St. Theresa of Avila. The Interior Castle or The Mansions (Kindle Locations 3169-3182). Kindle Edition.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the “Interior Castle” by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles”
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
The post BTP-IC37 – Seventh Mansions Chapter 4 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL61 – Part 3 – Chapter 17 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart PodcastAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark 16:15-20
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 16 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL60 – Part 3 – Chapter 16 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week of Easter - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Sunday of the Third Week of Easter – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 15 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL59 – Part 3 – Chapter 15 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Paternal Love of the Father – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual TheologyDiscerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.”
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the book:
“Our discussion until now has stressed that sin is committed by one who is “more than” a mere creature.38 Nevertheless, sin is the work of human freedom alone, and thus it should be dealt with by human freedom. Indeed, as we observed in our reading of the Old Testament, sin cannot be merely walked away from; it must be borne away, effaced, eliminated. Sin is borne away by being transformed or converted into its opposite. If sin is to be transformed into its opposite, then that which is the opposite of sin—filial love—must take up and bear sin away. But filial love can bear sin only insofar as filial love is willing to bear the effects of sin, primarily separation from the Father (in a word: God-forsakenness). And given the enormity of sin, its complete and definitive transformation calls for a filial love infinite in efficacy,39 capable of plumbing the Trinitarian proportions of sin. And there’s the rub: although the work of atonement must involve human freedom, human freedom alone cannot turn around the repercussions of rejecting the extension of the divine Father-Son relationship to and in human persons. Alone it cannot convert sin’s effects into material for the expression of a filial love infinite in quality that perfectly images—and thus perfectly glorifies—the Father’s passion of love in the face of sin. This can be accomplished only by the divine Son, who, taking up human freedom in his Incarnation, makes it the place in which a return of love—precisely in the form of an infinite filial love-suffering—can be made to God the Father.40 Atonement for the sin of the world, simply put, is the assertion of incarnate sonship against sin. Sonship takes sin upon itself—without ceasing to be itself—in order to transform sin into the suffering form of filial love, thereby annihilating it.”Turek, Margaret. Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology (pp. 85-86). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:
“This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.
The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book’s central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10).
The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God’s own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God’s redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.”
The post AT8 – The Paternal Love of the Father – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode focuses on Week Two of the Spiritual Exercises. The post HSE7 – What Has God Elected to Us? – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 14 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER XIV. On Poverty of Spirit amid Riches
“BLESSED are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God;” and if so, woe be to the rich in spirit, for theirs must be the bitterness of hell. By rich in spirit I mean him whose riches engross his mind, or whose mind is buried in his riches. He is poor in spirit whose heart is not filled with the love of riches, whose mind is not set upon them. The halcyon builds its nest like a ball, and leaving but one little aperture in the upper part, launches it on the sea, so secure and impenetrable, that the waves carry it along without any water getting in, and it floats on the sea, superior, so to say, to the waves. And this, my child, is what your heart should be—open only to heaven, impenetrable to riches and earthly treasures. If you have them, keep your heart from attaching itself to them; let it maintain a higher level, and amidst riches be as though you had none,—superior to them. Do not let that mind which is the likeness of God cleave to mere earthly goods; let it always be raised above them, not sunk in them.
There is a wide difference between having poison and being poisoned. All apothecaries have poisons ready for special uses, but they are not consequently poisoned, because the poison is only in their shop, not in themselves; and so you may possess riches without being poisoned by them, so long as they are in your house or purse only, and not in your heart. It is the Christian’s privilege to be rich in material things, and poor in attachment to them, thereby having the use of riches in this world and the merit of poverty in the next. Of a truth, my daughter, no one will ever own themselves to be avaricious;—every one denies this contemptible vice:—men excuse themselves on the plea of providing for their children, or plead the duty of prudent forethought:—they never have too much, there is always some good reason for accumulating more; and even the most avaricious of men not only do not own to being such, but sincerely believe that they are not; and that because avarice is as a strong fever which is all the less felt as it rages most fiercely. Moses saw that sacred fire which burnt the bush without consuming it, but the profane fire of avarice acts precisely the other way,—it consumes the miser, but without burning, for, amid its most intense heat, he believes himself to be deliciously cool, and imagines his insatiable thirst to be merely natural and right. If you long earnestly, anxiously, and persistently after what you do not possess, it is all very well to say that you do not wish to get it unfairly, but you are all the time guilty of avarice.
He who longs eagerly and anxiously to drink, though it may be water only, thereby indicates that he is feverish. I hardly think we can say that it is lawful to wish lawfully to possess that which is another’s:—so doing we surely wish our own gain at the expense of that other? And he who possesses anything lawfully, surely has more right to possess it, than we to obtain it? Why should we desire that which is his?
Even were the wish lawful, it is not charitable, for we should not like other men to desire what we possess, however lawfully. This was Ahab’s sin when he sought to acquire Naboth’s vineyard by lawful purchase, when Naboth lawfully desired to keep it himself;—he coveted it eagerly, continually, and anxiously, and so doing he displeased God. Do not allow yourself to wish for that which is your neighbour’s until he wishes to part with it,—then his wish will altogether justify yours,—and I am quite willing that you should add to your means and possessions, provided it be not merely with strict justice, but kindly and charitably done.
If you cleave closely to your possessions, and are cumbered with them, setting your heart and thoughts upon them, and restlessly anxious lest you should suffer loss, then, believe me, you are still somewhat feverish;—for fever patients drink the water we give them with an eagerness and satisfaction not common to those who are well. It is not possible to take great pleasure in anything without becoming attached to it. If you lose property, and find yourself grievously afflicted at the loss, you may be sure that you were warmly attached to it;—there is no surer proof of affection for the thing lost than our sorrow at its loss.
Therefore, do not fix your longings on anything which you do not possess; do not let your heart rest in that which you have; do not grieve overmuch at the losses which may happen to you;—and then you may reasonably believe that although rich in fact, you are not so in affection, but that you are poor in spirit, and therefore blessed, for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
The post IDL58 – Part 3 – Chapter 14 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
How music almost killed—and saved—the Catholic Church. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Joseph Ratzinger’s account of the development of liturgical singing in “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the”great prayer of the Church”. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council’s intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest’s orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J.Vivian DudroJoseph PearceThe post Episode 12 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 42 – Experiencing the Joy of Divine Mercy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, focusing on the joy found in the devotion to the Divine Mercy.
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM42 – Experiencing the Joy of Divine Mercy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Ignatian Prayer – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode takes a look at the Spiritual Exercises through methods of Ignatian prayer.
An excerpt from the conversation:
“So it’s actually not even my prayer that I’m entering into. It’s actually God inspiring this. And so as I sit in the chapel, as I sit in my place of prayer, I first calm down and remind myself that God is the one leading me here.
I recall my first spiritual director was a Dominican back in California, and I was complaining to him, “Father, I really don’t know how to pray very well. I’m really not good at this. I really want to be better at this.” And he said, “Stop, Anthony.” He said, “Do you realize that even your desire for prayer is already God working within you?” And I said, “No.” I’d never thought of that. So I need to acknowledge that God has even brought me here that he wants to enter. He’s the initiator of this dialogue.
I need to have the Copernican Revolution, huh? Where my focus is on what God is doing. God’s brought me here. God’s sustaining me in existence right now. So I’m acknowledging what he’s doing and that there isn’t other here with a capital O. And so, I’m entering into this dialogue. Before I enter into the desire, and let’s see, what are the steps of my prayer that I’m going to do today? My prayer? Oh no. It’s an acknowledgement that I’m in the presence of an other who’s drawn me here. I have been drawn here, and I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for my faith life, which has been complete gift.”
Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.
The post HSE6 – Ignatian Prayer – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Pope Benedict on MUSIC, both ancient and new. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian guide us through part 3, chapter 2, of Joseph Ratzinger’s classic “The Spirit of the Liturgy.” The post Episode 11 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 13 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER XIII. How to Maintain Purity
BE exceedingly quick in turning aside from the slightest thing leading to impurity, for it is an evil which approaches stealthily, and in which the very smallest beginnings are apt to grow rapidly. It is always easier to fly from such evils than to cure them. Human bodies are like glasses, which cannot come into collision without risk of breaking; or to fruits, which, however fresh and ripe, are damaged by pressure. Never permit any one to take any manner of foolish liberty with you, since, although there may be no evil intention, the perfectness of purity is injured thereby.
Purity has its source in the heart, but it is in the body that its material results take shape, and therefore it may be forfeited both by the exterior senses and by the thoughts and desires of the heart. All lack of modesty in seeing, hearing, speaking, smelling, or touching, is impurity, especially when the heart takes pleasure therein. S. Paul says without any hesitation that impurity and uncleanness, or foolish and unseemly talking, are not to be “so much as named” among Christians. The bee not only shuns all carrion, but abhors and flies far from the faintest smell proceeding therefrom. The Bride of the Canticles is represented with “hands dropping with myrrh.” a preservative against all corruption; her “lips are like a thread of scarlet,” the type of modest words; her eyes are “dove’s eyes,” clear and soft; her “nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards Damascus” an incorruptible wood; her ears are hung with earrings of pure gold; and even so the devout soul should be pure, honest and transparent in hand, lip, eye, ear, and the whole body.
Remember that there are things which blemish perfect purity, without being in themselves downright acts of impurity. Anything which tends to lessen its intense sensitiveness, or to cast the slightest shadow over it, is of this nature; and all evil thoughts or foolish acts of levity or heedlessness are as steps towards the most direct breaches of the law of chastity. Avoid the society of persons who are wanting in purity, especially if they are bold, as indeed impure people always are. If a foul animal licks the sweet almond tree its fruit becomes bitter; and so a corrupt pestilential man can scarcely hold communication with others, whether men or women, without damaging their perfect purity—their very glance is venomous, and their breath blighting like the basilisk. On the other hand, seek out good and pure men, read and ponder holy things; for the Word of God is pure, and it will make those pure who study it: wherefore David likens it to gold and precious stones.
Always abide close to Jesus Christ Crucified, both spiritually in meditation and actually in Holy Communion; for as all those who sleep upon the plant called Agnus castus become pure and chaste, so, if you rest your heart upon Our Dear Lord, the Very Lamb, Pure and Immaculate, you will find that soon both heart and soul will be purified of all spot or stain.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
The post IDL57 – Part 3 – Chapter 13 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Discerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, "Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology." The post AT7 – Almsgiving and Atonement – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SM8 – The Feast of Feasts – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine DohertyAn excerpt from Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter:“The Feast of Feasts”“Easter—the resurrection of Christ! The feast of feasts! The final proof of Christ’s divinity! Easter—the first feast of the early Church, around which all the other feasts grew like stars around the sun. We celebrate Christ’s resurrection as something absolutely, fantastically beautiful that has happened, and is still happening. The fact that there is an Easter is something to be grateful for. It is such a happy feast. What can be more beautiful than this passage from death to life, real life? Now death has become a passage. A passage to what, to where, to whom? It is the passage of you to God and me to God. You walk into it and there at the end is Christ and Our Lady, the life that lasts forever and that is lived with God and his blessed Mother. Christ’s resurrection is the most joyous feast in the calendar of the Church, the one in which everything comes together. It is the greatest feast.
As you approach the church for the Vigil Mass announcing Christ’s resurrection, you will see preparations for a new fire. The fire is usually lit with a flint as it was in the old days. Ideally, the new fire is a large bonfire lit in the parking lot or other outdoor gathering place. It should be outside of the church on a dark night, because this bonfire celebrates, cries out: “Light! Out of the darkness of the tomb came Light! See! Come here, all you who were mourning. Come, all you who did not believe in God. Come, all you who never were told about God. Come and warm your hands at the fire!” The Light of Christ! This fire is the symbol of light, of warmth, the symbol of the heart of Christ and the love of Christ.”
Doherty, Catherine. Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter (Seasonal Customs Vol. 2) (p. 92). Madonna House Publications. Kindle Edition.
Catherine Doherty was born into an aristocratic family in Russia in 1896, and baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. Because of her father’s work, she grew up in Ukraine, Egypt, and Paris. Many different strands of Christianity were woven into the spiritual fabric of her family background, but it was from the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the living faith of her father and mother, and the earthy piety of the Russian people themselves that Catherine received the powerful spiritual traditions and symbols of the Christian East. Catherine fled to England during the Russian Revolution, and was received into the Catholic Church in 1919. The cause for her canonization has been officially opened in the Catholic Church. More information about Catherine’s life, works, and the progress of her cause can be found at: www.catherinedoherty.org and www.madonnahouse.org.
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Madonna House Publications whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
The post SM8 – The Feast of Feasts – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 12 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL56 – Part 3 – Chapter 12 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and concludes the series with reflections from St. Therese of Lisieux. The post SISL19 – Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss Easter as a season for joy within our lives and within the church, drawing back upon the Kerygma as shown in the Gospel readings throughout the Easter Season following Jesus’ resurrection.
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM41 – Easter: A Season for Joy – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? Gospel JN 20:1-9 On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead. The post Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Easter Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Easter Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of Good Friday for the life of every Christian. We are closely united to Jesus in his Passion. Who are the people who have caused you to suffer? What are wounds that have been inflicted during your lifetime? What are the wounds you have inflicted on others? How can those wounds be healed? He also proclaims how the Cross of Christ defeated the devil and continues to defeat the enemy today. The post A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Good Friday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Good Friday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode takes a look at the Spiritual Exercises through the lens of our identity in and relationship with Christ. The post HSE5 – Our Identity & Relationship in Christ – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
A Special Holy Thursday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Building a Kingdom of LoveMsgr. Esseff reflects on the meanings within the Holy Thursday liturgy of the Church. He discusses the action of Jesus when He washes the feet of the apostles and what that means for us today. Can we be Jesus to others and wash the feet of even our enemies? He also discusses the institution of the Eucharist and what it truly means to have devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Gospel JN 13:1-15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later.”
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
Simon Peter said to him,
“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus said to him,
“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all.”
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
The post A Special Holy Thursday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Building a Kingdom of Love – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Why God loves art—and you should too. Join Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro in their discussion of part III, chapter 1, of Joseph Ratzinger’s “Spirit of the Liturgy”, on images and visual art.
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the”great prayer of the Church”. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council’s intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest’s orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J.Vivian DudroJoseph PearceThe post Episode 10 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Discerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, "Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology." The post AT6 – For Love of the Exile – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 11 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL55 – Part 3 – Chapter 11 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Image of God – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on our image of God in prayer.
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the chapter, “Image of God”:
“When Bob perceives that his image of God differs from the biblical image of God, his prayer ceases to be dry. He is now free to meet God as He is: loving, close, understanding, merciful, encouraging — the heavenly Father whom Jesus reveals to us. Through no fault of his own, Bob has absorbed an image of God as a demanding Father, quick to note faults, impatient, ready to criticize. Bob is not aware of this image, but it burdens his relationship with God, and so his prayer.
When he prays with Genesis 3, Bob focuses on “all the harm that came from” this sin and “the way their sin was punished.” The message of mercy in that same chapter (Gen. 3:15) and, above all, in the Cross do not speak to him, and his prayer leaves him uneasy. He describes Romans 7:14–25 as “Paul’s struggle about not doing the good that he wants but doing the bad that he does not want,” again overlooking the message of freedom with which the passage concludes (Rom. 7:25). When he tries to pray, Bob writes, “I’m unsettled, I’m distracted, and God seems distant. . . . I try, but nothing moves me very much. It’s discouraging. Maybe I’m not made for this.” Bob’s prayer is dry. His prayer changes when Bob realizes that God is different — more loving, warm, close — than his image of God had led him to believe.
Conversation with his director, prayer on biblical passages that reveal God as a loving Father, and his willingness — not without struggle — to share with God his experience of human fatherhood and the mixture of goodness and pain found in it, begin to set Bob free. Now he can meet his heavenly Father as God really is. Now a relationship based on a true image of the Father can develop. Now he knows himself to be a beloved son of this Father. Now his prayer is not dry.”
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 123-124). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. “
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book’s description: “Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.”
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?Visit here to discover more!The post SISL18 – Image of God – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Palm Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
To Fast, Part 2 - an audio excerpt from 'Season of Mercy' by Servant of God Catherine Doherty - A Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post SM7 – To Fast, Part Two – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 10 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER X. We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety
THE care and diligence due to our ordinary business are very different from solicitude, anxiety and restlessness. The Angels care for our salvation and seek it diligently, but they are wholly free from anxiety and solicitude, for, whereas care and diligence naturally appertain to their love, anxiety would be wholly inconsistent with their happiness; for although care and diligence can go hand in hand with calmness and peace, those angelic properties could not unite with solicitude or anxiety, much less with over-eagerness. Therefore, my daughter, be careful and diligent in all your affairs; God, Who commits them to you, wills you to give them your best attention; but strive not to be anxious and solicitous, that is to say, do not set about your work with restlessness and excitement, and do not give way to bustle and eagerness in what you do;—every form of excitement affects both judgment and reason, and hinders a right performance of the very thing which excites us.
Our Lord, rebuking Martha, said, “Thou art careful and troubled about many things.” 35 If she had been simply careful, she would not have been troubled, but giving way to disquiet and anxiety, she grew eager and troubled, and for that our Lord reproved her. The rivers which flow gently through our plains bear barges of rich merchandise, and the gracious rains which fall softly on the land fertilize it to bear the fruits of the earth;—but when the rivers swell into torrents, they hinder commerce and devastate the country, and violent storms and tempests do the like. No work done with impetuosity and excitement was ever well done, and the old proverb, “Make haste slowly,” is a good one, Solomon says, “There is one that laboureth and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind;” we are always soon enough when we do well.
The bumble bee makes far more noise and is more bustling than the honey bee, but it makes nought save wax—no honey; just so those who are restless and eager, or full of noisy solicitude, never do much or well. Flies harass us less by what they do than by reason of their multitude, and so great matters give us less disturbance than a multitude of small affairs. Accept the duties which come upon you quietly, and try to fulfill them methodically, one after another. If you attempt to do everything at once, or with confusion, you will only cumber yourself with your own exertions, and by dint of perplexing your mind you will probably be overwhelmed and accomplish nothing. In all your affairs lean solely on God’s Providence, by means of which alone your plans can succeed. Meanwhile, on your part work on in quiet cooperation with Him, and then rest satisfied that if you have trusted entirely to Him you will always obtain such a measure of success as is most profitable for you, whether it seems so or not to your own individual judgment.
Imitate a little child, whom one sees holding tight with one hand to its father, while with the other it gathers strawberries or blackberries from the wayside hedge. Even so, while you gather and use this world’s goods with one hand, always let the other be fast in your Heavenly Father’s Hand, and look round from time to time to make sure that He is satisfied with what you are doing, at home or abroad. Beware of letting go, under the idea of making or receiving more—if He forsakes you, you will fall to the ground at the first step. When your ordinary work or business is not specially engrossing, let your heart be fixed more on God than on it; and if the work be such as to require your undivided attention, then pause from time to time and look to God, even as navigators who make for the haven they would attain, by looking up at the heavens rather than down upon the deeps on which they sail. So doing, God will work with you, in you, and for you, and your work will be blessed
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
The post IDL54 – Part 3 – Chapter 10 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Ignatius, A Man of the Church – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode continues the analogy of the charism triptych and examines St. Ignatius’s role in the founding of the Jesuits.
An excerpt from the conversation:
“St. Ignatius, I would like to add to that third part of the Triptych, that he also had God concretely manifesting himself through nature. In other words, God sustains all in existence through its being power and essence. That’s Aquinas, but he’s sustaining all. He’s very much laboring in His creation for you and me. So God is showing His love indirectly by all of nature, holding it in such a perfect balance for us. That’s God at work.
… But the chances of such low entropy, where everything’s held together as it is so well in our world, Kris, is not just [an] one in 10 [chance] of it all holding together so well and not dissipating and falling apart, nor to add another zero to the hundredth power. But you’d have to add 123 zeros to that to get the chances of such low entropy in our universe. So God is sustaining this, all that science even talking. But you and I know that there’s three persons behind this: namely the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sustaining us in this perfect existence.
So for Ignatius, it is said about him that from one of his first companions, Ribaneira, he says that, “At the sight of a little plant or a leaf or a tiny animal, Ignatius could soar free above the heavens and reach through into things which lie beyond the senses. So that’s fascinating. Something beautiful on earth he would allow himself to be kind of mesmerized by and watch how God is active in that. Sustaining it, strengthening it in its plant cycle, it’s life cycle, whatever animal it might be, or little plant. And it would lead him to this soaring experience beyond the senses into the divine again. So all things pointed for him back to the glory of God.
There’s a German poet, Hölderlin, and perhaps his phrase describes Ignatius better than any other. His experience. So he says this very short phrase. “To suffer no restriction from anything, however great, and yet to be contained in the tiniest of things. That is divine.“
Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.
The post HSE4 – St. Ignatius, A Man of the Church – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Do Catholics overlook the Church’s most important feast? Why the whole year hinges on March 25, as Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack Joseph Ratzinger’s landmark book “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the”great prayer of the Church”. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council’s intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest’s orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J.Vivian DudroJoseph PearceThe post Episode 9 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 40 – Journey of Faith – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George LucasArchbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the “Journey of Faith”, a new way to bring together parishes within the Archdiocese, helping to meet the challenges and new reality facing parish life. While this is primarily discussing what is going on within the Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop Lucas’ words can be of great benefit to other Dioceses across the country facing similar challenges as well.
From the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Website:
Families of Parishes: A Modern Day Answer in Our Journey of FaithWhy does this Journey of Faith matter so much right now? Think about how you have experienced or struggled in your own journey of faith. As one church, we must respond to changes in our Catholic community and the world around us.
Our Current Realities Call for New Directions in Parish Life
It’s not one but rather a series of changes over decades which challenge our diocese today. To come to grips with our current reality, it’s important that we share the data openly and honestly. With clear understanding, we can responsibly move forward in sustainable and new directions.
A Growing Disconnect
Within our own parish communities, the majority of Catholics no longer participate in the life of the church.
- Weekly mass attendance is under 1 in 4
- Parish activities attract only a small percentage of parishioners
- Fewer young adults identify as Catholics or members of a parish
Source: Archdiocese of Omaha census
Facing Priestly Limits
Over the next ten years, the number of available priests will drop steadily. For parish communities to have vibrant ministries, we must see the conditions which limit our priests:
- Growing stress from unmanageable workload
- More retirements than replacements
- Aging, underutilized structures
Current Realities, priesthood
“The challenge is to see this as an opportunity, to have a deeper experience in the activity of the Holy Spirit, and to respond really in faith, and to trust God.” – Archbishop George Lucas
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast pageFor more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.orgThe post WM40 – Journey of Faith – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Discerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, "Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology." The post AT5 – Our Participation of Atonement Through the Son – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
To Fast, Part 1 - an audio excerpt from 'Season of Mercy' by Servant of God Catherine Doherty - A Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post SM6 – To Fast, Part One – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
If anyone should sin, we have an advocate before the Father - Saint John Fisher from the Office of Readings - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post If anyone should sin, we have an advocate before the Father – Saint John Fisher from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on sharing our spiritual struggles with others. The post SISL17 – A Need to Share – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
5th Monday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 5th Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
5th Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 5th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
It was truly a delight to once again to talk with Sally Read! This time we discuss her beautiful new book “Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World”. You can find the book here From the book description: Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and ... Read more The post IP#353 Sally Read – Annunciation on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode goes into the gift of charism and describes it the first two parts of a triptych. The post HSE3 – The Charism and Gift of St. Ignatius – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Does anybody really know what time is? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro try to unfold one of reality’s greatest mysteries with the help of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the”great prayer of the Church”. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council’s intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest’s orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J.Vivian DudroJoseph PearceThe post Episode 8 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Beauty and Penance – A Time of Renewal Daily Reflections for the Lenten SeasonAn excerpt from A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season :Beauty and Penance
“When we examine the Church’s liturgy, the idea of blossoming beauty is very evident everywhere in this season of penance. It neither begins nor ends with anything severe, even though we are told to set ourselves to work, which will inevitably involve suffering and pain since we are so disjointed. We are so unbeautiful sometimes. The Lenten liturgy is one of hope and of restoration that speaks of a great blossoming that is to come, that is to be accomplished during these days. Holy Church tells us that it is not in vain that we keep vigil, and that a crown is promised to those who watch. She tells us that our penance is not without purpose.
We might stop to reflect there for just a minute. In our time the Church has lifted so much of what was mandatory in penitential practices, thereby placing great trust in us. She has not changed anything about her concept of penance or understanding of the need for penance, she has merely removed penalties. She has tried to show us a greater trust. If the Church is aware that penance had been done for the wrong reason, she is now asking us to do it for the right reason, without penalty.”
Mother Mary Francis. A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season . Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:Mother Mary Francis, abbess of a Poor Clare Monastery for over forty years, left an enduring legacy in her writings and in the conferences she gave to her spiritual daughters. In this work she presents beautiful meditations on the liturgical season of Lent, revealing the treasures of the liturgy to Christians in all walks of life. Her insight into Holy Scripture and her poet’s heart engendered reflections that illuminate the daily Mass readings in a fresh and attractive way.
These meditations enlighten the reader to see conversion as positive and enriching, and help us to understand that the generous embrace of Lenten penance has a purpose and brings a wondrous reward: deeper union with God. She was a true daughter of Saint Francis of Assisi, who found perfect joy by turning away from self to God.
As a spiritual guide, Mother Mary Francis excels in the art of persuasion, aware that the human heart cannot be forced but only gently led to holiness. She makes this goal attractive and desirable by tirelessly explaining why striving for holiness is the happiest and wisest way to live. This book provides a wealth of material for plundering the riches of the Lenten season and for deepening one’s spiritual life. Her meditations are profound and timeless, not changing from year to year, thus providing a lifetime of Lenten meditations in this one volume.
Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., (1921-2006) was for more than forty years the abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. She became recognized as an authoritative voice for the renewal of religious life through her many books, including A Right to Be Merry, But I Have Called You Friends, and Anima Christi. To learn more about Mother Mary Francis and the Poor Clare Nuns of Roswell, NM visit their website at https://poorclares-roswell.org
The post TOR3 – Beauty and Penance – A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The God of Wrath or Mercy? – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual TheologyDiscerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.”
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the book:
We have already acknowledged that a defective notion of divine wrath can get in the way of the biblical claim that God reveals himself to be love precisely in sending his Son as atonement for sin (1 Jn 4:8–10). Nonetheless, we may not simply ignore or cast aside the many biblical references to God’s anger in both the Old and the New Testaments. As Balthasar recognizes: “The Old Testament perceptions of the divine ‘wrath’ (Rom 5:9) . . . and ‘judgment’ (Rom 8:3), which are taken up by Paul and the whole of the New Testament in speaking of the Cross, are not to be represented as superseded, anthropomorphic, and incompatible with the God of love who wills reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18; Col 1:20), for this reconciliation is to take place precisely ‘through the death of his Son’ (Rom 5:10) . . . in his ‘offering for sin’ (2 Cor 5:21).”95 Both Hoffmann and Balthasar tackle head on the subject of God’s wrath while attempting to avoid two extremes: on one side, the stance that simply dismisses the biblical testimony to God’s anger as primitive thinking; and on the other, the view that imagines God’s wrath along the lines of the punitive rage of a celestial child abuser.The course to take, we suggest, is to regard divine anger as an aspect of the second of the three factors integral to the process of atonement: namely, God’s passionate involvement. This will entail striving toward a superior harmony in which every aspect of God’s involvement in man’s redemption is ultimately explained by God’s passion of love.Turek, Margaret. Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology (pp. 49-50). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:
“This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.
The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book’s central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10).
The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God’s own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God’s redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.”
The post AT4 – The God of Wrath or Mercy? – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Repentance & Forgiveness - an audio excerpt from 'Season of Mercy' by Servant of God Catherine Doherty - A Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post SM5 – Repentance and Forgiveness – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
This episode explores spiritual discouragement and various forms of dryness in the spiritual life, focusing on growth in prayer. The post SISL16 – Growth – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena, priestThe faithful foster-father and guardian
There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand.
This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: “Good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord.”
What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honourably introduced into the world. Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.
In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfilment. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms.
Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honour which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.
Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: “Enter into joy.” His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.
Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.
Let us pray.Almighty God,
at the beginnings of our salvation,
when Mary conceived your Son and brought him forth into the world,
you placed them under Joseph’s watchful care.
May his prayer still help your Church
to be an equally faithful guardian of your mysteries
and a sign of Christ to mankind.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
The post The faithful foster-father and guardian – St. Bernardine of Siena from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.” The post “Are you blind although you can see?” – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
4th Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 4th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 - Chapter 9 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb The post IDL53 – Part 3 – Chapter 9 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue this series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode goes into the gift of charism and continues the story of St. Ignatius' ill-fated journey to the Holy Land. The post HSE2 – The Gift of Charism – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Friday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Seventh Mansions Chapter 3 part 3 of the "Interior Castle" which covers: Treats of the same subject and describes the way in which, when He is pleased to do so, God speaks to the soul. Gives instructions as to how we should behave in such a case: we must not be guided by our own opinions. Sets down a few signs by which we may know when this favour is, and when it is not, a deception. This chapter is very profitable. The post BTP-IC36 – Seventh Mansions Chapter 3 part 3 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 3 – Chapter 8 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de SalesThis is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER VIII. Gentleness Towards Others and Remedies Against Angerwith Humility
THE holy Chrism, used by the Church according to apostolic tradition, is made of olive oil mingled with balm, which, among other things, are emblematic of two virtues very specially conspicuous in our Dear Lord Himself, and which He has specially commended to us, as though they, above all things, drew us to Him and taught us to imitate Him: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”
Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men. Balm, as I said before, sinking to the bottom of all liquids, is a figure of humility; and oil, floating as it does to the top, is a figure of gentleness and cheerfulness, rising above all things, and excelling all things, the very flower of Love, which, so says S. Bernard, comes to perfection when it is not merely patient, but gentle and cheerful. Give heed, then, daughter, that you keep this mystic chrism of gentleness and humility in your heart, for it is a favourite device of the Enemy to make people content with a fair outside semblance of these graces, not examining their inner hearts, and so fancying themselves to be gentle and humble while they are far otherwise. And this is easily perceived, because, in spite of their ostentatious gentleness and humility, they are stirred up with pride and anger by the smallest wrong or contradiction.
There is a popular belief that those who take the antidote commonly called “Saint Paul’s gift,” do not suffer from the viper’s bite, provided, that is, that the remedy be pure; and even so true gentleness and humility will avert the burning and swelling which contradiction is apt to excite in our hearts. If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show. When the Patriarch Joseph sent his brethren back from Egypt to his father’s house, he only gave them one counsel, “See that ye fall not out by the way.”
And so, my child, say I to you. This miserable life is but the road to a blessed life; do not let us fall out by the way one with another; let us go on with the company of our brethren gently, peacefully, and kindly. Most emphatically I say it, If possible, fall out with no one, and on no pretext whatever suffer your heart to admit anger and passion. S. James says, plainly and unreservedly, that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Of course it is a duty to resist evil and to repress the faults of those for whom we are responsible, steadily and firmly, but gently and quietly. Nothing so stills the elephant when enraged as the sight of a lamb; nor does anything break the force of a cannon ball so well as wool. Correction given in anger, however tempered by reason, never has so much effect as that which is given altogether without anger; for the reasonable soul being naturally subject to reason, it is a mere tyranny which subjects it to passion, and whereinsoever reason is led by passion it becomes odious, and its just rule obnoxious. When a monarch visits a country peaceably the people are gratified and flattered; but if the king has to take his armies through the land, even on behalf of the public welfare, his visit is sure to be unwelcome and harmful, because, however strictly military discipline may be enforced, there will always be some mischief done to the people. Just so when reason prevails, and administers reproof, correction, and punishment in a calm spirit, although it be strict, every one approves and is content; but if reason be hindered by anger and vexation (which Saint Augustine calls her soldiers) there will be more fear than love, and reason itself will be despised and resisted.
The same Saint Augustine, writing to Profuturus, says that it is better to refuse entrance to any even the least semblance of anger, however just; and that because once entered in, it is hard to be got rid of, and what was but a little mote soon waxes into a great beam. For if anger tarries till night, and the sun goes down upon our wrath (a thing expressly forbidden by the Apostle ), there is no longer any way of getting rid of it; it feeds upon endless false fancies; for no angry man ever yet but thought his anger just. Depend upon it, it is better to learn how to live without being angry than to imagine one can moderate and control anger lawfully; and if through weakness and frailty one is overtaken by it, it is far better to put it away forcibly than to parley with it; for give anger ever so little way, and it will become master, like the serpent, who easily works in its body wherever it can once introduce its head. You will ask how to put away anger. My child, when you feel its first movements, collect yourself gently and seriously, not hastily or with impetuosity. Sometimes in a law court the officials who enforce quiet make more noise than those they affect to hush; and so, if you are impetuous in restraining your temper, you will throw your heart into worse confusion than before, and, amid the excitement, it will lose all selfcontrol. Having thus gently exerted yourself, follow the advice which the aged S. Augustine gave to a younger Bishop, Auxilius. “Do,” said he, “what a man should do.”
If you are like the Psalmist, ready to cry out, “Mine eye is consumed for very anger,” go on to say, “Have mercy upon me, O Lord;” so that God may stretch forth His Right Hand and control your wrath. I mean, that when we feel stirred with anger, we ought to call upon God for help, like the Apostles, when they were tossed about with wind and storm, and He is sure to say, “Peace, be still.” But even here I would again warn you, that your very prayers against the angry feelings which urge you should be gentle, calm, and without vehemence. Remember this rule in whatever remedies against anger you may seek. Further, directly you are conscious of an angry act, atone for the fault by some speedy act of meekness towards the person who excited your anger. It is a sovereign cure for untruthfulness to unsay what you have falsely said at once on detecting yourself in falsehood; and so, too, it is a good remedy for anger to make immediate amends by some opposite act of meekness. There is an old saying, that fresh wounds are soonest closed.
Moreover, when there is nothing to stir your wrath, lay up a store of meekness and kindliness, speaking and acting in things great and small as gently as possible. Remember that the Bride of the Canticles is described as not merely dropping honey, and milk also, from her lips, but as having it “under her tongue;” that is to say, in her heart. So we must not only speak gently to our neighbour, but we must be filled, heart and soul, with gentleness; and we must not merely seek the sweetness of aromatic honey in courtesy and suavity with strangers, but also the sweetness of milk among those of our own household and our neighbours; a sweetness terribly lacking to some who are as angels abroad and devils at home!
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
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Why churches should always be open. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack “The Spirit of the Liturgy” by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the”great prayer of the Church”. The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council’s intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest’s orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J.Vivian DudroJoseph PearceThe post Episode 7 – The Spirit of the Liturgy – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SM4 – The Sea of God’s Mercy – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine DohertyAn excerpt from Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter:The Sea of God’s MercyIt came to me that Lent is a sort of sea of God’s mercy. In my imagination, it was warm and quiet, and inviting for us to swim in. If we did, we would be not only refreshed but cleansed, for God’s mercy cleanses as nothing else does.
Then I thought of our reticence. I do not know if it is reticence, or fear to really plunge into God’s mercy. We really want to be washed clean; we want to be forgiven. But these desires meet with something else inside. I say to myself that if I enter into that sea of mercy I will be healed, and then I will be bound to practice what Christ preaches, practice his law of love. And that law of love is painful, so terribly painful. There by that sea I stand and think. If I seek mercy, I have to dish out mercy, I have to be merciful to others. What does it mean to be merciful to others? It means to open my own heart, like a little sea, for people to swim in.
If we stand before God’s mercy and drink of it, that means the Our Father is a reality and not just a prayer that I say.
Doherty, Catherine. Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter (Seasonal Customs Vol. 2) (pp. 28-29). Madonna House Publications. Kindle Edition.
Catherine Doherty was born into an aristocratic family in Russia in 1896, and baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. Because of her father’s work, she grew up in Ukraine, Egypt, and Paris. Many different strands of Christianity were woven into the spiritual fabric of her family background, but it was from the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the living faith of her father and mother, and the earthy piety of the Russian people themselves that Catherine received the powerful spiritual traditions and symbols of the Christian East. Catherine fled to England during the Russian Revolution, and was received into the Catholic Church in 1919. The cause for her canonization has been officially opened in the Catholic Church. More information about Catherine’s life, works, and the progress of her cause can be found at: www.catherinedoherty.org and www.madonnahouse.org.
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Madonna House Publications whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
The post SM4 – The Sea of God’s Mercy – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Revelation of Love in God’s Wrath – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual TheologyDiscerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.”
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the book:
“According to the Old Testament, sin is not simply an ethical fault. It is not simply a failure to act according to the natural law inscribed in every conscience. There is more to it, for the proper setting in which to understand sin is the covenant relationship. Already in the old alliance, the fervent emphasis on keeping the commandments signifies nothing less than Israel’s response of grateful love expressed in actions. “Good deeds become acts of personal fidelity, faithfulness to the personal God”, explains Levenson, “and not simply the right things to do within some universal code of ethics (though they may be that as well).Conversely, bad deeds become acts of betrayal. . . . They are not simply morally wrong in the abstract: they wrong the divine covenant partner.”63 Consider, for instance, the Lord’s response to the sin of David, which the prophet Nathan communicates to the king in 2 Samuel 12:7–9. Thus says the LORD God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel: I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more. Why have you despised the LORD and done what is evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; his wife you took as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.
God.64 Sin is fundamentally a refusal to see and mirror the character of God, whose deeds show his paternal presence and benevolence (Ex 4:22–23; Deut 4:37; 7:8). It is a refusal to hear and to live according to the words that God personally addresses to his chosen beloved (Zeph 3:2; Bar 1:15–22). As Balthasar points out, “The particular transgressions against the commandments . . . are only the results of a fundamental evil, namely, a falling away from the covenant relationship, betrayal, disobedience, culpable forgetfulness of God, the sinful failure to ‘know God’.”65 Sin as deed is thus unmasked as a refusal to exist in intimate co-existence with God. Sin indicates a spurning of the Lord’s love; it is a forsaking of God (Hos 1:2, 9; 4:10; Is 1:2, 4).66″
Turek, Margaret. Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology (pp. 39-40). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:
“This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.
The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book’s central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10).
The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God’s own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God’s redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.”
The post AT3 – The Revelation of Love in God’s Wrath – Atonement with Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Inconsistency – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and forms of dryness in the spiritual life, with a particular focus on inconsistencies between prayer and daily life.
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the chapter, “Inconsistency”:
“Inconsistencies between our prayer and our lives will cause dryness in prayer: a refusal to forgive, firmly guarded anger, all-encompassing pursuit of material goals, self-centeredness, harmful relationships, and so forth. As these areas of our lives are brought to Christ and healed, dryness in prayer lifts.
Of the time before her profound conversion, Saint Teresa of Avila writes, “I began to return to prayer without, however, removing the occasions of sin. . . . My life was very hard, because in prayer I understood my faults more clearly.”When that conversion occurred, the dryness passed, and her prayer blossomed in a way that continues to bless the Church. The dryness caused by inconsistency between prayer and life is, at root, a loving call from God to healing and to new life.”
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 105-106). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book’s description: “Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.”
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?Visit here to discover more!The post SISL15 – Inconsistency – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
3rd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 3rd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Hold fast to God, the one true good - St. Ambrose from the Office of Readings - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post Hold fast to God, the one true good – St. Ambrose from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
2nd Saturday of Lentt - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Introduction – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor begin a new series centered around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This episode introduces us to St. Ignatius and gives an overview of the events leading up to a pivotal moment in his life.
An excerpt from the conversation:
“St. Paul says all fatherhood comes from God, the father. Some of us have really not had good fatherhood examples. Everyone has a dad, but you don’t necessarily have a father when you grow up a biological father.
St. Ignatius is such a spiritual father. The root word, for instance, of a father exercising his authority, the root word of authority either comes from auctor, which means author or augere, A-U-G-E-R-E. Augere, which means to help flourish, to help thrive.
Like a farmer who had bend over the plant and offer the plant everything that it needs to thrive, water, sunlight, nutrients, so too any true fatherhood helps us to flourish. Experiencing St. Ignatius for me was an experience of his fatherhood and anyone, layperson or not, who prayed to St. Ignatius, begins to read St. Ignatius, when they experience full flourishing, he indeed might be their father. It’s amazing how that works.
I, for instance, had a personal desire to be a spiritual son of Padre Pio, whom I admire and still very much, but I am not a spiritual son of Padre Pio. I’ve tried many times, novenas and whatnot, and still admire him so greatly, and yet I know I’m not his spiritual son. That’s not the angle at which I’m supposed to follow Jesus. It’s a beautiful angle, I appreciate it very much, but it’s a different color of the rainbow, if you will.
It’s not the angle at which my heart flourishes as much as I will always admire him. I’ll always admire different saints as do you, Kris, but we have to find our particular charism. What is that particular saint, and there are various saints, not just one, who cause us to flourish. When we read their writings, oh, we just feel the fire of the Lord’s love entering into us and burning away the draws and giving us this zeal that’s very similar to their own, to surrender ourselves yet more to the Lord.”
Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger). Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there.
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From the Life of Saint Frances of Rome by Mary Magdalene Anguillaria, superior of the Oblates of Tor di Specchi The patience and charity of Saint Frances
God not only tested the patience of Frances with respect to her material wealth, but, as I have said before and will reiterate, he also tested her own body in a variety of ways, especially through long and serious illnesses which she had to undergo. And yet no one ever observed in her a tendency towards impatience. She never exhibited any displeasure when she complied with an order, no matter how foolish.
Through the premature deaths of her sons whom she loved dearly, Frances proved her constancy. With peace of soul she always reconciled herself to the will of God and gave him thanks for all that happened. With the same constancy she endured the slander of those who abused and reviled her and her way of life. She did not show the least hint of aversion towards them, even though she knew that they judged her rashly and spoke falsely of her way of life. Rather, returning good for evil, she habitually prayed to God for them.
God had not chosen her to be holy merely for her own advantage. Rather, the gifts he conferred upon her were to be for the spiritual and physical advantage of her neighbour. For this reason he made her so lovable that anyone with whom she spoke would immediately feel captivated by love for her and ready to help her in everything she wanted. Divine power was present and working in her words, so that in a few sentences she could bring consolation to the afflicted and the anxious, calm the restless, pacify the angry, reconcile enemies and extinguish long-standing hatreds and animosities. Again and again she would prevent a planned revenge from being carried out. She seemed able to subdue the passions of every type of person with a single word and lead them to do whatever she asked.
For this reason people flocked to Frances from all directions, as to a safe refuge. No one left her without being consoled, although she openly rebuked them for their sins and fearlessly reproved them for what was evil and displeasing to God.
Many different diseases were rampant in Rome. Fatal diseases and plagues were everywhere, but the saint ignored the risk of contagion and displayed the deepest kindness towards the poor and the needy. Her empathy would first bring them to atone for their sins. Then she would help them by her eager care, and urge them lovingly to accept their trials, however difficult, from the hand of God. She would encourage them to endure their sufferings for love of Christ, since he had previously endured so much for them.
Frances was not satisfied with caring for the sick she could bring into her home. She would seek them out in their cottages and in public hospitals, and would refresh their thirst, smooth their beds, and bind their sores. The more disgusting and sickening the stench, the greater was the love and care with which she treated them.
She used to go to the Campo Santo with food and rich delicacies to be distributed to the needy. On her return home she would bring pieces of worn-out clothes and unclean rags which she would wash lovingly and mend carefully, as if they were to be used for God himself. Then she would fold them carefully and perfume them.
For thirty years Frances continued this service to the sick and the stranger. While she was in her husband’s house, she made frequent visits to Saint Mary’s and Saint Cecilia’s hospitals in Trastevere, and to the hospital of the Holy Spirit in Sassia and to a fourth hospital in the Campo Santo. During epidemics like this it was not only difficult to find doctors to care for the body but even priests to provide remedies for the soul. She herself would seek them out and bring them to those who were disposed to receive the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. In order to have a priest more readily available to assist her in her apostolate, she supported, at her own expense, a priest who would go to the hospitals and visit the sick whom she had designated.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Seventh Mansions Chapter 2 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:CHAPTER 2 shows treats of several ways in which Our Lord awakens the soul; there appears to be nothing in these to be feared, although the experience is most sublime and the favours are great ones.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the “Interior Castle” by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles”
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
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SM3 – Learning to Love – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine DohertyAn excerpt from Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter:Learning to LoveThe fall of Adam was a felix culpa, as the Latin used to say, a “happy fault”, for it brought us Christ. Christ has come to take our sins away and reconcile us to his Father. We have a “door” and we have a “way”, and if we pass through that door and we walk along that way, we shall see the Father. Christ is our brother; he is the brother of everybody, and so that makes us all brothers and sisters. Jesus Christ made us brothers and sisters of one another and that is the tremendous essence of this thing called Christianity—we are followers of Christ, baptized into his death and resurrection. We preach the Gospel with our lives, or should, if we are Christian. (We can also preach it with our mouth, but the best way of preaching is with our lives.)
What is that Gospel? To love God with our whole mind, heart, soul, and strength; to love our neighbor as ourselves. Do not ever forget the “ourselves’’ business. You cannot love me unless you love yourself. If you despise yourself, if you do not care for yourself, you despise God’s creature. You cannot love God either, if you do not love yourself. To put it another way, if you cannot love God and yourself, then how can you love me, your neighbor?
Doherty, Catherine. Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter (Seasonal Customs Vol. 2) (pp. 15-16). Madonna House Publications. Kindle Edition.
Catherine Doherty was born into an aristocratic family in Russia in 1896, and baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. Because of her father’s work, she grew up in Ukraine, Egypt, and Paris. Many different strands of Christianity were woven into the spiritual fabric of her family background, but it was from the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the living faith of her father and mother, and the earthy piety of the Russian people themselves that Catherine received the powerful spiritual traditions and symbols of the Christian East. Catherine fled to England during the Russian Revolution, and was received into the Catholic Church in 1919. The cause for her canonization has been officially opened in the Catholic Church. More information about Catherine’s life, works, and the progress of her cause can be found at: www.catherinedoherty.org and www.madonnahouse.org.
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Madonna House Publications whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
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From the treatise “Against the Heresies” by St Irenaeus Israel was learning reverence for God and perseverance in his service
From the beginning God created man out of his own generosity. He chose the patriarchs to give them salvation. He took his people in hand, teaching them, unteachable as they were, to follow him. He gave them prophets, accustoming man to bear his Spirit and to have communion with God on earth. He who stands in need of no one gave communion with himself to those who need him. Like an architect he outlined the plan of salvation to those who sought to please him. By his own hand he gave food in Egypt to those who did not see him. To those who were restless in the desert he gave a law perfectly suited to them. To those who entered the land of prosperity he gave a worthy inheritance. He killed the fatted calf for those who turned to him as Father, and clothed them with the finest garment. In so many ways he was training the human race to take part in the harmonious song of salvation.
For this reason John in the book of Revelation says: His voice was as the voice of many waters. The Spirit of God is indeed a multitude of waters, for the Father is rich and great. As the Word passed among all these people he provided help in generous measure for those who were obedient to him, by drawing up a law that was suitable and fitting for every circumstance.
He established a law for the people governing the construction of the tabernacle and the building of the temple, the choice of Levites, the sacrifices, the offerings, the rites of purification and the rest of what belonged to worship.He himself needs none of these things. He is always filled with all that is good. Even before Moses existed he had within himself every fragrance of all that is pleasing. Yet he sought to teach his people, always ready though they were to return to their idols. Through many acts of indulgence he tried to prepare them for perseverance in his service. He kept calling them to what was primary by means of what was secondary, that is, through foreshadowings to the reality, through things of time to the things of eternity, through things of the flesh to the things of the spirit, through earthly things to the heavenly things. As he said to Moses: You will fashion all things according to the pattern that you saw on the mountain.
For forty days Moses was engaged in remembering the words of God, the heavenly patterns, the spiritual images, the foreshadowings of what was to come. Saint Paul says: They drank from the rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. After speaking of the things that are in the law he continues: All these things happened to them as symbols: they were written to instruct us, on whom the end of the ages has come.
Through foreshadowings of the future they were learning reverence for God and perseverance in his service. The law was therefore a school of instruction for them, and a prophecy of what was to come.
Let us pray.Protect your family, Lord,
trained as it is by the constant exercise of good works.
Strengthen us with your consoling presence,
and lead us to the joys of heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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From the story of the death of the holy martyrs of CarthageCalled and chosen for the glory of the Lord
The day of the martyrs’ victory dawned. They marched from their cells into the amphitheater, as if into heaven, with cheerful looks and graceful bearing. If they trembled it was for joy and not for fear.
Perpetua was the first to be thrown down, and she fell prostrate. She got up and, seeing that Felicity was prostrate, went over and reached out her hand to her and lifted her up. Both stood up together. The hostility of the crowd was appeased, and they were ordered to the gate called Sanavivaria. There Perpetua was welcomed by a catechumen named Rusticus. Rousing herself as if from sleep (so deeply had she been in spiritual ecstasy), she began to look around. To everyone’s amazement she said: “When are we going to be led to the beast?” When she heard that it had already happened she did not at first believe it until she saw the marks of violence on her body and her clothing. Then she beckoned to her brother and the catechumen, and addressed them in these words: “Stand firm in faith, love one another and do not be tempted to do anything wrong because of our sufferings.”
Saturus, too, in another gate, encouraged the soldier Pudens, saying: “Here I am, and just as I thought and foretold I have not yet felt any wild beast. Now believe with your whole heart: I will go there and be killed by the leopard in one bite.” And right at the end of the games, when he was thrown to the leopard he was in fact covered with so much blood from one bite that the people cried out to him: “Washed and saved, washed and saved!” And so, giving evidence of a second baptism, he was clearly saved who had been washed in this manner.
Then Saturus said to the soldier Pudens: “Farewell, and remember your faith as well as me; do not let these things frighten you; let them rather strengthen you.” At the same time he asked for the little ring from Pudens’s finger. After soaking it in his wound he returned it to Pudens as a keepsake, leaving him a pledge and a remembrance of his blood. Half dead, he was thrown along with the others into the usual place of slaughter.
The people, however, had demanded that the martyrs be led to the middle of the amphitheater. They wanted to see the sword thrust into the bodies of the victims, so that their eyes might share in the slaughter. Without being asked they went where the people wanted them to go; but first they kissed one another, to complete their witness with the customary kiss of peace.
The others stood motionless and received the deathblow in silence, especially Saturus, who had gone up first and was first to die; he was helping Perpetua. But Perpetua, that she might experience the pain more deeply, rejoiced over her broken body and guided the shaking hand of the inexperienced gladiator to her throat. Such a woman – one before whom the unclean spirit trembled – could not perhaps have been killed, had she herself not willed it.
Bravest and happiest martyrs! You were called and chosen for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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The Transforming Spousal Love of God & Atonement – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual TheologyDiscerning Hearts presents a series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology.”
You can pick up a copy of the book here**:
An excerpt from the book:
On God’s side, atonement for sin is the result of (1) his own sovereign initiative. God is the one whose actions are decisive, not only in making atonement possible, but in originating the covenant itself.6 A brief glance at Deuteronomy reveals that the covenant derives from God’s election of this particular people, “for which no reason can be given (Deut 7:6–7), without any merit on the people’s part (9:6; 8:17), on the basis of love alone (7:8; 10:15).”7 It is a love that in initiating the covenant, focuses on mutuality with an unswerving commitment (Deut 6:5; cf. Ex 6:7; Lev 26:11ff.). Consequently, the relationship that God establishes can live only by the dynamic process of “word and answer, love and reciprocating love, directive and obedience”.8 When the answer of obedient love is not given, God himself provides the means for the restoration of the covenant relationship. Joseph Ratzinger highlights this factor as follows: “In other world religions, expiation usually means the restoration of the damaged relationship with God by means of expiatory actions initiated on the part of men. Almost all religions center around the problem of expiation.” In the Bible, however, God restores the damaged relationship “on the initiative of his own power to love, by making unjust man just again . . . through his own creative mercy.”
Turek, Margaret. Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology (p. 23). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book’s description:
“This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.
The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book’s central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. “In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10).
The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God’s own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God’s redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.”
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From the by Saint John Chrysostom, bishopChrist and Moses
The Israelites witnessed marvels; you also will witness marvels, greater and more splendid than those which accompanied them on their departure from Egypt. You did not see Pharaoh drowned with his armies, but you have seen the devil with his weapons overcome by the waters of baptism. The Israelites passed through the sea; you have passed from death to life. They were delivered from the Egyptians; you have been delivered from the powers of darkness. The Israelites were freed from slavery to a pagan people; you have been freed from the much greater slavery to sin.
Do you need another argument to show that the gifts you have received are greater than theirs? The Israelites could not look on the face of Moses in glory, though he was their fellow servant and kinsman. But you have seen the face of Christ in his glory. Paul cried out: We see the glory of the Lord with faces unveiled.
In those days Christ was present to the Israelites as he followed them, but he is present to us in a much deeper sense. The Lord was with them because of the favour he showed to Moses; now he is with us, but not simply because of your obedience. After Egypt they dwelt in desert places; after your departure you will dwell in heaven. Their great leader and commander was Moses; we have a new Moses, God himself, as our leader and commander.
What distinguished the first Moses? Moses, Scripture tells us, was more gentle than all who dwelt upon the earth. We can rightly say the same of the new Moses, for there was with him the very Spirit of gentleness, united to him in his inmost being. In those days Moses raised his hands to heaven and brought down manna, the bread of angels; the new Moses raises his hands to heaven and gives us the food of eternal life. Moses struck the rock and brought forth streams of water; Christ touches his table, strikes the spiritual rock of the new covenant and draws forth the living water of the Spirit. This rock is like a fountain in the midst of Christ’s table, so that on all sides the flocks may draw near to this living spring and refresh themselves in the waters of salvation.
Since this fountain, this source of life, this table surrounds us with untold blessings and fills us with the gifts of the Spirit, let us approach it with sincerity of heart and purity of conscience to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. Grace and mercy be yours from the only-begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; through him and with him be glory, honour and power to the Father and the life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever. Amen.
Let us pray.You teach us, Lord,
to discipline the body for the good of the soul:
give us grace to refrain from all sin,
and to set our hearts on fulfilling your precepts.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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2nd Sunday of Lent - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post 2nd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution “Gaudium et spes” on the Church in the modern worldVatican II at St. Peter’s in RomeMan’s deeper questionings
The world of today reveals itself as at once powerful and weak, capable of achieving the best or the worst. There lies open before it the way to freedom or slavery, progress or regression, brotherhood or hatred. In addition, man is becoming aware that it is for himself to give the right direction to forces that he himself has awakened, forces that can be his master or his servant. He therefore puts questions to himself.
The tensions disturbing the world of today are in fact related to a more fundamental tension rooted in the human heart. In man himself many elements are in conflict with each other. On one side, he has experience of his many limitations as a creature. On the other, he knows that there is no limit to his aspirations, and that he is called to a higher kind of life.
Many things compete for his attention, but he is always compelled to make a choice among them, and to renounce some. What is more, in his weakness and sinfulness he often does what he does not want to do, and fails to do what he would like to do. In consequence, he suffers from a conflict within himself, and this in turn gives rise to so many great tensions in society.
Very many people, infected as they are with a materialistic way of life, cannot see this dramatic state of affairs in all its clarity, or at least are prevented from giving thought to it because of the unhappiness that they themselves experience.
Many think that they can find peace in the different philosophies that are proposed.
Some look for complete and genuine liberation for man from man’s efforts alone. They are convinced that the coming kingdom of man on earth will satisfy all the desires of his heart.
There are those who despair of finding any meaning in life: they commend the boldness of those who deny all significance to human existence in itself, and seek to impose a total meaning on it only from within themselves.
But in the face of the way the world is developing today, there is an ever increasing number of people who are asking the most fundamental questions or are seeing them with a keener awareness: What is man? What is the meaning of pain, of evil, of death, which still persist in spite of such great progress? What is the use of those successes, achieved at such a cost? What can man contribute to society, what can he expect from society? What will come after this life on earth?
The Church believes that Christ died and rose for all, and can give man light and strength through his Spirit to fulfil his highest calling; his is the only name under heaven in which men can be saved.
So too the Church believes that the centre and goal of all human history is found in her Lord and Master.The Church also affirms that underlying all changes there are many things that do not change; they have their ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and for ever.
Let us pray.Bend our wills, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance
we may fit ourselves to celebrate the Easter festival;
and as we have all undertaken to subdue the body,
may we all be renewed in spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and forms of dryness in the spiritual life. The post SISL14 – Forms of Dryness – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this excerpt from 'A Time of Renewal' by Mother Mary Francis, she reflects upon Amendment and Penance. The post TOR2 – Amendment and Penance – A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the Mirror of Love by Saint Aelred, abbotChrist, the model of brotherly love
The perfection of brotherly love lies in the love of one’s enemies. We can find no greater inspiration for this than grateful remembrance of the wonderful patience of Christ. He who is more fair than all the sons of men offered his fair face to be spat upon by sinful men; he allowed those eyes that rule the universe to be blindfolded by wicked men; he bared his back to the scourges; he submitted that head which strikes terror in principalities and powers to the sharpness of the thorns; he gave himself up to be mocked and reviled, and at the end endured the cross, the nails, the lance, the gall, the vinegar, remaining always gentle, meek and full of peace.
In short, he was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before the shearers he kept silent, and did not open his mouth.
Who could listen to that wonderful prayer, so full of warmth, of love, of unshakeable serenity – Father, forgive them – and hesitate to embrace his enemies with overflowing love? Father, he says, forgive them. Is any gentleness, any love, lacking in this prayer?
Yet he put into it something more. It was not enough to pray for them: he wanted also to make excuses for them. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. They are great sinners, yes, but they have little judgement; therefore, Father, forgive them. They are nailing me to the cross, but they do not know who it is that they are nailing to the cross: if they had known, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory; therefore, Father, forgive them. They think it is a lawbreaker, an impostor claiming to be God, a seducer of the people. I have hidden my face from them, and they do not recognise my glory; therefore, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
If someone wishes to love himself he must not allow himself to be corrupted by indulging his sinful nature. If he wishes to resist the promptings of his sinful nature he must enlarge the whole horizon of his love to contemplate the loving gentleness of the humanity of the Lord. Further, if he wishes to savour the joy of brotherly love with greater perfection and delight, he must extend even to his enemies the embrace of true love.But if he wishes to prevent this fire of divine love from growing cold because of injuries received, let him keep the eyes of his soul always fixed on the serene patience of his beloved Lord and Saviour.
Let us pray.Bend our wills, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance
we may fit ourselves to celebrate the Easter festival;
and as we have all undertaken to subdue the body,
may we all be renewed in spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Be shepherds like the Lord - Saint Asterius of Amasea from the Office of Readings - Discerning Hearts Podcasts The post Be shepherds like the Lord – Saint Asterius of Amasea from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Seventh Mansions Chapter 11 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers: Shows how, when the Lord begins to grant the soul greater favours, it has also to endure greater trials. The post BTP-IC34 – Seventh Mansions Chapter 11 part 1 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a demonstration by Aphraates, bishopCircumcision of the heart
Law and covenant have been entirely changed. God changed the first pact with Adam, and gave a new one to Noah. He gave another to Abraham, and changed this to give a new one to Moses. When the covenant with Moses was no longer observed, he gave another pact in this last age, a pact never again to be changed.
He established a new law for Adam, that he could not eat of the tree of life. He gave to Noah the sign of the rainbow in the clouds. He then gave Abraham, chosen for his faith, the mark and seal of circumcision for his descendants. Moses was given the Passover lamb, the propitiation for the people.
All these covenants were different from each other. Moreover, the circumcision that is approved by the giver of those covenants is of the kind spoken of by Jeremiah: Circumcise your hearts. If God’s pact with Abraham was firm, so also is this covenant firm and trustworthy, nor can any other law be laid down, whether it originates outside the law or among those subject to the law.
God gave Moses a law together with his prescriptions and precepts, and when it was no longer kept, he made the law and its precepts of no avail. He promised a new covenant, different from the first, though the giver of both is one and the same. This is the covenant that he promised: All shall know me from the least to the greatest. In this covenant there is no longer any circumcision of the flesh, any seal upon the people.
We know, dearly beloved, that God established different laws in different generations which were in force as long as it pleased him. Afterwards they were made obsolete. In the words of the apostle: In former times the kingdom of God existed in each generation under different signs.
Moreover, our God is truthful and his commandments are most trustworthy. Every covenant was proved firm and trustworthy in its own time, and those who have been circumcised in heart are brought to life and receive a second circumcision beside the true Jordan, the waters of baptism that bring forgiveness of sins.
Jesus, son of Nun, renewed the people’s circumcision with a knife of stone when he had crossed the Jordan with the Israelites. Jesus, our Saviour, renews the circumcision of the heart for the nations who have believed in him and are washed by baptism: circumcision by the sword of his word, sharper than any two-edged sword.
Jesus, son of Nun, led the people across the Jordan into the promised land. Jesus, our Saviour, has promised the land of the living to all who have crossed the true Jordan, and have believed and are circumcised in heart.
Blessed, then, are those who are circumcised in heart, and have been reborn in water through the second circumcision. They will receive their inheritance with Abraham, the faithful leader and father of all nations, for his faith was credited to him for righteousness.
Let us pray.Look with favour on our Lenten observance, Lord,
and while we subdue our bodies by self-denial,
renew our spirit with the grace that prompts us to good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
The post Circumcision of the heart – Aphraates from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Kris McGregor joins Steve and Becky to discuss these extraordinary women and the second edition of Fr. Louis Bouyer's book, Women Mystics. The post “Women Mystics” with Kris McGregor as heard on The Catholic Conversation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Seek God's Will - an audio excerpt from 'Season of Mercy' by Servant of God Catherine Doherty - A Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast The post SM2 – Seek God’s Will – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a treatise on the Lord’s Prayer by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyrHe has given us life: he has also taught us how to pray
Dear brothers, the commands of the Gospel are nothing else than God’s lessons, the foundations on which to build up hope, the supports for strengthening faith, the food that nourishes the heart. They are the rudder for keeping us on the right course, the protection that keeps our salvation secure. As they instruct the receptive minds of believers on earth, they lead safely to the kingdom of heaven.
God willed that many things should be said by the prophets, his servants, and listened to by his people. How much greater are the things spoken by the Son. These are now witnessed to by the very Word of God who spoke through the prophets. The Word of God does not now command us to prepare the way for his coming: he comes in person and opens up the way for us and directs us towards it. Before, we wandered in the darkness of death, aimlessly and blindly. Now we are enlightened by the light of grace, and are to keep to the highway of life, with the Lord to precede and direct us.
The Lord has given us many counsels and commandments to help us towards salvation. He has even given us a pattern of prayer, instructing us on how we are to pray. He has given us life, and with his accustomed generosity, he has also taught us how to pray. He has made it easy for us to be heard as we pray to the Father in the words taught us by the Son.
He had already foretold that the hour was coming when true worshippers would worship the Father in spirit and in truth. He fulfilled what he had promised before, so that we who have received the spirit and the truth through the holiness he has given us may worship in truth and in the spirit through the prayer he has taught.What prayer could be more a prayer in the spirit than the one given us by Christ, by whom the Holy Spirit was sent upon us? What prayer could be more a prayer in the truth than the one spoken by the lips of the Son, who is truth himself? It follows that to pray in any other way than the Son has taught us is not only the result of ignorance but of sin. He himself has commanded it, and has said: You reject the command of God, to set up your own tradition.
So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us. To ask the Father in words his Son has given us, to let him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in his ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognise the words of his Son. Let the Son who lives in our hearts be also on our lips. We have him as an advocate for sinners before the Father; when we ask forgiveness for our sins, let us use the words given by our advocate. He tells us: Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. What more effective prayer could we then make in the name of Christ than in the words of his own prayer?
Let us pray.Look with favour on your family, Lord,
and as at this time we restrain the desires of the body,
may our hearts burn with love of you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
The post He has given us life: he has also taught us how to pray – St. Cyprian from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From a sermon by St. Gregory Nazianzen Let us show each other God's generosity The post Let us show each other God’s generosity – St. Gregory Nazianzen from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Introduction – Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology Discerning Hearts presents a new series of conversations between Dr. Margaret Turek and Evan Collins about her book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian, and Spiritual Theology”. You can pick up a copy of the book here: An excerpt from the book: It should be cause ... Read more The post AT1 – Introduction – Atonement with Evan Collins and Dr. Margaret Turek – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
1st Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:
He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus said to him,
Saturday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 5:27-32
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
I Feel Alone – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and a form of spiritual desolation involving feelings of being alone from God.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Feel Alone ":
"In a final form of spiritual desolation, Ignatius tells us, a person feels “as if separated from his Creator and Lord.” Cathy experiences this strongly in the weeks described: “All that closeness and warmth of God’s love? It’s gone like smoke. . . . I’m sitting in the kitchen as I write, and I feel like I’m here, and God is a million miles away.” I’m here, and God is a million miles away. I’m here, sitting in my kitchen, alone in my apartment, commuting to work, driving to pick up the children, sitting at my computer . . . and you are a million miles away, distant, remote.
Have you ever felt that? Yes, certainly, you have, and I have. Once more: no shame, no surprise; be aware, identify, reject."
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 89). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
Friday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 9:14-15
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Should we have lay lectors and altar servers at Mass? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro address “lay participation” as they unpack chapter 3 of “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope
(Cap. 7,7-8,3; 8,5-9,1;13,1-4;19,2: Funk 1, 71-73,77-78)
Repent
Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to him. When Noah preached God’s message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God’s people.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the ministers of God’s grace have spoken of repentance; indeed, the Master of the whole universe himself spoke of repentance with an oath: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the death of the sinner but his repentance. He added this evidence of his goodness: House of Israel, repent of your wickedness. Tell the sons of my people: If their sins should reach from earth to heaven, if they are brighter than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, you need only turn to me with your whole heart and say, “Father”, and I will listen to you as a holy people.
In other words, God wanted all his beloved ones to have the opportunity to repent and he confirmed this desire by his own almighty will. That is why we should obey his sovereign and glorious will and prayerfully entreat his mercy and kindness. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarrelling and jealousy which only lead to death.
Brothers, we should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride and foolish anger. Rather, we should act in accordance with the Scriptures, as the Holy Spirit says: The wise man must not glory in his wisdom nor the strong man in his strength nor the rich man in his riches. Rather, let him who glories glory in the Lord by seeking him and doing what is right and just. Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance. Be merciful, he said, so that you may have mercy shown to you. Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you treat others, so you will be treated. As you give, so you will receive. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you are kind to others, so you will be treated kindly. The measure of your giving will be the measure of your receiving.
Let these commandments and precepts strengthen us to live in humble obedience to his sacred words. As Scripture asks: Whom shall I look upon with favour except the humble, peaceful man who trembles at my words?
Sharing then in the heritage of so many vast and glorious achievements, let us hasten toward the goal of peace, set before us from the beginning. Let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and hold fast to his splendid and transcendent gifts of peace and all his blessings.
COLLECT
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Msgr. Esseff teaches the importance of fasting, almsgiving and the Liturgy of the Hours during the season of Lent. He shares his experience of fasting in a desert found in Peru. From this he learned the importance of FASTING and PRAYER. Msgr. Esseff challenges us to discern what the Father in Heaven is asking us to do this Lent through fasting, so we can purely and perfectly follow His Holy Will. And he describes ALMSGIVING, and story from an experience he had with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity Sisters.
The Church prepares a spiritual retreat for all of us during Lent. The Holy Spirit is transforming you in a radical way so that you become more like Jesus Christ…the day by day exercise of Morning Prayer, the Eucharist and Evening Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, and the other moments of contemplative prayer aids in the transformation…our ego decreases and Jesus increases in our minds and in our hearts.
Pray the Liturgy of Hours
Morning PrayerMid-morningPrayerMid-dayPrayerAfternoon PrayerEvening PrayerNight PrayerOffice of Readings
Ash Wednesday: A Time of Reflowering – A Time of Renewal Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season
An excerpt from A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season :
A Time of Reflowering
"We have come to the beginning of Lent, and I hope we will not allow ourselves to think of it as “just another Lent”. There is a very deep sense in which there is not another Lent and then another and another after that. This Lent is unlike any other. It is this acceptable time. We do not know if there will be another Lent for us, but we do know God has brought us to this acceptable time, to this prolonged day of salvation. This is the acceptable time, and the Apostle Paul is begging us not to receive the graces of this time in vain (see 2 Cor 6:1). He is also implying that there will be struggle, that this is a great testing ground, and that as we grow in our awareness of our need for redemption and in a very humble attitude toward others, so do we nourish the will to make a sustained effort to do better. By all of these things we enter into the mystery of our communal life in the Church. We are responsible for one another’s holiness. We influence each other all the time, and we should grow in the awareness of this. It simply cannot be denied that we are conditioned and affected by one another. Human beings invariably are. Every Christian has a vocation to holiness. Now as we enter into Lent, I hope we will all be deeply conscious of our involvement in one another’s holiness, of our sharing of penance and of sacrifice, and very especially of our responsibility for one another’s growth in holiness this Lent."
Mother Mary Francis. A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season . Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book's description:
Mother Mary Francis, abbess of a Poor Clare Monastery for over forty years, left an enduring legacy in her writings and in the conferences she gave to her spiritual daughters. In this work she presents beautiful meditations on the liturgical season of Lent, revealing the treasures of the liturgy to Christians in all walks of life. Her insight into Holy Scripture and her poet's heart engendered reflections that illuminate the daily Mass readings in a fresh and attractive way.
These meditations enlighten the reader to see conversion as positive and enriching, and help us to understand that the generous embrace of Lenten penance has a purpose and brings a wondrous reward: deeper union with God. She was a true daughter of Saint Francis of Assisi, who found perfect joy by turning away from self to God.
As a spiritual guide, Mother Mary Francis excels in the art of persuasion, aware that the human heart cannot be forced but only gently led to holiness. She makes this goal attractive and desirable by tirelessly explaining why striving for holiness is the happiest and wisest way to live. This book provides a wealth of material for plundering the riches of the Lenten season and for deepening one's spiritual life. Her meditations are profound and timeless, not changing from year to year, thus providing a lifetime of Lenten meditations in this one volume.
Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., (1921-2006) was for more than forty years the abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. She became recognized as an authoritative voice for the renewal of religious life through her many books, including A Right to Be Merry, But I Have Called You Friends, and Anima Christi. To learn more about Mother Mary Francis and the Poor Clare Nuns of Roswell, NM visit their website at https://poorclares-roswell.org
Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms,
SM1 – Begin with Desire – Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter by Servant of God Catherine Doherty
An excerpt from Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter:
Begin with Desire
"In Lent we approach a threshold where this preaching will make way for pain and surrender. We approach a reality that he has enunciated to us and that we usually take lightly: “Greater love has no man than he lays down his life for his brother.” We are going to enter the moment in which our brother Jesus Christ has laid down his life for you and me, and every human being who has ever lived in this world—for he is brother to everyone.
Each one of us can enter into his own heart and look for that desire for God. It might be a little flame barely visible, or it might already be a bonfire in us. Be that as it may, we are going to see how God loved us. This is what Lent is all about. Like Zaccheus (Luke 19: 1-10) we are going to climb a big tree of faith so as to watch that no word of those last weeks of Christ’s life passes in one ear and out the other. His every act, his every word, must be enclosed in our desire, for if we are to fulfill our desire to see him when the door of death opens (and even before, for the Kingdom of God begins now) we have to imitate him whom we are going to look at."
Doherty, Catherine. Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter (Seasonal Customs Vol. 2) (pp. 3-4). Madonna House Publications. Kindle Edition.
Catherine Doherty was born into an aristocratic family in Russia in 1896, and baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church. Because of her father’s work, she grew up in Ukraine, Egypt, and Paris. Many different strands of Christianity were woven into the spiritual fabric of her family background, but it was from the liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the living faith of her father and mother, and the earthy piety of the Russian people themselves that Catherine received the powerful spiritual traditions and symbols of the Christian East. The cause for her canonization has been officially opened in the Catholic Church. More information about Catherine’s life, works, and the progress of her cause can be found at: www.catherinedoherty.org and www.madonnahouse.org.
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Madonna House Publications whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.
They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Peter Damian
Born: 1007, Ravenna, Italy
Died: February 23, 1072, Faenza, Italy
For more on St. Peter Damian and his teachings
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2009
St Peter Damian, who was essentially a man of prayer, meditation and contemplation, was also a fine theologian: his reflection on various doctrinal themes led him to important conclusions for life. Thus, for example, he expresses with clarity and liveliness the Trinitarian doctrine, already using, under the guidance of biblical and patristic texts, the three fundamental terms which were subsequently to become crucial also for the philosophy of the West: processio, relatio and persona (cf. Opusc. XXXVIII: PL CXLV, 633-642; and Opusc. II and III: ibid., 41 ff. and 58 ff). However, because theological analysis of the mystery led him to contemplate the intimate life of God and the dialogue of ineffable love between the three divine Persons, he drew ascetic conclusions from them for community life and even for relations between Latin and Greek Christians, divided on this topic. His meditation on the figure of Christ is significantly reflected in practical life, since the whole of Scripture is centred on him. The "Jews", St Peter Damian notes, "through the pages of Sacred Scripture, bore Christ on their shoulders as it were" (Sermo XLVI, 15). Therefore Christ, he adds, must be the centre of the monk's life: "May Christ be heard in our language, may Christ be seen in our life, may he be perceived in our hearts" (Sermo VIII, 5). Intimate union with Christ engages not only monks but all the baptized. Here we find a strong appeal for us too not to let ourselves be totally absorbed by the activities, problems and preoccupations of every day, forgetting that Jesus must truly be the centre of our life.
Communion with Christ creates among Christians a unity of love. In Letter 28, which is a brilliant ecclesiological treatise, Peter Damian develops a profound theology of the Church as communion. "Christ's Church", he writes, is united by the bond of charity to the point that just as she has many members so is she, mystically, entirely contained in a single member; in such a way that the whole universal Church is rightly called the one Bride of Christ in the singular, and each chosen soul, through the sacramental mystery, is considered fully Church". This is important: not only that the whole universal Church should be united, but that the Church should be present in her totality in each one of us. Thus the service of the individual becomes "an expression of universality" (Ep 28, 9-23). However, the ideal image of "Holy Church" illustrated by Peter Damian does not correspond as he knew well to the reality of his time. For this reason he did not fear to denounce the state of corruption that existed in the monasteries and among the clergy, because, above all, of the practice of the conferral by the lay authorities of ecclesiastical offices; various Bishops and Abbots were behaving as the rulers of their subjects rather than as pastors of souls. Their moral life frequently left much to be desired. For this reason, in 1057 Peter Damian left his monastery with great reluctance and sorrow and accepted,
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 9:14-29
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressing round him, he rebuked the unclean spirit. ‘Deaf and dumb spirit,’ he said ‘I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.’ Then throwing the boy into violent convulsions it came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand. When he had gone indoors his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why were we unable to cast it out?’ ‘This is the kind’ he answered ‘that can only be driven out by prayer.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the teachings of Jesus to love our enemies. How can we do that?
Gospel MT 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Sunday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit?
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 9:2-13
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean. And they put this question to him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True,’ he said ‘Elijah is to come first and to see that everything is as it should be; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of Man that he is to suffer grievously and be treated with contempt? However, I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean. And they put this question to him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True,’ he said ‘Elijah is to come first and to see that everything is as it should be; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of Man that he is to suffer grievously and be treated with contempt? However, I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:34-9:1
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 11 – The Battles of the Seventh Mansion – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
Join Dan Burke and Kris McGregor as they discuss the teachings of the great spiritual master and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. The focus of their conversations will primarily reside in St. Teresa's "Interior Castle" and her wisdom in regard to the activity of the enemy and the reality of spiritual warfare.
You can find the book here
An excerpt from the book:
"Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director."
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke's Discerning Hearts page here
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
What Mass was like at St. Peter's in the 1600s—and why it was so strangely beautiful. Fr. Fessio breaks down chapter 3, section 2, of his teacher Joseph Ratzinger's masterpiece "The Spirit of the Liturgy."
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 3 – Chapter 7 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER VII. How to Combine Due Care for a Good Reputation
with Humility
PRAISE, honor, and glory are not bestowed on men for ordinary, but for extraordinary virtue. By praise we intend to lead men to appreciate the excellence of certain individuals; giving them honor is the expression of our own esteem for them; and I should say that glory is the combination of praise and honor from many persons. If praise and honor are 159 like precious stones, glory is as an enamel thereof. Now, as humility forbids us to aim at excelling or being preferred to others, it likewise forbids us to aim at praise, honor, and glory; but it allows us to give heed, as the Wise Man says, to our good name, and that because a good name does not imply any one particular excellence, but a general straightforward integrity of purpose, which we may recognise in ourselves, and desire to be known as possessing, without any breach of humility. Humility might make us indifferent even to a good reputation, were it not for charity’s sake; but seeing that it is a groundwork of society, and without it we are not merely useless but positively harmful to the world, because of the scandal given by such a deficiency, therefore charity requires, and humility allows, us to desire and to maintain a good reputation with care.
Moreover, just as the leaves of a tree are valuable, not merely for beauty’s sake, but also as a shelter to the tender fruit, so a good reputation, if not in itself very important, is still very useful, not only as an embellishment of life, but as a protection to our virtues, especially to those which are weakly. The necessity for acting up to our reputation, and being what we are thought to be, brings a strong though kindly motive power to bear upon a generous disposition. Let us foster all our virtues, my daughter, because they are pleasing to God, the Chief Aim of all we do. But just as when men preserve fruits, they do not only conserve them, but put them into suitable vessels, so while Divine Love is the main thing which keeps us in the ways of holiness, we may also find help from the effects of a good reputation. But it will not be over-eager or fanciful about it. Those who are so very sensitive about their reputation are like people who are perpetually physicking themselves for every carnal ailment; they mean to preserve their health, but practically they destroy it; and those who are so very fastidious over their good name are apt to lose it entirely, for they become fanciful, fretful, and disagreeable, provoking ill-natured remarks.
As a rule, indifference to insult and slander is a much more effectual remedy than resentment, wrath, and vengeance. Slander melts away beneath contempt, but indignation seems a sort of acknowledgment of its truth. Crocodiles never meddle with any but those who are afraid of them, and slander only persists in attacking people who are disturbed by it.
An excessive fear of losing reputation indicates mistrust as to its foundations, which are to be found in a good and true life. Those towns where the bridges are built of wood are very uneasy whenever a sign of flood appears, but they who possess stone bridges are not anxious unless some very unusual storm appears. And so a soul built up on solid Christian foundations can afford to despise the outpour of slanderous tongues, but those who know themselves to be weak are forever disturbed and uneasy. Be sure, my daughter, that he who seeks to be well thought of by everybody will be esteemed by nobody, and those people deserve to be despised who are anxious to be highly esteemed by ungodly, unworthy men.
Reputation, after all, is but a signboard giving notice where virtue dwells, and virtue itself is always and everywhere preferable. Therefore,
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:14-21
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE,
I Have No Fervor & I Feel Sad – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and lack of enthusiasm as well as sadness as forms of desolation.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Have No Fervor":
How should we understand Beth’s experience this Wednesday evening? We have no indication that Beth is at fault. She is faithful. She prepares and attends the class in her usual way. She does her best to participate — so well in fact, that none perceive her lack of enthusiasm. What, then, is Beth experiencing?
Having followed Ignatius thus far, we can guess the answer! This Wednesday evening, Beth experiences a form of spiritual desolation. She feels, to use Ignatius’s words, “totally tepid,” that is, completely without fervor as she performs a spiritual practice. In this form of desolation, we feel spiritually lukewarm, indifferent, unenthusiastic, without affect. When we pray, serve the Lord, live our vocations, take new steps in our spiritual lives, seek holiness, but find ourselves tepid and without fervor as we do these things, we are experiencing spiritual desolation. The adverb “totally” is again expressive.
Have you ever felt this form of spiritual desolation? Yes, certainly, we all have at times. Obviously, the enemy’s goal is that such tepidity cause us to question ourselves, to lose heart, to abandon these helpful practices. Beth responds well when she remains faithful, the right response for us as well.
Once again, no shame! No surprise! Be aware, identify, reject.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 76-77). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Feel Sad":
Before Paul — or we — can answer these questions, we need to identify the sadness he feels. Paul is faithful to prayer and has been for years. He loves it, and he feels its fruits. Though the sadness weighs on him, Paul does not let it stop him. In fact, he is progressing in prayer, as his increased awareness of his experience reveals. Paul now notes spiritual movements, even this undramatic, nonclamorous sense of sadness. He can identify the thoughts from which it originates. Paul’s sadness, then, does not derive from negligence on his part.
How, then, should we understand it? Paul experiences a form of spiritual desolation that Ignatius describes as finding oneself “totally sad.” Paul is not yet “totally” sad, but things appear to be moving in that direction.
Once again, no shame, so surprise; be aware, identify, reject. This sadness is distinct from the healthy — even if painful — sadness we feel at the loss of a loved one, the termination of a rewarding occupation, and the like.
This is a spiritual sadness with nothing healthy about it. It arises from lies of the enemy. He tells you that you should be ashamed to bring such “small” things to prayer — to the God who knows when a sparrow falls to the ground and counts the hairs on your head (Luke 12:6–7), the God to whom everything in your life is important. The enemy tells you that you are not really praying — when, in reality, God is calling you to a simpler and richer prayer. The enemy tells you that you have stopped at the threshold of deep prayer — when you have only encountered the dry and distracted moments that all who pray faithfully experience. All this is from the liar and father of lies! The only fitting response is to unmask the lies and reject them.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy.
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:11-13
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 5:17-37
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
‘For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.
‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.
‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
‘Again, you have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of...
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 8:1-10
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately, getting into the boat with his disciples, went to the region of Dalmanutha.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately, getting into the boat with his disciples, went to the region of Dalmanutha.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately,
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 7:31-37
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Why your priest SHOULD be facing away from you. Hint: It's not what you think. Father Fessio explains his teacher Joseph Ratzinger's theology of "liturgical east" in this reading of "The Spirit of the Liturgy".
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 7:14-23
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
I Don’t Have the Energy – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and a form of spiritual desolation that takes on the form of tiredness and exhaustion.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Don’t Have the Energy":
In this form of desolation, we feel spiritually sluggish, indolent, lazy, lackadaisical. The adverb “totally” is powerful: in time of spiritual desolation, we may feel totally sluggish, lazy, and slothful as regards various aspects of our spiritual lives. We feel no energy for prayer, for God’s service, for involvement in our parish, for holiness in our vocations, and the like. The feeling of slothfulness in spiritual desolation may contrast sharply with the energy we more habitually feel for these same things when not in desolation.
There is no shame in experiencing this form of spiritual desolation. We all do at times. What is important — Julie is on target with this — is to be aware of it, understand it for the tactic of the enemy that it is, and firmly reject it. For Bob, this means that he should not renounce leadership of the group until he has greater clarity about his spiritual situation (rule 5: in time of desolation, never make a change). That change will not resolve his lack of energy; identifying and rejecting the desolation will. Bob may further apply the means Ignatius offers to resist and overcome the desolation: prayer of petition, meditation, examination, suitable penance, and the rest.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 72-73). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 7:1-13
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your trad...
Episode 10 – The Battles of the Sixth Mansion – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
Join Dan Burke and Kris McGregor as they discuss the teachings of the great spiritual master and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. The focus of their conversations will primarily reside in St. Teresa's "Interior Castle" and her wisdom in regard to the activity of the enemy and the reality of spiritual warfare.
You can find the book here
An excerpt from the book:
"Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director."
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke's Discerning Hearts page here
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 6:53-56
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Life between heaven and earth: how the liturgy touches eternity. Father Fessio continues to walk us through "The Spirit of the Liturgy" by his teacher, Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Part 3 – Chapter 6 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER VI. On Interior Humility
BUT, my daughter, I am going a step further, and I bid you everywhere and in everything to rejoice in your own abjection. Perhaps you will ask in reply what I mean by that. In Latin abjection means humility, and humility means abjection, so that when Our Lady says in the Magnificat that all generations shall call her blessed, because God hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, she means that He has accepted her abjection and lowliness in order to fill her with graces and favors. Nevertheless, there is a difference between humility and abjection; for abjection is the poverty, vileness and littleness which exist in us, without our taking heed to them; but humility implies a real knowledge and voluntary recognition of that abjection. And the highest point of humility consists in not merely acknowledging one’s abjection, but in taking pleasure therein, not from any want of breadth or courage, but to give the more glory to God’s Divine Majesty, and to esteem one’s neighbor more highly than one’s self.
This is what I would have you do; and to explain myself more clearly, let me tell you that the trials which afflict us are sometimes abject, sometimes honorable. NOW many people will accept the latter, but very few are willing to accept the former. Everybody respects and pities a pious hermit shivering in his worn-out garb; but let a poor gentleman or lady be in like case, and they are despised for it,—and so their poverty is abject. A religious receives a sharp rebuke from his superior meekly, or a child from his parent, and every one will call it obedience, mortification, wisdom; but let a knight or a lady accept the like from someone, albeit for the Love of God, and they will forthwith be accused of cowardice. This again is abject suffering. One person has a cancer in the arm, another in the face; the former only has the pain to bear, but the latter has also to endure all the disgust and repulsion caused by his disease; and this is abjection. And what I want to teach you is that we should not merely rejoice in our trouble, which we do by means of patience, but we should also cherish the abjection, which is done by means of humility. Again, there are abject and honorable virtues; for the world generally despises patience, gentleness, simplicity, and even humility itself, while, on the contrary, it highly esteems prudence, valor, and liberality. Sometimes even there may be a like distinction drawn between acts of one and the same virtue—one being despised and the other respected. Thus almsgiving and forgiveness of injuries are both acts of charity, but while every one esteems the first, the world looks down upon the last. A young man or a girl who refuses to join in the excesses of dress, amusement, or gossip of their circle, is laughed at and criticized, and their self-restraint is called affectation or bigotry. Well, to rejoice in that is to rejoice in abjection. Or, to take another shape of the same thing. We are employed in visiting the sick—if I am sent to the most wretched cases, it is an abjection in the world’s sight, and consequently I like it. If I am sent to those of a better class, it is an interior abjection, for there is less grace and merit in the work, and so I can accept that abjection. If one has a fall in the street, there is the ridiculous part of it to be borne, as well as the possible pain; and this is an abjection we must accept.
There are even some faults, in which there is no harm beyond their abjection, and although humility does not require us to commit them intentionally, it does require of us not to be disturbed at having committed them. I mean certain foolish acts, incivilities, and inadvertencies, which we ought to avoid as far as may be out of civility and decorum,...
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 6:14-29
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.
The Presentation in the Temple – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures for the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. Do your recognize His Presence?
Gospel lk 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
—and you yourself a sword will pierce—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. Esseff also offers a prayer often offered by St. Pio:
Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus text and audio
The Presentation of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:22-40
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
I Don't Feel God's Love – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and a form of spiritual desolation: times when we do not feel any sense of God's love for us.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter, "I Don't Feel God's Love":
This is yet another form of spiritual desolation: times when we feel no sense of God’s love, of His closeness, of warm love for others in God, but rather, we feel a kind of spiritual distance and coldness. As we’ve said so often, there is no shame in experiencing this. To feel this form of spiritual desolation does not mean that God does not love us, that we do not love Him, or that we do not desire to love others.
It simply means that God is permitting us to undergo a time of spiritual desolation because of the growth we gain when we go through it well (see the final paragraph of chapter 8). Cathy’s spiritual desolation as she prays with the calming of the storm is actually a sign that her prayer is progressing richly. For ten years, a wound in her heart has remained unhealed. God loves her too much to allow this to continue unaddressed. Almost inevitably, as she grows closer to God in prayer, this wound is touched. When it is, spiritual desolation results: pain, anger, a sense of distance from God, and an absence of all warmth. If Cathy finds wise counsel to help her understand this and if she does not stop praying, then, for the first time in ten years, deep spiritual healing can occur. Like the disciples in the boat and like Lazarus’s sisters, she will find that if Jesus slept and if he delayed two days, it was because he loved them and had a greater gift to give.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 66-67). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 6:1-6
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 3 – Chapter 5 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER V. On Interior Humility
TO you however, my daughter, I would teach a deeper humility, for that of which I have been speaking is almost more truly to be called worldly wisdom than humility. There are some persons who dare not or will not think about the graces with which God has endowed them, fearing lest they should become self-complacent and vain-glorious; but they are quite wrong. For if, as the Angelic Doctor says, the real way of attaining to the Love of God is by a careful consideration of all His benefits given to us, then the better we realize these the more we shall love Him; and inasmuch as individual gifts are more acceptable than general gifts, so they ought to be more specially dwelt upon. Of a truth, nothing so tends to humble us before the Mercy of God as the multitude of His gifts to us; just as nothing so tends to humble us before His Justice as the multitude of our misdeeds. Let us consider what He has done for us, and what we have done contrary to His Will, and as we review our sins in detail, so let us review His Grace in the same. There is no fear that a perception of what He has given you will puff you up, so long as you keep steadily in mind that whatever is good in you is not of yourself. Do mules cease to be clumsy, stinking beasts because they are used to carry the dainty treasures and perfumes of a prince? “What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?”
On the contrary, a lively appreciation of the grace given to you should make you humble, for appreciation begets gratitude. But if, when realizing the gifts God has given you, any vanity should beset you, the infallible remedy is to turn to the thought of all our ingratitude, imperfection, and weakness. Any one who will calmly consider what he has done without God, cannot fail to realize that what he does with God is no merit of his own; and so we may rejoice in that which is good in us, and take pleasure in the fact, but we shall give all the glory to God Alone, Who Alone is its Author. It was in this spirit that the Blessed Virgin confessed that God had done “great things” to her; only that she might humble herself and exalt Him. “My soul doth magnify the Lord,” she said, by reason of the gifts He had given her. We are very apt to speak of ourselves as nought, as weakness itself, as the offscouring of the earth; but we should be very much vexed to be taken at our word and generally considered what we call ourselves. On the contrary, we often make-believe to run away and hide ourselves, merely to be followed and sought out; we pretend to take the lowest place, with the full intention of being honorably called to come up higher. But true humility does not affect to be humble, and is not given to make a display in lowly words. It seeks not only to conceal other virtues, but above all it seeks and desires to conceal itself; and if it were lawful to tell lies, or feign or give scandal, humility would perhaps sometimes affect a cloak of pride in order to hide itself utterly.
Take my advice, my daughter, and either use no professions of humility, or else use them with a real mind corresponding to your outward expressions; never cast down your eyes without humbling your heart; and do not pretend to wish to be last and least, unless you really and sincerely mean it. I would make this so general a rule as to have no exception; only courtesy sometimes requires us to put forward those who obviously would not put themselves forward, but this is not deceitful or mock humility; and so with respect to certain expressions of regard which do not seem strictly true, but which are not dishonest, because the speaker really intends to give honor and respect to him to whom they are addr...
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact,
Episode 9 – Entering the Sixth Mansion – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
Join Dan Burke and Kris McGregor as they discuss the teachings of the great spiritual master and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. The focus of their conversations will primarily reside in St. Teresa's "Interior Castle" and her wisdom in regard to the activity of the enemy and the reality of spiritual warfare.
You can find the book here
An excerpt from the book:
"Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director."
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke's Discerning Hearts page here
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighborhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs,
Part 3 – Chapter 4 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER IV. On Greater Humility
ELISHA bade the poor widow “borrow vessels, even empty vessels not a few, and pour 143 oil into all those vessels;” and so in order to receive God’s Grace in our hearts, they must be as empty vessels—not filled with self-esteem. The swallow with its sharp cry and keen glance has the power of frightening away birds of prey, and for that reason the dove prefers it to all other birds, and lives surely beside it;—even so humility drives Satan away, and cherishes the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit within us, and for that reason all the Saints—and especially the King of Saints and His Blessed Mother—have always esteemed the grace of humility above all other virtues. We call that vainglory which men take to themselves, either for what is not in them, or which being in them is not their own, or which being in them and their own yet is not worthy of their self-satisfaction. For instance, noble birth, favor of great men, popular applause, all these are things nowise belonging to ourselves, but coming from our forefathers, or the opinion of others. Some people are proud and conceited because they ride a fine horse, wear a feather in their hat, and are expensively dressed, but who can fail to see their folly, or that if any one has reason to be proud over such things, it would be the horse, the bird, and the tailor! Or what can be more contemptible than to found one’s credit on a horse, a plume, or a ruff? Others again pride themselves upon their dainty mustaches, their well-trimmed beard or curled hair, their white hands, or their dancing, singing and the like: but is it not a petty vanity which can seek to be esteemed for any such trivial and frivolous matters? Then again, some look for the world’s respect and honor because they have acquired some smatterings of science, expecting all their neighbors to listen and yield to them, and such men we call pedants.
Others make great capital of their personal beauty, and imagine that every one is lost in admiration of it; but all this is utterly vain, foolish and impertinent, and the glory men take to themselves for such matters must be called vain, childish and frivolous. You may test real worth as we test balm, which is tried by being distilled in water, and if it is precipitated to the bottom, it is known to be pure and precious. So if you want to know whether a man is really wise, learned, generous or noble, see if his life is molded by humility, modesty and submission. If so, his gifts are genuine; but if they are only surface and showy, you may be sure that in proportion to their demonstrativeness so is their unreality. Those pearls which are formed amid tempest and storm have only an outward shell, and are hollow within; and so when a man’s good qualities are fed by pride, vanity and boasting, they will soon have nothing save empty show, without sap, marrow or substance. Honor, rank and dignity are like the saffron, which never thrives so well as when trodden under foot.
Beauty only attracts when it is free from any such aim. Self-conscious beauty loses its charm, and learning becomes a discredit and degenerates into pedantry, when we are puffed up by it. Those who are punctilious about rank, title or precedence, both lay themselves open to criticism and degradation, and also throw contempt on all such things; because an honor which is valuable when freely paid, is worthless when sought for or exacted. When the peacock opens his showy tail, he exhibits the ugliness of his body beneath; and many flowers which are beautiful while growing, wither directly we gather them.
And just as men who inhale mandragora from afar as they pass, find it sweet, while those who breathe it closely are made faint and ill by the same,
Sunday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 5:1-12a
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Dr. Peter Kreeft – Practical Theology on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
"Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from St. Thomas Aquinas" by Dr. Peter Kreeft is outstanding! An incredible work that transforms the potentially intimidating Summa Theologiae into a vital life-giving, soul-nurturing work for the pilgrim soul. Dr. Kreeft offers us the religious wisdom of Aquinas in 359 bite-size pieces that can aid our growth in holiness. He has framed these readings as answers to questions that people actually ask their spiritual directors. Each answer is taken word for word from Aquinas. So many topics are covered. You'll be returning to this book over and over again throughout your spiritual journey. An excellent gift to give yourself and those you love! Highly Recommended!!!
You can find the book here
"Its notoriously difficult to synopsize Aquinas on anything. However, if I were to choose someone to do the job well, it would be Peter Kreeft. Many will find this presentation helpful to develop their own replies to the questions that bother the minds of today's searchers."
– Romanus Cessario, O.P., Saint John's Seminary, Brighton, Mass.
"How can we know the living God and attain to everlasting union with God? This is really the only question of life. Kreeft's dialogue with Aquinas shows us what it means–existentially, not solely academically–to learn from a saint." —Matthew Levering, Professor of Theology, Mundelein Seminary
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 4:35-41
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The real meaning of "sacrifice," according to Pope Benedict. Father Fessio walks us, page by page, through chapter 2 of Joseph Ratzinger's masterpiece "The Spirit of the Liturgy."
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Part 3 – Chapter 3 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER III. On Patience
“You have need of patience, that, after you have done the Will of God, you might receive the promise,” says Saint Paul; 11 and the Savior said, “In your patience you possess your souls.” 12 The greatest happiness of any one is “to possess his soul;” and the more perfect our patience, the more fully we do so possess our souls. Call often to mind that our Savior redeemed us by bearing and suffering, and in like manner we must seek our own salvation amid sufferings and afflictions; bearing insults, contradictions and troubles with all the gentleness we can possibly command. Do not limit your patience to this or that kind of trial, but extend it universally to whatever God may send, or allow to befall you. Some people will only bear patiently with trials which carry their own salve of dignity,—such as being wounded in battle, becoming a prisoner of war, being ill-used for the sake of their religion, being impoverished by some strife out of which they came triumphant. Now these persons do not love tribulation, but only the honor which attends it. A really patient servant of God is as ready to bear inglorious troubles as those which are honorable. A brave man can easily bear with contempt, slander and false accusation from an evil world; but to bear such injustice at the hands of good men, of friends and relations, is a great test of patience. I have a greater respect for the gentleness with which the great S. Charles Borromeo long endured the public reproaches which a celebrated preacher of a reformed Order used to pour out upon him, than for all the other attacks he bore with. For, just as the sting of a bee hurts far more than that of a fly, so the injuries or contradictions we endure from good people are much harder to bear than any others. But it is a thing which very often happens, and sometimes two worthy men, who are both highly well-intentioned after their own fashion, annoy and even persecute one another grievously.
Be patient, not only with respect to the main trials which beset you, but also under the accidental and accessory annoyances which arise out of them. We often find people who imagine themselves ready to accept a trial in itself who are impatient of its consequences. We hear one man say, “I should not mind poverty, were it not that I am unable to bring up my children and receive my friends as handsomely as I desire.” And another says, “I should not mind, were it not that the world will suppose it is my own fault;” while another would patiently bear to be the subject of slander provided nobody believed it. Others, again, accept one side of a trouble but fret against the rest—as, for instance, believing themselves to be patient under sickness, only fretting against their inability to obtain the best advice, or at the inconvenience they are to their friends. But, dear child, be sure that we must patiently accept, not sickness only, but such sickness as God chooses to send, in the place, among the people, and subject to the circumstances which He ordains;—and so with all other troubles. If any trouble comes upon you, use the remedies with which God supplies you. Not to do this is to tempt Him; but having done so, wait whatever result He wills with perfect resignation. If He pleases to let the evil be remedied, thank Him humbly; but if it be His will that the evil grow greater than the remedies, patiently bless His Holy Name.
Follow Saint Gregory’s advice: When you are justly blamed for some fault you have committed, humble yourself deeply, and confess that you deserve the blame. If the accusation be false, defend yourself quietly, denying the fact; this is but due respect for truth and your neighbor’s edification. But if after you have made your true and legitimate defense you are still accused...
From the Spiritual Testament by Saint Angela Merici, virgin
"He has disposed all things pleasantly"
Mothers and sisters most dear to me in Christ: in the first place strive with all your power and zeal to be open. With the help of God, try to receive such good counsel that, led solely by the love of God and an eagerness to save souls, you may fulfil your charge.
Only if the responsibilities committed to you are rooted firmly in this twofold charity will they bear beneficial and saving fruit. As our Saviour says: A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.
He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart as well as a soul inflamed with charity, can do nothing but good and holy works. For this reason Saint Augustine said: Love, and do what you will, namely, possess love and charity and then do what you will. It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.
I also beg you to be concerned about every one of your daughters. Bear them, so to speak, engraved upon your heart – not merely their names, but their conditions and states, whatever they may be. This will not be difficult for you if you embrace them with a living love.
Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased. Surely those who are mothers in spirit can and must act all the more in the same way, because spiritual love is more powerful than the love that comes from a blood relationship.
Therefore, mothers most dear to me, if you love these your daughters with a living and unaffected charity, it will be impossible for you not to have each and every one of them engraved upon your memory and in your mind. I beg you again, strive to draw them by love, modesty, charity, and not by pride and harshness. Be sincerely kind to every one according to the words of our Lord: Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Thus you are imitating God, of whom it is said: He has disposed all things pleasantly. And again Jesus said: My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
You also ought to exercise pleasantness toward all, taking great care especially that what you have commanded may never be done by reason of force. For God has given free will to everyone, and therefore he forces no one but only indicates, calls, persuades. Sometimes, however, something will have to be done with a stronger command, yet in a suitable manner and according to the state and necessities of individuals; but then also we should be impelled only by charity and zeal for souls.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Part 3 – Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER II. The Same Subject Continued
SAINT AUGUSTINE says very admirably, that beginners in devotion are wont to commit certain faults which, while they are blameable according to the strict laws of perfection, are yet praiseworthy by reason of the promise they hold forth of a future excellent goodness, to which they actually tend. For instance, that common shrinking fear which gives rise to an excessive scrupulosity in the souls of some who are but just set free from a course of sin, is commendable at that early stage, and is the almost certain forerunner of future purity of conscience. But this same fear would be blameable in those who are farther advanced, because love should reign in their hearts, and love is sure to drive away all such servile fear by degrees.
In his early days, Saint Bernard was very severe and harsh towards those whom he directed, telling them, to begin with, that they must put aside the body, and come to him with their minds only. In confession, he treated all faults, however small, with extreme severity, and his poor apprentices in the study of perfection were so urged onwards, that by dint of pressing he kept them back, for they lost heart and breath when they found themselves thus driven up so steep and high an ascent. Therein, my daughter, you can see that, although it was his ardent zeal for the most perfect purity which led that great Saint so to act, and although such zeal is a great virtue, still it was a virtue which required checking. And so God Himself checked it in a vision, by which He filled S. Bernard with so gentle, tender, and loving a spirit, that he was altogether changed, blaming himself heavily for having been so strict and so severe, and becoming so kindly and indulgent, that he made himself all things to all men in order to win all. S. Jerome tells us that his beloved daughter, S. Paula, was not only extreme, but obstinate in practicing bodily mortifications, and refusing to yield to the advice given her upon that head by her Bishop, S. Epiphanius; and furthermore, she gave way so excessively to her grief at the death of those she loved as to peril her own life. Whereupon S. Jerome says: “It will be said that I am accusing this saintly woman rather than praising her, but I affirm before Jesus, Whom she served, and Whom I seek to serve, that I am not saying what is untrue on one side or the other, but simply describing her as one Christian another; that is to say, I am writing her history, not her panegyric, and her faults are the virtues of others.” He means to say that the defects and faults of S. Paula would have been looked upon as virtues in a less perfect soul; and indeed there are actions which we must count as imperfections in the perfect, which yet would be highly esteemed in the imperfect. When at the end of a sickness the invalid’s legs swell, it is a good sign, indicating that natural strength is returning, and throwing off foul humors; but it would be a bad sign in one not avowedly sick, as showing that nature was too feeble to disperse or absorb those humors.
So, my child, we must think well of those whom we see practicing virtues, although imperfectly, since the Saints have done the like; but as to ourselves we must give heed to practice them, not only diligently, but discreetly, and to this end we shall do well strictly to follow the Wise Man’s counsel, and not trust in our own wisdom, but lean on those whom God has given as our guides. And here I must say a few words concerning certain things which some reckon as virtues, although they are nothing of the sort—I mean ecstasies, trances, rhapsodies, extraordinary transformations, and the like, which are dwelt on in some books, and which promise to raise the soul to a purely intellectual contemplation,
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 4:21-25
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 3 – Chapter 1 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 3 – CHAPTER I. How to select that which we should chiefly Practise
THE queen bee never takes wing without being surrounded by all her Subjects; even so Love never enters the heart but it is sure to bring all other virtues in its train; marshaling and employing them as a captain his soldiers; yet, nevertheless, Love does not set them all to work suddenly, or equally, at all times and everywhere. The righteous man is “like a tree planted by the water side, that will bring forth his fruit in due season;” inasmuch as Love, watering and refreshing the soul, causes it to bring forth good works, each in season as required. There is an old proverb to the effect that the sweetest music is unwelcome at a time of mourning; and certain persons have made a great mistake when, seeking to cultivate some special virtue, they attempt to obtrude it on all occasions, like the ancient philosophers we read of, who were always laughing or weeping.
Worse still if they take upon themselves to censure those who do not make a continual study of this their pet virtue. S. Paul tells us to “rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep;” and Charity is patient, kind, liberal, prudent, indulgent. At the same time, there are virtues of universal account, which must not only be called into occasional action, but ought to spread their influence over everything. We do not very often come across opportunities for exercising strength, magnanimity, or magnificence; but gentleness, temperance, modesty, and humility, are graces which ought to color everything we do. There may be virtues of a more exalted mold, but at all events these are the most continually called for in daily life. Sugar is better than salt, but we use salt more generally and oftener.
Consequently, it is well to have a good and ready stock in hand of those general virtues of which we stand in so perpetual a need. In practicing any virtue, it is well to choose that which is most according to our duty, rather than most according to our taste. It was Saint Paula’s liking to practice bodily mortifications with a view to the keener enjoyment of spiritual sweetness, but obedience to her superiors was a higher duty; and therefore Saint Jerome acknowledges that she was wrong in practicing excessive abstinence contrary to the advice of her Bishop. And the Apostles, whose mission it was to preach the Gospel, and feed souls with the Bread of Life, judged well that it was not right for them to hinder this holy work in order to minister to the material wants of the poor, weighty as that work was also.
Every calling stands in special need of some special virtue; those required of a prelate, a prince, or a soldier, are quite different; so are those beseeming a wife or a widow, and although all should possess every virtue, yet all are not called upon to exercise them equally, but each should cultivate chiefly those which are important to the manner of life to which he is called. Among such virtues as have no special adaptation to our own calling, choose the most excellent, not the most showy. A comet generally looks larger than the stars, and fills the eye more; but all the while comets are not nearly so important as the stars, and only seem so large to us because they are nearer to us than stars, and are of a grosser kind. So there are certain virtues which touch us very sensibly and are very material, so to say, and therefore ordinary people give them the preference.
Thus the common run of men ordinarily value temporal almsgiving more than spiritual; and think more of fasting, exterior discipline and bodily mortification than of meekness, cheerfulness, modesty, and other interior mortifications, which nevertheless are far better. Do you then, my daughter, choose the best virtues,
I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and a tactic of the enemy to induce a lack of hope, another form of a spiritual desolation, and ways to fight against it.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter, "I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It":
With Father Reed’s help, Bob recognizes a tactic of the enemy, another form of spiritual desolation. Ignatius describes this as “lack of hope.” When we experience this form of desolation, our thoughts are like Bob’s: we lose hope of any real progress in loving God, in prayer, in holiness, and in living our vocation well. If we think like this, we will be tempted, like Bob, to give up — precisely the enemy’s goal.
All of this is a lie! If ever you feel “defeated before you begin” in your spiritual life, recognize the lie of the enemy and reject it. Do not relinquish your efforts to grow spiritually. God’s love and the power of his grace are with you in these efforts. Compared with this, the enemy’s lies are a very small thing. Further, we can prepare to reject such lies even before the enemy brings them (Ignatius’s rule 10). After this attack by the enemy, for example, Bob can prepare himself to reject similar lies should the enemy bring them again.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 59-60). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 16:15-18
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 2 – Chapter 21 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XXI. How to Communicate
BEGIN your preparation over-night, by sundry aspirations and loving ejaculations. Go to bed somewhat earlier than usual, so that you may get up earlier the next morning; and if you should wake during the night, fill your heart and lips at once with sacred words wherewith to make your soul ready to receive the Bridegroom, Who watches while you sleep, and Who intends to give you countless gifts and graces, if you on your part are prepared to accept them. In the morning rise with joyful expectation of the Blessing you hope for, and (having made your Confession) go with the fullest trust, but at the same time with the fullest humility, to receive that Heavenly Food which will sustain your immortal life. And after having said the sacred words, “Lord, I am not worthy,” do not make any further movement whatever, either in prayer or otherwise, but gently opening your mouth, in the fullness of faith, hope, and love, receive Him in Whom, by Whom, and through Whom, you believe, hope, and love.
O my child, bethink you that just as the bee, having gathered heaven’s dew and earth’s sweetest juices from amid the flowers, carries it to her hive; so the Priest, having taken the Saviour, God’s Own Son, Who came down from Heaven, the Son of Mary, Who sprang up as earth’s choicest flower, from the Altar, feeds you with that Bread of Sweetness and of all delight. When you have received it, kindle your heart to adore the King of our Salvation, tell Him of all your own personal matters, and realize that He is within you, seeking your best happiness. In short, give Him the very best reception you possibly can, and act so that in all you do it may be evident that God is with you. When you cannot have the blessing of actual Communion, at least communicate in heart and mind, uniting yourself by ardent desire to the Life-giving Body of the Saviour.
Your main intention in Communion should be to grow, strengthen, and abound in the Love of God; for Love’s Sake receive that which Love Alone gives you. Of a truth there is no more loving or tender aspect in which to gaze upon the Savior than this act, in which He, so to say, annihilates Himself, and gives Himself to us as food, in order to fill our souls, and to unite Himself more closely to the heart and flesh of His faithful ones. If men of the world ask why you communicate so often, tell them that it is that you may learn to love God; that you may be cleansed from imperfections, set free from trouble, comforted in affliction, strengthened in weakness. Tell them that there are two manner of men who need frequent Communion—those who are perfect, since being ready they were much to blame did they not come to the Source and Fountain of all perfection; and the imperfect, that they may learn how to become perfect; the strong, lest they become weak, and the weak, that they may become strong; the sick that they may be healed, and the sound lest they sicken.
Tell them that you, imperfect, weak and ailing, need frequently to communicate with your Perfection, your Strength, your Physician. Tell them that those who are but little engaged in worldly affairs should communicate often, because they have leisure; and those who are heavily pressed with business, because they stand so much in need of help; and he who is hard worked needs frequent and substantial food. Tell them that you receive the Blessed Sacrament that you may learn to receive it better; one rarely does that well which one seldom does. Therefore, my child, communicate frequently,—as often as you can, subject to the advice of your spiritual Father. Our mountain hares turn white in winter, because they live in, and feed upon, the snow, and by dint of adoring and feeding upon Beauty, Goodness,
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:31-35
The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
“Lift Up Your Heart: A 10-Day Personal Retreat with St. Francis de Sales” is outstanding. A wonderful “introduction to the devout life”… literally! Fr. John Burns breaks open up the teachings of the great spiritual director and Doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales in a wonderfully fresh new way. Very practical and perfect for meditation during prayer times during the day, this is a mini-retreat we can all benefit from.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
This practical book goes right to the heart of helping you kick the habit of floating along on your spiritual journey to start actively pursuing holiness and devotion to God. During the course of the retreat, you ll learn the basics of forming a daily prayer routine, including how to offer yourself to God, meditate on his love, and maintain peace in the face of suffering and clarity in the midst of temptation.
The meditations will help you:
- Adopt gratitude as a daily prayer practice.
- Examine and reorder your priorities and relationships to better reflect your love for God.
- Discern between good and evil in your life.
- Desire to love and serve as Jesus did.
In a very real sense, Burns helps you take St. Francis de Sales as your spiritual director for ten days. As you do so, you’ll feel God’s fatherly love and restart your faith life, equipped with the tools to connect with God and live for heaven now.
The post IP#318 Fr. John Burns – Lift Up Your Heart on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 2 – Chapter 20 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XX. On Frequent Communion
IT is said that Mithridates, King of Pontus, who invented the poison called after him, mithridate, so thoroughly impregnated his system with it, that when eventually he tried to poison himself to avoid becoming the Romans’ slave, he never could succeed. The Saviour instituted the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, really containing His Body and His Blood, in order that they who eat it might live forever. And therefore whosoever receives it frequently and devoutly, so strengthens the health and life of his soul, that it is hardly possible for him to be poisoned by any evil desires. We cannot be fed by that Living Flesh and hold to the affections of death; and just as our first parents could not die in Paradise, because of the Tree of Life which God had placed therein, so this Sacrament of Life makes spiritual death impossible. The most fragile, easily spoilt fruits, such as cherries, apricots, and strawberries, can be kept all the year by being preserved in sugar or honey; so what wonder if our hearts, frail and weakly as they are, are kept from the corruption of sin when they are preserved in the sweetness (“sweeter than honey and the honeycomb”) of the Incorruptible Body and Blood of the Son of God. O my daughter, those Christians who are lost will indeed have no answer to give when the Just Judge sets before them that they have voluntarily died the spiritual death, since it was so easy for them to have preserved life and health, by eating His Body which He gave them for that very end. “Miserable men!” He will say, “wherefore would ye die, with the Bread of Life itself in your hands?”
As to daily Communion, I neither commend nor condemn it; but with respect to communicating every Sunday, I counsel and exhort every one to do so, providing the mind has no attachment to sin. So says S. Augustine, and with him I neither find fault nor unconditionally commend daily Communion, leaving that matter to the discretion of every person’s own spiritual Guide; as the requisite dispositions for such frequent Communion are too delicate for one to advise it indiscriminately. On the other hand, these very special dispositions may be found in sundry devout souls, and therefore it would not be well to discourage everybody. It is a subject which must be dealt with according to each individual mind; it were imprudent to advise such frequent Communion to all, while, on the other hand, it would be presumptuous to blame anyone for it, especially if he therein follows the advice of some wise director. Saint Catherine of Sienna, when blamed for her frequent Communions, under the plea that Saint Augustine neither commended nor condemned daily Communion, replied gently, “Well, then, since Saint Augustine does not condemn it, neither, I pray you, do you condemn it, and I shall be content.” But Saint Augustine earnestly exhorts all to communicate every Sunday. And as I presume, my daughter, that you have no attachment either to mortal or venial sins, you are in the condition which Saint Augustine requires; and if your spiritual Father approves, you may profitably communicate more frequently.
Nevertheless, there are various hindrances which may arise, not so much from yourself, as from those among whom you live, which may lead a wise director to tell you not to communicate so often. For instance, if you are in a position of subjection, and those whom you are bound to obey should be so ignorant or so prejudiced, as to be uneasy at your frequent Communions, all things considered, it may be well to show consideration for their weakness, and to make your Communion fortnightly; only, of course, where there is no possible way of overcoming the difficulty otherwise. But one cannot give any general rule on such a point,
SJC21 – Parting Advice: Loss of Self for the Greater Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
The last counsel regarding solitude is not directed simply to physical solitude in a monastery. The desire of Saint John of the Cross is to see the soul detached and empty, no longer dependent for security or any other interest upon the outside world. “You should deem everything in the world as finished. . . . Pay no heed to the things out in the world, for God has already withdrawn and released you from them. . . . It is very fitting for you to desire to see no one and that no one see you” (CR 7, 8).
Naturally, duties may require dealings with the world, but the religious man should remain focused on a task, not seeking to entertain himself by contact with the outside world. An inner solitude must be cultivated that remains separated from indulgence in unnecessary interests of curiosity. Saint John of the Cross urges the Carmelite Brother to take care with his thoughts so that a solitary fixation on God may be uninterrupted as much as possible. “This is very necessary for inner solitude, which demands that the soul dismiss any thought that is not directed to God” (CR 9). This last counsel is too much for most of us surely in our circumstances of distraction and busy occupations. But let us not be too dismissive. A forgetfulness of worldly concerns has the reward of bringing a soul mysteriously into the proximity with God in the midst of common occupations. We can assume that Saint John of the Cross was speaking from his own experience, as evidently he did on every page of his works.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 357-358). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series, visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts page here.
You find the book on which this series is based here
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 4:12-23
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a gre...
Part 2 – Chapter 19 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XIX. On Confession
OUR Saviour has bequeathed the Sacrament of Penitence and Confession to His Church, in order that therein we may be cleansed from all our sins, however and whenever we may have been soiled thereby. Therefore, my child, never allow your heart to abide heavy with sin, seeing that there is so sure and safe a remedy at hand. If the lioness has been in the neighborhood of other beasts she hastens to wash away their scent, lest it should be displeasing to her lord; and so the soul which has ever so little consented to sin, ought to abhor itself and make haste to seek purification, out of respect to His Divine Gaze Who beholds it always. Why should we die a spiritual death when there is a sovereign remedy available? Make your confession humbly and devoutly every week, and always, if you can, before communicating, even although your conscience is not burdened with mortal sin; for in confession you do not only receive absolution for your venial sins, but you also receive great strength to help you in avoiding them henceforth, clearer light to discover your failings, and abundant grace to make up whatever loss you have incurred through those faults. You exercise the graces of humility, obedience, simplicity and love, and by this one act of confession you practice more virtue than in any other.
Be sure always to entertain a hearty sorrow for the sins you confess, however small they are; as also a steadfast resolution to correct them in future. Some people go on confessing venial sins out of mere habit, and conventionally, without making any effort to correct them, thereby losing a great deal of spiritual good. Supposing that you confess having said something untrue, although without evil consequences, or some careless words, or excessive amusement;—repent, and make a firm resolution of amendment: it is a mere abuse to confess any sin whatever, be it mortal or venial, without intending to put it altogether away, that being the express object of confession. Beware of unmeaning self-accusations, made out of a mere routine, such as, “I have not loved God as much as I ought; I have not prayed with as much devotion as I ought; I have not loved my neighbor as I ought; I have not received the Sacraments with sufficient reverence;” and the like. Such things as these are altogether useless in setting the state of your conscience before your Confessor, inasmuch as all the Saints in Paradise and all men living would say the same. But examine closely what special reason you have for accusing yourself thus, and when you have discovered it, accuse yourself simply and plainly of your fault.
For instance, when confessing that you have not loved your neighbor as you ought, it may be that what you mean is, that having seen someone in great want whom you could have succored, you have failed to do so. Well then, accuse yourself of that special omission: say, “Having come across a person in need, I did not help him as I might have done,” either through negligence, or hardness, or indifference, according as the case may be. So again, do not accuse yourself of not having prayed to God with sufficient devotion; but if you have given way to voluntary distractions, or if you have neglected the proper circumstances of devout prayer—whether place, time, or attitude—say so plainly, just as it is, and do not deal in generalities, which, so to say, blow neither hot nor cold.
Again, do not be satisfied with mentioning the bare fact of your venial sins, but accuse yourself of the motive cause which led to them. For instance, do not be content with saying that you told an untruth which injured no one; but say whether it was out of vanity, in order to win praise or avoid blame, out of heedlessness, or from obstinacy.
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:20-21
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 2 – Chapter 18 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XVIII. How to Receive Inspirations
BY inspirations I mean all drawings, feelings, interior reproaches, lights and intuitions, with which God moves us, preventing our hearts by His Fatherly love and care, and awakening, exciting, urging, and attracting them to goodness, to Heavenly love, to good resolutions, in short, to whatever tends to our eternal welfare. This it is of which we read in the Canticles, when the Bridegroom knocks at the door, awakens His beloved, calls upon her, seeks her, bids her eat of His honey, gather the fruit and flowers of His garden, and let Him hear her voice, which is sweet to Him.
Let me make use of an illustration of my meaning. In contracting a marriage, the bride must be a party to three separate acts: first, the bridegroom is proposed to her; secondly, she entertains the proposal; and thirdly, she gives her consent. Just so when God intends to perform some act of love in us, by us, and with us; He first suggests it by His inspiration; secondly, we receive that inspiration; and thirdly, we consent to it: for, like as we fall into sin by three steps, temptation, delectation, and consent, so there are three steps whereby we ascend to virtue; inspiration, as opposed to temptation; delectation in God’s inspiration, as opposed to that of temptation; and consent to the one instead of to the other. Were God’s inspirations to last all our lives, we should be nowise more acceptable to Him, unless we took pleasure therein; on the contrary, we should rather offend Him as did the Israelites, of whom He says that they “grieved Him for forty years long, refusing to hear His pleadings, so that at last” I “swear in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.”
And (to recur to my first illustration) one who has long been devoted to his lady-love, would feel greatly injured if, after all, she would not consent to the alliance he seeks. The delight we take in God’s inspirations is an important step gained towards His Glory, and we begin at once to please Him thereby; for although such delectation is not the same thing as a full consent, it shows a strong tendency thereto; and if it is a good and profitable sign when we take pleasure in hearing God’s Word, which is, so to say, an external inspiration, still more is it good and acceptable in His Sight when we take delight in His interior inspirations. Such is the delight of which the Bride says, “My soul melted within me when my Beloved spoke.”
And so, too, the earthly lover is well satisfied when he sees that his ladylove finds pleasure in his attentions. But, after all, consent only perfects the good action; for if we are inspired of God, and take pleasure in that inspiration, and yet, nevertheless, refuse our consent to His inspiration, we are acting a very contemptuous, offensive part towards Him. We read of the Bride, that although the voice of her Beloved touched her heart, she made trivial excuses, and delayed opening the door to Him, and so He withdrew Himself and “was gone.”
And the earthly lover, who had long sought a lady, and seemed acceptable to her, would have the more ground for complaint if at last he was spurned and dismissed, than if he had never been favorably received. Do you, my daughter, resolve to accept whatever inspirations God may vouchsafe you, heartily; and when they offer themselves, receive them as the ambassadors of your Heavenly King, seeking alliance with you. Hearken gently to their propositions, foster the love with which you are inspired, and cherish the holy Guest. Give your consent, and let it be a full, loving, steadfast consent to His holy inspirations; for, so doing, God will reckon your affection as a favor, although truly we can confer none upon Him.
But,
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
What does the liturgy have to do with human happiness? Everything. Fr. Joseph Fessio, a former student and long-time friend of Pope Benedict XVI, leads an introduction to the pope’s groundbreaking book “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.
You can find the book here
In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to "rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life."
Considered by Ratzinger devotees as one of his greatest works, this profound and beautifully written treatment of the liturgy will help readers to deepen their understanding of the"great prayer of the Church". The cardinal discusses fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council's intentions for liturgical renewal, especially about the priest's orientation of prayer to the Father, the placement of the tabernacle in churches, and the posture of kneeling.
Other important topics are the essence of worship, the Jewish roots of Christian prayer, the relationship of the liturgy to time and space, sacred art and music, and the active participation of the faithful in the Mass.
Part 2 – Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XVII. How to Hear and Read God’s Word
CULTIVATE a special devotion to God’s Word, whether studied privately or in public; always listen to it with attention and reverence, strive to profit by it, and do not let it fall to the ground, but receive it within your heart as a precious balm, thereby imitating the Blessed Virgin, who “kept all these sayings in her heart.” Remember that our Lord receives our words of prayer according to the way in which we receive His words in teaching.
You should always have some good devout book at hand, such as the writings of S. Bonaventura, Gerson, Denis the Carthusian, Blosius, Grenada, Stella, Arias, Pinella, Da Ponte, Avila, the Spiritual Combat, the Confessions of S. Augustine, S. Jerome’s Epistles, or the like; and daily read some small portion attentively, as though you were reading letters sent by the Saints from Paradise to teach you the way thither, and encourage you to follow
them. Read the Lives of the Saints too, which are as a mirror to you of Christian life, and try to imitate their actions according to your circumstances; for although many things which the Saints did may not be practicable for those who live in the world, they may be followed more or less. Thus, in our spiritual retreats we imitate the solitude of the first hermit, S.
Paul; in the practice of poverty we imitate S. Francis, and so on. Of course some Lives throw much more light upon our daily course than others, such as the Life of Saint Theresa, which is most admirable, the first Jesuits, Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, S. Louis, S. Bernard, S. Francis, and such like. Others are more the subjects of our admiring wonder than of imitation, such as S. Mary of Egypt, S. Simeon Stylites, S. Catherine of Genoa, and S. Catherine of Sienna, S. Angela, etc., although these should tend to kindle a great love of God in our hearts.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
I'm Troubled and I'm Tempted; I'm Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and the disquiet that can come from temptations and ways the enemy can bring desolation into areas of nonspiritual vulnerability in our lives.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the chapter "I'm Troubled and I'm Tempted":
John experiences a form of spiritual desolation that Ignatius describes as “disquiet from various agitations and temptations.” If John can identify his experience as the tactic of the enemy that it is — spiritual desolation — peace will begin to return, and he will be strengthened to resist it. If John is further aware that there is no shame in undergoing such spiritual desolation, that all do from time to time, he will be additionally encouraged in his struggle.
The enemy brings this spiritual desolation into a nonspiritual vulnerability in John: a place of worry — his understandable concern about the growth on his face and his anxiety as he awaits the results of the second biopsy. John deals well with this: he speaks with his wife, and he is faithful to prayer. Texts of the Bible help him. But even as he turns to the Lord, the enemy brings spiritual desolation, “disquiet from various agitations and temptations.” This need not surprise John or us! Ignatius helps us understand this experience and points the way to freedom.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 45). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
An except from the chapter "I'm Going to Fail":
Julie’s experience permits an important observation. If the enemy ordinarily brings spiritual desolation into areas of nonspiritual vulnerability (tiredness, discouragement, depression, and the like), then whatever you do to reduce or eliminate that nonspiritual vulnerability will greatly ease your spiritual life. If, for example, Julie and Bob communicate and resolve their tension, Julie will find herself much less susceptible to the “lack of confidence” described here. The same is true for all of us when we experience nonspiritual vulnerabilities. Julie also writes, “I’m up, then so quickly down. You and the others seem so much more stable and so faithful. I must be different.” A further lie of desolation is this: “It’s just you. Other people don’t go through this. You’re up, then down. Other people are steady. It’s only you.” Again, emphatically no!
When Julie knows the others better, and they share on a deeper level, she will find that all undergo these ups (times of spiritual energy, of feeling God’s closeness — that is, of spiritual consolation) and downs (times without spiritual energy, of not feeling God’s closeness — that is, of spiritual desolation). If you experience times of spiritual consolation and times of spiritual desolation, then you share the experience of every man or woman who has ever loved the Lord. What matters is — by now you can tell me! — to be aware, understand, and take action. Take action: that is, to accept God’s gift of spiritual consolation and to reject the enemy’s discouraging lies in spiritual desolation.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 52-53). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 3:1-6
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
BTP#35 – Identifying and Battling the "Irrational Spirits" – The Mystery of Faith in the Wisdom of the Saints.
In this episode Dr. Lilles discusses the nature of prayer. The use of "methods" or "techniques" is cautioned by Dr. Lilles. The relationship with the person of Jesus Christ is paramount. He discusses the struggles in prayer and the real "enemies" which assault us in prayer. He points to the experience and teachings of St. Anthony of the Desert, who battled the irrational spirits opposed to our relationship with God. Dr. Lilles then relates that teaching to the places of "death" which confront our lives today, the importance of naming the irrational "spirit" and using the "Word of Truth" to fight the battle.
Dr.Anthony Lilles is a Catholic husband and father of three teaching Spiritual Theology at St. Patrick’s Theological Seminary. He teaches spiritual theology and spiritual direction to transitional deacons, and the spiritual classics to the men who enter the Spirituality Year, a year of prayer in preparation for seminary formation. He is the author of the "Beginning to Pray" Catholic blog spot.
For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 2:23-28
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 8 – The Danger of Self-Righteousness – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
Join Dan Burke and Kris McGregor as they discuss the teachings of the great spiritual master and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. The focus of their conversations will primarily reside in St. Teresa's "Interior Castle" and her wisdom in regard to the activity of the enemy and the reality of spiritual warfare.
You can find the book here
An excerpt from the book:
"Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.
In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director."
Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke's Discerning Hearts page here
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.
In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 9
Day 9
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
Abbe Pambo asked Abba Anthony, “What ought I to do?” and the old man said to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue and your stomach.”
“Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.”
“This is the Great Work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God and to expect temptation to his last breath.”
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 2:18-22
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE,
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 8
Day 8
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
A brother renounced the world and gave his goods to the poor, but he kept back a little for his personal expenses. He went to see Abba Anthony. When he told him this, the old man said to him, “If you want to be a monk, go into the village, buy some meat, cover your naked body with it and come here like that.” The brother did so, and the dogs and birds tore at his flesh. When he came back the old man asked him whether he had followed his advice. He showed him his wounded body, and Abba Anthony said, “Those who renounce the world but want to keep something for themselves are torn in this way by the demons who make war on them.”
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:29-34
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Part 2 – Chapter 16 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XVI. How the Saints are united to us
INASMUCH as God continually sends us inspirations by means of His Angels, we may fitly send back our aspirations through the same channel. The souls of the holy dead, resting in Paradise, who are, as our Lord Himself has told us, “as the Angels in Heaven,” are also united to us in their prayers. My child, let us gladly join our hearts with these heavenly blessed ones; for even as the newly-fledged nightingale learns to sing from the elder birds, so by our sacred communing with the Saints we shall learn better to pray and sing the praises of the Lord. David is continually uniting his prayers with those of all the Saints and Angels. Honour, revere and respect the Blessed Virgin Mary with a very special love; she is the Mother of our Sovereign Lord, and so we are her children. Let us think of her with all the love and confidence of affectionate children; let us desire her love, and strive with true filial hearts to imitate her graces.
Seek to be familiar with the Angels; learn to realise that they are continually present, although invisible. Specially love and revere the Guardian Angel of the Diocese in which you live, those of the friends who surround you, and your own. Commune with them frequently, join in their songs of praise, and seek their protection and help in all you do, spiritual or temporal. That pious man Peter Faber, the first companion of Saint Ignatius, and the first priest, first preacher and first theological teacher of the Company of the Jesuits, who was a native of our Diocese, 20 once passing through this country on his way from Germany, (where he had been labouring for God’s Glory,) told how great comfort he had found as he went among places infested with heresy in communing with the guardian Angels thereof, whose help had often preserved him from danger, and softened hearts to receive the faith. He spoke with such earnestness, that a lady who, when quite young, heard him, was so impressed, that she repeated his words to me only four years ago, sixty years after their utterance, with the utmost feeling. I had the happiness only last year of consecrating an altar in the place where it pleased God to give that blessed man birth, the little village of Villaret, amid the wildest of our mountains. You will do well to choose out for yourself some individual Saint, whose life specially to study and imitate, and whose prayers may be more particularly offered on your behalf. The Saint bearing your own baptismal name would seem to be naturally assigned to you.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 7
Day 7
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
The brothers praised a monk before Abba Anthony. When the monk came to see him, Anthony wanted to know how he would bear insults, and seeing that he could not bear them at all, he said to him, “You are like a village magnificently decorated on the outside, but destroyed from within by robbers.”
A brother said to Abba Anthony, “Pray for me.” The old man said to him, “I will have no mercy on you, nor will God have any, if you yourself do not make an effort and if you do not pray to God.”
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers:
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 2:13-17
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
In Conversation with Dr. Anthony Lilles – The Spiritual Impact of Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)
In this special In Conversation podcast, Fr. Vincent Twomey and Kris McGregor discuss the life of Joseph Ratzinger and the impact he has had on the spiritual life and growth of the church, especially in some of its darkest moments. Anthony also shares a personal anecdote about a time he met then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in Rome.
During the conversation, Fr. Twomey mentions several books that he feels are important for those seeking a greater experience of Pope Benedict's writings.
Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Dr. Lilles:
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 6
Day 6
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
A hunter in the desert saw Abba Anthony enjoying himself with the brethren and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brethren, the old man said to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.” So, he did. The old man said, “Shoot another,” and he did so. Then the old man said, “Shoot yet again,” and the hunter replied “If I bend my bow so much I will break it.” Then the old man said to him, “It is the same with the work of God. If we stretch the brethren beyond measure they will soon break. Sometimes it is necessary to come down to meet their needs.” When he heard these words the hunter was pierced by compunction and, greatly edified by the old man, he went away. As for the brethren, they went home strengthened.
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
For the entire 9-Day St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Mp3 audio and Text Page
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers:
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic,
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 5
Day 5
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
Some brothers came to find Abba Anthony to tell him about the visions they were having, and to find out from him if they were true or if they came from the demons. They had a donkey which died on the way. When they reached the place where the old man was, he said to them before they could ask him anything, “How was it that the little donkey died on the way here?” They said, “How do you know about that, Father?” And he told them, “the demons showed me what happened.” So they said, “That was what we came to question you about, for fear we were being deceived, for we have visions which often turn out to be true.” Thus the old man convinced them, by the example of the donkey, that their visions came from the demons.
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers:
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
SJC20 – Suffering for Love of a Crucified Beloved – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
Certainly an atmosphere of great challenge pervades the writings of Saint John of the Cross. It is possible that the recurring accent on purification, interior trials, dissatisfaction in prayer, or the wounds of love in certain sections of Saint John of the Cross’ writings has a jarring or intimidating effect. His attention to painful experiences may seem to propose a spirituality of endless burdens and impossible endurance. From our perspective, this focus may be too excessive. It is not that we lack struggles and tribulations. Who does not experience them?
Yet our own thought may be that matters of trial and difficulty should be kept to a minimum and brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. For many people, even of strong religious conviction, the common experiences of fatigue and pain compete with the pursuit of pleasures and comforts. We often find a way to compensate ourselves with worldly enjoyment if for a time we have faced trial and difficulty. Perhaps we do not ponder the Gospel deeply enough. Suffering for the sake of a profound love of God can be a neglected notion in our understanding of love, though clearly not for Saint John of the Cross: “Let Christ crucified be enough for you, and with him suffer and take your rest, and hence annihilate yourself in all inward and outward things” (SLL 92). That kind of advice is not commonly heard at any time in the Church.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (p. 317). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series, visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts page here.
You find the book on which this series is based here
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 4
Day 4
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
Abbe Pambo asked Abba Anthony, “What ought I to do?” and the old man said to him, “Do not trust in your own righteousness, do not worry about the past, but control your tongue and your stomach.”
Abba Anthony said, “I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, ‘What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, “Humility.'
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers:
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.
How Can I Be Drawn to Such Things? – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and ways the enemy draws us to "low" and "earthly" things to harm us in our spiritual life.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
Into this vulnerable space the enemy brings the further burden of spiritual desolation, and specifically what Ignatius calls a “movement to low and earthly things.” Obviously, telephones, refrigerators, the Internet, and similar things serve in good ways: that is why we have them. But, like Beth, in time of spiritual desolation we may feel drawn to them in “low” and “earthly” ways — that is, in ways harmful to us spiritually.
That Beth — and we — feel this pull in time of spiritual desolation should not surprise us, nor is there any shame in feeling this pull. It is simply a tactic of the enemy, a form of spiritual desolation. Again, such is the spiritual life in a fallen but redeemed and loved world. What does matter and matters greatly, is that we be discerning: that we note this pull to low and earthly things, identify it as the tactic of the enemy that it is, and, with God’s grace and courage, reject it.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 40-41). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here...
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 3
Day 3
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
“When the demons see Christians, specially the monks, working joyfully and growing in the spirit, first they fight them with temptation, and by placing obstacles to hinder their growth, trying to inject evil thoughts in their minds; but there is no reason for fear from their temptations because their offenses fail instantly by prayer and fasting, especially if you have had armed yourself with faith and the sign of the cross.”
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers:
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Conversion in the Context of Prayer – The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
What is the authentic understanding of "conversion" in the context of prayer. Deacon Keating discusses the reflection offered by the Holy Father of the encounter of Elijah with prophets of Baal.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
From Pope Benedict's 6 audience on prayer:
Firstly, is the priority of the first commandment of God's Law: having no god but God. When God disappears man falls into slavery, into idolatry, as has happened in our time under totalitarian regimes and with the various forms of nihilism which make man dependent on idols and idolatry, which enslave". Secondly, he continued, "the main objective of prayer is conversion: the fire of God which transforms our hearts and makes us capable of seeing God and living for Him and for others". Thirdly, "the Church Fathers tell us that this story is … a foretaste of the future, which is Christ. It is a step on the journey towards Christ.
For more episodes visit: The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
The Baptism of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Waiting for God – The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
What is the authentic understanding of "intercession" in the context of prayer. Moses speaks to God as friend. The invisibility of God puts deep questions in our hearts. Unless we have the intimacy of relationship with God in our hearts, our fear will overwhelm our faith. We also lose patience when waiting for God. "Waiting" is a dangerous period for human beings; it is literally suffering for us. The virtue of patience is the remedy. "Waiting" causes us to run to other diversions…it happens in worship. "Where are you" "Are you real?" "Can I believe what is in the Word?" "Please help me." If we go deep into our hearts, the content of our waiting becomes the occasion for our intimacy. But if we just feel the pain of waiting, we will go looking for lost gods. It comes down to trust. The role of our memory is so important.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
From Pope Benedict's 5 audience on prayer:
“Tired of following a path with a God who is invisible now that Moses the mediator has also gone, the people demand a tangible, palpable presence of the Lord and find an accessible god, within the reach of human beings, in Aaron’s molten metal calf. This is a constant temptation on the path of faith: avoiding the divine mystery by building a comprehensible god that corresponds to our own preconceptions and plans”.
For more episodes visit: The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
St. Anthony of the Desert Novena Day 1
Day 1
From the Sayings of St. Anthony of the Desert:
When the holy Abba Anthony lived in the desert he was beset by acedia (lack of care, sloth), and attacked by many sinful thoughts. He said to God, "Lord, I want to be saved but these thoughts do not leave me alone; what shall I do in my affliction? How can I be saved?" A short while afterward, when he got up to go out, Anthony saw a man like himself sitting at his work, getting up from his work to pray, then sitting down again and plaiting a rope, then getting up again to pray. It was an angel of the Lord sent to correct and reassure him. He heard the angel saying to him, "Do this and you will be saved." At these words, Anthony was filled with joy and courage. He did this, and he was saved.
Dear God,
St Anthony of the Desert accepted your call to renounce the world and to love you above all things.
He faithfully served you in the solitude of the desert by fasting, prayer, humility and good works.
In the Sign of the Cross, he triumphed over the devil.
Through his intercession, may we learn to love you better; with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
St Anthony, great and powerful saint, intercede for us also for this special request (mention your request).
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
St. Anthony of the Desert, pray for us.
The sayings of St. Anthony us, as translated by the late Sr Benedicta Ward SLG , are taken from her The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 versus 1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Who Are We? Wrestling with God – The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
Jacob wrestling with Angel. The mystery of the name. We have to let God ask us who we are or will you resist and remain isolated? Our prayer is only going to be fruitful if we surrender ourselves to the question…who are you? Like Jacob, once we give over our name then God can begin to transfigure that name, or in other words, our persons to be more inline with His will, His love, His power. Eventually, in prayer, we have to enter into the struggle…what is really going on in our souls, in our hearts and are our wrestling with God's love. We yield our identity to God's love.
The wounding of Jacob by the Angel. It is the symbol of the wound, the opening of the self, which symbolizes an entryway to vulnerability…God is deeply affecting us. God's love, concern, and fascination with us is how He enters into our being and "wounds" us. If we could "be still" and allow Him to love us, He becomes victorious within us.
The name we yield to God is our heart…the core of our being. At Baptism, we give over our name, so we give the power over to God over us. How the "wrestling occurs" and if we stay in it long enough God "wounds" us, into His hands we commend our "spirits". How does Jesus transform even this event?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
From Pope Benedict's 4 audience on prayer:
Dear brothers and sisters, our entire lives are like this long night of struggle and prayer, spent in desiring and asking for God’s blessing, which cannot be grabbed or won through our own strength but must be received with humility from him as a gratuitous gift that ultimately allows us to recognize the Lord’s face. And when this happens, our entire reality changes; we receive a new name and God’s blessing. And, what is more: Jacob, who receives a new name, and becomes Israel, also gives a new name to the place where he wrestled with God, where he prayed; he renames it Penuel, which means: “The Face of God”. With this name he recognizes that this place is filled with the Lord’s presence, making that land sacred and thus leaving a memorial of that mysterious encounter with God. Whoever allows himself to be blessed by God, who abandons himself to God, who permits himself to be transformed by God, renders a blessing to the world. May the Lord help us to fight the good fight of the faith (cf. 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7) and to ask, in prayer, for his blessing, that he may renew us in the expectation of beholding his Face. Thank you.
For more episodes visit: The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
Saturday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 2:1-11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water,
I've Lost My Peace – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and the enemy's "war against the peace" people experience in it.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
When people love the Lord, Ignatius says, and rejoice in the peace this brings, the enemy may attempt to undermine that peace by troubling them. Elsewhere, Ignatius describes this spiritual disturbance as the enemy’s “war against the peace” these people experience. Note that the enemy does not, at this point, tempt Paul to anything sinful. He seeks rather to diminish and even eliminate Paul’s peace, replacing it with trouble of heart. Again, there is no shame in experiencing this or similar tactics of the enemy. It is simply what happens when we live the spiritual life in a fallen but redeemed and loved world. As with Julie, Paul will not be harmed if he is aware of, identifies, and rejects the enemy’s spiritual desolation.
Obviously, if Paul — or any one of us — does not identify and reject this tactic of the enemy, it will cause harm. What, then, of Paul’s questions? Is his disturbance a sign that he is doing something wrong? That he is trying too hard? Trying too little? That he is regressing? The answer to all these questions appears to be no. In Paul’s journal, we see no sign of regression — quite the contrary. Most probably, precisely because Paul is progressing so well, the enemy induces this “disturbance of soul” and “war against peace” in an attempt to hinder his progress. How does Paul and how do we reject such disturbance from the enemy? As already said, the first need is to make no changes, to relinquish nothing of the spiritual program we have in place.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 36). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle.
Episode 3- The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI – Abraham the great Patriarch who prays in intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. The mystery of intercessory prayer and God's great mercy. When we persist in prayer, like Abraham, the more we come to know God and trust in His love for us. How sin corrupts our capacity to receive God's movement of protection and love. How the sacrifice of Christ opens the door to the mystery. If we can learn how to pray, then we learn how to be loved. How do we pray for others?
Friday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 1:6-11
In the course of his preaching John said:
‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the course of his preaching John said:
‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
In the course of his preaching John said:
‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI – Faith and reason in the life of prayer. Allowing God to effect our minds, as well as our hearts. If you let God close you will be free...to let him in so close that God prays in you. Letting God's love be the norm of our culture...in the other and in the poor. The role of silence in prayer and posture of kneeling.
Thursday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:43-51
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time wit...
Episode 1 – Why We Need Prayer – The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI – “Life without prayer has no meaning or points of reference". The relationship between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is so essential to our understanding of prayer. The meaning of the Church. Suffering the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the face of God. Do not be afraid, He will teach you happiness.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
From Pope Benedict's 1st audience on prayer:
Human life is a fabric woven of good and of evil, of undeserved suffering and of joy and beauty that spontaneously and irresistibly impel us to ask God for that light and that inner strength which support us on earth and reveal a hope beyond the boundaries of death.
In the examples of prayer of the various cultures which we have considered, we can see a testimony of the religious dimension and of the desire for God engraved on the heart of every human being, which receives fulfilment and full expression in the Old and in the New Testament. The Revelation, is in fact purifying and brings to its fullness man’s original yearning for God, offering to him, in prayer, the possibility of a deeper relationship with the heavenly Father.
At the beginning of our journey in the “school of prayer” let us now so that the relationship with him in prayer may be ever more intense, affectionate and constant. Once again, let us say to him: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1).
For more episodes visit: The School of Prayer: Reflections on the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
Wednesday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:35-42
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.
One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.
One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.
One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton,
Part 2 – Chapter 15 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XV. Of the Other Public Offices of the Church
FURTHERMORE, my daughter, you should endeavor to assist at the Offices, Hours, Vespers, etc., as far as you are able, especially on Sundays and Festivals, days which are dedicated to God, where we ought to strive to do more for His Honor and Glory than on others. You will greatly increase the fervor of your devotion by so doing, even as did S. Augustine, who tells us in his Confessions, that in the early days of his conversion he was touched to the quick, and his heart overflowed in happy tears, when he took part in the Offices of the Church.
Moreover (let me say it here once for all), there is always more profit and more consolation in the public Offices of the Church than in private acts of devotion, God having willed to give the preference to communion in prayer over all individual action. Be ready to take part in any confraternities and associations you may find in the place where you are called to dwell, especially such as are most fruitful and edifying. This will be pleasing to God; for although confraternities are not ordained, they are recommended by the Church, which grants various privileges to those who are united accordingly.
And it is always a work of love to join with others and take part in their good works. And although it may be possible that you can use equally profitable devotions by yourself as in common with others,—perhaps even you may like doing so best,—nevertheless God is more glorified when we unite with our brethren and neighbors and join our offerings to theirs. I say the same concerning all public services and prayers, in which, as far as possible, each one of us is bound to contribute the best example we can for our neighbor’s edification, and our hearty desire for God’s Glory and the general good of all men.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
In Conversation with Fr. Vincent Twomey – The Heart of Pope Benedict XVI's Spiritual Legacy (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)
In this special In Conversation podcast, Fr. Vincent Twomey and Kris McGregor discuss the life of Joseph Ratzinger as priest and professor before becoming a bishop, cardinal, and eventually Pope. Fr. Twomey, a one-time student of Pope Benedict and life-long friend, reflects on his spirituality and contribution to theology.
During the conversation, Fr. Twomey mentions several books that he feels are important for those seeking a greater experience of Pope Benedict's writings.
Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Fr. Twomey:
Tuesday Before the Epiphany – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:29-34
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
In Conversation with Fr. Joseph Fessio – The Spiritual Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)
In this special In Conversation podcast, Fr. Joseph Fessio and Kris McGregor discuss the profound spiritual legacy of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) and the long-lasting impact he will have upon the Church and the world. Fr. Fessio also shares several stories from their time together over the years.
During the conversation, Fr. Fessio mentions several books that he feels are important for those seeking a greater experience of Pope Benedict's writings.
Here a the books that were referenced in the conversation with Fr. Fessio:
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:19-28
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
On the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the power of the "blessing" and our identity in Christ
Reading I
Nm 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
In Conversation with Dr. Larry Chapp – The Life and Legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)
In this special In Conversation podcast, Dr. Larry Chapp and Kris McGregor have an in-depth conversation about the life and legacy of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) and the long-lasting spiritual impact he will have upon the world.
Remember the encouragement of Pope Benedict when he said, "Do not be afraid to cast out into the digital sea" Kris and Dr. Chapp reflect on how Benedict's words have inspired and influenced their respective ministries within the digital landscape and the challenges now faced by Christians within it.
Click here for Dr. Chapp's blog site: Gaudium et Spes 22
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
He who comes after me ranks before me
because he existed before me.’
Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –
yes, grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses,
grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
I Can't See – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores spiritual discouragement and how it affects our ability to pray.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
The enemy’s lie says, “Look how badly things are going! You are confused. You can’t see clearly. You are regressing. And things will only get worse.” No! For months, Julie has prayed faithfully and sought to grow. She is simply — again, there is no shame in this — experiencing a tactic of the enemy: a spiritual desolation that the enemy hopes will impede her growth.
By enemy, Ignatius intends Satan and his associated fallen angels, together with the wound of concupiscence — a legacy of original sin — and harmful influences around us in the world. By spiritual desolation, he intends a heaviness of heart (and so, desolation) on the level of our relationship with God (and so, spiritual).
Julie experiences one form of such spiritual desolation, a form that Ignatius calls “darkness of soul.”11 In such spiritual desolation, a burden, a confusion, a heaviness — a darkness — enters our prayer and our efforts to love God. A feeling that this will worsen may accompany this darkness.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 32). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover...
The Feast of the Holy Family – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled:
‘He will be called a Nazarene.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel. But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled:
‘He will be called a Nazarene.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
After Herod’s death, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you and go back to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, went back to the land of Israel.
In this special encore episode, we focus on the person and teachings of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
In October 2012, I began recording a series for Discerning Hearts with Dr. Adrian Walker, who served as the English translator of Pope Benedict XVI's book "Jesus of Nazareth." With the historical events occurring with the Synod on the New Evangelization and the start of the Year of Faith, we took time aside to discuss that work and the influence of Joseph Ratzinger, also known as Pope Benedict XVI.
You can find the book here.
From the description:
Pope Benedict XVI’s iconic life of Jesus, a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of the central figure of the Christian faith.
“This book is . . . my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord.’”—Benedict XVI
In this bold, momentous work, the Pope seeks to salvage the person of Jesus from today’s “popular” depictions and to restore his true identity as discovered in the Gospels. Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the Pope incites us to encounter Jesus face to face.
From Jesus of Nazareth: “. . . the great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: But what has Jesus really brought, then, if he has not brought world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought? The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God! He has brought the God who once gradually unveiled his countenance first to Abraham, then to Moses and the prophets, and then in the wisdom literature–the God who showed his face only in Israel, even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises. It is this God, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love.”
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:22-35
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses,
Part 2 – Chapter 14 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XIV. Of Holy Communion, and how to join in it.
1. SO far I have said nothing concerning the Sun of all spiritual exercises, even the most holy, sacred and Sovereign Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Eucharist,—the very centre point of our Christian religion, the heart of all devotion, the soul of piety;—that Ineffable Mystery which embraces the whole depth of Divine Love, by which God, giving Himself really to us, conveys all His Graces and favors to men with royal magnificence.
2. Prayer made in union with this Divine Sacrifice has untold power; through which, indeed, the soul overflows with heavenly grace, and leaning on her Beloved, becomes so filled with spiritual sweetness and perfume, that we may ask in the words of the Canticles: “Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? ”
3. Strive then to your utmost to be present every day at this holy Celebration, in order 99 that with the priest you may offer the Sacrifice of your Redeemer on behalf of yourself and the whole Church to God the Father. Saint Chrysostom says that the Angels crowd around it in adoration, and if we are found together with them, united in one intention, we cannot but be most favorably influenced by such society. Moreover, all the heavenly choirs of the Church triumphant, as well as those of the Church militant, are joined to our Dear Lord in this divine act, so that with Him, in Him, and by Him, they may win the favor of God the Father, and obtain His Mercy for us. How great the blessing to my soul to contribute its share towards the attainment of so gracious a gift!
4. If any imperative hindrance prevents your presence at this sovereign sacrifice of Christ’s most true Presence, at least be sure to take part in it spiritually. If you cannot go to Church, choose some morning hour in which to unite your intention to that of the whole Christian world, and make the same interior acts of devotion wherever you are that you would make if you were really present at the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Church.
5. In order to join in this rightly, whether actually or mentally, you must give heed to several things:
(1) In the beginning, and before the priest goes up to the Altar, make your preparation with his—placing yourself in God’s Presence, confessing your unworthiness, and asking forgiveness.
(2) Until the Gospel, dwell simply and generally upon the Coming and the Life of our Lord in this world.
(3) From the Gospel to the end of the Creed, dwell upon our Dear Lord’s teaching, and renew your resolution to live and die in the faith of the Holy Catholic Church.
(4) From there, fix your heart on the mysteries of the Word, and unite yourself to the Death and Passion of our Redeemer, now actually and essentially set forth in this holy Sacrifice, which, together with the priest and all the congregation, you offer to God the Father, to His Glory and your own salvation.
(5) Up to the moment of communicating, offer all the longings and desires of your heart, above all desiring most earnestly to be united for ever to our Savior by His Eternal Love.
(6) From the time of Communion to the end, thank His Gracious Majesty for His Incarnation, His Life, Death, Passion, and the Love which He sets forth in this holy Sacrifice, intreating through it His favor for yourself, your relations and friends, and the whole Church; and humbling yourself sincerely, devoutly receive the blessing which our Dear Lord gives you through the channel of His minister.
If, however, you wish to follow your daily course of meditation on special mysteries during the Sacrifice, it is not necessary that you should interrupt yourself by making the...
SJC19 – Wounds of Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
The concealment of God’s presence, mysteriously near to our soul, yet known only by love, is at the heart of contemplation. The hidden presence of God is a truth of inescapable provocation, never fully lifted or overcome in a lifetime, showing many variations in the experience of a soul. Sometimes the hidden presence of God is stronger in the silence of prayer; other times it is met outside prayer in the sudden opportunity for sacrifice or in the disguised face of Jesus hiding in a poor person. God as elusive, hiding behind shadows, speaking in quiet whispers, disappearing from sight even in the encounter with him, is all a realization of greater faith. His presence has no predictable quality and offers no promise of an easy recognition. Shadows and darkness can become for lengthy periods the ordinary ambiance of prayer. When the darkness stretches over time and is greater, the thought of God’s withdrawal can trouble souls in their silent prayer, despite how close they may be to God.
The contemplative paradox of darkness as the setting for a very personal contact with God implies a need at times for reassurance. This comes as we deepen a calm certitude of faith in prayer and continue to long for our Lord in love and yield to him in surrender. All the while, over years of committed daily prayer, God works to bring a soul to a greater surrender to his mysterious personal love.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 290). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series, visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts page here.
You find the book on which this series is based here
The Feast of the Holy Innocents- A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 2:13-18
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time w...
I Can't Go On – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores the nonspiritual nature of discouragement and how it affects our ability to pray.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
In this and the preceding chapters, we have explored spiritual struggles arising from physical and psychological factors. As we have seen, the solution lies in suitable physical and psychological remedies. What, however, of struggles arising from specifically spiritual sources? What might these struggles be, and how can we best respond to them? We will begin now to address these questions.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 28). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
The Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 20:2-8
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 39 – Living the Reality of the Christmas Season – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss living the joys and challenges of the Christmas Season authentically.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The Christmas mystery
525 Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. 202 Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty heaven's glory was made manifest. 203 The Church never tires of singing the glory of this night:
The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal
And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible.
The angels and shepherds praise him
And the magi advance with the star,
For you are born for us, Little Child, God eternal! 204
526 To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the kingdom. 205 For this, we must humble ourselves and become little. Even more: to become "children of God" we must be "born from above" or "born of God". 206 Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us. 207 Christmas is the mystery of this "marvellous exchange":
O marvellous exchange! Man's Creator has become man, born of the Virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share our humanity. 208
Notes:
202 Cf. Lk 2:61.203 Cf. Lk 2:8-20.
204 Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist.
205 Cf. Mt 18:3-4.
206 Jn 3:7; 1:13; 1:12; cf. Mt 23:12.
207 Cf. Gal 4:19.
208 LH, Antiphon I of Evening Prayer for January 1st.
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
The Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree …."
The partridge symbolizes Jesus, the Christ. He is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless chicks.
Prayer: Oh Lord who sacrificed for us, so that we may live in the safety of the knowledge that our death is not the end but only the beginning, we rejoice! We rejoice in the knowledge that your heavenly city is awaiting us. We rejoice in the beginning of the season that brings all men together to fulfill your great commandment of love. We rejoice in the season of giving so that we might reveal Your love to all men through our generosity and your endless grace and sacrifice. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
Christmas Day – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
He who comes after me ranks before me
because he existed before me.’
Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –
yes, grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses,
grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on how we are called to become one with Christ this Christmas!
Reading 1 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?“‘
It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
Gospel
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Saturday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 1:67-79
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore
to our father Abraham
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence, all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,
to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet
into the way of peace.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore
to our father Abraham
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence, all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,
to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet
into the way of peace.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the importance of our relationship with our father and how it affects our relationship with God the Father.
Reading 1 Mal 3:1-4, 23-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the LORD,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.Lo, I will send you
Elijah, the prophet,
Before the day of the LORD comes,
the great and terrible day,
To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike
the land with doom.
Gospel
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Friday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 1:57-66
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbors and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbors were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
I Try to Pray, but I'm So Discouraged – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode explores the nonspiritual nature of discouragement and how it affects our ability to pray.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
When we respond well to discouragement, our spiritual lives benefit greatly. A classic principle underlies this: “gratia supponit perficitque naturam,” that is, “grace presupposes nature and perfects it.” God’s supernatural life in our souls — His grace — presupposes our humanity and elevates it. Therefore, whatever strengthens our humanity, whatever assists our physical and psychological well-being, opens us more fully to God’s grace. If Beth and you and I care properly for our physical and emotional humanity, our spiritual lives will grow easier.
Do you struggle in your prayer, your vocation, your service of God? The answer, at times, will be yes. When you do, consider the helpful questions in this chapter and the previous one. Not all spiritual struggles arise from physical or emotional factors. We do well, however, not to overlook these when faced with spiritual burdens.
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 23). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolationthat are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
Part 2 – Chapter 13 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XIII. Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts.
WE retire with God, because we aspire to Him, and we aspire in order to retire with Him; so that aspiration after God and spiritual retreat excite one another, while both spring from the one Source of all holy thoughts. Do you then, my daughter, aspire continually to God, by brief, ardent upliftings of heart; praise His Excellence, invoke His Aid, cast yourself in spirit at the Foot of His Cross, adore His Goodness, offer your whole soul a thousand times a day to Him, fix your inward gaze upon Him, stretch out your hands to be led by Him, as a little child to its father, clasp Him to your breast as a fragrant nosegay, upraise Him in your soul as a standard. In short, kindle by every possible act your love for God, your tender, passionate desire for the Heavenly Bridegroom of souls. Such is ejaculatory prayer, as it was so earnestly inculcated by S. Augustine upon the devout Proba; and be sure, my daughter, that if you seek such nearness and intimacy with God your whole soul will imbibe the perfume of His Perfections. Neither is this a difficult practice,—it may be interwoven with all our duties and occupations, without hindering any; for neither the spiritual retreat of which I have spoken, nor these inward upliftings of the heart, cause more than a very brief distraction, which, so far from being any hindrance, will rather promote whatever you have in hand. When a pilgrim pauses an instant to take a draught of wine, which refreshes his lips and revives his heart, his onward journey is nowise hindered by the brief delay, but rather it is shortened and lightened, and he brings it all the sooner to a happy end, pausing but to advance the better. Sundry collections of ejaculatory prayer have been put forth, which are doubtless very useful, but I should advise you not to tie yourself to any formal words, but rather to speak with heart or mouth whatever springs forth from the love within you, which is sure to supply you with all abundance.
There are certain utterances which have special force, such as the ejaculatory prayers of which the Psalms are so full, and the numerous loving invocations of Jesus which we find in the Song of Songs. Many hymns too may be used with the like intention, provided they are sung attentively. In short, just as those who are full of some earthly, natural love are ever turning in thought to the beloved one, their hearts overflowing with tenderness, and their lips ever ready to praise that beloved object; comforting themselves in absence by letters, carving the treasured name on every tree;—so those who love God cannot cease thinking of Him, living for Him, longing after Him, speaking of Him, and fain would they grave the Holy Name of Jesus in the hearts of every living creature they behold. And to such an outpour of love all creation bids us— nothing that He has made but is filled with the praise of God, and, as says S. Augustine, everything in the world speaks silently but clearly to the lovers of God of their love, exciting them to holy desires, which gush forth aspirations and loving cries to God. St. Gregory Nazianzen tells his flock, how, walking along the seashore, he watched the waves as they washed up shells and sea weeds, and all manner of small substances, which seemed, as it were, rejected by the sea, until a return wave would often wash part thereof back again; while the rocks remained firm and immoveable, let the waves beat against them never so fiercely.
And then the Saint went on to reflect that feeble hearts let themselves be carried hither and thither by the varying waves of sorrow or consolation, as the case might be, like the shells upon the seashore, while those of a nobler mould abide firm and immoveable amid every storm...
Thursday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 1:46-56
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Fr. Vincent Twomey – The Dynamics of Liturgy, Part 2 on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor
The Dynamics of the Liturgy is a constructive critique of the post–Vatican II liturgical reform through the lens of Joseph Ratzinger's liturgical and sacramental theology—written by a former student of the great pope emeritus. For Ratzinger, liturgy is the oxygen of the sacraments, and his sacramental theology, still largely unknown, is the key to understanding his theology of liturgy.
This work highlights the specifically ritual dimension of liturgy, and the significance this has for Pope Benedict XVI's proposed "reform of the reform". Father Vincent Twomey warns that the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite—which Pope Benedict XVI had promoted to enrich liturgical practice—are dangerously drifting apart rather than, as the pope emeritus intended, complementing each other as part of an authentic renewal of the liturgy.
You can find the book here
"This book is simply a delight — from its grounding in the sacramental thought of Romano Guardini, through its wonderfully practical, beautifully written, step-by- step ‘how to' guide to experiencing every key element of the Mass. It's exactly what the title says it is: a deeply satisfying journey to the heart of Catholic worship."
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
"Christopher Carstens offers a guide at once profound and practical into the ways of full, conscious, and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy. By reading this volume prayerfully and attentively, we can all share more fruitfully in the celebration of Holy Mass."
William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore
SJC18 – Perseverance in Prayer – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
What, then, of the feelings of love that may be experienced in prayer? Are they to be denied or mortified? Ignored or renounced? Saint John of the Cross writes that they should be treated simply as secondary factors in prayer, incidental in importance. The awareness of an inflamed undercurrent of love in the will is far more significant, because it is the deeper truth. Yet it may not be encountered in an experiential manner for its deeper truth. Nonetheless, in a receptive response to a longing for God deep within the soul, this reality of love is fostered. The mistaken approach, on the other hand, is to allow a search for feelings in prayer to dominate the exercise of prayer.
For many people, feelings can become a coveted item in prayer as well as a source of continual frustration and instability—a possessive need for a satisfaction that is somehow felt and then becomes the measure of prayer, a habit hard to relinquish. Feelings of love, delightful as they may be, ought to be only a means to recognizing the more inaccessible reality of love operating at hidden layers of depth in the will and in the soul. The greater truth takes place in the unseen “cavern” of the will as it undergoes a profound “soul desire” for God. There is in every contemplative life a need, at least for a time, to release the soul from the pursuit of feelings in order to embrace this deeper recognition. Love in the will, rather than any feeling, is the much deeper truth in prayer and in contemplation.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 275-276). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts page here
You find the book on which this series is based here
Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 1:39-45
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Dynamics of the Liturgy is a constructive critique of the post–Vatican II liturgical reform through the lens of Joseph Ratzinger's liturgical and sacramental theology—written by a former student of the great pope emeritus. For Ratzinger, liturgy is the oxygen of the sacraments, and his sacramental theology, still largely unknown, is the key to understanding his theology of liturgy.
This work highlights the specifically ritual dimension of liturgy, and the significance this has for Pope Benedict XVI's proposed "reform of the reform". Father Vincent Twomey warns that the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite—which Pope Benedict XVI had promoted to enrich liturgical practice—are dangerously drifting apart rather than, as the pope emeritus intended, complementing each other as part of an authentic renewal of the liturgy.
You can find the book here
"This book is simply a delight — from its grounding in the sacramental thought of Romano Guardini, through its wonderfully practical, beautifully written, step-by- step ‘how to' guide to experiencing every key element of the Mass. It's exactly what the title says it is: a deeply satisfying journey to the heart of Catholic worship."
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
"Christopher Carstens offers a guide at once profound and practical into the ways of full, conscious, and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy. By reading this volume prayerfully and attentively, we can all share more fruitfully in the celebration of Holy Mass."
William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore
Part 2 – Chapter 12 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XII. On Spiritual Retirement.
THIS is a matter, dear daughter, to which I am very anxious to win your attention, for in it lies one of the surest means of spiritual progress. Strive as often as possible through the day to place yourself in God’s Presence by some one of the methods already suggested. Consider what God does, and what you are doing;—you will see His Eyes ever fixed upon you in Love incomparable. “O my God,” you will cry out, “why cannot I always be looking upon You, even as You look on me? why do I think so little about You? O my soul, my only resting place is God, and yet how often do I wander?” The birds have nests in lofty trees, and the stag his refuge in the thick coverts, where he can shelter from the sun’s burning heat; and just so, my daughter, our hearts ought daily to choose some resting-place, either Mount Calvary, or the Sacred Wounds, or some other spot close to Christ, where they can retire at will to seek rest and refreshment amid toil, and to be as in a fortress, protected from temptation. Blessed indeed is the soul which can truly say, “You, Lord, are my 88 Refuge, my Castle, my Stay, my Shelter in the storm and in the heat of the day.” Be sure then, my child, that while externally occupied with business and social duties, you frequently retire within the solitude of your own heart. That solitude need not be in any way hindered by the crowds which surround you—they surround your body, not your soul, and your heart remains alone in the Sole Presence of God.
This is what David sought after amid his manifold labors;—the Psalms are full of such expressions as “Lord, I am ever with You. The Lord is always at my right hand. I lift up my eyes to You, O You Who dwells in the heavens. My eyes look unto God.” There are few social duties of sufficient importance to prevent an occasional retirement of the heart into this sacred solitude. When S. Catherine of Sienna was deprived by her parents of any place or time for prayer and meditation, Our Lord inspired her with the thought of making a little interior oratory in her mind, into which she could retire in heart, and so enjoy a holy solitude amid her outward duties. And henceforward, when the world assaulted her, she was able to be indifferent, because, so she said, she could retire within her secret oratory, and find comfort with her Heavenly Bridegroom.
So she counseled her spiritual daughters to make a retirement within their heart, in which to dwell. Do you in like manner let your heart withdraw to such an inward retirement, where, apart from all men, you can lay it bare, and treat face to face with God, even as David says that he watched like a “pelican in the wilderness, or an owl in the desert, or a sparrow sitting alone upon the housetop.” These words have a sense beyond their literal meaning, or King David’s habit of retirement for contemplation;—and we may find in them three excellent kinds of retreats in which to seek solitude after the Savior’s Example, Who is symbolized as He hung upon Mount Calvary by the pelican of the wilderness, feeding her young ones with her blood. So again His Nativity in a lonely stable might find a foreshadowing in the owl of the desert, bemoaning and lamenting: and in His Ascension He was like the sparrow rising high above the dwellings of men. Thus, in each of these ways we can make a retreat amid the daily cares of life and its business. When the blessed Elzear, Count of Arian-enProvence, had been long separated from his pious and beloved wife Delphine, she sent a messenger to inquire after him, and he returned answer, “I am well, dear wife, and if you would see me, seek me in the Wounded Side of our Dear Lord Jesus; that is my sure dwelling-place, and elsewhere you will seek me in vain.” Surely,
Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the book of St. Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age,
Episode 38 – Preparing for the Coming of Christ – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the events leading up to the celebration of Christmas and how the coming of Christ experienced in our lives today.
Gospel
Lk 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
Monday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the book of St. Luke 1:5-25
In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.
Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.
Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink. Even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the disobedient back to the wisdom that the virtuous have, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.’
Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel who stand in God’s presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.’ Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long. When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had received a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them, and remained dumb.
When his time of service came to an end he returned home. Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept to herself. ‘The Lord has done this for me’ she said ‘now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered among men.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.
Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.
Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink.
Part 2 – Chapter 11 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER XI. Evening Prayer and Examination of Conscience
AS I have counselled you before your material dinner to make a spiritual repast in meditation, so before your evening meal you should make at least a devout spiritual collation. Make sure of some brief leisure before suppertime, and then prostrating yourself before God, and recollecting yourself in the Presence of Christ Crucified, setting Him before your mind with a stedfast inward glance, renew the warmth of your morning’s meditation by 86 some hearty aspirations and humble upliftings of your soul to your Blessed Saviour, either repeating those points of your meditation which helped you most, or kindling your heart with anything else you will.
As to the examination of conscience, which we all should make before going to bed, you know the rules: 1. Thank God for having preserved you through the day past.
2. Examine how you have conducted yourself through the day, in order to recall where and with whom you have been, and what you have done.
3. If you have done anything good, offer thanks to God; if you have done amiss in thought, word, or deed, ask forgiveness of His Divine Majesty, resolving to confess the fault when opportunity offers, and to be diligent in doing better.
4. Then commend your body and soul, the Church, your relations and friends, to God. Ask that the Saints and Angels may keep watch over you, and with God’s Blessing go to the rest He has appointed for you. Neither this practice nor that of the morning should ever be omitted; by your morning prayer you open your soul’s windows to the sunshine of Righteousness, and by your evening devotions you close them against the shades of hell.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff will remind us that we are called to realize who we are through Him, with Him, and in Him! Now is the time!
Reading 1 Is 7:10-14
The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.
Gospel Mt 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Sunday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the book of St. Matthew 1:18–24
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the book of Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’<
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’<
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 5:33-36
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘You sent messengers to John,
and he gave his testimony to the truth:
not that I depend on human testimony;
no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.
John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s:
the works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘You sent messengers to John,
and he gave his testimony to the truth:
not that I depend on human testimony;
no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.
John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s:
the works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘You sent messengers to John,
and he gave his testimony to the truth:
not that I depend on human testimony;
no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.
John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s:
the works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 12 – The Two Liturgies: External and Internal – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg, Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss "the two liturgies," the external and internal action of the Eucharist.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
- The Noetic faculty in the heart (meaning perception of the heart)
- Hesychia – stilleness, rest, quiet, silence
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
I'm looking for a quote, it's from a contemporary Orthodox Metropolitan named Hierotheos, and he says, if the noetic faculty in the heart is operating, then we can come in contact with, what he calls, a second liturgy, "something happens that seems strange to most people, but is natural for those who consciously practice hesychia." This is a silence, contemplative. "Although they are present at the Divine Eucharist and are aware through their senses and their reason of everything going on," those are the first two faculties that I identified, "they're listening at the same time to the noetic faculty in the heart where the Holy Spirit praises without ceasing. Lord Jesus Christ's son of God have mercy on me."
In other words, there are two liturgies. One is the external liturgy of the Divine Eucharist, where the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Spirit. The other is the inner liturgy or Eucharist, where they experience uncreated worship and the spiritual priest of divine grace celebrates. There's no break between the two liturgies. Both are accomplished with full awareness. The Holy Spirit changes the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood, and the same Holy Spirit activates noetic prayer on the altar of the heart.
Well, by talking about aestheticism and mysticism, my purpose has been to try to make us think about… That sounds like I just denied everything I've been saying. I'm trying to make us think about something, make us think about this synergy going on, and I am trying to make us think about it. I'm writing books about Mrs. Murphy. I don't want her to read them, but I write about Mrs. Murphy for my colleagues. So that my colleagues, I made a sweeping gesture to mean the academic world, so that they don't look down their noses at Mrs. Murphy. My lesson from Aidan Kavanagh and the thesis is that Mrs. Murphy is a true theologian and I'm making an apologetic for her.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press,
Part 2 – Chapter 10 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART 2 – CHAPTER X. Morning Prayer
Besides your systematic meditation and your other vocal prayers, there are five shorter kinds of prayer, which are as aids and assistants to the great devotion, and foremost among these is your morning prayer, as a general preparation for all the day’s work. It should be made in this wise.
1. Thank God and adore Him for His Grace which has kept you safely through the night, and if in anything you have offended against Him, ask forgiveness.
2. Call to mind that the day now beginning is given you in order that you may work for Eternity and make a stedfast resolution to use this day for that end.
3. Consider beforehand what occupations, duties and occasions are likely this day to enable you to serve God; what temptations to offend Him, either by vanity, anger, etc., may arise; and make a fervent resolution to use all means of serving Him and confirming your own piety; as also to avoid and resist whatever might hinder your salvation and God’s Glory. Nor is it enough to make such a resolution, —you must also prepare to carry it into effect. Therefore, if you foresee having to meet someone who is hot-tempered and irritable, you must not merely resolve to guard your own temper, but you must consider by what gentle words to conciliate him. If you know you will see some sick person, consider how best to minister comfort to him, and so on.
4. Next, humble yourself before God, confessing that of yourself you could carry out nothing that you have planned, either in avoiding evil or seeking good. Then, so to say, take your heart in your hands, and offer it and all your good intentions to God’s Gracious Majesty, entreating Him to accept them, and strengthen you in His Service, which you may do in 85 some such words as these: “Lord, I lay before You my weak heart, which You do fill with good desires. You know that I am unable to bring the same to good effect, unless You do bless and prosper them, and therefore, O Loving Father, I entreat of You to help me by the Merits and Passion of your Dear Son, to Whose Honor I would devote this day and my whole life.”
All these acts should be made briefly and heartily, before you leave your room if possible, so that all the coming work of the day may be prospered with God’s blessing; but anyhow, my daughter, I entreat you never to omit them.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
Thursday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 7:24-30
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
SJC17 – The Will in Prayer Inflamed by Pure Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
It can be useful initially to recall the operation of inclination in the will, the first operation of the will, as described in chapter 5. The will by its natural inclination, in or out of prayer, seeks the satisfaction of taking possession of what it desires. This natural inclination plays a crucial role in prayer. The possibility in prayer is that on certain days the delight of consolation can be received in the course of prayer. This satisfaction, which may be graced, nonetheless can detour the soul from a pure pursuit of God if it becomes the primary desire sought in prayer. The desire for a spiritual taste or feeling, as Saint John of the Cross repeats often in his writings, may replace the far greater need to turn our desire fully and exclusively toward God himself in a great surrender to him. In a letter to a Carmelite nun in Córdoba written at almost this same time in July of that same year, he writes: “To possess God in all, you should possess nothing in all. For how can the heart that belongs to one belong completely to the other?” (L17). The pure desire for God himself has to be a consuming need for a soul that would love God with intensity. Secondary desires for experiences of satisfaction in prayer must be understood as an inferior pursuit.
This teaching entails further insights and challenges. Nothing that can be enjoyed as a satisfaction in prayer should be interpreted as taking hold of God, just as no knowledge of God received in prayer is equivalent to comprehending the actual truth of God. No taste of the presence of God in prayer removes the inaccessibility of God in his divine nature to the human soul’s immediate experience. To think otherwise is to be deceived. It is necessary, then, not to halt at any experience of satisfaction in prayer as though a possession of God had been enjoyed in this delight. On the contrary, the soul must accept that the deeper truth of prayer extends always beyond any experience in prayer. The inclination of the will in prayer should remain ever desirous for God himself without arriving, as it were, at a destination in some satisfaction. In truth, a pure desire for God never arrives at a final satiation in this life, but rather is inflamed increasingly over time with an intensifying desire for God. If we enjoy some delight in prayer on any day, this experience does not convey the deeper truth of prayer, which is often concealed within unseen layers of the soul.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 270-271). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts page here
You find the book on which this series is based here
Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 7:19-23
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
I Just Can't Pray – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue a 20-part series on the various Struggles in the Spiritual Life. This episode goes into the physical and mental struggles we face when we find ourselves unable to pray.
You can pick up a copy of the book here:
An excerpt from the book:
"Yes, the spiritual life is easier when we take wise care of the body. If you struggle in the spiritual life, ask first: How is my physical energy? Do I get enough sleep? Do I exercise sufficiently? Does my diet sustain my energy? If the answers are positive, you may presume that spiritual struggles, should you experience them, arise from a different cause. But it is wise to ask these questions before you presume this.
Sometimes, life simply makes demands on our energy. If John’s pace at work increases still more, if his wife’s illness grows more serious and long-lasting, if he himself faces physical issues, if the children’s needs increase, and the like, then his energy for prayer will be less. God never asks the impossible! John, or any one of us in similar circumstances, can only do our best to care for our energy. Such expenditures of energy, accepted out of love for our vocation — in this case, marriage and fatherhood — bring us closer to God, though our prayer may be more tired. Even in such situations, however, God asks us to care for the body as best we can. And this will bless our prayer."
Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 17). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.
From the book's description: "Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It's a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolationthat are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You'll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you'll be given the remedy for the struggle. You'll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You'll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you'll learn to reject the enemy's ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness."
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!
CLJ6 – Joyful Penitence – ‘Come, Lord Jesus' by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C.
An excerpt from Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting:
Joyful Penitence
My dear Sisters, in this third week of Advent following upon Gaudete Sunday, we find a deep call, a profound call, to the understanding of penance. I think the Church is trying to teach us that real penance is always characterized by joy, that joy is a property of penance. When we look at penitence, we could perhaps list many properties, many characteristics and effects of penance; and we can all develop this in prayer. For today, I would like to linger a bit on three outstanding characteristics and effects of penance, three which I would venture to say are the most prominent. They are both property and effect; they are both descriptive of what is there and are a function of what is there. These three are: purpose, alertness, and joy.
Now, when we really become aware of how much we need to do penance, of how much we have sinned and are at fault, we could question (if we look at it in a superficial way) how we could be joyful. Would we not grow sadder and sadder? But, no, this is not true. And so let us look at that first property and effect: purpose. Real penance is always purposeful. And this characteristic is also an effect; that is, the more we truly realize our state as penitents, the more purpose we have to amend. We know that, in the Sacrament of Penance, we cannot be absolved from our sins if we do not have a firm purpose of amendment. Contrition is not real—it is not only incomplete, but it is not real—if there is no true purpose of amendment. This does not mean that we may not fall again, but it does mean that I am full of purpose, that I am not going to go on like this, that I am not going to keep doing this. That is what characterizes real penance. A weak wailing about my faults, with no evident purpose to do anything about them, has nothing to do with penance. It has a lot to do with cowardice, it has a lot to do with pride, and it is an expression of lack of purposefulness.
But real penance is a driving force. We see this dramatically in our Father Saint Francis. He wept because “Love is not loved.” He just could not get over this, and he was so driven by this, that Love was not loved enough by him. He went on with such purpose that in the sacred stigmata, love finally broke out all over him.
Francis P.C.C., Mother Mary. Come, Lord Jesus (pp. 135-136). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., (1921-2006) was for more than forty years the abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. She became recognized as an authoritative voice for the renewal of religious life through her many books, including A Right to Be Merry, But I Have Called You Friends, and Anima Christi. To learn more about Mother Mary Francis and the Poor Clare Nuns of Roswell, NM visit their website at https://poorclares-roswell.org
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Cluny Media whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
"Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction." (1)
"When a soul has advanced so far on the spiritual road as to be lost to all the natural methods of communing with God; when it seeks Him no longer by meditation, images, impressions, nor by any other created ways, or representations of sense, but only by rising above them all, in the joyful communion with Him by faith and love, then it may be said to have found God of a truth, because it has truly lost itself as to all that is not God, and also as to its own self." (2)
(1)Saint John of the Cross, Kieran Kavanaugh, Otilio Rodríguez (1991). “The Prayers of Saint John of the Cross” (2)"Cántico Espiritual (The Spiritual Canticle)". Book by John of the Cross (Note to Stanza 29, Part 8), 1622.
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 37 – Giving Witness to Christ – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor discuss the heart of Kerygma as Peter addresses the Jews gathered in Jerusalem, reminding them that the events they have just experienced were foretold by the prophet Joel (Acts 2: 14-21), and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Messiah (Acts 2: 22-36)
Some of the takeaways for us is that there is no replacement for authentic first-hand witnesses. As Christ's witnesses, we are encouraged to:
- Cultivate an intimate communion with Jesus by regular Confession and worthy reception of the Eucharist at Mass;
- Invest the time for study, Scripture reading, and prayer to come to know Jesus Christ and form a personal relationship with him;
- Stay united to, and pray for the Church and for all those whom Jesus may send you for your witness;
- Take courage from Jesus' words to the Apostles before sending them out, even in times of persecution, "do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." (Mt 10:19)
For more episodes in this series, visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
Day 8 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
Even as vapours darken the air and allow not the bright sun to shine; or as a mirror that is clouded over cannot receive within itself a clear image; or as water defiled by mud reflects not the visage of one that looks therein; even so tDay 8 in the understanding and allows neither the sun of natural reason nor that of the supernatural Wisdom of God to shine upon it and illumine it clearly.
Ascent of Mount Carmel. Trans. E. Allison Peers, Book 1, Chapter 8, Paragraph 1 St.
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
The impatient one, above all, desires to speed up time and to get what he wants, when he wants it. In this way, impatience is related to violence. Whereas patience takes suffering upon the self. The impatient one makes others suffer. The patient one suffers for the sake of others. This Advent, the one who suffered for our sake, will come and take on flesh; be born into our world and teach all of us the true way of love. It is not to be impatient, but to suffer for the sake of others. To suffer for the goodness of others. To suffer for what benefits others. Jesus, who lives within all Christians, moves the heart to this new kind of patience. Let us welcome it, and make choices that further the welfare of others.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast
For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page
Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign w...
Msgr. Esseff asks us to enter into a joyfully approach Christmas this advent by reflecting on the many ways Jesus has come into our lives throughout years. He guides us through the Stations of the Cross to help us enter more deeply the mystery of his presence.
Reading 1 Is 35:1-6a, 10
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing. Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.
Gospel Mt 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Visit the Discerning Hearts Stations of the Cross Pages:
Stations of the Cross according to the method of St. Francis text and mp3 audio download
Scriptural Stations of the Cross; Mp3 audio and Text podcast
Day 7 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
What God communicates to the soul in this intimate union is totally beyond words. One can say nothing about it just as one can say nothing about God Himself that resembles Him. For in the transformation of the soul in God, it is God who communicates Himself with admirable glory. In this transformation, the two become one, as we would say of the window united with the ray of sunlight, or of the coal with the fire, or of the starlight with the light of the Sun.
Spiritual Canticle, 26:4; Kavanaugh & Rodriguez, 1973; p. 512
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Nine
Mother of our Savior, the conversion of your Aztec children brought an end to infant sacrifice in Mexico. Holy Mary, we implore your help to end the infant sacrifice by abortion throughout the Americas.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
Sunday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 11:2-11
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
Day 6 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
The soul, desiring to be possessed by this immense God, for love of Whom she feels that her heart is robbed and wounded, unable to endure her sickness any longer, deliberately asks Him … to show her His beauty, His divine essence, and to kill her with this revelation, and thereby free her from the flesh since she cannot see and enjoy Him as she wants. She makes this request by displaying before Him the sickness and yearning of her heart, in which she perseveres suffering for love of Him, unable to find a cure in anything less than this glorious vision of His divine essence.
Spiritual Canticle, I. 11:2; Kavanaugh & Rodriguez, 1973; pp. 448-449
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Eight
Mary, Mother of the Church, your apparitions at Tepeyac and the miraculous image you left fostered unity between Catholic conquerors and clergy and the millions of Aztec converts. Bring unity, Mother, to the various factions within the Church and the wider public so that all may work to establish a culture of life.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
I will wait, and wait, and wait with the Lord. I will wait with and in the Lord, rather than violate charity. Wanting to speed up time, and make things happen now is a violation of charity. It does violence to the nature of things. But the patient person keeps a perspective that is beyond expedient. Beyond what is immediate, and sees before him or her, all what serves love. This Advent, let’s ask for the grace to serve only what promotes love.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast
For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 17:10-13
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
"A Devotional Journey into the Mass: How Mass Can Become A TIme of Grace, Nourishment, and Devotion" by Christopher Carstens is excellent. A Director of Liturgy and with a rich background in liturgical theology he leads us into the journey of mystagogy and the exploration of the "sacramental principle" which helps us to understand how the invisible God communicates with us through the sensible signs we have in our liturgical celebrations, in particular in the Mass. In our conversation, he opens the doors to eight elements of the Mass which enrich our spiritual lives in a transformative way when we open ourselves to full and active participation in this sacrament which is the Second Vatican Council called the "source and summit of the Christian life."
You can find the book here
"This book is simply a delight — from its grounding in the sacramental thought of Romano Guardini, through its wonderfully practical, beautifully written, step-by- step ‘how to' guide to experiencing every key element of the Mass. It's exactly what the title says it is: a deeply satisfying journey to the heart of Catholic worship."
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
"Christopher Carstens offers a guide at once profound and practical into the ways of full, conscious, and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy. By reading this volume prayerfully and attentively, we can all share more fruitfully in the celebration of Holy Mass."
William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore
Day 5 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
It is clear that the desires weary and fatigue the soul; for they are like restless and discontented children, who are ever demanding this or that from their mother, and are never contented. And even as one that digs because he covets a treasure is wearied and fatigued, even so is the soul wearied and fatigued in order to attain that which its desires demand of it; and although in the end it may attain it, it is still weary, because it is never satisfied
Ascent of Mount Carmel. Trans. E. Allison Peers, Book 1, Chapter 6, Paragraph 6
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Seven
Mystical Rose, your miraculous signs of Castilian roses in winter and your image on the tilma of Juan Diego led to the conversion of eight million Aztec people to Catholicism in just seven years. Mary, Mother of the Americas, intercede again for your children in the Americas, and convert the hearts of all who deny the sanctity of every human life.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 11:16-19
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her activity in our lives. He helps us to understand the Immaculate Conception.
Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself.”
Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”
The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”
The LORD God then asked the woman,
“Why did you do such a thing?”
The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel.”The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.
Reading 2 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
Gospel Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Le...
CLJ5 – A Cleaned Heart – ‘Come, Lord Jesus' by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C.
An excerpt from Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting:
A Cleaned Heart
My dear Sisters, in the second week of Advent we have so rich a liturgy encompassing the great solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and rounding its weekly cycle off with the tender feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is enough to make one feel drunk with new wine just to think about all that is opening out before us in this week. We want to linger especially today on that great solemnity of our Immaculate Mother. It could be that this great solemnity which is meant to bring us so close to our Mother could really separate us from her if we did not enter profoundly into its meaning. She was immaculate; she was born without sin, and she lived without sin; and death could not hold her in the tomb because she was without sin and therefore the penalty of death had nothing to do with her.
And so, we could think, what does this have to do with me? I, who have a whole life of accumulation of sin and dreary faults committed again and again. What do we mean—in that prayer of the Church—that we should come with clean hearts to God? How can we ever come with a clean heart to God? Is this not something reserved to our Immaculate Mother? We just seem to get dirtier and dirtier all the time. How can this be a real prayer, a sincere prayer? It seems that no sooner have we got a little bit clean than we are soiled again; and Scripture itself could seem very depressing when it says the just man, the man in perfect holiness, falls seven times a day. We could sit back and say, “Oh, dear!”—and then we want to pray to come to God with a clean heart?
None of us would stand up and say, “Well, I None of us would stand up and say, “Well, I None of us would stand up and say, “Well, I am the just woman.” But even then I would fall seven times a day!
Francis P.C.C., Mother Mary. Come, Lord Jesus (p. 77-78). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., (1921-2006) was for more than forty years the abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. She became recognized as an authoritative voice for the renewal of religious life through her many books, including A Right to Be Merry, But I Have Called You Friends, and Anima Christi. To learn more about Mother Mary Francis and the Poor Clare Nuns of Roswell, NM visit their website at https://poorclares-roswell.org
Discerning Hearts is grateful to Cluny Media whose permission was obtained to record these audio selections from this published work.
Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
The road and ascent to God, then, necessarily demands a habitual effort to renounce and mortify the appetites; the sooner this mortification is achieved, the sooner the soul reaches the top. But until the appetites are eliminated, a person will not arrive, no matter how much virtue he practices. For he will fail to acquire perfect virtue, which lies in keeping the soul empty, naked, and purified of every appetite.
… Until slumber comes to the appetites through the mortification of sensuality, and until this very sensuality is stilled in such a way that the appetites do not war against the spirit, the soul will not walk out to genuine freedom, to the enjoyment of union with its Beloved.
The Ascent Of Mount Carmel, I.5.6; Kavanaugh & Rodriguez, 1973; p. 83
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Six
Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion. Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his r...
Episode 11 – Ascetical Struggle and a Mystical Joy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg, Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the chronological and kairos nature of time and its dimensions in the liturgy, particularly on Sunday.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
- The definition of liturgy: Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
This is why it's important for worshiping on Sunday, the Lord's Day for the Lord's people in the Lord's house at the Lord's table. Sunday is this eighth day, the day of the resurrection. After six days of creation, got rested on the seventh, and when humanity fell into sin, God had to act again. So Sunday, the day of resurrection, is like one more day in the Book of Genesis being added as an appendix. And Taft says to anyone beginning the study of Sunday, "The initial impression is one of confusion." Sunday is the first day, the day of creation, the day of light, the day of the new time. I think it's just named the cosmic dimensions of Sunday, but it's also the last day, the eighth day, the day beyond the days, the day of Jubilee, the day of the end time.
Now he has named the eschatological dimensions of Sunday. It's the day of the resurrection, the day of the post-resurrection appearances and meals. Watch for that in the scripture readings eight days later on Sunday. It's the day of the descent of the Spirit and the day of the ascension. These are the historical Jesus days.
And then, he gives finally the ecclesiological church meanings. The day of the assembly, the day of the Eucharist, the day of baptism, the day of ordinations. Until one asks, "Is there anything Sunday doesn't mean?" And the answer of course, is no. For the early Church Sunday was indeed everything. The symbolic day, a sign of the time of the church between ascension and parousia, the time in which we are living now, it's the day symbolic of all days for… And here's the quote, which I stumbled on in our earlier conversation so I can slip it in here. "It's a day symbolic of all days for the purpose of all Christian liturgy is to express in a ritual moment that which should be the basic stance of every moment of our lives."
Once a year you celebrate a birthday in a ritual way, but that doesn't mean you don't love your kid for the other 364 days. Once a week, you enter into this Eucharistic uplift and twist with God, but that doesn't mean you forget about him for the other days of the week. What you do on Sunday morning should be an expression of the basic stance of every day, of every hour, of every moment. Well, that seems to me like an ascetical struggle and a mystical joy.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in
Day 3 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
St. John of the Cross you have said:
Before this Divine fire of love is introduced into the substance of the soul, and is united with it, by means of a purity and purgation that is perfect and complete, this flame is wounding the soul, and destroying and consuming in it the imperfections of its evil habits; and this is the operation of the Holy Spirit, wherein he prepares it for Divine union and the transformation of its substance in God through love.
Saint John of the Cross, taken from Saint John of the Cross: Poems, translated by Willis Barnstone (New York: New Directions, 1972).
Prayer for Peace from St. John of the Cross
O Blessed Jesus, grant me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of gentleness, King of peace. Give me control, control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, O dear Lord, deliver me. By Your own deep patience give me patience, stillness of soul in You. Make me in this, and in all, more and more like You. Amen.
Lord God, you gave Saint John of the Cross
the grace of complete self-denial
and an ardent love for the cross of Christ.
Grant that by following always in his footsteps
we may come to the eternal vision of your glory.
And through his intercession, if it be in accord with your holy will,
Grant the petition we bring before you in this novena.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
For more on St. John of the Cross, visit St. John of the Cross: of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Five
Virgin gentle in mercy, in Juan Diego’s anxiety, to bring a priest to his dying uncle he failed to keep his appointment with you. Yet, you rewarded his filial love by restoring his uncle to health. Your compassion allowed Juan Diego to fulfill the mission you gave him, returning to the bishop with the proof the bishop sought. Teach us, Mother, to put God’s holy will ahead of all created things, including our loved ones, and help remove the obstacles that prevent us from following God’s will.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
AR#7 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
Since we are God’s creation, we have come from God and we are returning to God; God has great confidence in His own grace. He has great confidence that his love for us can change us. He knows that we can make progress and be restored to spiritual and moral health. Do you have confidence in God? Do you trust God? Always desiring to restore you, once again, to happiness and interior peace. Advent is a time to be restored. Primarily, the church is asking us to be restored through the sacramental life. Advent is a time to come back to Church; come back to the Mass; come back to the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation, where God is confidently waiting for you, knowing that you can make progress and be restored to spiritual health. And to taste, once again, His happiness that He shares with you.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast
For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page
Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning HeartAs you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.The post Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
Day Four
Virgin most wise, you chose a humble farmer to announce your motherly concern to the people of Mexico. Although Juan Diego felt unequal to the mission you gave him, you encouraged him to persevere. Faced with powerful anti-life forces today, we also feel unequal to the mission God has given us of building a culture of life and a civilization of love. Help us to persevere always in this great campaign for life, assured of your help and prayers. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be …
The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
AR#6 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.One of our greatest sufferings as Christians is our own impatience with ourselves. We want to be good and holy immediately. St. Francis de Sales said “Have patience with all things. But chiefly, have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage, in considering your own imperfections. But instantly set about to remedy them. Begin every day a task anew.” During Advent, lets make our new task a deeper prayer life, entrusting all our desires for goodness and holiness, to the Most Holy Trinity, who has infinite patience with us. And as we receive this amazing love from the Trinity, let us ask that our own characters be reformed, so that we might have real patience with one another.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page.
We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast
For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page
The post AR#6 – Do Not Lose Courage – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this excerpt from 'Come, Lord Jesus' by Mother Mary Francis, she reflects upon Right Nutrition
The post CLJ1 – Right Nutrition – Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 10 – The Inward then Outward, Upward then Downward Movement of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D. Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the Anabatic and Katabatic movements of the liturgy. Here are some of the topics explored in this episode: From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg: ... Read more
The post PSM10 – The Inward then Outward, Upward then Downward Movement of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 2 - Chapter 9 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL33 – Part 2 – Chapter 9 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC15 – Receptivity to God’s Presence – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA and the First Week of Advent
The post WM35 – The First Sunday of Advent and the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We want everything accomplished right away. God only knows that accomplishment follows one thing after another. He knows that it takes time for us to learn what it means to be human, to be those who are loved so deeply by His most Sacred Heart, His mother, and the saints. He knows that it takes time for us to understand that His love, and the reception of His love, is the very origin of our joy. During Advent, we ask even with more fervor, to receive this love. And we ask for the grace to release this joy, especially through the intercession of the saints and the Blessed Mother.
The post AR#2 – To Be Loved and To Receive Joy – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36
The post Monday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the start of this new Advent season in the life of the Church. He makes suggestions on how we can make our spiritual journey more fruitful, not only for ourselves but also for the world.
The post The First Sunday of Advent with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
One of God’s attributes is patience. He suffers His own creation, as it comes to fulfillment in His love. The God that we worship is a God who truly loves us. And in this great love, He waits. He waits for us to respond to all that He has given us. And He doesn't simply wait in a passive way. He keeps loving us, keeps directing His love toward our hearts to awaken them with a response. This is near the very core of what Advent is about. God loving us so deeply, directing His love toward us, and Him sharing His life with us, so that we might respond in kind. So that we might wait and receive, and then respond to His great love
The post AR#1 – God’s Patience – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36
The post Sunday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 2 - Chapter 8 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL32 – Part 2 – Chapter 8 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 8, Fr. Gallagher concludes the retreat with letters from St. Therese to a fellow Sister in the Carmelites, showing the depths of Therese's sanctity in loving others, even the "difficult" ones.
The post HIDT8 – Conference 8 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 6 - Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
The post TSP6 – Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures on the feast of Christ the King...the victory of Jesus over sin and the defeat of Satan:
Gospel Lk 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."
Above him there was an inscription that read,
"This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."
The post The True King has Conquered Sin and Satan! – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of Christ the King - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Solemnity of Christ the King – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life's Hurts, Dr. Matthew Breuninger examines the nature and causes of our wounds. Finding Freedom in Christ outlines a six-step model to help readers identify and remove the barriers to God's healing grace—making deeper conversion possible.
The post IP#482 Dr. Matthew Breuninger – Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts part 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life's Hurts, Dr. Matthew Breuninger examines the nature and causes of our wounds. Finding Freedom in Christ outlines a six-step model to help readers identify and remove the barriers to God's healing grace—making deeper conversion possible.
The post IP#481 Dr. Matthew Breuninger – Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life’s Hurts part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 2, Chapters 3 & 4 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL27-28 – Part 2 – Chapters 3 & 4 – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Part 2, Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL26 – Part 2 – Chapter 2: A Short Method for Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 7, In Conference 7, through various letters of the Martin sisters, Fr. Gallagher gives us insight into the interpersonal relationships of the Martin Sisters, especially St. Therese's feelings towards her aunt, Celine Guerin.
The post HIDT7- Conference 7 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC14 – Graces from Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures on "the end times":
Gospel Lk 21:5-19
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here--
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,’ and 'The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
"Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
The post The World Will End…What Will Your Response Be?- Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee, by the precious blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in purgatory, and among them all, especially that soul which is nearest to its entrance into Thy glory; that, so it may soon begin to praise Thee and bless Thee ... Read more
The post Monday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Lord God almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in the garden,
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and especially that one that is the most forsaken of all;
and bring it to Thy glory,
there to praise and bless Thee forever.
Amen.
The post Sunday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Communal worship speaks to this need. We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world.
The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity.
The post The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Communal worship speaks to this need. We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world.
The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity.
The post The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Communal worship speaks to this need. We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world.
The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity.
The post The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
which Thy Divine Son, Jesus, did shed on this day,
upon the tree of the cross,
especially from His sacred hands and feet,
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray;
in order that I may not be the cause which hinders Thee
from admitting it quickly into the possession of Thy glory
where it may praise and bless Thee forever more.
Amen.
The post Friday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
which Thy Divine Son, Jesus, did shed on this day,
upon the tree of the cross,
especially from His sacred hands and feet,
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray;
in order that I may not be the cause which hinders Thee
from admitting it quickly into the possession of Thy glory
where it may praise and bless Thee forever more.
Amen.
The post Friday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O LORD God almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
which Thy Divine Son, Jesus, did shed on this day,
upon the tree of the cross,
especially from His sacred hands and feet,
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray;
in order that I may not be the cause which hinders Thee
from admitting it quickly into the possession of Thy glory
where it may praise and bless Thee forever more.
Amen.
The post Friday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday
O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
of Thy Divine Son Jesus that was shed
in the streets of Jerusalem
while He carried on His sacred shoulders,
the heavy burden of the cross
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and especially that one which is the richest in merits in thy sight;
so that having soon obtained the high place in glory to which it is destined,
it may praise Thee triumphantly and bless Thee forever.
Amen.
O Lord, hear my prayer
And let my prayer cry come onto thee.
O God
the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful,
grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaids
the remission of all their sins
that through our devout supplications
they may obtain the pardon they have always desired.
Who live and reign world without end…Amen.
Say the following prayers:
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace. Amen.
For every day of the week
All Souls' Day - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post All Souls’ Day – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 5, Zelie's letters go into detail about two particular incidents: one involving con artists posing as nuns and her attempts to rescue a young girl from their horrific abuse, and another story where Zelie and her daughters help a woman at the train station; both stories showcasing the virtues that would come to define the Martin family in the modern day.
The post HIDT5- Conference 5 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Lord God almighty, I beseech Thee,
by the precious blood
which Thy Divine Son Jesus
that was shed in His bitter crowning with thorns,
deliver the souls in purgatory,
and among them all,
particularly that soul which is in the greatest need of our prayers
in order that it may not long be delayed
in praising Thee in Thy glory,
and blessing Thee forever
Amen.
The post Tuesday – Praying daily for the Poor Souls – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
All Saints' Day - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post All Saints’ Day – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 34 – What is the Kerygma Part 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role ... Read more
The post WM34 – What is the Kerygma Part 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 24 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL24 – All Evil Inclinations Must be Purged Away – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC12 – Dawning Light of the Gift of Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 3 - How the Enemy Affects Us - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
The post Ep 3 – How the Enemy Affects Us – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 23 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL23 – Putting Away Inclination for Dangerous Things – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 4, Fr. Gallagher continues the letters of St. Zelie Martin, which document the struggles of Therese's attachment issues, Louis' pilgrimage to Lourdes, and Leonie's difficulties in attending school.
The post HIDT4- Conference 4 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and on how we pray: Gospel LK 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a ... Read more
The post The Trap of Self-Righteous Prayer – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses The Prayer of St. John Paul II. He reflects on "Sign of Contradiction"
The post The Prayer of St. John Paul II – Special Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 22 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL22 – The Necessity of Purging Venial Sins – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC11 – Barricades on the Road to Contemplation, Part 2 – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapters 20 & 21 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
The post IDL20-21 – Conclusion of this First Purification – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 3, Fr. Gallagher reads the letters of St. Zelie Martin, which document the harrowing trials the Martin family faced, including the Franco-Prussian War, financial difficulties, the death of another child, and the near death of an infant Therese.
The post HIDT3- Conference 3 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 33 – What is the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Luca Archbishop Lucas and Kris McGregor begin the discussion of the first announcement, more formally known as KERYGMA From the APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 164. In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the ... Read more
The post WM33 – What is the Kerygma – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In Conference 2, Fr. Gallagher continues reading from the letters of St. Zelie to her brother, Isidore and sister-in-law, Celine. He also provides further historical context, as the Martins must deal with incoming war and economic strife resulting from it.
The post HIDT2- Conference 2 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 54 - Life: The 800 lb Gorilla in the Room
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 54 – Episode 54 – Life, the 800lb Gorilla in the Room – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 54 - Life: The 800 lb Gorilla in the Room
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 54 – Episode 54 – Life, the 800lb Gorilla in the Room – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on gratitude, particularly in difficult times. Gospel LK 17:11-19 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw ... Read more
The post BKL467 – The Gift of “Thank You” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 1 - Introduction - St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke
The post Ep 1 – Introduction – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 11:5-13
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him....
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Conference 1 – Hope in Difficult Times: with Sts. Therese, Louis, and Zelie and Their Family with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects on the lives of St. Thérèse, Sts. Zelie and Louis, Servant of God Leonie, and many others from the Martin family. You will often hear in the family’s own words, through their letters and other writings, how they too were challenged by the same things that affect us today. How they struggled and persevered through all the above questions to become the beloved family of saints we know today.
In Conference 1, Fr. Gallagher introduces us to Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, giving us the history of their upbringings, how they met, and the first years of their family life up to the birth of their fourth child, Helene.
You can find the handout spoken of by Fr. Gallagher in the links below:
The Main Booklet – a 70-page PDF
https://www.discerninghearts.com/PDF/Hope-in-Difficult-Times-Webinar.pdf
Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcasts series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts? Visit here to discover more!
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 11:1-4
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come;
give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test.”’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come;
give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test.”’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come;
give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test.”’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter XVII: Ninth Meditation
The post IDL17 – Ninth Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter XVII: Ninth Meditation
The post IDL17 – Ninth Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
CHAPTER XVII. NINTH MEDITATION.
On the choice given to you between heaven and hell
Preparation.
1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God.
2. Humble yourself before Him and ask His inspiration.
Considerations.
1. Imagine yourself alone with your good angel in an open plain, as was Tobit on his way to Rages. Suppose the Angel to set before you Paradise, full of delights and joys; and on the other hand Hell, with all its torments. Contemplate both, kneeling in imagination before your guardian Angel. Consider that you are most truly standing between Hell and Paradise, and that both the one and the other are open to receive you, according to your own choice.
2. Consider that the choice you make in this life will last forever in the next.
3. Consider too, that while both are open to receive you according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires unspeakably that you should select Paradise; and your good Angel is urging you with all his might to do so, offering you countless graces on God’s part, countless helps to attain to it.
4. Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation: “O beloved one, come to Me, and find joy forever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!” Behold His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness—” Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation.” Behold the Saints, who have left you their example, the millions of holy souls who long after you, desiring earnestly that you may one day be forever joined to them in their song of praise, urging upon you that the road to Heaven is not so hard to find as the world would have you think. “Press on boldly, dear friend,”—they cry. “Whoever will ponder well the path by which we came to this place, will discover that we attained to these present delights by sweeter joys than anything this world can give.”
The Choice.
1. O Hell, I abhor you now and forever; I abhor your griefs and torments, your endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and curses which you pour out upon my God;—and turning to you, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose you forever as my abode, your glorious mansions, your precious and abiding tabernacles. O my God, I bless Your Mercy which gives me the power to choose—O Jesus, Savior, I accept Your Eternal Love, and praise You for the promise You have given me of a place prepared for me in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless You forever.
2. Dwell lovingly upon the example set before you by the Blessed Virgin and the Saints and strive to follow where they point you. Give yourself up to your guardian Angel, that he may be your guide, and gird up your courage anew to make this choice.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
Chapter 17 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter XVII: Ninth Meditation
The post IDL17 – Ninth Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 10:38-42
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SJC9 – Purification of the Will for Love Alone – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation
After exposing these principles of asceticism, we turn to the purification of the will by the theological virtue of charity. Saint John of the Cross treats this subject in the last section of book 3 of The Ascent of Mount Carmel. The teaching is not a matter simply of self-denial leading to an emptying of the will for God. While the ascetical task is important and required, what is indispensable for the grace of contemplation is a developed capacity for deeper self-emptying. No grace of contemplation can be expected as long as we indulge coveting tendencies in our lives. A release from immoderate, self-oriented desires that turn us inwardly upon ourselves is therefore a necessary preparation for any deeper life of prayer. Seeking to please ourselves as a motive for choices is always some variation of this damaging inward turn. In the view of Saint John of the Cross, this tendency demands serious efforts of reversal. If we aspire to the grace of contemplation, our will has to give itself with vigor to the will of God. We have to strive to give delight to God by our choices and by our renunciations, not seeking to find pleasure and delight simply for ourselves. As we turn away from pleasing ourselves, we become more empty and receptive inwardly to God’s promptings. The grace of contemplation in prayer then has an open window, if God chooses to bestow it. Otherwise, that window is sealed tight. The purpose of this chapter is to understand the deeper challenges in this purification of the will for the sake of contemplative graces. As the will exercises itself in interior self-renunciation, it opens itself to a loving union with the will of God. This increasing bond with the will of God is a necessary prerequisite for the prayer of contemplation.
Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 120-121). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
You find the book on which this series is based here
For more in this series, visit Fr. Haggerty's Discerning Hearts Page
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC9 – Purification of the Will for Love Alone – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC9 – Purification of the Will for Love Alone – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC9 – Purification of the Will for Love Alone – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 10:25-37
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master,
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World" by Fr. John Horgan is a very special work which gives us all a beautiful glimpse of the invisible messengers of God. My conversation about the Holy Angels with Fr. Horgan was a pure joy! This is a phenomenal work and one that will be sure to become a classic on the subject! Don't miss.
The post IP#331 Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World" by Fr. John Horgan is a very special work which gives us all a beautiful glimpse of the invisible messengers of God. My conversation about the Holy Angels with Fr. Horgan was a pure joy! This is a phenomenal work and one that will be sure to become a classic on the subject! Don't miss.
The post IP#331 Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World" by Fr. John Horgan is a very special work which gives us all a beautiful glimpse of the invisible messengers of God. My conversation about the Holy Angels with Fr. Horgan was a pure joy! This is a phenomenal work and one that will be sure to become a classic on the subject! Don't miss.
The post IP#331 Fr. John Horgan – His Angels At Our Side on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
"His Angels at Our Side: Understanding Their Power in Our Souls and the World" by Fr. John Horgan is a very special work that gives us all a beautiful glimpse of the invisible messengers of God. My conversation about the Holy Angels with Fr. Horgan was pure joy! This is a phenomenal work and one that will be sure to become a classic on the subject! Don't miss.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Meet the mighty spirits sent by God to enlighten and guide us, defend us from harm, and lead us on the path to eternal life. Learn how angels are invisibly present at every moment of your life, and how they can pray with you and for you, amplifying your praise by reflecting it directly to God face-to-face.
Angels do not form a separate universe they are an integral part of our own world sent forth for the sake of our salvation. They are pure spirits who communicate to us God's grace, His goodness, and His truth.
In these pages, Fr. Horgan unveils the surprising role of the angels in our lives and what you must do to gain their help. You'll learn how to imitate the angels in prayer and how they offer you the enlightenment and the encouragement God so desperately wants to give you. By praying with the angels, you will be strengthened for what lies ahead, better able to discern and do the Lord's will in all your actions. You ll also learn:
- Why the Church teaches that the angels were created at the time of creation
- The responsibilities of the angels at every Mass
- The key difference between spirits and angels
- Seven habits you must develop to grow closer to God through His angels
- The difference between Archangel Gabriel's apparitions to Mary and Zechariah
- How St. Joseph can expose you to the inspirations of the angels
- The difference in the way humans and angels think
- How you can imitate the warrior nature of the angels
- The three ways you must respond to your angel's guardianship
- The five roles that every angel takes in their service for the Lord
- The surprising ways in which angelic warfare is carried out
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and prayer of St. Therese, the Little Flower. He speaks of her simplicity of heart and great humility in her "little way". He shares his experience of his own mother's prayer and that of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who both loved and prayed with the "Little Flower". The key is her "hiddenness" and the beauty of a child. She has a special message for women the world over, especially for our culture in the United States.
He shares the story of his cousin Jimmy, his accident, and a stranger who came to his aid, and why the angels and the saints and the power of prayer have such an influence on our lives.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and prayer of St. Therese, the Little Flower. He speaks of her simplicity of heart and great humility in her “little way”. He shares his experience of his own mother’s prayer and that of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who both loved and prayed with the “Little Flower”. ... Read more
The post BKL227 – St. Therese, the Little Flower – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and prayer of St. Therese, the Little Flower. He speaks of her simplicity of heart and great humility in her “little way”. He shares his experience of his own mother’s prayer and that of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who both loved and prayed with the “Little Flower”. ... Read more
The post BKL227 – St. Therese, the Little Flower – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and prayer of St. Therese, the Little Flower. He speaks of her simplicity of heart and great humility in her “little way”. He shares his experience of his own mother’s prayer and that of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who both loved and prayed with the “Little Flower”. ... Read more
The post BKL227 – St. Therese, the Little Flower – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.
‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.
‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.
‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 16 of the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
CHAPTER XVI. EIGHTH MEDITATION.
On Paradise
Preparation.
1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God.
2. Invoke His aid.
Considerations.
1. Represent to yourself a lovely calm night, when the heavens are bright with innumerable stars: add to the beauty of such a night the utmost beauty of a glorious summer’s day,—the sun’s brightness not hindering the clear shining of moon or stars, and then be sure that it all falls immeasurably short of the glory of Paradise. O bright and blessed country, O sweet and precious place!
2. Consider the beauty and perfection of the countless inhabitants of that blessed country; —the millions and millions of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim; the glorious company of Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and saints. O blessed company, any one single member of which surpasses all the glory of this world, what will it be to behold them all, to sing with them the sweet Song of the Lamb? They rejoice with a perpetual joy, they share a bliss unspeakable, and unchangeable delights.
3. Consider how they enjoy the Presence of God, Who fills them with the richness of His Vision, which is a perfect ocean of delight; the joy of being forever united to their Head. They are like happy birds, hovering and singing forever within the atmosphere of divinity, which fills them with inconceivable pleasures. There each one vies without jealousy in singing the praises of the Creator. “Blessed art You forever, O Dear and Precious Lord and Redeemer, Who does so freely share with us Your Own Glory,” they cry; and He in His turn pours out His ceaseless Blessing on His Saints. “Blessed are you,—you are my own forever, who have served Me faithfully, and with a good courage.”
Affections and Resolutions.
1. Admire and rejoice in the Heavenly Country; the glorious and blessed New Jerusalem.
2. Reprove the coldness of your own heart for having hitherto so little sought after that glorious abode. Why have I so long lingered indifferent to the eternal happiness set before me? Woe is me that, for the sake of poor saviorless earthly things, I have so often forgotten those heavenly delights. How could I neglect such real treasures for mere vain and contemptible earthly matters?
3. Aspire earnestly after that blessed abode. Forasmuch, O Dear Lord, as You have been pleased to turn my feet toward Your ways, never will I again look back. Go forth, my soul, towards your promised rest, journey unweariedly to that hoped for land; why should you remain in Egypt?
4. Resolve to give up such and such things, which hinder you on the way, and to do such others as will help you toward that place.
Give thanks, offer, pray.
For other chapters of the Introduction to the Devout Life audiobook visit here –
Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8
St. Therese you have said:
“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, who is my judge. Therefore i will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”
The post Day 8 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8
St. Therese you have said:
“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, who is my judge. Therefore i will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”
The post Day 8 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 8
St. Therese you have said:
“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, who is my judge. Therefore i will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”
The post Day 8 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of the Archangels - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Feast of the Archangels – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of the Archangels - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Feast of the Archangels – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of the Archangels - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Feast of the Archangels – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 7
St. Therese you have said:
“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you - for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart… don’t listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love…”
The post Day 7 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 5
St. Therese you have said:
“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors' defects--not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”
The post Day 5 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 13 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter XIII: Fourth Meditation
The post IDL13 – Fourth Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3
St. Therese you have said:
“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”
The post Day 3 St. Therese Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
September 17 is the feast of St. Hiildegard of Bingen. She lived from 1098-1179. A Benedictine Nun, at the age of 42, she was given visions and commanded rise up and cry out what she saw. She obeyed and produced a set of writings known today as Scivias.
Her first vision is of a hidden mountain, the mountain of God's throne, an iron mountain of immutable justice hidden in divine glory. A purifying Fear of the Lord contemplates this splendor. Not the kind of fear that pulls away to protect itself. Rather the kind of fear that is vigilant and sees the truth. Eyes which gaze with this holy fear can never be satisfied with the merely mediocre. They guard against every form of compromise. The glory they behold demands absolute allegiance, complete surrender, and total humility.
The post St. Hildegard von Bingen and “The Iron Mountain”: Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 10 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter X: Second Meditation
The post IDL10 – Second Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC8 – The Will’s Capacity for Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 9 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
Chapter IX: First Meditation
The post IDL9 – First Meditation – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Exaltation of the Holy Cross – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the birth of the Virgin Mary and the importance of the Blessed Mother in our lives. The gift of her presence in the action of salvation history and role is the "Mother" of us all.
The post The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 8 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
CHAPTER VIII. How to effect this Second Purification
The post IDL8 – How to Effect This Second Purification – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church.
The post SJC7 – Asceticism: Recovery of a Neglected Value – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 52 - Smashing Idols in Cyberspace
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 52 – Episode 52 – Smashing Idols in Cyberspace – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 52 - Smashing Idols in Cyberspace
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 52 – Episode 52 – Smashing Idols in Cyberspace – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 5 discusses the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process.
The post DWGS5 – Conference 5 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 5 discusses the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process.
The post DWGS5 – Conference 5 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 5 discusses the "3 patterns" God uses to answer the questions in the discernment process.
The post DWGS5 – Conference 5 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. in this Discerning Hearts Podcast
The post WM31 – Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes part 8 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. in this Discerning Hearts Podcast
The post WM31 – Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes part 8 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. in this Discerning Hearts Podcast
The post WM31 – Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes part 8 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 7 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
CHAPTER VII. The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections
The post IDL7 – The Second Purification – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Fr. Timothy Gallagher as offers the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on Discerning the Will of God. Conference 4 discusses spiritual means that Ignatius proposes to help discern: the sacraments and scripture.
The post DWGS4 – Conference 4 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Beheading of St. John the Baptist - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Beheading of St. John the Baptist – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Queenship of Mary - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Queenship of Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Chapter 3 of the Introduction to the
Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
This is a Discerning Hearts recording read by Correy Webb
PART I. COUNSELS AND PRACTICES SUITABLE FOR THE SOUL’S GUIDANCE FROM THE FIRST ASPIRATION AFTER A DEVOUT LIFE TO THE POINT WHEN IT ATTAINS A CONFIRMED RESOLUTION TO FOLLOW THE SAME.
DEVOTION IS SUITABLE TO EVERY VOCATION AND PROFESSION
The post IDL3 – Devotion is Suitable to Every Vocation and Profession – Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. In this episode, they continue their conversation on that which leads to the experience of the Dark Nights often associated with St. John of the Cross
The post SJC4 – Pure Faith in Contemplative Prayer – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
HP4 – Prayer and Forgiveness – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor explore the why, how, and what of “prayer”. In this episode, they explore the healing nature of prayer. They discuss how the role of forgiveness in our daily prayer. Here is an excerpt from their ... Read more
The post HP4 – Prayer and Forgiveness – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
HP4 – Prayer and Forgiveness – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor explore the why, how, and what of “prayer”. In this episode, they explore the healing nature of prayer. They discuss how the role of forgiveness in our daily prayer. Here is an excerpt from their ... Read more
The post HP4 – Prayer and Forgiveness – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 50 - Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You!
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 50 – Episode 50 – Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You! – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 50 - Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You!
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 50 – Episode 50 – Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You! – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 50 - Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You!
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 50 – Episode 50 – Be Worthy of the Flame Consuming You! – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 4
From the writings of St. Jane de Chantal
Eagerness to "Live Jesus!" will enable us to exercise holy love in all things, great or small. When we assist neighbors in need, we are a loving support, a help and comfort to them. Since we try to see Jesus in everyone, we will serve each regardless of our personal ease and convenience.
If we wish to possess the virtue of neighborly love, we must accustom ourselves to accept people just as they are, regardless of their failings and actions, even those that offend us. Still, we reprove the faults of those under our charge, especially our own children, but in such a way that they know our love for them is constant and unconditional. For while we have no control over our feelings, we do over our actions. To act thus is to be like Jesus, our model!
The post Day 4 – St. Jane de Chantal Novena – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Transfiguration of the Lord - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Transfiguration of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 3
From the writings of St. Jane de Chantal
If we truly love our neighbors, we refrain from saying anything prejudicial to them. We support everyone as we would like to be supported. We try to give the example that we would like to receive from others. We excuse and forgive the blunders of others as we would like ours to be forgiven and excused. We rejoice in the happiness of others and are sorrowful in their pains, just as we would like them to respond to us in ours. We graciously help others in their needs both by prayer and actual service because in this way we truly show our good-will and love.
The post Day 3 – St. Jane de Chantal Novena – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
SJC2 – Caverns of Longing within the Soul – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast In this series Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor discuss the depths of prayer as explored by St. John of the Cross, the Mystical Doctor of the Church. Here is ... Read more
The post SJC2 – Caverns of Longing within the Soul – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 2
From the writings of St. Jane de Chantal
Let us keep our hearts and spirits centered in God! We will experience the union with God which the Divine Savior begged from His Father. Before His passion, Jesus prayed that the apostles and all those who believed in Him would be one with Him. Just as the Father was in Him and He in the Father, so all would be united lovingly together in Him. Let us mediate peace within our families. We will grow in virtue. Every family living together in harmony will be richly blessed. May yours and ours be among them!
The post Day 2 – St. Jane de Chantal Novena – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Day 1
From the writings of St. Jane de Chantal
If we patiently accept through love all that God allows to happen, then we will begin to taste even here on earth something of the delights the saints experience in heaven. But for this we must serve God willingly and lovingly, seeking to obey the Divine Will rather than to follow our own inclinations and desires. For the perfection of love demands that we desire for ourselves only whatever God wills. Let us implore the good God unceasingly to grant us this grace!
The post Day 1 – St. Jane de Chantal Novena – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
HP1 – What is Prayer? – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke Fr. Éamonn Bourke and Kris McGregor discuss the why, how, and what of “prayer”? In this episode, they explore the nature of prayer and responding to the call of relationship with God. Here is an excerpt from their conversation: Fr. Éamonn ... Read more
The post HP1 – What is Prayer? – The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Leo the Great Born: Tuscany, Italy Died: November 10, 461 AD, Rome, Italy For more on St. Leo the Great and his teachings Leo the Great, Pope (c. 395-461) – Sermons – Letters From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience ... Read more
The post DC13 St. Leo the Great – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take ... Read more
The post Day 9 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff shares stories of his time in Lebannon and his experiene surrounding the great St. Charbel Makhlouf
The post St. Charbel Makhlouf and the Importance of Becoming a Saint with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
ORDER OF RECITATION
On the first white bead after the medal say the "Father of Truth" prayer. On each black bead recite an "Our Father".
On the first three red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of poverty.
On the second set of red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of chastity.
On the third set of red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of obedience.
On the three white beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's love for the Eucharist.
On the three blue beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Conclude with the prayer to obtain graces on the medal.
Father of Truth Prayer
Father of Truth, behold Your Son, a sacrifice pleasing to You. Accept this offering of Him who died for me; behold His blood shed on Golgotha for my salvation. It pleads for me. For His sake, accept my offering. Many are my sins, but greater is Your mercy. When placed on a scale, Your mercy prevails over the weight of the mountains known only to You. Consider the sin and consider the atonement; the atonement is greater and exceeds the sin. Your beloved Son sustained the nails and the lance because of my sins so in His sufferings You are satisfied and I live.
Prayer to Obtain Graces
Lord, infinitely holy and glorified in Your saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience might triumph in his hermitage. We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, following his example. Almighty God, who have manifested the power of Saint Charbel's intercession through his countless miracles and favors, grant us this grace (here mention your intention) which we request from You through his intercession. Amen.
The post The Chaplet of St. Charbel – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present
The post Day 8 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The private revelation which was given to St. Bridget of Sweden that day in the chapel of the church of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome over 600 years ago is still one of the most poignant and compelling moments in all mystical experiences. The Church has deemed this worthy of belief to the extent ... Read more
The post The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in the deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever perform miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. ... Read more
The post Day 7 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse – to men themselves, trusting in their intervention, – this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you; and how I ... Read more
The post Day 6 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Feast of St. Mary Magdalene – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
And when I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you ... Read more
The post Day 5 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 46 - What Makes for a Good Man?
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 46 – Episode 46 – What Makes for a Good Man? – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena Day 4 You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it”. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I ... Read more
The post Day 4 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Sending.
The post BWPM 13 – Sent to the World – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me; "You take care of it", then closes it's eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the our Father: "Hallowed be thy Name", that is, be glorified in my need. "Thy kingdom come", that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven", that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: "Thy will be done", which is the same as saying: "You take care of it", I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
Amen
For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena
To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE
(Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com)
The post Day 3 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena Day 2
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
Amen
For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena
To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE
(Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com)
The post Day 2 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Surrender Prayer Novena Day 1
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
Amen
The post Day 1 Surrender Prayer Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff gives us a teaching on the 3 levels of the heart and it's effect on our prayer life and relationship with God.
Level 1 - Surface: Psychological thoughts, feelings, and desires
Level 2 - Pleasure and Pain driven - deeper psychological thoughts, feelings, and desires
Level 3 - Indwelling of the Trinity - Spiritual thoughts, feelings and desires
The post The Heart in Relation to the Spiritual Life – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
According to the traditions of the Carmelite order, on July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite. During the vision, she revealed to him the Scapularof Our Lady of Mount Carmel, popularly known as the "Brown Scapular." A century and a quarter later, the Carmelite order began to celebrate on this date the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The post Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In place of relativism…healing consequences From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict: CHAPTER XXVII How Concerned the Abbot Should Be about the Excommunicated Let the Abbot show all care and concern towards offending brethren because “they that are in health need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Mt 9:12). Therefore, like a ... Read more
The post HR12 In place of relativism…healing consequences – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the Journey of the Mind to God by St Bonaventure
Mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit
Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant, and the mystery hidden from the ages. A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make with Christ a pasch, that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulchre, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside Christ: Today you will be with me in paradise.
The post Mystical Wisdom – St. Bonaventure from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel,
when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel,
you gave assurance of your Motherly love
and help to those faithful to you and to your Son.
Behold us, your children.
We glory in wearing your holy habit,
which makes us members of your family of Carmel,
through which we shall have your powerful protection in life,
at death and even after death.
Look down with love,
O Gate of Heaven,
on all those now in their last agony!
Look down graciously,
O Virgin, Flower of Carmel,
on all those in need of help!
Look down mercifully,
O Mother of our Savior,
on all those who do not know
that they are numbered among your children.
Look down tenderly,
O Queen of All Saints,
on the poor souls!
The post Day 9 Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Cyril of Alexandria Born: 378 AD, Alexandria, Egypt Died: June 27, 444 AD, Alexandria, Egypt For more on St. Cyril of Alexandria and his teachings Clement of Alexandria – Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? – Exhortation to the Heathen – The Instructor – The Stromata, or Miscellanies – Fragments From ... Read more
The post DC12 St. Cyril of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
You give us hope,
O Mother of Mercy,
that through your Scapular promise
we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory
to the Kingdom of your Son.
Be our comfort and our hope.
Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that,
ever faithful to your Son and to you,
we may speedily enjoy after death
the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.
The post Day 8 Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 9 - The Desire for Heaven
The post Day 9 – The Desire for Heaven – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 8 - The Virgin Mary
The post Day 8 – The Virgin Mary – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 7 - Trials
The post Day 7 – Trials – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 6 - Mercy
The post Day 6 – Mercy – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Instead of leaning on others, standing on one’s own feet From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict: CHAPTER LXIX That in the Monastery No One Presume to Defend Another Care must be taken that on no occasion one monk try to defend another in the monastery, or to take his part, even though they be ... Read more
The post HR10 Instead of leaning on others, standing on one’s own feet – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 5 - Charity
The post Day 5 – Charity – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 4 - Our Duties
The post Day 4 – Our Duties – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 3 - Religious Practices
The post Day 3 – Religious Practices – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Jerome -
Born: 347 AD, Štrigova, Croatia
Died: September 30, 420 AD, Bethlehem
What can we learn from St Jerome? It seems to me, this above all; to love the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. St Jerome said: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ". It is therefore important that every Christian live in contact and in personal dialogue with the Word of God given to us in Sacred Scripture. This dialogue with Scripture must always have two dimensions: on the one hand, it must be a truly personal dialogue because God speaks with each one of us through Sacred Scripture and it has a message for each one. We must not read Sacred Scripture as a word of the past but as the Word of God that is also addressed to us, and we must try to understand what it is that the Lord wants to tell us. However, to avoid falling into individualism, we must bear in mind that the Word of God has been given to us precisely in order to build communion and to join forces in the truth on our journey towards God. Thus, although it is always a personal Word, it is also a Word that builds community, that builds the Church. We must therefore read it in communion with the living Church. The privileged place for reading and listening to the Word of God is the liturgy, in which, celebrating the Word and making Christ's Body present in the Sacrament, we actualize the Word in our lives and make it present among us. We must never forget that the Word of God transcends time. Human opinions come and go. What is very modern today will be very antiquated tomorrow. On the other hand, the Word of God is the Word of eternal life, it bears within it eternity and is valid for ever. By carrying the Word of God within us, we therefore carry within us eternity, eternal life.
I thus conclude with a word St Jerome once addressed to St Paulinus of Nola. In it the great exegete expressed this very reality, that is, in the Word of God we receive eternity, eternal life. St Jerome said: "Seek to learn on earth those truths which will remain ever valid in Heaven" (Ep. 53, 10).
The post DC11 St. Jerome – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 2 - Family Life
The post Day 2 – Family Life – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of Jesus found in Luke Chapter 10 and our call to be missionaries in the world.
The post Responding to the Call of Jesus with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena
Day 1 - Prayer
The post Day 1 – Prayer – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
HR#6 "In place of provincialism, respect and tolerance" - The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB
CHAPTER II
What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be
".....Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience. Let not a free-born be preferred to a freedman, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Abbot deemeth it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we are all one in Christ (cf Gal 3:28; Eph 6:8), and we all bear an equal burden of servitude under one Lord, "for there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom 2:11). We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit."
The post HR6 In place of provincialism, respect and tolerance – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 44 - In Praise of Marriage
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 44 – Episode 44 – In Praise of Marriage – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. - Habits of Freedom on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
What a delight to talk again with Fr. Christopher Collins S.J., this time about his book Habits of Freedom: 5 Ignatian Tools for Clearing Your Mind and Resting Daily in the Lord
The post IP#489 Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. – Habits of Freedom on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Immaculate Heart of Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
In 2011, in Paray le Monial, France, I had the chance to speak with Msgr. John Esseff at the First Sacred Heart World Congress. Msgr. Esseff is one of the founders of the Sacred Heart Apostolate, sponsor of this event which brought laity, religious, and priests from around the world. Talks were given by Cardinal Raymond Burke, Bishop Robert Herman, Christendom College President Timothy O'Donnell, and EWTN show host and author Fr. Mitch Pacwa, as well as many others Why did they come to this small French community nestled in Eastern France? Because our Lord choice this place and two very remarkably humble saints to communicate the message of his Sacred Heart. He said to St. Margaret Mary:
"My Divine Heart is so inflamed with love for mankind ... that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its burning charity and must spread them abroad by your means." She described that His Heart was on fire and surrounded by a crown of thorns. Our Lord told her that the flames represented His love for humanity, and the thorns represented man's sinfulness and ingratitude. Jesus informed her that her mission was to establish the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, and He revealed twelve promises that He would bestow upon all those who practice the devotion.
She had three more visions over the next year and a half in which Jesus instructed her in a devotion that was to become known as the Nine Fridays. Christ also inspired Margaret Mary to establish the Holy Hour and to receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month. In the final revelation, the Lord asked that a feast of reparation be instituted for the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi.
Blessed Claude de la Colombiere, a holy and experienced Jesuit, arrived as confessor to the nuns, and in him Margaret Mary recognized the understanding guide that had been promised to her in the visions. He became convinced that her experiences were genuine and adopted the teaching of the Sacred Heart that the visions had communicated to her.
Msgr. Esseff talks about that message, what it means for us today, and how we can live it out.
The post BKL-Special “Living in the Sacred Heart of Jesus” with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mother's womb, [etc.]
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who call upon You.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our offenses.
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our iniquities.
Heart of Jesus, obedient even unto death.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart,
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
The post Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Nativity of St. John the Baptist – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Joseph Pearce - Faith of Our Fathers on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
What a delight to once again talk with the prolific Joseph Pearce. This time about his extraordinary book Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England. A compelling read that spans the story of a great nation and the heartbeat that makes the lion roar.
The post IP#488 Joseph Pearce – Faith of Our Fathers on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DC9 St. Augustine of Hippo (part 1) - The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson
Born: 13 November 354
Died: 28 August 430
From Pope Benedict XVI Wednesday Audience 2008:
"Thus, Augustine followed his reading of the philosophers' writings by reading Scripture anew, especially the Pauline Letters. His conversion to Christianity on 15 August 386 therefore came at the end of a long and tormented inner journey - of which we shall speak in another catechesis -, and the African moved to the countryside, north of Milan by Lake Como - with his mother Monica, his son Adeodatus and a small group of friends - to prepare himself for Baptism. So it was that at the age of 32 Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in the Cathedral of Milan on 24 April 387, during the Easter Vigil." For more visit post....
The post DC9 St. Augustine of Hippo (part 1) – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Archbishop George Lucas and Kris McGregor as they continue a conversation on Gaudium et Spes. Discerning Hearts Podcast
The post WM28 – Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes part 5 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the great feast of Corpus Christi. He discusses the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The tragedy becomes when we look upon the Blessed Sacrament as a "something" instead of a "Someone".
The post Corpus Christi Sunday with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
DAY FIVE
O Divine Savior, the infinite love of your Sacred Heart was so inflamed for us that it brought you as a sacrifice of propitiation for our sins to the altar of the cross. You have given us the wounded Heart and kept it open not only that we might find therein a protection against the justice of the Eternal Father whom we have offended by our sins but also that this source of grace and mercy may always be open to us in our needs.
Why then do I come to you so seldom and so indifferently? Why do I not fly to this source of all grace? O dearest Jesus forgive me these insults which through want of confidence in you I have so often committed against you. Behold, I now come to you with living faith with the intention never to leave you. Here I shall seek what I need so much, first the forgiveness of my sins, the grace to do better, and then I pray for your assistance in my present need.
The post Sacred Heart Novena Day 5 – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Solemnity of Corpus Christi – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER LXVI
Of the Porter of the Monastery
...If it can be done, the monastery should be so situated that all the necessaries, such as water, the mill, the garden, are enclosed, and the various arts may be plied inside of the monastery, so that there may be no need for the monks to go about outside, because it is not good for their souls. But we desire that this Rule be read quite often in the community, that none of the brethren may excuse himself of ignorance
The post HR5 In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 42 - The First Corpus Christi Procession
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 42 – Episode 42 – The First Corpus Christi Procession – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Most Holy Trinity - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post The Most Holy Trinity – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 41 - My First Ethics Class
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 41 – Episode 41 – My First Ethics Class – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
St. Ambrose (part 1): The catechumen who became a bishop
Born: 340 AD
Died: January 1, 397 AD
For more on St. Ambrose of Milan and his teachings
Ambrose
– On the Christian Faith (De fide)
– On the Holy Spirit
– On the Mysteries
– On Repentance
– On the Duties of the Clergy
– Concerning Virgins
– Concerning Widows
– On the Death of Satyrus
– Memorial of Symmachus
– Sermon against Auxentius
– Letters
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Mary, Mother of the Church – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 19:25-34
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, ‘I am thirsty.’
A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ‘It is accomplished’; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, ‘I am thirsty.’
A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the vinegar he said, ‘It is accomplished’; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
It was Preparation Day, and to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath – since that sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.
After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said, ‘I am thirsty.’
A jar full of vinegar stood there, so putting a sponge soaked in the vinegar on a hyssop stick they held it up to his mouth.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the first Pentecost and its meaning for us today. The continuing call to conversion in our lives and the nature of true repentance are topics he explores in this discussion.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
The Feast of Pentecost – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 14:15-16,23-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you for ever.
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you for ever.
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you for ever.
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House,
Episode 40 – Everyman an Exile…Homesick for Another Country
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Friday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 21:15-19
Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 17:20-26
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
In place of the disability to express ourselves, to sing From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER XIX
We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet saith, "Serve ye the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11). And again, "Sing ye wisely" (Ps 46[47]:8). And, "I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels" (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becometh us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
keep those you have given me true to your name,
so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,
I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them
and not one is lost
except the one who chose to be lost,
and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you
and while still in the world I say these things
to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them,
and the world hated them,
because they belong to the world
no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world,
but to protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth;
your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
I have sent them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate myself
so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
keep those you have given me true to your name,
so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,
I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them
and not one is lost
except the one who chose to be lost,
and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you
and while still in the world I say these things
to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them,
and the world hated them,
because they belong to the world
no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world,
but to protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth;
your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
I have sent them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate myself
so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
keep those you have given me true to your name,
so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,
I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them
and not one is lost
except the one who chose to be lost,
and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you
and while still in the world I say these things
to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them,
and the world hated them,
because they belong to the world
no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world,
but to protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth;
your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
Born: 329 AD
Died: January 1, 390 AD
For more on St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his teachings
Gregory Nazianzen
– Orations
– Letters
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 1:39-56
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
And Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
And Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah.
Monday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:29-33
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Matthew 28:16-20 – Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father,
I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.'
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father,
I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.'
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father,
I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in th...
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:23-28
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
I have been telling you all this in metaphors,
the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors;
but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name;
and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
because the Father himself loves you for loving me
and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
I have been telling you all this in metaphors,
the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors;
but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name;
and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
because the Father himself loves you for loving me
and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.
I have been telling you all this in metaphors,
the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors;
but tell you about the Father in plain words.
When that day comes you will ask in my name;
and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
because the Father himself loves you for loving me
and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Ascension of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 24:46-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’
Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’
Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’
Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 2 – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., PhD. In Place of Many Vain Words, Silence. There is a time for speaking and a time for silence. The secret of silence…it is the best way to listen to God.
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER VI
Of Silence
Let us do what the Prophet saith: "I said, I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I have set a guard to my mouth, I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things" (Ps 38[39]:2-3). Here the prophet showeth that, if at times we ought to refrain from useful speech for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words on account of the punishment due to sin.
Therefore, because of the importance of silence, let permission to speak be seldom given to perfect disciples even for good and holy and edifying discourse, for it is written: "In much talk thou shalt not escape sin" (Prov 10:19). And elsewhere: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov 18:21). For it belongeth to the master to speak and to teach; it becometh the disciple to be silent and to listen. If, therefore, anything must be asked of the Superior, let it be asked with all humility and respectful submission. But coarse jests, and idle words or speech provoking laughter, we condemn everywhere to eternal exclusion; and for such speech we do not permit the disciple to open his lips.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I still have many things to say to you
but they would be too much for you now.
But when the Spirit of truth comes
he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking as from himself
but will say only what he has learnt;
and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify me,
since all he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine;
that is why I said:
All he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I still have many things to say to you
but they would be too much for you now.
But when the Spirit of truth comes
he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking as from himself
but will say only what he has learnt;
and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify me,
since all he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine;
that is why I said:
All he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I still have many things to say to you
but they would be too much for you now.
But when the Spirit of truth comes
he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking as from himself
but will say only what he has learnt;
and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify me,
since all he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine;
that is why I said:
All he tells you
will be taken from what is mine.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 39 – Homage to the Holy Trinity
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Monday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:5-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Now I am going to the one who sent me.
Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?”
Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this.
Still, I must tell you the truth:
it is for your own good that I am going
because unless I go,
the Advocate will not come to you;
but if I do go,
I will send him to you.
And when he comes,
he will show the world how wrong it was,
about sin,
and about who was in the right,
and about judgement:
about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me;
about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more;
about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.'
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Now I am going to the one who sent me.
Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?”
Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this.
Still, I must tell you the truth:
it is for your own good that I am going
because unless I go,
the Advocate will not come to you;
but if I do go,
I will send him to you.
And when he comes,
he will show the world how wrong it was,
about sin,
and about who was in the right,
and about judgement:
about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me;
about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more;
about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.'
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Now I am going to the one who sent me.
Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?”
Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this.
Still, I must tell you the truth:
it is for your own good that I am going
because unless I go,
the Advocate will not come to you;
but if I do go,
I will send him to you.
And when he comes,
he will show the world how wrong it was,
about sin,
and about who was in the right,
and about judgement:
about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me;
about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more;
about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.'
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Basil the Great
Born: 330 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Died: January 1, 379 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Siblings: Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina the Younger, Theosebia
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Monday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to John 15:26-16:4
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘When the Advocate comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness.
And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.
They will expel you from the synagogues,
and indeed the hour is coming
when anyone who kills you
will think he is doing a holy duty for God.
They will do these things
because they have never known
either the Father or myself.
But I have told you all this,
so that when the time for it comes
you may remember that I told you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘When the Advocate comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness.
And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.
They will expel you from the synagogues,
and indeed the hour is coming
when anyone who kills you
will think he is doing a holy duty for God.
They will do these things
because they have never known
either the Father or myself.
But I have told you all this,
so that when the time for it comes
you may remember that I told you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘When the Advocate comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness.
And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.
They will expel you from the synagogues,
and indeed the hour is coming
when anyone who kills you
will think he is doing a holy duty for God.
They will do these things
because they have never known
either the Father or myself.
But I have told you all this,
so that when the time for it comes
you may remember that I told you.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the gift of counsel and its role in relation to prudence and discernment.
According to St. Thomas Aquinas:
- Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation (II/II.52.1).
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Sunday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 14:23-29
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time...
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If the world hates you,
remember that it hated me before you.
If you belonged to the world,
the world would love you as its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
because my choice withdrew you from the world,
therefore the world hates you.
Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too;
if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.
But it will be on my account that they will do all this,
because they do not know the one who sent me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If the world hates you,
remember that it hated me before you.
If you belonged to the world,
the world would love you as its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
because my choice withdrew you from the world,
therefore the world hates you.
Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too;
if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.
But it will be on my account that they will do all this,
because they do not know the one who sent me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If the world hates you,
remember that it hated me before you.
If you belonged to the world,
the world would love you as its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
because my choice withdrew you from the world,
therefore the world hates you.
Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.
If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too;
if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.
But it will be on my account that they will do all this,
because they do not know the one who sent me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘This is my commandment:
love one another,
as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘This is my commandment:
love one another,
as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘This is my commandment:
love one another,
as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Materialism vs Gratitude is the subject addressed in our first episode. How to deal with things. "Do you really need it?" This is the question we are called to ask ourselves.
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 34:
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Whether all ought equally to receive what is needful.
As it is written: “Distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.”177 By this, we do not say that there should be accepting of persons, which God forbid, but that due consideration should be shown to each one’s infirmities. Therefore, let him who needeth less, give God thanks, and be not grieved; and let him who needeth more, be humbled for his infirmity, and not lifted up for the mercy that is shown him; and thus all the members shall be in peace. Above all things, take heed there be no murmuring, by word or sign, upon any occasion whatsoever, If any one shall be found faulty in this respect, let him be subjected to most severe discipline.
For more episodes from this series and other podcasts visit Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 14:27-31
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.
I shall not talk with you any longer,
because the prince of this world is on his way.
He has no power over me,
but the world must be brought to know
that I love the Father
and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.
I shall not talk with you any longer,
because the prince of this world is on his way.
He has no power over me,
but the world must be brought to know
that I love the Father
and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.
I shall not talk with you any longer,
because the prince of this world is on his way.
He has no power over me,
but the world must be brought to know
that I love the Father
and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Born: 313 AD, Caesarea Maritima, Israel
Died: March 18, 386 AD, Jerusalem, Israel
For more on St. Cyril and his teachings
Cyril of Jerusalem
– Catechetical Lectures
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
Taken as a whole, Cyril's homilies form a systematic catechesis on the Christian's rebirth through Baptism.
He tells the catechumen: "You have been caught in the nets of the Church (cf. Mt 13: 47). Be taken alive, therefore; do not escape for it is Jesus who is fishing for you, not in order to kill you but to resurrect you after death. Indeed, you must die and rise again (cf. Rom 6: 11, 14)…. Die to your sins and live to righteousness from this very day" (Procatechesis, 5).
From the doctrinal viewpoint, Cyril commented on the Jerusalem Creed with recourse to the typology of the Scriptures in a "symphonic" relationship between the two Testaments, arriving at Christ, the centre of the universe.
The typology was to be described decisively by Augustine of Hippo: "In the Old Testament there is a veiling of the New, and in the New Testament there is a revealing of the Old" (De catechizandis rudibus 4, 8).
As for the moral catechesis, it is anchored in deep unity to the doctrinal catechesis: the dogma progressively descends in souls who are thus urged to transform their pagan behaviour on the basis of new life in Christ, a gift of Baptism.
The "mystagogical" catechesis, lastly, marked the summit of the instruction that Cyril imparted, no longer to catechumens but to the newly baptized or neophytes during Easter week. He led them to discover the mysteries still hidden in the baptismal rites of the Easter Vigil.
Enlightened by the light of a deeper faith by virtue of Baptism, the neophytes were at last able to understand these mysteries better, having celebrated their rites.
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Monday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him and show myself to him.’
Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him and show myself to him.’
Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them
will be one who loves me;
and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love him and show myself to him.’
Judas – this was not Judas Iscariot – said to him, ‘Lord, what is all this about? Do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
Sunday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 13:31-33,34-35
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 22 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 10 Part 2
Luke 10: “The Good Samaritan”
This week’s lecture begins with encouragement to pray the rosary. Many popes over the years have exhorted the faithful to depend on this powerful spiritual weapon in the battle against evil. In Luke 10, Jesus referenced the battle between darkness and light, vividly describing how Satan fell like lightning from the sky. Satan was “murderer from the beginning…and the father of lies” (John 8:44). He disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Satan deceived Adam and Eve, convincing them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. To prevent Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life and living forever in a state of mortal sin, God banished Adam and Eve from the garden. Satan was also thrown out and became the ruler of the world until his final defeat at the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Satan is known as Lucifer, a fallen angel whose name means bearer of light. Angels are mentioned over 270 times in the Bible. They are highly intelligent beings of pure spirit who God created before humans. Revelation 12 describes the battle between Satan, the dragon, and Michael, the archangel. Michael defeated the dragon who is thrown out of heaven, along with the other 1/3 of the angels who joined in the rebellion against God. Lucifer and his minions revolted when God revealed his plan of salvation for humanity. When they learned that God would become a man born of a woman, they refused to serve: if God could take on human nature, then the lowly humans could take on a divine nature. Their contempt for lowly humans was fueled by pride and jealousy. Thomas Aquinas believed that before the angels were given the beatific vision, they underwent a time of testing, much like Adam and Eve. Having failed their test of fidelity to God, they were cast out of heaven, just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden.
From Aquinas we learn of the hierarchy of angelic: Seraphim angels were the highest, followed in order by the Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (which includes our Guardian Angels). According to Peter Kreeft, both Lucifer and Michael were Seraphim Angels of the highest order. Archangel can also mean a leader angel, and Michael as the leader of all the faithful angels, defeated Lucifer, the leader of all the rebellious angels. God had created angels to serve, but their pride kept them from fulfilling their nature: just like Adam and Eve, the fallen angels wanted to be like gods. The cosmic battle between good and evil continued until Jesus ushered in a new kingdom to replace Satan’s temporary kingdom.
The kingdom of God is mentioned throughout the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 9, Jesus sent the 12 apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, and in Luke 10, Jesus sends 70 disciples to do the same. The 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 recalls the 70 elders that Moses appointed to help govern the Israelites (Numbers 11). These 70 men (along with two others outside the Israelite camp) received some of the spirit of prophecy that had been given to Moses. These same 70 also went up Mount Sinai with Moses, where they ate and drank together in the presence of God (Exodus 24). Luke is the only evangelist to mention the 70 disciples sent on mission. Hippolytus of Rome (a follower of Irenaeus, who was a follower of Polycarp, who was a follower of John the Evangelist) listed the 70 disciples in one of his commentaries. Included in this list were Mark and Luke, who Hippolytus said were among the disciples who left Jesus after the Bread of Life discourse (John 6). Peter was responsible for evangelizing Mark, while Paul evangelized Luke back to the fold.
When the 70 return, they were full of joy because the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name. Jesus warned against becoming prideful,
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you
is to love one another.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you
is to love one another.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
"The Abolition of Woman: How Radical Feminism is Betraying Women" is a powerful book and so needed today. Author and international pro-life advocate Fiorella Nash is an incredible advocate for authentic feminism. With this work, she shines a bright penetrating light on the destructive twistings and distortions projected onto women throughout the world by extraordinarily dark forces that many cannot or do not want to see.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
This book unashamedly calls mainstream feminists, journalists and Western politicians to account for their silence and – in some cases – vocal justification of the persecution of women because of an absolutist loyalty to abortion. It asks uncomfortable questions to those who claim to believe in women's empowerment: Where is their passionate outrage when Chinese women are forcibly aborted and sterilised? Where is their concern for the thousands of baby girls killed by abortion every year because their lives are held as worthless simply for being female? What about the thousands of women used as surrogates for wealthy Western couples, treated as chattels and denied their most basic human rights?
But the book also tackles difficult issues for the pro-life side—the need for a sensitive, realistic approach to problematic pregnancies and the importance of confronting the continued exploitation and abuse of women within a sexualised society.
Pro-life feminism is not only possible; it is vital if the complex struggles facing women are to be adequately met. The Abolition of Woman is a rallying cry to feminists to stand with the pro-life movement, fighting to build a society in which women are equal and every human life is protected.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 13:16-20
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 38 – From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 12:44-50
Jesus declared publicly:
‘Whoever believes in me
believes not in me
but in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me,
sees the one who sent me.
I, the light, have come into the world,
so that whoever believes in me
need not stay in the dark any more.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully,
it is not I who shall condemn him,
since I have come not to condemn the world,
but to save the world.
He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already:
the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.
For what I have spoken does not come from myself;
no, what I was to say,
what I had to speak,
was commanded by the Father who sent me,
and I know that his commands mean eternal life.
And therefore what the Father has told me
is what I speak.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus declared publicly:
‘Whoever believes in me
believes not in me
but in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me,
sees the one who sent me.
I, the light, have come into the world,
so that whoever believes in me
need not stay in the dark any more.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully,
it is not I who shall condemn him,
since I have come not to condemn the world,
but to save the world.
He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already:
the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.
For what I have spoken does not come from myself;
no, what I was to say,
what I had to speak,
was commanded by the Father who sent me,
and I know that his commands mean eternal life.
And therefore what the Father has told me
is what I speak.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus declared publicly:
‘Whoever believes in me
believes not in me
but in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me,
sees the one who sent me.
I, the light, have come into the world,
so that whoever believes in me
need not stay in the dark any more.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully,
it is not I who shall condemn him,
since I have come not to condemn the world,
but to save the world.
He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already:
the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.
For what I have spoken does not come from myself;
no, what I was to say,
what I had to speak,
was commanded by the Father who sent me,
and I know that his commands mean eternal life.
And therefore what the Father has told me
is what I speak.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 10:22-30
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied:
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied:
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied:
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton,
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times, and work of St. Ephrem of Syria
Born: 306 AD, Nisibis, Turkey
Died: June 9, 373 AD, Edessa, Turkey
For more on St. Ephrem and his teachings
St. Ephraim the Syrian (306-373)
– Nisibene Hymns – Miscellaneous Hymns —
On the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh,
For the Feast of the Epiphany, and
On the Faith ("The Pearl") – Homilies —
On Our Lord, On Admonition and Repentance,
and On the Sinful Woman
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
The figure of Ephrem is still absolutely timely for the life of the various Christian Churches. We discover him in the first place as a theologian who reflects poetically, on the basis of Holy Scripture, on the mystery of man's redemption brought about by Christ, the Word of God incarnate. His is a theological reflection expressed in images and symbols taken from nature, daily life and the Bible. Ephrem gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical character: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community.
Ephrem's reflection on the theme of God the Creator is important: nothing in creation is isolated and the world, next to Sacred Scripture, is a Bible of God. By using his freedom wrongly, man upsets the cosmic order. The role of women was important to Ephrem. The way he spoke of them was always inspired with sensitivity and respect: the dwelling place of Jesus in Mary's womb greatly increased women's dignity. Ephrem held that just as there is no Redemption without Jesus, there is no Incarnation without Mary. The divine and human dimensions of the mystery of our redemption can already be found in Ephrem&#...
Monday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 10:1-10
Jesus said:
‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them.
I am the gate.
Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come
so that they may have life and have it to the full.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said:
‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them.
I am the gate.
Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come
so that they may have life and have it to the full.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said:
‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
Sunday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 10:27-30
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 21 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 10 Part 1
Luke 10: “The Good Samaritan”
This week’s lecture begins with encouragement to pray the rosary. Many popes over the years have exhorted the faithful to depend on this powerful spiritual weapon in the battle against evil. In Luke 10, Jesus referenced the battle between darkness and light, vividly describing how Satan fell like lightning from the sky. Satan was “murderer from the beginning…and the father of lies” (John 8:44). He disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Satan deceived Adam and Eve, convincing them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. To prevent Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of life and living forever in a state of mortal sin, God banished Adam and Eve from the garden. Satan was also thrown out and became the ruler of the world until his final defeat at the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Satan is known as Lucifer, a fallen angel whose name means bearer of light. Angels are mentioned over 270 times in the Bible. They are highly intelligent beings of pure spirit who God created before humans. Revelation 12 describes the battle between Satan, the dragon, and Michael, the archangel. Michael defeated the dragon who is thrown out of heaven, along with the other 1/3 of the angels who joined in the rebellion against God. Lucifer and his minions revolted when God revealed his plan of salvation for humanity. When they learned that God would become a man born of a woman, they refused to serve: if God could take on human nature, then the lowly humans could take on a divine nature. Their contempt for lowly humans was fueled by pride and jealousy. Thomas Aquinas believed that before the angels were given the beatific vision, they underwent a time of testing, much like Adam and Eve. Having failed their test of fidelity to God, they were cast out of heaven, just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden.
From Aquinas we learn of the hierarchy of angelic: Seraphim angels were the highest, followed in order by the Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (which includes our Guardian Angels). According to Peter Kreeft, both Lucifer and Michael were Seraphim Angels of the highest order. Archangel can also mean a leader angel, and Michael as the leader of all the faithful angels, defeated Lucifer, the leader of all the rebellious angels. God had created angels to serve, but their pride kept them from fulfilling their nature: just like Adam and Eve, the fallen angels wanted to be like gods. The cosmic battle between good and evil continued until Jesus ushered in a new kingdom to replace Satan’s temporary kingdom.
The kingdom of God is mentioned throughout the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 9, Jesus sent the 12 apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, and in Luke 10, Jesus sends 70 disciples to do the same. The 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 recalls the 70 elders that Moses appointed to help govern the Israelites (Numbers 11). These 70 men (along with two others outside the Israelite camp) received some of the spirit of prophecy that had been given to Moses. These same 70 also went up Mount Sinai with Moses, where they ate and drank together in the presence of God (Exodus 24). Luke is the only evangelist to mention the 70 disciples sent on mission. Hippolytus of Rome (a follower of Irenaeus, who was a follower of Polycarp, who was a follower of John the Evangelist) listed the 70 disciples in one of his commentaries. Included in this list were Mark and Luke, who Hippolytus said were among the disciples who left Jesus after the Bread of Life discourse (John 6). Peter was responsible for evangelizing Mark, while Paul evangelized Luke back to the fold.
When the 70 return, they were full of joy because the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name. Jesus warned against becoming prideful,
Saturday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 6:60-69
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord...
Friday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 6:52-59
The Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’
He taught this doctrine at Capernaum, in the synagogue.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’
He taught this doctrine at Capernaum, in the synagogue.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’
He taught this doctrine at Capernaum, in the synagogue.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
Episode 37 – The Story of the Hazelnut
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Thursday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 6:44-51
Jesus said to the crowd:
‘No one can come to me
unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me,
and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They will all be taught by God,
and to hear the teaching of the Father,
and learn from it,
is to come to me.
Not that anybody has seen the Father,
except the one who comes from God:
he has seen the Father.
I tell you most solemnly,
everybody who believes has eternal life.
‘I am the bread of life.
Your fathers ate the manna in the desert
and they are dead;
but this is the bread that comes down from heaven,
so that a man may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
for the life of the world.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the crowd:
‘No one can come to me
unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me,
and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They will all be taught by God,
and to hear the teaching of the Father,
and learn from it,
is to come to me.
Not that anybody has seen the Father,
except the one who comes from God:
he has seen the Father.
I tell you most solemnly,
everybody who believes has eternal life.
‘I am the bread of life.
Your fathers ate the manna in the desert
and they are dead;
but this is the bread that comes down from heaven,
so that a man may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
for the life of the world.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the crowd:
‘No one can come to me
unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me,
and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They will all be taught by God,
and to hear the teaching of the Father,
and learn from it,
is to come to me.
Not that anybody has seen the Father,
except the one who comes from God:
he has seen the Father.
I tell you most solemnly,
everybody who believes has eternal life.
‘I am the bread of life.
Your fathers ate the manna in the desert
and they are dead;
but this is the bread that comes down from heaven,
so that a man may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,
for the life of the world.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Communion Rite.
The post BWPM 12 – A Heart in Love – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and work of St. Athansius of Alexandria
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
Athanasius was undoubtedly one of the most important and revered early Church Fathers. But this great Saint was above all the impassioned theologian of the Incarnation of the Logos, the Word of God who - as the Prologue of the fourth Gospel says - "became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1: 14).
For this very reason Athanasius was also the most important and tenacious adversary of the Arian heresy, which at that time threatened faith in Christ, reduced to a creature "halfway" between God and man, according to a recurring tendency in history which we also see manifested today in various forms.
The post St. Athanasius of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom w/ Dr. Matthew Bunson Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Third Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Third Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Sunday of the Third Week of Easter - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Sunday of the Third Week of Easter – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Join Sharon Doran for the study of the Gospel of Luke - In this episode, Chapter 9 part 2 - Discerning Hearts Podcast
The post ST-Luke Ep 20- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Saturday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Saturday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
An Excerpt from today's posting and podcast: Catherine of Siena - passion for truth
She is an important figure for those who see a rediscovery of prayer as the force of renewal in the Church. Because she put her devotion to Christ first, she found herself with a spiritual mission to help restore the life and unity of Christ's body. Some of her efforts met with a little success. But as she approached her death at the age of 33, her lifetime of effort in building up the Church seemed to be in vain. Corruption, scandal, cowardice - and most of all indifference - seemed to infect the Church even more. (For more on her life, go tohttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03447a.htm.) Yet she never lost hope and she persevered in prayer. This is because she understood the love and mercy of God.
She was uneducated, but in 1377, by a miracle, she learned to write. Even so she retained secretaries to whom she dictated most of her thoughts. Her master work on the spiritual life is known as the Dialogues. These are conversations between her soul and God the Father. God the Father reveals his deep love for his Son and his plan to build up the Church. One of the beautiful aspects of this conversation is the Father's explanation for how each soul can come to know Jesus.
Christ is the bridge to the Father and we cross this bridge by allowing our hearts to be pierced by what the Lord has done for us. The passion of Christ reveals at once the truth about who God is and who we are in his sight. For her, among the greatest blocks to the spiritual life is ignorance. Knowledge of God and knowledge of self go hand in hand in progressing toward spiritual maturity. But the knowing is not simply an intellectual trip. It as the kind of knowing informed by the loving affection of a real friendship. The friendship she describes in tender terms evokes the deepest joys and sorrows all at once.....
The post St. Catherine of Siena – Passion for Truth: Beginning to Pray w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Friday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Friday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Thursday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Thursday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Wednesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 36 - God Will Wipe Away Every Tear
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 36 – Episode 36 – God Will Wipe Away Every Tear – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
TEACHING DISCERNMENT
A Seminar to Prepare Teachers of Ignatian Discernment
with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
What to expect:
Father Gallagher will share the teaching pedagogy he has developed for instructing others in the Fourteen Rules for the Discernment of Spirits and will assist participants to find their way as competent teachers of these invaluable tools for the daily spiritual life.
The post Teaching Discernment DH Seminar – A conversation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of the Second Week of Eastertide - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Monday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter and it's meanings for our lives. He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a "Catholic".
The post Who are you? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday w/ Msgr. John Esseff appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Divine Mercy Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Divine Mercy Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Make Your Home In Me: Reflections on Prayer is a gem of a book and so is the opportunity to talk with its author Fr. Eamonn Bourke. Fr. Timothy Gallagher said it best when asked to review this book – "Do you want to pray? Really to pray? To pray daily? To pray from your heart? Then read this book. Read it slowly; absorb its message, and it will transform your prayer." We completely agree! We highly recommend you pick up a copy of this small book and let it lead you into deeper prayer.
You can find the book here
From the book description –
Father Bourke’s book takes the sometimes elusive process of prayer and presents it in easily accessible terms. Because of this gift for clarity in the author, this book makes prayer inviting and attractive. Each chapter provides insight into creating a closer relationship with God and ends with some thought-provoking questions and a simple prayer.
Easter Saturday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Mark 16:9-15
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday,
PART 2 -What a delight to be joined by Fr. Thomas Berg to discuss Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God's Grace. Hands down, this is one of the very best books I've read on the subject of forgiveness. Practical, compelling, and needed today more than ever, Choosing Forgiveness is a must for every home and vital to every heart. Don't miss this conversation!
"This work will stand the test of time as it is anchored in an authentic Catholic anthropology, psychology and spirituality. It is a complete and robust presentation on forgiveness. Every page invites realism and hope. This would be a useful book for pastors and clinicians and spiritual directors. The Church will be aided greatly by the authors' insights and faith.” — Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., Professor of Spiritual Theology, Kenrick Glennon Seminary
You can find the book here
To say that offering forgiveness is a challenge is an understatement. Forgiveness is tough! Forgiveness is often messy. Forgiveness doesn't feel good to most of us. And when it comes to the biggest, deepest hurts in life, forgiveness can seem impossible.
Some hurts are the everyday, garden-variety irritations we endure for having to live in the company of other human beings who lose their tempers, get up on the wrong side of the bed, say nasty things, are ungrateful, selfish, and irritable. Some hurts are of a magnitude that far transcend these — degradation, exploitation, abandonment, rejection, humiliation, racism, bullying, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. But with God's grace, even in those most difficult cases, forgiveness is possible.
In Choosing Forgiveness, Fr. Thomas Berg and Dr. Timothy G. Lock are your guides on the way toward forgiveness through the grace of God. This book will help you discover the pathway to healing, peace, and interior freedom, releasing you and those who have wronged you from the bondage of unforgiveness.
Click here for Part 1 of our conversation with Fr. Thomas Berg – IP#486 Fr. Thomas Berg – Choosing Forgiveness Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast
Easter Friday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 21:1-14
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward,
What a delight to be joined by Fr. Thomas Berg to discuss Choosing Forgiveness: Unleash the Power of God’s Grace. Hands down, this is one of the very best books I’ve read on the subject of forgiveness. Practical, compelling, and needed today more than ever, Choosing Forgiveness is a must for every home and vital ... Read more
The post IP#486 Fr. Thomas Berg – Choosing Forgiveness Part 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Easter Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 24:35-48
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.
They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.
Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.
They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.
Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.
They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts?
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration.
The post BWPM 11 – The Lamb and Mercy – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Easter Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 24:13-35
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’
Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight ...
Easter Tuesday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Easter Tuesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Easter Monday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Easter Monday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Gospel JN 20:1-9
On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Easter Sunday - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart...
The post Easter Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Episode 35 – The Mystery of Holy Saturday
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Taking Up Our Cross. . .Be Not Afraid
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Is life a series of “gifts” from God or tragedies?
Seek—Encounter the empty tombs of life with the expectation that they are signs of the Risen Christ.
Knock—Meditate on 1 John 4:18–19.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us.
How do you view the events of your life, as God punishing you or as God showering you with gifts? Is your image of what God is like from the way Jesus reveals God to us or from some other source?
Transform Your Life—Accept the cross whenever it presents itself to you in daily life. Do not flee from it. Do not shrink from it, but embrace it in the name of Jesus. Learn from it, be enlightened by it, find in it the key to living a fruitful life. Think of this every time that you sign yourself with the cross.
The post PoC-46 Holy Saturday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Holy Saturday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton,
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of Good Friday for the life of every Christian. We are closely united to Jesus in his Passion. Who are the people who have caused you to suffer? What are wounds that have been inflicted during your lifetime? What are the wounds you have inflicted on others? How can those wounds be healed? He also proclaims how the Cross of Christ defeated the devil and continues to defeat the enemy today.
The following stations of the cross are based on those celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991. They are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations and as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion. More can found at the USCCB Catholic Bishops website.
Before each station:
Minister:
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
After each station:
All:
Lord Jesus, help us walk in your steps.
Opening Prayer:
Minister:
God of power and mercy,
in love you sent your Son
that we might be cleansed of sin
and live with you forever.
Bless us as we gather to reflect
on his suffering and death
that we may learn from his example
the way we should go.
We ask this through that same Christ, our Lord.
All:
Amen.
First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Reader:
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Matthew 26:36-41)
Minister:
Lord,
grant us your strength and wisdom,
that we may seek to follow your will in all things
Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested
Reader: Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
(Mark 14: 43-46)
Minister:
Lord,
grant us the courage of our convictions
that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring.
Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
Reader: When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth."
(Luke 22: 66-71)
Minister:
Lord,
grant us your sense of righteousness
that we may never cease to work
to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.
Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter
Reader: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!
Taking Up Our Cross. . .To Stay with Jesus
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I feel “lucky” to carry the cross that God has given me?
Seek—Keep the cross of Christ before you at all times. Let it be a reminder of Christ’s forgiveness for you when you feel sorrowful for your sins. Let it be a sign of God’s love for others when you are tempted to judge. Let it be a light that you can share with those whose lives you touch.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 12:26–27.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Do you think of yourself as a part of Christ’s body? What changes are necessary for you to make in order to act as a member of the body of Christ rather than as an individual follower of Jesus?
Transform Your Life—Realize the difference that embracing the cross of Christ makes in your life. Learn to see the world in a new way and to see what Jesus meant when he said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
The post PoC-45 Good Friday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meanings within the Holy Thursday liturgy of the Church. He discusses the action of Jesus when He washes the feet of the apostles and what that means for us today. Can we be Jesus to others and wash the feet of even our enemies? He also discusses the institution of the Eucharist and what it truly means to have devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Gospel JN 13:1-15
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples' feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all."
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher' and ‘master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
Taking Up Our Cross. . .In Imitation of Christ
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I willing to do small things for Christ?
Seek—Volunteer to do a task that no one wants to do, a menial or unpleasant one, all the while uniting yourself with the Passion and death of Jesus.
Knock—Meditate on Philippians 2:5–8.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Paul says that we should have the mind of Christ, and Jesus told Peter that he was think- ing like men and not God. How is having the mind of Christ dif- ferent than the thoughts that we are apt to naturally have about life issues? Do your thoughts clash with the gospel message? Are you trying to be like the god you imagine, or the God Jesus revealed by his cross?
Transform Your Life——Seek to follow the example of Christ in all that you do. Be solicitous for the care of others. Learn the truth that in dying to self you are born into eternal life.
The post PoC-44 Holy Thursday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Holy Thursday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 13:1-15
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.
They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’
When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.
They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’
When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
From Dr. Anthony Lilles' blog "Beginning to Pray"
"You have stood by me in my trials and I am giving you a Kingdom." This solemn declaration was made by the Lord even as He faced betrayal, denial, and abandonment – suffering these unto death. To enter into His Kingdom, we must follow Him down this same pathway. This means that we will face what He has faced. To enable us to follow Him, He must purify us and strengthen us to remain standing with Him even after our sin. To the degree that we are afraid of death, suffering, and sin, we are afraid also of His mercy. But His merciful love overcomes our fear. Accepting His mercy, we learn to see in our own life experience that sin, suffering and death ultimately do not stand between us and the love of God. Indeed, He has made of them a pathway.
"You have stood by me." We hear these words knowing full well how often we have failed Him. Yet, He does not focus on that. He sees what is good. He chooses to be conscious of what we have done in our devotion and so He directs us to also acknowledge what He sees. It is not that He is not aware of our sins. It is only that He chooses not to allow them to define our relationship with Him. Thus, He said this in the presence of the Twelve: the betrayer, the nine would abandon Him and the most trusted who would deny Him. He says it also to us now.
"You have stood by me" unveils his decision to see past our failures to a deeper mystery about us that we cannot know on our own. He gazes with hope on the possibilities of the human heart. This is because we are not in his eyes friends who fall short of His expectations. Instead, we are each a gift of the Father to Him – and so He treasures our faithfulness no matter how weak or fleeting it might be. Thus, He confirms all that is good, noble and true. The the gaze in which he holds us never breaks – He suffers this regard of the deepest truth of our existence unto death and will search hell to rescue it. Here, the basis of hope no matter how often we have fallen, a truth He repeats today in our presence too: "You have stood by me."
"I have prayed that your faith will not fail and once you have turned back, you must strengthen the faith of your brethren." Love requires many difficult purifications and painful healings before we can stand before the face of the One who loved us to the end. No unaided human effort can endure these trials of love. Yet, we never face these alone, but always in the Church with Christ's gentle presence and His mighty prayer. His prayer that our faith should not fail does not mean we will not fall. It means that if we fall, no matter how far or hard or for how long, we can turn back – convinced that the power of His love is greater than the power of our sin.
What we do not see but what Christ sees is the splendor of His Bride – a splendor in which we have already been implicated from before the foundation of the world. Despite the sinfulness of her members and even the failures of her shepherds, she knows from the vantage point of eternity the way to the Bridegroom in both life and death. She knows this path to love even as it leads through the difficult ambiguities of our lives. She knows it by love and She knows it for love even when we have long stumbled away from it. She knows even as it disappears from our sight at the last moments of this life. And so, if we listen to the voice of the Bride, she teaches us to find it even when we feel farthest from it. Indeed, the Good Shepherd Himself will pick us up and place us there – for He has abandoned everything to find us. Though we cannot see it, the Body of Christ knows the passage that crosses from the gates of hell to the very threshold of heaven. Christ Himself bridges this abyss – and He suffers it in His mystical body so that we might become immacul...
Taking Up Our Cross. . .Be Prepared
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How well do I prepare for the Eucharist I receive at Mass?
Seek——Try to participate fully in the Eucharist each time you are present; if possible, attend daily. Be mindful of what you do at Mass, what you hear and how you respond. Learn more about the Mass.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 11:27–30.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
What does St. Paul mean when he says that those who do not discern bring judgment upon themselves? What can you do to examine yourself before participating in Mass to avoid doing it absent-mindedly?
Transform Your Life——Know what you celebrate when you are at Mass; mean what you do with every gesture and prayer, and especially when you receive Holy Communion.
The post PoC-43 Holy Wednesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Wednesday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
"Probes: Deep Sea Diving into St. John's Gospel" is a beautiful union of Scripture Study and the prayer experience of Lectio Divina. I've never seen anything quite like it (and I hope I see more). What the reader will find is that diving deeper is actually climbing higher. Under Dr. Kreeft's guidance, we learn to ask penetrating questions of Sacred Scripture, but more importantly, we learn to listen to the Word for the answers. Designed for community study or individual reflection, this is the "John" book I have been waiting for! Thank you once again Dr. Kreeft!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
This is no ordinary book. It is a set of probing questions (1,450 in fact) designed to help individuals or groups, especially groups, to dive deeply into Saint John's Gospel. No answers are provided, but the questions are phrased in such a way as to set a person in a reliable direction for finding the answers.
The questions correspond to the verses of the Gospel and require active and personal interaction. Some of the questions are easy, some difficult, and they are marked accordingly. Some questions include background information or hints that help the reader along. Some were written with a fair bit of humor. Any person or group using these questions to explore John will find themselves entertained as well as informed and inspired.
Taking Up Our Cross. . .To Follow the Lord
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How often do I trust my own instincts, and how often do I entrust myself to Jesus?
Seek—Try to live each day with a resignation to God’s will, accepting each moment with the expectation that God might be breaking through to you.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 5:6–9.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.
Think about the experiences of Peter in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and the words that he writes here. What lesson do they convey? How might the devil be seeking to devour you in your attempts to follow Christ?
Transform Your Life—Make an amendment to live humbly. Cast all of your hopes and anxieties on the Lord. Realize that following Jesus means living a life of trust not in your way but in God’s way, the way of the cross.
The post PoC-42 Holy Tuesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Tuesday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 13:21-33,36-38
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’, so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me,
And, as I told the Jews,
where I am going, you cannot come.’
Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him, ‘Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, ‘I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, ‘Ask who it is he means’, so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ ‘It is the one’ replied Jesus ‘to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.’ He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me,
And, as I told the Jews,
where I am going, you cannot come.’
Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus replied, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.’ Peter said to him,
Simply one of the finest works ever compiled on the mystery of suffering. Fr. Robert Spitzer's "The Light Shines On In The Darkness: Transforming Suffering through Faith (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence)" could be considered a "catechism of suffering," but not one rooted in misery, but rather anchored in the experience of God's great mercy and redemptive sacrifice. This is a book of hope and one that should be experienced by all Christians, and in particular, those who minister in any way, shape, or form in the New Evangelization. Why would a loving God allow suffering? Is there any good that can be brought forth from our trials? So much more is addressed in this opus. I could not put this book down. Pick it up, you won't regret it!
You can find the book here
"Suffering has the power to break or elevate the human spirit. Lived in the spirit of the Gospel and borne for the sake of others, it's the most redemptive, transfiguring force in creation. Fr. Spitzer has written a magisterial work on the meaning of suffering, a work remarkable both for its depth and beauty."
— Most Rev. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
"In this trenchant and searching book, Fr. Spitzer responds to the most powerful objection to the proposition that God exists, namely, the problem of suffering. And he dares to do what very few are willing to do today: to articulate how evil and pain are ingredients in the providential design of a loving God."
—Bishop Robert Barron, Host, Catholicism film series
Taking Up Our Cross. . .In Reverence
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I reverence God?
Seek—Find a way to adore God today, be it in the Eucharist or in the secrecy of your room, or anywhere. When you see the shape of the cross, say the prayer that St. Francis instructed his brothers and sisters to say, “We adore you Christ and we praise you present here and in all the Churches throughout the world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
Knock—Meditate on Hebrews 12:28–29.
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
What does it mean to offer acceptable worship to God? How is the kingdom we are offered by Christ unshakeable?
Transform Your Life—Make your life one of reverence toward God at all times. Let your focus be on remaining in God’s presence, rather than judging and criticizing those around you.
The post PoC-41 Holy Monday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Monday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’
Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’
Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial.
At The Procession With Palms – Gospel MT 21:1-11 When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and ... Read more
The post Palm Sunday: Uniting Our Pain With Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. Esseff Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Taking Up Our Cross. . .In Abandonment
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I believe in God’s providential care?
Seek—Cry out to God to save you. Realize what it means to say that God is your Savior. Frequently call to mind all that you need to be saved from and have recourse to God who alone can save you.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 13:12–14.
Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Paul uses the image of armor that we wear, either of darkness or light. Much of what he terms the deeds of darkness are acts that typically happen at nightfall or in the secret of one’s heart—they are acts that take place when we hide them from God and others. Reflect on how putting on armor of light and bringing all of your cares before God will change the way you see them.
Transform Your Life—Believe and trust in Jesus at all times. Do not allow the enemy to have a foothold into your life. Make “Hosanna, save us, Lord” the prayer that is constantly on your lips.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Justice
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I see myself as a child of God?
Seek——Focus on the crucified Christ as you meet him throughout the day. Stand up for your brother or sister, always appealing to the brother or sister who might seek to harm him or her.
Knock—Meditate on Micah 2:12–13.
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob, I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men. He who opens the breach will go up before them; they will break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king will pass on before them, the LORD at their head.
Micah prophesies that the Lord will lead his sheep out of their captivity. In the violent journey of Christ out of the walled city of Jerusalem, we see a lit- eral fulfillment of this prophecy. Are you one of the followers of Jesus on his way of the cross?
Transform Your Life—Realize that you are a child of God, reborn in Baptism when you shared in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Live out your Baptism, dying to yourself whenever you find yourself tempted to be a child of something other than the one true God.
The post PoC-39 5th Saturday of Lent: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
5th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.
The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.
The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas,
This is a special edition of the reflection offered by Fr. Timothy Gallagher on the "Contemplation to Attain the love of God" by St. Ignatius of Loyola as found in the "Spiritual Exercises." What we original provided to you as two separate episodes, we now combine into a single extended episode without interruption. We hope this will enhance your experience of this Ignatian exercise.
The post SPECIAL EDITION – The Contemplation to Attain the Love of God – complete/without interruption w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .The Dignity of Work
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I doing what God wants me to do?
Seek—To pray, to put God first in all things, in every aspect of your life. Ask God to bless your home and your work, making all that you do fruitful.
Knock—Meditate on Genesis 2:2–3.
And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had done. (. . . )So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation.
How do you rest from your work? How do you sanctify the Sabbath in your life? Do you trust enough in God’s providence to take a day off? Spend some time reflecting on Jesus’ Sabbath rest on Holy Saturday and what it could mean for you.
Transform Your Life—Allow the cross of Christ to restore the dignity of your work. This may not involve leaving behind your job, even if you took that job for the wrong reasons. God can transform anything into good. So what matters is what your motivation is in your work: are you building up the kingdom of God or are you trying to build your own kingdom?
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
5th Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 10:31-42
The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’ Jesus answered:
‘Is it not written in your Law:
I said, you are gods?
So the Law uses the word gods
of those to whom the word of God was addressed,
and scripture cannot be rejected.
Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world,
“You are blaspheming,”
because he says, “I am the son of God.”
If I am not doing my Father’s work,
there is no need to believe me;
but if I am doing it,
then even if you refuse to believe in me,
at least believe in the work I do;
then you will know for sure
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’
They wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded them.
He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptising. Many people who came to him there said, ‘John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true’; and many of them believed in him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’ Jesus answered:
‘Is it not written in your Law:
I said, you are gods?
So the Law uses the word gods
of those to whom the word of God was addressed,
and scripture cannot be rejected.
Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world,
“You are blaspheming,”
because he says, “I am the son of God.”
If I am not doing my Father’s work,
there is no need to believe me;
but if I am doing it,
then even if you refuse to believe in me,
at least believe in the work I do;
then you will know for sure
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’
They wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded them.
He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptising. Many people who came to him there said, ‘John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true’; and many of them believed in him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’ Jesus answered:
‘Is it not written in your Law:
I said, you are gods?
So the Law uses the word gods
of those to whom the word of God was addressed,
and scripture cannot be rejected.
Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world,
“You are blaspheming,
Episode 34 - The Strongest Argument..
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
The post SP 34 – Episode 34 – The Strongest Argument… – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Obedience
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I obedient to the commands of Jesus?
Seek—To be open to God. Receive the Eucharist and ask God to enrich you with his Body and Blood, enabling you to be an obedient son or daughter, abiding in Christ.
Knock—Meditate on 1 John 2:3–6.
We can be sure that we know God only by keeping his commandments. Anyone who says, ‘I know him', and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, refusing to admit the truth. But when anyone does obey what he has said, God's love comes to perfection in him. We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.
How well do we know him? How much of our disobedience is due to our own ignorance of Christ? Are we disobedient children because we do not really believe that the Father loves us, and wants what is best for us?
Transform Your Life—Accept the transfusion of life that is the Eucharist, an exchange of our sin-tainted, mortal flesh for the immortality of the God-Man. Live the Eucharist realizing that Christ remains in you. When you are tempted, call upon the presence of Christ to empower you to be obedient.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
5th Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 8:51-59
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
Episode 10 – Give Us This Day – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration.
Take a moment and pray:
Our Father: Father: ponder the love, the security, and the providential care of the heavenly Father that this word signifies. Our: all of us share this Father; we are all his sons and daughters, one family.
who art in heaven: lift your gaze of faith to the infinite joy of heaven where this Father resides with the Son and Holy Spirit, the communion to which we are called when earthly life is done.
hallowed be thy name: ask, beg, petition that this Father’s name be held in love and reverence in your heart, in your family, in the Church, and in the world. thy kingdom come: pray that the kingdom of God — his love, truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, and peace — grow and be increasingly rooted in this world. Desire this. Ask for this.
thy will be done: with the sentiments and heart of a mendico, seek the grace to do God’s will in your life, in all things, day by day.
on earth: pray that God’s will be done in the Church and in the world. Raise this cry from your heart.
as it is in heaven: contemplate the joy, the harmony, the communion, the peace of heaven, in which God’s will is the single guide. Ask that this joy and communion be granted to our world.
Give us this day: What are your needs this day? What do your family members need this day? The Church? The nation? The world? Ask to be given what you need today.
our daily bread: the material bread we need for our lives and for the sustenance, health, education, and well-being of those entrusted to our care; and the spiritual bread: the Eucharist, Holy Communion.
and forgive us our trespasses: ask for the loving encounter with the Father that is forgiveness (Luke 15:11–32), for healing from the burdens of our hearts.
as we forgive those who trespass against us: Has anyone hurt you? Mistreated you? Misunderstood you? In these deep places of the heart, ask for the grace to forgive. “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ” (Eph. 4:32).
and lead us not into temptation: pray for freedom from all that could cause spiritual harm. Make this prayer for yourself, your family, the Church, and the world.
but deliver us from evil: ask for protection and safety from all evil. Ask this “of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 75-76). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Our Freedom
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Are there areas of my life where I am still enslaved?
Seek—Persevere in the teaching of Jesus. Experience the joy of the small victories when standing your ground against the enemy, especially when he seeks to seduce you back into the slavery of sin.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 6:22–23.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What does it mean to be a slave of God? Are you a free person? If not, what still enslaves you? If so, from what has God freed you?
Transform Your Life—St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that we should make use of created things inasmuch as they aid us in praising, reverencing, and serving God, for that is the purpose of our existence. Spend your life seeing all of creation in these terms, remaining in the teaching of Jesus, and witness how your life is totally transformed.
The post PoC-36 5th Wednesday of Lent: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
5th Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 8:31-42
To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.’
They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
everyone who commits sin is a slave.
Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured,
but the son’s place is assured.
So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.
I know that you are descended from Abraham;
but in spite of that you want to kill me
because nothing I say has penetrated into you.
What I, for my part, speak of
is what I have seen with my Father;
but you, you put into action
the lessons learnt from your father.’
They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them:
‘If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.’
‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered:
‘If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.’
They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
everyone who commits sin is a slave.
Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured,
but the son’s place is assured.
So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.
I know that you are descended from Abraham;
but in spite of that you want to kill me
because nothing I say has penetrated into you.
What I, for my part, speak of
is what I have seen with my Father;
but you, you put into action
the lessons learnt from your father.’
They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them:
‘If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.’
‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered:
‘If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
Communal worship speaks to this need. We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world.
The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity.
The post CTD#6 – “The Oasis of Lent” – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion w/ Deacon James Keating appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .The Image of God
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What can make me more like Christ in his humility?
Seek—Ask God to reveal to you his purpose for your life. When you do not feel accepted by others, look to the rejection that Jesus endured on the cross and unite your suffering to his.
Knock—Meditate on Numbers 21:8–9.
The Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.' So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.
Imagine the people being bitten by serpents, then being healed by staring at the serpent on the pole (which is still the symbol for the medical profession). What do you think healed the people?
Transform Your Life—Learn the acceptance of God. Confess your sins and anything that you think makes you unacceptable to God. Learn to love your physical imperfections and to help others accept theirs and yours.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
5th Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 8:21-30
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am going away;
you will look for me
and you will die in your sin.
Where I am going, you cannot come.’
The Jews said to one another, ‘Will he kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ Jesus went on:
‘You are from below; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world.
I have told you already:
You will die in your sins.
Yes, if you do not believe that I am He,
you will die in your sins.’
So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered:
‘What I have told you from the outset.
About you I have much to say
and much to condemn;
but the one who sent me is truthful,
and what I have learnt from him
I declare to the world.’
They failed to understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said:
‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man,
then you will know that I am He
and that I do nothing of myself:
what the Father has taught me is what I preach;
he who sent me is with me,
and has not left me to myself,
for I always do what pleases him.’
As he was saying this, many came to believe in him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am going away;
you will look for me
and you will die in your sin.
Where I am going, you cannot come.’
The Jews said to one another, ‘Will he kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ Jesus went on:
‘You are from below; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world.
I have told you already:
You will die in your sins.
Yes, if you do not believe that I am He,
you will die in your sins.’
So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered:
‘What I have told you from the outset.
About you I have much to say
and much to condemn;
but the one who sent me is truthful,
and what I have learnt from him
I declare to the world.’
They failed to understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said:
‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man,
then you will know that I am He
and that I do nothing of myself:
what the Father has taught me is what I preach;
he who sent me is with me,
and has not left me to myself,
for I always do what pleases him.’
As he was saying this, many came to believe in him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am going away;
you will look for me
and you will die in your sin.
Where I am going, you cannot come.’
The Jews said to one another, ‘Will he kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ Jesus went on:
‘You are from below; I am from above.
You are of this world; I am not of this world.
I have told you already:
You will die in your sins.
Yes, if you do not believe that I am He,
you will die in your sins.’
So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered:
From Dr. Anthony Lilles' blog "Beginning to Pray"
During Lent, we dedicate ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These practices are simple ways of expressing our gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for us. This in fact is the very nature of penance. Penance is love which responds to mercy – and this love is not content with words, thoughts and feelings. This love needs to express itself in a prayer the cries from the heart, in sacrifice that really costs, and in little hidden acts of kindness which comfort those who most need it.
Why do we allow God to implicate us in the plights of others, especially during Lent? God's love suffers the personal plight each of us. He does this because He does not want us to suffer alone. So He seeks us out in our suffering – the suffering that we have brought on ourselves and the suffering that others have brought on us. He is concerned about our dignity and He is ready to do whatever it takes that we might be rectified and stand with Him who is Love Himself. The extent to which He enters into our misery for this purpose is revealed on the Cross. If we are to be His disciples, we must pick up our cross and follow Him. This is how the Lord extends His saving mystery through space and time – He loves us so much He implicates us in this great work of His Love.
No matter how many times we fail, no matter how great our weaknesses, no matter how inadequate we are to the demands of love — He is there with us, loving us, providing exactly what we need in the moment, and this because He really loves us that much. How can we not respond by offering Him food and drink when we recognize Him in the disguise of those who hunger and thirst? How can we not respond by forgoing a little comfort and convenience when He has already suffered so much discomfort and inconvenience for us? How can we not respond by praying for those who need the love of God when He has never forgotten us in His love for the Father?
When prayer, sacrifice and generosity come together in thanksgiving to God for His goodness to us, deep places of the heart are purified and we rediscover the joy humanity was meant to know from the beginning. Lent is all about this joy – a joy God's love allows us to know, the joy of being sons and daughters of God, the joy of heart so beautiful it would be wrong not to share it with those who need a little joy as well.
Dr. Anthony Lilles is the author of "Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden", which can be found here
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Forgiveness
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I believe in the power of Jesus to forgive?
Seek—Acknowledge your sinfulness before God. Make a daily examination of conscience. In whom are you placing your trust, in Jesus or yourself? Frequently ask God to help you to sin no more.
Knock—Meditate on Philippians 3:8–11.
Not only that, but I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him.
I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith.
All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead.
What does Paul mean when he speaks of his faith in Christ? Why would he count everything else as a loss and garbage? How can one become more like Christ in his death?
Transform Your Life—See yourself as no different than the greatest sinner or greatest saint. Potentially, you could be one or the other; the outcome depends more upon the one in whom you place your trust than any personal merit of your own.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
5th Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 8:12-20
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am the light of the world;
anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark;
he will have the light of life.’
At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’
Jesus replied:
‘It is true that I am testifying on my own behalf,
but my testimony is still valid,
because I know
where I came from and where I am going;
but you do not know
where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by human standards;
I judge no one,
but if I judge, my judgement will be sound,
because I am not alone:
the one who sent me is with me;
and in your Law it is written
that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.
I may be testifying on my own behalf,
but the Father who sent me is my witness too.’
They asked him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered:
‘You do not know me,
nor do you know my Father;
if you did know me,
you would know my Father as well.’
He spoke these words in the Treasury, while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am the light of the world;
anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark;
he will have the light of life.’
At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’
Jesus replied:
‘It is true that I am testifying on my own behalf,
but my testimony is still valid,
because I know
where I came from and where I am going;
but you do not know
where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by human standards;
I judge no one,
but if I judge, my judgement will be sound,
because I am not alone:
the one who sent me is with me;
and in your Law it is written
that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.
I may be testifying on my own behalf,
but the Father who sent me is my witness too.’
They asked him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered:
‘You do not know me,
nor do you know my Father;
if you did know me,
you would know my Father as well.’
He spoke these words in the Treasury, while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
‘I am the light of the world;
anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark;
he will have the light of life.’
At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’
Jesus replied:
‘It is true that I am testifying on my own behalf,
but my testimony is still valid,
because I know
where I came from and where I am going;
but you do not know
where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by human standards;
I judge no one,
but if I judge, my judgement will be sound,
because I am not alone:
the one who sent me is with me;
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent. He guides us through an honest self-examination of conscience and the need to confess our brokenness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
From the NAB
Gospel. JN 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
and all the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in adultery
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
“Teacher, this woman was caught
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?”
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
“Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Life
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What still binds me?
Seek—See the restorative power of the cross to see all things made new by the death of Jesus—spend some time allowing your past failings, relationships, and the deaths of loved ones to come forward, and present them to the Lord.
Knock—Meditate on Acts 9:40–41.
Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the dead woman and said, ‘Tabitha, stand up'. She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet, then he called in the saints and widows and showed them she was alive.
The early Church continued the ministry of Jesus, as does the Church today. In the raising of Tabitha, we see Peter doing what Jesus did. How much do we act on our faith in Christ when we encounter the results of sin in our lives?
Transform Your Life—Remember life; too often we live in the past. Live for the present moment in Christ.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
5th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
Episode 19 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 1
Luke 9: “Son of God Transfigured”
Luke chapter 9 begins with the mission of the twelve Apostles, whom Jesus gave power to cure disease and authority over all demons. They were instructed to take nothing for their journey and to “shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against” anyone who did not welcome them. To “shake off the dust” was a Hebrew idiom for Jews to separate themselves from the Gentiles. So in this context, Jesus was telling the Apostles to separate themselves from the Jews who rejected the Gospel. In a similar passage, Matthew took things a step further, warning “that it shall be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town (Mt 10:15).” Knowing that Jesus gave the Apostles power over all demons helps us understand why Jesus chastised the disciples for their lack of faith when they could not drive out a demon from a boy (Luke 9:40-41).
The chapter continues with Herod’s perplexity. Herod knew that John the Baptist was dead, yet he heard some thought that John had been raised from the dead or that Elijah had returned. These stories led to Herod’s desire to meet Jesus, which finally occurs during the Passion. We learn from Josephus that John was imprisoned for two years prior to his execution at Machaerus, a Herodian fortress on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. John was imprisoned for criticizing Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Phillip. Just as the evil Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah the prophet, so too did Herodias want to kill John the Baptist, the new Elijah.
The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle (other than the Resurrection) that is found in all four Gospels. Luke was the only Gospel writer who specified that Bethsaida was the location of this miracle. Bethsaida was located at the inflow of the Jordan River into the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida was the home town of Peter, Andrew and Philip and was the location of many miracles, including the successive healing of the blind man as told in Mark 8. The city of Bethsaida was later renamed after Livia Drusilla, (aka Julia Augusta) the wife of Caesar Augustus, who was emperor at the time Jesus’s birth. Caesar Augustus had no male heir of his own, so at his death, he bequeathed 2/3 of his empire to Tiberius, Livia’s son by another man, and 1/3 to Julia herself. Julia was very popular among the people of the empire and was at odds with her son, Tiberius. She was declared a priestess and then later a goddess, and many temples were built in her honor throughout the empire. One of these temples was built in Bethsaida and the ancient Jewish fishing town was renamed Julias in her honor.
During the feeding of the 5000, Jesus told the people to sit together in companies of 50. This recalls the encampment of the Israelites in the Sinai desert. Moses divided the people into companies that surrounded the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the true presence of God. The companies were led by four of the twelve tribes as represented on banners with images of a lion (representing Judah), the face of a man (representing Ruben), an ox (representing Ephraim) and an eagle (representing Dan). Just as the companies in Sinai surrounded the true presence of God in the Tabernacle, so too did the companies of 50 surround Jesus, the true presence of God and Word made flesh, at the feeding of the 5000. The images on the Sinai banners were later seen in the description of the four living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision of heaven (EZEK 1) as well as in John the Evangelist’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4: the four living creatures surround the true presence of God in heaven. The four living creatures also symbolize the Gospel writers: Matthew the man, Mark the lion, Luke the ox and John the eagle. In many churches, images of the Gospel writers in the form of the four living creatures ...
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .The Way to True Unity
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I focused on unity or division within the body of Christ?
Seek—Give thanks to God ahead of time in your prayers. Think of how Jesus instituted the Eucharist (i.e., “thanksgiving”) on the night before he died. When you are at Mass, consciously give thanks to God through Jesus for all that God has done and will do in your life.
Knock—Meditate on Ephesians 5:1–2.
Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
How can we imitate God as beloved children? Are there people that we are still divided from? Pray for unity among nations and people of various faiths, and that they may come to know the Savior of mankind, Jesus.
Transform Your Life—Be a thankful person even in the midst of situations where there doesn’t seem to be much to be thankful for—think about Solanus Casey and how even though he was thought of as someone who had little to offer in his community, because of his faith, through God he became one of the most revered members of the house. Trust God at all times.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 7:40-52
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man witho...
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .The Truth
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—From whom did I learn what I know about Jesus now?
Seek—Read the Gospels daily to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus. Always begin your reading with a prayer asking God to enlighten you in your endeavor.
Knock—Meditate on Acts 16:30–31.
‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They told him, ‘Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too'.
The jailor experiences the power of God’s protection over the apostles and wishes to be saved. They tell him what is necessary is to believe. What does it mean to believe? How is belief different than knowledge?
Transform Your Life—Jesus often tells his disciples to watch, to be vigilant. Seek the Lord at all times, in all places. Invite him to be a part of every area of your life. Hold nothing back.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 7:1-2,10,25-30
Jesus stayed in Galilee; he could not stay in Judaea, because the Jews were out to kill him.
As the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, but quite privately, without drawing attention to himself. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking freely, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have made up their minds that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.’
Then, as Jesus taught in the Temple, he cried out:
‘Yes, you know me
and you know where I came from.
Yet I have not come of myself:
no, there is one who sent me
and I really come from him,
and you do not know him,
but I know him because I have come from him
and it was he who sent me.’
They would have arrested him then, but because his time had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus stayed in Galilee; he could not stay in Judaea, because the Jews were out to kill him.
As the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, but quite privately, without drawing attention to himself. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking freely, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have made up their minds that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.’
Then, as Jesus taught in the Temple, he cried out:
‘Yes, you know me
and you know where I came from.
Yet I have not come of myself:
no, there is one who sent me
and I really come from him,
and you do not know him,
but I know him because I have come from him
and it was he who sent me.’
They would have arrested him then, but because his time had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus stayed in Galilee; he could not stay in Judaea, because the Jews were out to kill him.
As the Jewish feast of Tabernacles drew near, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went up as well, but quite privately, without drawing attention to himself. Meanwhile some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Isn’t this the man they want to kill? And here he is, speaking freely, and they have nothing to say to him! Can it be true the authorities have made up their minds that he is the Christ? Yet we all know where he comes from, but when the Christ appears no one will know where he comes from.’
Then, as Jesus taught in the Temple, he cried out:
‘Yes, you know me
and you know where I came from.
Yet I have not come of myself:
no, there is one who sent me
and I really come from him,
and you do not know him,
but I know him because I have come from him
and it was he who sent me.’
They would have arrested him then,
Episode 33 – Giving Christ His Due
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .Our Choices
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Whom am I trying to please with the actions of my life?
Seek—The glory of God in all things, in all of your actions, in all of your interactions with others.
Knock—Meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:3–4.
If our gospel does not penetrate the veil, then the veil is on those who are not on the way to salvation; the unbelievers whose minds the god of this world has blinded, to stop them seeing the light shed by the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Does the gospel seem like “good news” to you?
Transform Your Life—Foster a sense of pilgrimage as the model of your life. See yourself as someone walking in the footsteps of Christ. At all times seek to serve God first and to do his will in your life.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 5:31-47
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘Were I to testify on my own behalf,
my testimony would not be valid;
but there is another witness who can speak on my behalf,
and I know that his testimony is valid.
You sent messengers to John,
and he gave his testimony to the truth:
not that I depend on human testimony;
no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.
John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s:
the works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.
Besides, the Father who sent me
bears witness to me himself.
You have never heard his voice,
you have never seen his shape,
and his word finds no home in you
because you do not believe in the one he has sent.
‘You study the scriptures,
believing that in them you have eternal life;
now these same scriptures testify to me,
and yet you refuse to come to me for life!
As for human approval, this means nothing to me.
Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you.
I have come in the name of my Father
and you refuse to accept me;
if someone else comes in his own name
you will accept him.
How can you believe,
since you look to one another for approval
and are not concerned
with the approval that comes from the one God?
Do not imagine that I am going to accuse you before the Father:
you place your hopes on Moses,
and Moses will be your accuser.
If you really believed him
you would believe me too,
since it was I that he was writing about;
but if you refuse to believe what he wrote,
how can you believe what I say?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘Were I to testify on my own behalf,
my testimony would not be valid;
but there is another witness who can speak on my behalf,
and I know that his testimony is valid.
You sent messengers to John,
and he gave his testimony to the truth:
not that I depend on human testimony;
no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.
John was a lamp alight and shining
and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.
But my testimony is greater than John’s:
the works my Father has given me to carry out,
these same works of mine testify
that the Father has sent me.
Besides, the Father who sent me
bears witness to me himself.
You have never heard his voice,
you have never seen his shape,
and his word finds no home in you
because you do not believe in the one he has sent.
‘You study the scriptures,
believing that in them you have eternal life;
now these same scriptures testify to me,
and yet you refuse to come to me for life!
As for human approval, this means nothing to me.
Besides, I know you too well: you have no love of God in you.
I have come in the name of my Father
and you refuse to accept me;
if someone else comes in his own name
you will accept him.
How can you believe,
CTD#5 – "Leaving the Desert" - Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating
"Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation is, for many Catholics, a most daunting prospect. This sacrament has been the source of many jokes, composed perhaps by persons seeking to reduce the level of stress they feel regarding one of its main components: naming personal sin.
The naming of one's own sin to oneself and to a priest is self-revelatory to the point of evoking anxiety. Initially, it can be true that some level of apprehension may accompany this sacrament, but over time with regular celebration of this form of worship, anxiety diminishes. Most positively the sacrament of reconciliation promotes truthful self-knowledge regarding sin in the context of Christ's saving presence. Once someone experiences both the naming of sin and the reception of God's mercy in this sacrament, he or she actually begins to celebrate this sacrament and see it as a great gift from Christ and his Church."
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .Death
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Who can save me from death?
Seek—Pray for the dead, especially those you have known in life—family, friends, co-workers, and benefactors. When you are at Mass, call to mind those who have died when the priest mentions them in the Eucharistic Prayer.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14.
We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him.
Think about how Jesus grieved at the tomb of Lazarus and how he has modeled what Christian grief should look like. How has society’s denial of death affected the way people are allowed to grieve in our culture?
If people who have died come to mind when you read over this passage, pray for them.
Transform Your Life—An ancient Christian practice is to remember death. This is not a morbid fascination with the inevitable but a clarifying experience, reminding us that our final end need not be death but life with God, and that the shortness of our earthly existence should be focused on doing whatever will build up God’s kingdom.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 5:17-30
Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.
To this accusation Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
the Son can do nothing by himself;
he can do only what he sees the Father doing:
and whatever the Father does the Son does too.
For the Father loves the Son
and shows him everything he does himself,
and he will show him even greater things than these,
works that will astonish you.
Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,
so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses;
for the Father judges no one;
he has entrusted all judgement to the Son,
so that all may honour the Son
as they honour the Father.
Whoever refuses honour to the Son
refuses honour to the Father who sent him.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever listens to my words,
and believes in the one who sent me,
has eternal life;
without being brought to judgement
he has passed from death to life.
I tell you most solemnly,
the hour will come – in fact it is here already –
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,
and all who hear it will live.
For the Father, who is the source of life,
has made the Son the source of life;
and, because he is the Son of Man,
has appointed him supreme judge.
Do not be surprised at this,
for the hour is coming when the dead will leave their graves
at the sound of his voice:
those who did good will rise again to life;
and those who did evil, to condemnation.
I can do nothing by myself;
I can only judge as I am told to judge,
and my judging is just,
because my aim is to do not my own will,
but the will of him who sent me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Jews, ‘My Father goes on working, and so do I.’ But that only made them even more intent on killing him, because, not content with breaking the sabbath, he spoke of God as his own Father, and so made himself God’s equal.
To this accusation Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
the Son can do nothing by himself;
he can do only what he sees the Father doing:
and whatever the Father does the Son does too.
For the Father loves the Son
and shows him everything he does himself,
and he will show him even greater things than these,
works that will astonish you.
Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,
so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses;
for the Father judges no one;
he has entrusted all judgement to the Son,
so that all may honour the Son
as they honour the Father.
Whoever refuses honour to the Son
refuses honour to the Father who sent him.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever listens to my words,
and believes in the one who sent me,
has eternal life;
without being brought to judgement
he has passed from death to life.
I tell you most solemnly,
the hour will come – in fact it is here already –
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .Weakness
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I embrace my weakness?
Seek—God’s help in carrying your weakness daily. Offer up that weakness in the same way that the Lord offered up his suffering on the cross for the salvation of the world.
Knock—Meditate on 2 Corinthians 12:8–10.
About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness'. So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ's sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.
St. Paul mentions a “thorn in the flesh” that he was given, that he might not become too elated with the many special gifts that God had given to him.
No one is sure what this “thorn” was, though there is speculation that it was an eye problem or even might have been the stigmata (the wounds of Jesus marked on his flesh). Whatever it was, it made Paul uncomfortable, but he realized that in this weakness the power of God was made manifest.
Transform Your Life—Look for ways to embrace the Lord present in the weakness of the world: in the hungry, thirsty, sick, lonely, naked, and imprisoned. Experience the power of God made manifest in what the world considers weak.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 5:1-3,5-16
There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away.
Now that day happened to be the sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”’ They asked, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Pick up your mat and walk”?’ The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that filled the place. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him. It was because he did things like this on the sabbath that the Jews began to persecute Jesus.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew, consisting of five porticos; and under these were crowds of sick people – blind, lame, paralysed – waiting for the water to move. One man there had an illness which had lasted thirty-eight years, and when Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in this condition for a long time, he said, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away.
Now that day happened to be the sabbath, so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your mat and walk.”’ They asked, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Pick up your mat and walk”?’ The man had no idea who it was, since Jesus had disappeared into the crowd that filled the place. After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, be sure not to sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had cured him. It was because he did things like this on the sabbath that the Jews began to persecute Jesus.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
There was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now at the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem there is a building, called Bethzatha in Hebrew,
Episode 34 – From Meditation to Contemplation
“He does not know what is the matter, all at once God has retired to a distance. It is absolutely impossible to move the heart. He remains cold, frozen.” – Père Gabriel de Ste Marie-Madeleine
Success in using all the inner resources to raise the heart to God has enabled God to accept the believers’ offering and has begun to draw their love towards his own. Any attempt to return to the prayer of first fervour will impede the prayer which will lead them into the mystic way.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .Lag Time
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I trust that God answers all prayer?
Seek—Believe in God even when all appearances suggest that God is not listening to you. Think of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection on the third day.
Knock—Meditate on Hebrews 11:1.
Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen.
How strong is your faith, given this particular definition of faith?
Are there prayers that you stop praying because it seems that God is not answering them?
Transform Your Life——Live your life in the assurance of God’s love, believing strongly that God desires your salvation. See with eyes of faith all that happens to you in any given day. Learn what it means when the Scriptures proclaim, “Believe and be saved!”
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John 4:43-54
Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended.
He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!’ ‘Sir,’ answered the official ‘come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go home,’ said Jesus ‘your son will live.’ The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. ‘The fever left him yesterday’ they said ‘at the seventh hour.’ The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, ‘Your son will live’; and he and all his household believed.
This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended.
He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!’ ‘Sir,’ answered the official ‘come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go home,’ said Jesus ‘your son will live.’ The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. ‘The fever left him yesterday’ they said ‘at the seventh hour.’ The father realised that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, ‘Your son will live’; and he and all his household believed.
This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended.
He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, ‘So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!’ ‘Sir,’ answered the official ‘come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go home,
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent. He discusses the Sacrament of Reconciliation and how it's key in the area of true inner healing. The healing from the damage done by our sinful choices is more important than even physical healing. He implores us all to see the value of this tremendous gift.
From the NAB
Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio,
The Cross of Christ Illumines. . .Blindness
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What would it be like to see everything in God’s light?
Seek—Observe the world, expecting to see God at work in it. Put skepticism aside and ask God to enlighten your vision!
Knock—Meditate on Acts 22:6-11.
I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me". The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, "Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do". The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus.
St. Paul believed in God both before and after his experience on the road to Damascus; however, he persecuted the followers of Christ before the experience, while he preached Christ afterward.
Has your belief in God been tainted by your nationality, your politics, your upbringing? What blinders might God remove from you to help you to see more clearly his will for you?
Transform Your Life—Be open to the healing of Christ. Never presume that what Jesus has to offer is only for someone else. Allow the cross of Christ to enlighten the path you walk daily, transforming all of your experiences in God’s light.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
4th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 15:1-3,11-32
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.
‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”
‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later,
Episode 18 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 2
Luke 8: “Daughters of Israel”
This chapter begins with a list of women who accompanied Jesus and his apostles and provided for their needs: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Mary Magdalene, who had 7 demons driven out of her, is often erroneously thought to be a prostitute. The Church Fathers saw these demons as a metaphor for the 7 deadly sins. Scripture never calls her by this title, but beginning with Pope Gregory the Great, some have assumed this was the case. However, much like the Eastern Church, many of the great saints of the early church did not apply this label to her. Mary was from Magdala, a thriving fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. Mary has been called “the apostle to the Apostles” as Jesus entrusts her with the mission of bringing the good news of the resurrection to the disciples locked away in the upper room (John 20).
Luke 8 marks a transition from Jesus’ direct approach to teaching (as seen in Luke 6 with the Sermon on the Plain) to the use of parables. These simple memorable stories are rich in spiritual meanings and are often directed to the common people, as opposed to the Jewish aristocracy who seem unable to comprehend their meaning. While used extensively by Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels, parables can also be found in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we read of the story of King David and Bathsheba. King David lusted after Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a soldier in David’s army. After Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child, David attempted to cover his sin by encouraging Uriah to sleep with his wife. When Uriah refused, David had him sent to the front lines to be killed, instructing Joab to draw back the other soldiers in the heat of battle, leaving Uriah exposed to the enemy. Nathan the prophet then told David the parable of a poor man whose only lamb was taken by a wealthy neighbor who slaughters it to host a party for a guest. When David heard the story, he declared that the wealthy man deserved to die. When Nathan told David, “You are the man!” David repented of his sin, composing the Psalm 51 where he acknowledged his sin and begged the Lord’s forgiveness.
Much like Nathan, Jesus used parables to speak truth to those in power. Full understanding of these stories will come at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit brought the gifts of wisdom and understanding. Beginning with the parable of the sower, Jesus taught the crowds about the importance of one’s receptivity to the Word of God. The seed is the Word of God, and the ones on the path are those who have hear the Word, yet the devil takes it away from their hearts. The ones on rocky ground are those who hear the Word with joy but have no root and then fall away in a time of testing. The ones among the thorns hear the Word, but they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Finally, the ones in good soil hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. The mini-parable of the lampstand follows and is a warning to all that what is hidden will ultimately be revealed. All secrets will eventually come to light.
When Jesus entered a boat, he was leaving the western Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee and was traveling to the eastern pagan side. When a storm arose, the disciples panicked and begged for the Lord’s help. After calming the storm, Jesus asked them a rhetorical question, “Where is your faith?” This story recalls the story of Jonah, who was thrown overboard in a storm. As Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the fish, so too did Jesus spend 3 days in the tomb. As Jonah was expelled by the fish onto the shore, so too did Jesus break forth from the tomb.
Upon arriving on the pagan side of the lake (to the region of the Decapolis), Jesus encountered the Gerasene demoniac,
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Ourselves
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—From what do I need Jesus to save me?
Seek—God’s forgiveness for your sins. Ask God to transform you into the image of his Son, so that you may be an instrument of God’s grace to others.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 6:9–11.
You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunkards, slanderers, and swindlers will never inherit the kingdom of God.
These are the sort of people some of you were once, but now you have been washed clean, and sanctified, and justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Spirit of our God.
St. Paul presents a list of those unfit for the kingdom of God. What about each sin alluded to in the list might point to someone worshipping something or someone other than God? Is there a particular sin that you struggle with within the list? How is your life different in Christ?
Transform Your Life—Make a good examination of conscience and plan to go to confession on a regular occasion, perhaps once a month. Try to make your confession sincere, letting go of your attempts to control your own life, and a real surrender to the grace of Jesus Christ. Vow to Christ to trust in his mercy to truly transform your life.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
3rd Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 18:9-14
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Our Priorities
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How does the cross fit into my stance toward God?
Seek—Acknowledge God’s priority in your life, over your heart (all of your emotions), over your understanding (all of your thoughts), and overall of your strength (all of your actions).
Knock—Meditate on 1 John 4:10–12.
This is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away. My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.
How does John define “love”? What does the death of Jesus on the cross teach us about God’s love? How do we find God’s love in all the human suffering that we witness? How can we concretely love one another?
Transform Your Life—Will yourself to love God and everyone else with whom you come into contact today and every day. Think about what it means to truly love other people. Seek to be a sacrificial lover first when it comes to the way you love other people and God.
The author of "The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life", Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work!
"The Power of the Cross" is available as a free e-book here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
The Annunciation of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reig...
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Our Lives
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I trust in God?
Seek—Frequently call upon the Lord for his help throughout the day. Life was not intended to be a solitary venture; recognize that God is always present, and is there for us when we call upon him.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 10:11–13.
The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What strikes you in the passage? Dwell on that part and let it enrich your faith in Jesus Christ.
Transform Your Life—Pay attention to the way you think and act throughout the day. What do your actions and thoughts say about what you really trust in? When given choices between what you know God wants for you and what others are asking of you, who wins out? Radically commit to trusting in God and watch your life be transformed in ways that you can’t even imagine at this moment.
The author of "The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life", Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work!
"The Power of the Cross" is available as a free e-book here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
3rd Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 11:14-23
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.
‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils,
Episode 4 -Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion – "The Desert of Sin".
"Any moral conversion, if it is to be real, must work its way into our minds and hearts. The conversion we undergo is one that transforms our entire person, and so our thought processes, habits, perceptions, and affections all become realigned to a new way of seeing good and evil Patience with ourselves, as well as with ohters who are also in the midst of conversion, becomes the key virtue to cultivate. God knows we are on the right track once we embrace such a conversion, and so being gentle on ourselves is not a sign of laxity or weakness of will, but a sign of wisdom.
Of course, the start of a moral conversion can be dramatic and jumpstart a change, but over the long haul of life, the heart of a person must be fully cooperative; otherwise, the person will not adhere to the moral truth for long."
Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Crossing the Desert”.
For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Law and Love
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How much do I love God?
Seek—God’s love for us and his plans for us are greater than our minds can conceive. Starting today, acknowledge these realities by undertaking acts of trust in God throughout the day. Ask God to fill you with his love. Share God’s love with everyone.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 13:8–10.
Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.
Think about the love you owe to others. Jesus often presents the kingdom of God in terms of parables that speak of a king leaving his servants with talents to share with others. Are you giving of yourself in a way that builds up the kingdom of God?
Transform Your Life—Imitate Christ or one of your favorite saints as you go about your daily activities. Plead with God to enable you to show charity to all you meet. Listen intently to those who speak to you, asking yourself what God might be saying to you through them. Give everyone, including yourself and God, the benefit of the doubt.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
3rd Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 33 – The Sacrament of the Present Moment
“The present moment is always full of infinite treasures. It contains far more than you have the capacity to hold.” Jean-Pierre De Caussade, SJ
God cannot be encountered in the past or in the future, but only in what de Caussade called the ‘sacrament of the present moment’. This is the only moment when time touches eternity and the human and the divine meet.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Forgive
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I still harbor past sins for which I have not accepted God’s forgiveness?
Seek—Go to confession regularly. As part of your examination of conscience, review how you have accepted God’s forgiveness for past sins in your life, and review how well you have forgiven others in God’s name.
Knock—Meditate on Ephesians 4:32–5:2.
Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
St. Paul speaks of us as “beloved children” of God. What does being a child of God require of you? How does it affect the way you treat others, who are also God’s children?
Transform Your Life—Let your life be marked by being a forgiver. Realize that when you hold on to something you are making an “idol” of it, which closes God out of that part of your life.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
3rd Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
Episode 26 Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes pt. 3 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue our conversation on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
Gaudium et spes (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈɡau̯di.um et ˈspes], "Joy and Hope"), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, is one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It was the last and longest published document from the council and is the first constitution published by an ecumenical council to address the entire world.
Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled at the council, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 7 December 1965, the day the council ended.
An excerpt from Gaudium et Spes:
47. The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family. Hence Christians and all men who hold this community in high esteem sincerely rejoice in the various ways by which men today find help in fostering this community of love and perfecting its life, and by which parents are assisted in their lofty calling. Those who rejoice in such aids look for additional benefits from them and labor to bring them about.
Yet the excellence of this institution is not everywhere reflected with equal brilliance, since polygamy, the plague of divorce, so-called free love and other disfigurements have an obscuring effect. In addition, married love is too often profaned by excessive self-love, the worship of pleasure and illicit practices against human generation. Moreover, serious disturbances are caused in families by modern economic conditions, by influences at once social and psychological, and by the demands of civil society. Finally, in certain parts of the world problems resulting from population growth are generating concern.
All these situations have produced anxiety of consciences. Yet, the power and strength of the institution of marriage and family can also be seen in the fact that time and again, despite the difficulties produced, the profound changes in modern society reveal the true character of this institution in one way or another.
Therefore, by presenting certain key points of Church doctrine in a clearer light, this sacred synod wishes to offer guidance and support to those Christians and other men who are trying to preserve the holiness and to foster the natural dignity of the married state and its superlative value.
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Jesus
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I overly familiar with Christ?
Seek—Read the Gospels every day. Encounter Christ as he is presented and try to imagine him in the world today, doing the same acts, confronting unbelief in the modern world.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 2:4–5.
He is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house.
Rocks are inanimate objects. It is because they don’t move that they make good building blocks. Why, then, does Peter talk about “living stones”? Think about this metaphor and your faith life. In what way does your faith in Christ make you a living stone? Think also about the life of St. Peter; what about his experience of Christ might have led him to come up with this image?
Transform Your Life—There is nothing that exists that can transform our lives more than a relationship with Jesus Christ as he really is—give your life to Christ. Believe, placing all of your trust in his powerful being, and embrace his power in your weakness.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
3rd Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 4:24-30
Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. We are called to be 100% love. He recalls a young man named Kevin, his death, and the call to repentance and to love. Don't be secure in your own eyes, we need to have the eyes of Christ. We need to enter into the deepest parts of hearts to encounter the healing touch of Jesus. We are not captives, we are not slaves, we are God's children and we are called to freedom.
From the NAB
Gospel LK 13:1-9
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!"And he told them this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?'
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.'"
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Worship
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What do I do with God’s spirit?
Seek—
From a prayer posture, concentrate on your breathing. As you inhale, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, to animate your every action to do his will. As you exhale, breathe the name from the core of your being: Jesus. Continue to meditate on him.
Knock—Meditate on Galatians 6:7–9.
Don't delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated: where a man sows, there he reaps: if he sows in the field of self-indulgence he will get a harvest of corruption out of it; if he sows in the field of the Spirit he will get from it a harvest of eternal life. We must never get tired of doing good because if we don't give up the struggle we shall get our harvest at the proper time
Are most of your actions, actions of sowing in the flesh or sowing to the spirit?
Ask God for patience that you might endure in all things by sowing to the spirit.
Transform Your Life—Make it a habit to pray the prayer of Jesus from the cross whenever you find yourself tempted to do something that you know is not of God: “Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit.” This prayer that Jesus has given us is the key to moving from sowing in the flesh to sowing to the spirit.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
3rd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 13:1-9
Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’
He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit n...
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .God’s Mercy and Love
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—When have I judged someone wrongly?
Seek—Do you need to be reconciled to someone in your life? It might be someone in your family, a former friend, an enemy, or even God. Go to confession; through the grace of absolution, seek to trust in God more and more.
Knock—Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:16–18.
From now onwards, therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh. Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now. And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.
What does it mean to be a new creation? If you are a new creation, how are you different from those in the world who are not “in Christ”?
How do you view others?
Transform Your Life—See the temptation to judge others or even yourself as a personal invitation to take up your cross and to trust in Christ, the friend of sinners. Pray that God will bless both you and those you might judge. Be quick to show the mercy that God shows to you to others.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 1:16,18-21,24
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Episode 9 – Jesus' Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration.
Take a moment and pray:
“This is my body. . . . This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:26–28): a Heart that offers everything, even his Body, even his Blood — all that he is — that our sins may be forgiven and the door to eternal life opened.
“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11): again, a Heart that offers itself without limit, laying down his life for his sheep — for us.
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (John 13:1): a Heart that loves without measure, to the end — that is, to the last moment of his life and to the utmost bounds of love.
“He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil. 2:7): a Heart that gives its whole being, totally available to the Father in our service and for our liberation.
“Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39): a Heart in agony, a human Heart that struggles to say yes to the Father and that offers itself without reserve.
Gallagher, Timothy M.. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (p. 63). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
On the day before he was to suffer (Holy Thursday evening, in the upper room),
he took bread in his holy and venerable hands (in your mind’s eye, contemplate Jesus as he does this and the following actions),
and with eyes raised to heaven, to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you, and eat of it (“take,” “eat”: the Law of the Gift),
for this is my Body, which will be given up for you (“my Body,” “given up for you”).
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands (again, contemplate Jesus as he does this and the following actions),
and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many (“my Blood,” “poured out for you”: the Law of the Gift)
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me (in the Consecration of the Mass, the Church fulfills this blessed command; in it we find the model and the grace to live by it).
Gallagher, Timothy M.. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 67-68). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 6th station (Veronica wipes the face of Jesus), the 7th station (Jesus falls a 2nd time), and the 8th station (Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem) along the Way of the Cross
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Us in the Work We Have to Do
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How can dying to myself help me to know God’s purpose?
Seek—Ask others to describe what your gifts are, and where they see you as being most authentic in your life. Resolve to see everyone who crosses your path as the servants that God sends to obtain fruit from the harvest.
Knock—Meditate on Revelation 22:1–2.
Then the angel showed me the river of life, rising from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing crystal-clear down the middle of the city street. On either side of the river were the trees of life, which bear twelve crops of fruit in a year, one in each month, and the leaves of which are the cure for the pagans.
How has your Baptism changed the curse of original sin in your life into the blessing of the mission that God gives you in Christ? When you receive the Eucharist, imagine that Christ is grafting you to himself, so that his life, his healing, his strength flow through you.
Transform Your Life—Ask Our Lord to reveal to you any areas of your life where you might be serving false gods. Ask him to help you to abandon yourself to God’s will in your life in the same way that he did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Believe in God’s providential care for you, no matter what has happened in your life in the past or present.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Friday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43,45-46
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’
When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’
When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him,
Lent: St. Bernard's Vision of Humility and Pride
by Dr. Anthony Lilles
We waste a lot of time thinking something is owed us. We brood over injury. We are not self-contained. Lent helps us remember the real truth about ourselves and our situation. The wisdom of the saints, like St. Bernard, helps us see our actual situation. His teachings suggest we can be free of brooding and find a new kind of self-possession when we allow the Lord to preoccupy us with his immeasurable love. We are, in fact, loved so much more than we deserve, but we can only see this as God leads us out of ourselves and into Him.
For St. Bernard, conversion happens when we allow God's love for us to cause a constantly expanding desire for Him in our hearts. We allow God to stir this growing desire whenever we act on what God's love prompts us to do in our hearts. Growing in love in this way is infallible because God's desire for our conversion never changes. The result is as we desire God more, our freedom to act and to love grows ever stronger.
This next statement is a little paradoxical. Our freedom reaches its fullness in mature humility. The paradox resolves itself, at least partially, if we bear in mind the kind of only kind of freedom Bernard believes in – the freedom to love. Mature humility is like a mountain top of self-possession or self containment for St. Bernard. Love demands this kind of self-containment because to really love freely takes the full force of our being. In mature humility, the heart rests content in God's bountiful love. It is a strange contentment because it demands constant vigilance, ongoing conversion. Bernard calls this spiritual warfare. It involves a constant struggle against our former way of life, against the gravitational pull of our big fat egos. Another way he looks at it is that this kind of contentment to be sustained in the Lord must keep vigil against them movements of pride.
For those who want to climb to union with God, Bernard teaches that there is one great truth of which we must come to complete acceptance. In his Ladder of Pride, he explains how we constantly work to fully accept God's love for us. This love is not commensurate with anything we think we have done to earn it. The moment we start thinking we are owed something is the exact instant we climb the ladder of pride and fall out of the heights of humility.
There are probably a lot of people who think that this is psychologically unhealthy to think about. They would probably conjecture that any awareness one has of being loved more than he deserves is really just poor self-esteem. But humility is the virtue that regulates self-esteem. It is singularly unhealthy to esteem one's self more or less than the truth about who one is.
St. Bernard would say that in truth, each of us is uncommonly loved by God, eventhough we have done nothing to deserve such love. We do not know why we are loved in this way. But we are, in all our unworthiness. It is humility to accept this. Paradoxically, progress is made in the spiritual life through the growing awareness of our own unworthiness in the face of God's incalculable love.
In the heights of humility, however, we must fight against one uncharitable preoccupation which, while not seeming to be vicious, can uttlerly destroy our ability to learn to love. He calls it curiousity, but what he means seems to be closer to ambition. Biblically, it is the pursuit of "making an name" for oneself. Think of Babel or the history of Israel. The ambition to lord over others and to draw attention to oneself always leads away from God. St. Bernard, pride begins with the way that we look at our brothers and sisters, and it ends in a total rejection of God.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me,
God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me,
God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me,
God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me,
God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me,
God’s Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of witches, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
Amen
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
DAY EIGHT
O blessed Joseph,
to whom it was given not only to see
and to hear that God whom many kings longed to see and saw not;
to hear and heard not;
but also to carry Him in your arms,
to embrace Him, to clothe Him,
and to guard and defend Him,
come to our assistance and intercede with Him
to look favorably on our present petition.
(State your request here...)
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Who Suffer for Justice
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What does God ask me to do for those who suffer?
Seek—Look for opportunities to help someone who needs it (and who cannot help you back). Stand up for someone who is being brought low.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 8:18.
I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us.
As members of the body of Christ, if one member suffers the entire body suffers. How can you make that suffering redemptive?
Transform Your Life——Read the accounts of the martyrs, those who gave the supreme witness to the gospel with their lives. Many monastic communities read about the lives of the martyrs every day, to inspire those seeking to grow in the Christian life.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”
‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more,
Episode 32 – Happy Feast Day, St. Joseph!
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
DAY SEVEN
O faithful and prudent Saint Joseph,
watch over our weakness
and our inexperience;
obtain for us that prudence which reminds us of our end,
which directs our paths and which protects us from every danger.
Pray for us, then, O great Saint,
and by your love for Jesus and Mary,
and by their love for you,
obtain for us the favor we ask in this novena...
(State your request here...)
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Liberty
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What continues to enslave me?
Seek—Ask God to point out areas of slavery that still exist in your life. As you go through your day, catch yourself not being true to who you really are, and ask yourself: Who are you serving now?
Knock—Meditate on Romans 7:22–25.
In my inmost self I dearly love God's Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! In short, it is I who with my reason serve the Law of God, and no less I who serve in my unspiritual self the law of sin'.
Paul talks about delighting in the law of God but finding himself at war with other parts of himself. Spend time reflecting on what delights you about God’s law.
Ask Christ to save you.
Transform Your Life—Thomas Merton wrote about what he called a person’s True Self. Prayer, Merton argued, helps us to discover our True Self: the person God created us to be, totally free from the expectations and demands of others. By contrast, the False Self is enslaved; he cannot be himself, but only what he thinks others want him to be. Starting today, ask God to redeem you from the slavery of the False Self.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 20:17-28
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him ...
Episode 3 -Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion – "Waiting in the Desert".
"The ancient image of Lent as a time of withdrawal is relevant to the formation of conscience if we perceive that our consciences have been inordinately attached to anemic sources of influence. Christians are called to transform the world of culture, work, and politics according to the truths learned through Christ in the Church. It is a powerful and dignified calling. Lent affords us a good opportunity to repent of those habits, attitudes, or behaviors that reflect a preoccupation with the secular. Thus devoid of the religious, we are then called to eagerly respond to our faith and imbue the secular with religious and ethical meaning. To do less than this is to render our baptisms impotent and meaningless."
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
DAY SIX
O glorious Saint Joseph,
appointed by the Eternal Father
as the guardian and protector of the life of Jesus Christ,
the comfort and support of His Holy Mother,
and the instrument in His great design
for the redemption of mankind;
you who had the happiness of living with Jesus and Mary,
and of dying in their arms,
be moved with confidence we place in you,
and procure for us from the Almighty,
the particular favor which
we humbly ask through your intercession...
(State your request here...)
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Humility
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask——In what areas of my life do I have the most trouble with pride?
Seek—Pray the Litany of Humility. What parts of the litany do you find it most difficult to say? Take concrete steps to defer to others throughout the day, to die to yourself in little things. For the Litany of Humility, visit here
Knock—
Meditate on Philippians 2:5–11 and pray that God will give you the mind of Christ.
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Try to imagine what it was like for Jesus to take upon himself our humanity, with all its limitations. What must it have been like for him to suffer the humiliations of the cross? Now think about your own situation. Are you more like Christ, or our first parents, seeking to “be like God”?
Transform Your Life—Jesus tells his disciples that those who humble themselves will be exalted! Humility is the surest path to real success in the kingdom of God. Pray for humility throughout every day.
For the Litany of Humility, visit here
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 23:1-12
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers,
Episode 32 – Asceticism for All
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” -Matthew 6:33
Asceticism for the beginner is simple. Do not give up anything you like or enjoy, except when it prevents you from giving quality space and time to God in prayer each day.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
DAY FIVE
O holy St. Joseph,
what a lesson your life is for us,
ever so eager to appear
so anxious to display before the eyes of men
the graces that we owe entirely to the liberality of God.
In addition to the special favor for which we plead in this novena...
(State your request here...)
grant that we may attribute to God the glory of all things,
that we may love the humble and hidden life,
that we may not desire any other position
than the one given us by Providence
and that we may always be a docile instrument in the hands of God.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Divided by Sin
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Whom do I treat as an outsider in God’s kingdom?
Seek—As you go about your daily activities, think about how often you see someone else as “one of them” rather than “one of us.” Of course, people are all unique and different. However, the gospel calls us to break down artificial barriers that prevent us from expressing the unity God desires.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 2:21–24 while holding a crucifix in your hands.
This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Think of the example of Jesus on the cross. How might you concretely imitate and model your life on Jesus?
Transform Your Life—Make discernment rather than judgment the goal of your life’s decisions. Ask yourself, “What does God want me to do at this moment?” and, “What is God trying to teach me through this?” Strive to be open to his guiding presence. Learn from all whom you meet this day and every day.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Monday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Msgr. Esseff offers insights on the Transfiguration of Jesus and it's meaning for our lives today.
From the NAB Gospel LK 9:28B-36
Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
DAY FOUR
Saint Joseph, pride of Heaven,
unfailing hope for our lives,
and support of those on earth,
graciously accept our prayer of praise.
You were appointed spouse of the chaste Virgin
by the Creator of the world.
He willed that you be called "father" of the Word
and serve as agent of our salvation.
May the triune God who bestowed upon you heavenly honors,
be praised forever.
And may He grant us through your merits
the joy of a blessed life
and a favorable answer to our petition.
(State your request here...)
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Unites. . .the Temporal and Eternal
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How does the “light” of Christ shine into the darkness of my world?
Seek—At every moment of the day say with St. Peter, “Lord, it is good that we are here!” Realize that when we follow Jesus we see the cross in a new light; we see everything anew where once we could only curse the darkness.
Knock—Meditate on 2 Peter 1:17-19.
He was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour'. We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.
What is the “power” that St. Peter speaks of as it relates to the Transfiguration?
What would happen if you followed his advice to keep the Transfiguration before you as a “lamp shining in a dark place”?
Transform Your Life—Many times we think of our lives as a combination of missed opportunities and mistakes with a few good choices. Applying the lesson of the Transfiguration challenges us to not be so quick to judge negatively but to take a more accepting view of the cross in our own lives. “It is good that we are here” right now, where we are—no matter how it might seem to us at the moment.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 9:28-36
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ – He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
Episode 17 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 1
Luke 8: “Daughters of Israel”
This chapter begins with a list of women who accompanied Jesus and his apostles and provided for their needs: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Mary Magdalene, who had 7 demons driven out of her, is often erroneously thought to be a prostitute. The Church Fathers saw these demons as a metaphor for the 7 deadly sins. Scripture never calls her by this title, but beginning with Pope Gregory the Great, some have assumed this was the case. However, much like the Eastern Church, many of the great saints of the early church did not apply this label to her. Mary was from Magdala, a thriving fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. Mary has been called “the apostle to the Apostles” as Jesus entrusts her with the mission of bringing the good news of the resurrection to the disciples locked away in the upper room (John 20).
Luke 8 marks a transition from Jesus’ direct approach to teaching (as seen in Luke 6 with the Sermon on the Plain) to the use of parables. These simple memorable stories are rich in spiritual meanings and are often directed to the common people, as opposed to the Jewish aristocracy who seem unable to comprehend their meaning. While used extensively by Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels, parables can also be found in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 11-12, we read of the story of King David and Bathsheba. King David lusted after Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a soldier in David’s army. After Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child, David attempted to cover his sin by encouraging Uriah to sleep with his wife. When Uriah refused, David had him sent to the front lines to be killed, instructing Joab to draw back the other soldiers in the heat of battle, leaving Uriah exposed to the enemy. Nathan the prophet then told David the parable of a poor man whose only lamb was taken by a wealthy neighbor who slaughters it to host a party for a guest. When David heard the story, he declared that the wealthy man deserved to die. When Nathan told David, “You are the man!” David repented of his sin, composing the Psalm 51 where he acknowledged his sin and begged the Lord’s forgiveness.
Much like Nathan, Jesus used parables to speak truth to those in power. Full understanding of these stories will come at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit brought the gifts of wisdom and understanding. Beginning with the parable of the sower, Jesus taught the crowds about the importance of one’s receptivity to the Word of God. The seed is the Word of God, and the ones on the path are those who have hear the Word, yet the devil takes it away from their hearts. The ones on rocky ground are those who hear the Word with joy but have no root and then fall away in a time of testing. The ones among the thorns hear the Word, but they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Finally, the ones in good soil hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. The mini-parable of the lampstand follows and is a warning to all that what is hidden will ultimately be revealed. All secrets will eventually come to light.
When Jesus entered a boat, he was leaving the western Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee and was traveling to the eastern pagan side. When a storm arose, the disciples panicked and begged for the Lord’s help. After calming the storm, Jesus asked them a rhetorical question, “Where is your faith?” This story recalls the story of Jonah, who was thrown overboard in a storm. As Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the fish, so too did Jesus spend 3 days in the tomb. As Jonah was expelled by the fish onto the shore, so too did Jesus break forth from the tomb.
Upon arriving on the pagan side of the lake (to the region of the Decapolis), Jesus encountered the Gerasene demoniac,
DAY THREE
Blessed St. Joseph,
enkindle in our cold hearts a spark of your charity.
May God be always the first
and only object of our affections.
Keep our souls always in sanctifying grace and,
if we should be so unhappy as to lose it,
give us the strength to recover it immediately
by a sincere repentance.
Help us to such a love of our God
as will always keep us united to Him.
O glorious St. Joseph,
through the love you bear to Jesus Christ
and for the glory of His name,
hear our prayers
and obtain our petitions.
(State your request here...)
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .How to Love
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask——Do I allow God to love through me?
Seek—Keep before you the image of Jesus forgiving those who nailed him on the cross and see everyone with whom you come into contact through Christ. Think about how Christ died for those people and how precious they are as children of God, the same God who loves you
Knock—Meditate on 1 John 4:11–12.
My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.
Are there people whom you do not love? Ask God to fill you with his love. What does the Father see in these people that you don’t? Ask God to heal you of any painful scars that you still suffer from what others might have done to you. Ask Jesus to touch his wounds from his crucifixion to your own woundedness, that it may become a source of blessing.
Transform Your Life—Put God first in your life. Realize that you can love your spouse, your children, your friends, and your enemies only to the degree that you keep God first. We tend not to expect others to be perfect if we worship the only One who is perfect.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Saturday of Lent- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 3rd station (Jesus falls the first time), the 4th station (Jesus encounters His Blessed Mother), and the 5th station (Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the Cross) along the Way of the Cross
DAY TWO
O blessed Saint Joseph,
tenderhearted father,
faithful guardian of Jesus,
chaste spouse of the Mother of God,
we pray and beseech you to offer to God the Father,
His divine son,
bathed in blood on the Cross for sinners,
and through the thrice holy name of Jesus
obtain for us of the eternal Father
the favor for which we implore your intercession...
(State your request here...)
Amid the splendors of eternity,
forget not the sorrows of those who pray,
those who weep;
stay the almighty arm which smites us,
that by your prayers and those of your most holy spouse,
the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon.
Amen
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .Reconciliation
Steps to Take as You Follow Chris
Ask—Is there anyone I do not love? In what way can I allow the love of Christ to control me?
Seek—Allow the image of the cross of Christ, the price Jesus paid to redeem all creation, to dominate your thoughts when you find yourself growing angry at someone. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be reconciled to those who have hurt you.
Knock—Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:14–15.
The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.
What controls you? What motivates you from the moment of your rising to the point when you take your rest at night? Dwelling on Paul’s words, ask the Lord to fill you with his love so that it may be the controlling force in your life.
Transform Your Life—Jesus told his disciples to be reconciled before coming to the altar with their sacrifice. If we carry anger or sin we need to be reconciled to Christ before coming to receive him in the Eucharist. This may mean making contact with people whom we have hurt and asking their forgiveness. We should also go to confession regularly, so that Holy Communion is a true sign of communion with God and all his creatures.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Friday of Lent- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly,
That Great Silence in Storms Midst
by Dr. Anthony Lilles
The beauty of these 40 days of Lent is that every hardship and trial can be made into an offering of love. If we keep our course, whether anxiety or frustration, disappointment or heartbreak, hidden in the exigencies of the moment is a sacrament, a visible sign of grace, inviting the response of faith, opening to a deeper encounter with the one who longs for our freedom. The challenge is to focus on the Lord's presence in the midst of the wind and the waves. Turn off every screen and speaker, silence the cell phone in all the talking heads, enough of the candid music and arguments, eyes open, attentive ears, ready heart, abstain, fast and be silent. This is the life vest to put on.
Seek an icons glow until heaven finds you for it is not we who make our way to Him so much as He who is set out to rescue his pilgrims in the threatening storm. Days of darkness when nothing makes sense, when evil would seem to have the upper hand, these are taken into account in the gospel in God's plan. If this is chastisement, then it is long deserved by me more than anyone else. Save the innocent Lord who my own silence has left so vulnerable. It is challenging to walk under the shadow of glory for we must forsake those earthly lights on which we too long relied. Under that shadow, are less for power and gluttonous appetite are unveiled, and we feel the sorrow of not being in control or having the instant gratification to which we feel entitled. And then finally, we face that lonely alienation that has been driving us, and a certain painful emptiness that we too long sought to evade.
It is good to be sobered and to face the truth. Here, even social distancing can occasion compunction. And the piercing of the heart unleashes a sudden torrent and healing's faith first hint whispers truth. All that once appeared good no longer does so. And what is really good, we have not yet learned to see. So dark, alone, and vulnerable, and in need, we finally begin to pray. Lighted candle on the kitchen table as night descends. Such simple joys are filled with meaning As the beads of the rosary slip through the fingers, and the Bible passages echo out loud what memories of grace and of friendship fill the silence? All of this only directs the heart and to even deeper places towards depths that the memory cannot go or the intellect glimpse, but every word of the Word is drawn there. Meaningful silence is resound when the heart speaks to heart. And an astonishing secret is shared between creator and creature for in that ardent furneness of love, what bright warmth welcomes the Pilgrim soul and the Pilgrim God.
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint Patrick's Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
O glorious Saint Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…
(State your request here.)
O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O glorious St. Joseph,
through the love you bear to Jesus Christ
and for the glory of His name,
hear our prayers
and obtain our petitions.
Amen.
DAY ONE
O great St. Joseph,
with feelings of unlimited confidence,
we beg you to bless this novena that we begin in your honor.
"You are never invoked in vain," says the seraphic St. Theresa of Jesus.
Be you then to me
what you have been to that spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and graciously hear me as you did her.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .How to Trust and Give Thanks
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What do I need from God to follow Jesus more closely?
Seek—As the day progresses, when you find yourself impatient, unloving, judgmental, lustful, or anything that strikes you as against the gospel of Jesus, ask God for the gift that will help you to be more like Christ.
Knock—Meditate on James 1:17.
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect, which is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change.
Review the course of your life and try to discern the goodness of God.
Spend some time giving thanks to God for how he has led you, even “through the valley of the shadow of death” to this moment.
Transform Your Life—Try to make it a practice to “ask, seek, and knock” in your relationship with God. See that relationship as something that happens with every breath you take. Speak to God often!
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Thursday of Lent- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 2 -Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion – "The Desert of Ordinary Life".
–The only location for God to interact with us is deep within the ordinariness of our days. We are called to cherish the ordinary day, not because of its routine or common features, but because within this daily forum God reaches us through others, through worship, charity, and our relational commitments. Our daily lives carry an invitation from God to become morally good and holy; it is the only medium through which this invitation can come. Cherish the days.
Keating, James (2012-07-20). Liguori Publications. Kindle Edition.
Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Crossing the Desert”.
For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . About Repentance
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Where do I need to repent most in my life?
Seek—Monitor your thoughts and hold them up against the standard of the gospel. Do your love and forgiveness have limi- tations or conditions? Ask the Lord to teach you true repentance of mind and heart.
Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:22–24.
And so, while the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, here are we preaching a crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans' madness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God.
How might you experience the power and wisdom of God in the cross by embracing the gospel more completely?
Transform Your Life—Make a daily examination of conscience, paying special attention to your attitudes throughout the day, and asking the Holy Spirit to make you more like Christ.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Wednesday of Lent- A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 11:29-32
The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 8 – Before the Throne of God – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Preface and the Holy, Holy, Holy
Take a moment and pray:
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts (yes, lift up your heart in praise).
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God (thanks for so many blessings received).
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation (to give thanks to God is truly right, truly just, a duty, and a means of salvation),
always and everywhere to give you thanks (always, everywhere),
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.
For through his Paschal Mystery (his death and Resurrection),
he accomplished the marvelous deed, by which he has freed us from the yoke of sin and death (free, in him, to live without sin, free for life beyond death),
summoning us to the glory of being now called a chosen race, a royal priesthood (we are this race and this priesthood),
holy nation, a people for your own possession (and a holy nation, belonging to the One who loves us),
(proclaim these by our lives, our witness, our words),
for you have called us out of darkness into your own wonderful light (you have given us as our light and guide in this life).
And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven (united with the Heavenly Court),
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory (the vision of Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” [Isa. 6:3]).
Hosanna in the highest (hosanna: a cry of praise and adoration).
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (the crowds call to Jesus on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [Mark 11:9]).
Hosanna in the highest.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 57). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . How to Pray
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How can my prayer better reflect what is going on in my life at the present moment?
Seek—Try praying for an extended period of time in the orans position. Ask Our Lord to teach you this lesson from the cross, so that your prayer might always be heartfelt.
Knock—Meditate on Hebrews 5:7
During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard.
How might your prayer become more like the prayer of Christ?
Transform Your Life—Foster a sense of God’s presence before you begin any prayer. Speak to God from your heart, then listen. God is the most important being with whom you will ever speak.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Tuesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.
‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 31 – Having a Lovely Lent, Are We?
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . to Live the Gospel
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Where have I encountered Christ “in the least of my brethren”?
Seek—Make an effort to see Christ in the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned. Try to reach out to those no one else notices.
Knock—Meditate on Romans 2:13-16
It is not listening to the Law but keeping it that will make people holy in the sight of God. For instance, pagans who never heard of the Law but are led by reason to do what the Law commands, may not actually ‘possess' the Law, but they can be said to ‘be' the Law. They can point to the substance of the Law engraved on their hearts – they can call a witness, that is, their own conscience – they have accusation and defence, that is, their own inner mental dialogue…on the day when, according to the Good News I preach, God, through Jesus Christ, judges the secrets of mankind.
What are the secrets of your life that will be brought to judgment? How can you be more of a doer rather than just a listener of the Law of God?
Transform Your Life—
Expect to meet Christ daily, first in the bread that is broken at Mass and then in the people who cross your path. See nothing as chance but everything as somehow fitting into the mysterious plan of God.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
2nd Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”
‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.”
‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.
‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”
‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me,
How are you tempted? What is your weakness? What is the remedy?
Reading 1 JAS 1:12-18
Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation,
for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.
No one experiencing temptation should say,
“I am being tempted by God”;
for God is not subject to temptation to evil,
and he himself tempts no one.
Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire.
Then desire conceives and brings forth sin,
and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters:
all good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . Our Mission
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—What temptations do I find it hardest to resist? How might this reveal God’s intended purpose for you?
Seek—Reject sin. Learn to see in your temptations a perversion of God’s plan for you. Try to discern what it is that God might be calling you to do by looking at the areas of your life where you are most tempted.
Knock—Meditate on Numbers 22:32-33
And the angel of Lord said to Balaam, ‘Why did you beat your donkey three times like that? I myself had come to bar your way; while I am here your road is blocked. The donkey saw me and turned aside from me three times. You are lucky she did turn aside, or I should have killed you by now, though I would have spared her.' Balaam answered the angel of Lord, ‘I have sinned. I did not know you were standing in my path. However, if you are angry with me, I will go back.' The angel of Lord answered Balaam, ‘Go with these men, but only say what I tell you to say.' So Balaam went with the chiefs sent by Balak.
How does Balaam’s donkey differ from the prophet with respect to discerning the path God wanted them to take? Are you more like the donkey or the prophet?
Transform Your Life—Sometimes we live as though God does not see us, yet we know that God is always present, whether or not we acknowledge him. Look over your life and try to see where God has revealed himself at various moments in your life. Then move confidently into the future, assured of God’s providential care for you.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
1st Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 4:1-13
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.’
Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, ‘I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose. Worship me, then, and it shall all be yours.’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then he led him to Jerusalem and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said to him ‘throw yourself down from here, for scripture says:
He will put his angels in charge of you
to guard you,
and again:
They will hold you up on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
But Jesus answered him, ‘It has been said:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.’
Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, ‘I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose. Worship me, then, and it shall all be yours.’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Scripture says:
You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’
Then he led him to Jerusalem and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said to him ‘throw yourself down from here, for scripture says:
He will put his angels in charge of you
to guard you,
and again:
They will hold you up on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
But Jesus answered him, ‘It has been said:
You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.’
Then leading him to a height,
Episode 16 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 2
“Resurrection at Nain”
In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word to Jesus, asking if Jesus was the one “who is to come”. We know from Matthew 14 that John was imprisoned for chastising Herod about his unlawful marriage to Herodias. In his desolation, John wanted to know if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Having just performed many miracles, Jesus responded by saying “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them” thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 35. Going further, Jesus told the crowd that John was not a “reed shaken by the wind.” That is, John was a man of serious conviction, the messenger sent to prepare the way for Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of Malachi 3 and Isaiah 40. Jesus also said that “among those born of women no one is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Who is the “least in the kingdom of God”? We read in Philippians 2 that Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Jesus, the most humble in the kingdom of heaven, was baptized by John, the greatest born of women.
Going further, we then look at the somewhat mysterious verses about the analogy of children in the marketplace, who played a dirge yet no one wept and played the flute, yet no one danced. This passage alludes to two major life events: weddings and funerals. John played the “funeral dirge” of repentance, while Jesus played the “wedding march” of salvation. Yet the Pharisees refused to listen to either.
Returning to the beginning of Luke 7, we read of the healing of the Centurion’s servant. We repeat the powerful words of the Centurion just before receiving communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Centurion understood the nature of authority, and willingly submitted to the healing power of Jesus’ Word. Reading about the Centurion reminds us that Israel was under Roman rule at the time of Jesus. Prior to his assassination in 44 BC, Julius Caesar appointed his nephew and adopted son, Octavius, to succeed him at his death. At the time of Julius’ death, a great comet appeared and was seen as a sign in favor of the deification of Julius, who was ultimately declared a god. Augustus reigned for 40 years, ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth as described in Luke 2. After expanding his empire, Augustus was able to maintain a period of political stability known as Pax Romana. Thus Augustus was not only titled the “son of god” but also the “prince of peace” at the time of Jesus’ birth and childhood. At the time of Jesus’ adult ministry, Tiberius Caesar was the Roman emperor and Herod the Edomite was the puppet king of Israel who collaborated with the occupying Romans. The Roman army was made up of legions of 6000 soldiers and a centurion was a veteran soldier in command of over 100 men. Commensurate with their position, centurions were paid well which explains why the centurion mentioned in Luke 7 would have the resources to build the synagogue at Capernaum.
The story of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain is found only in Luke. This recalls the resurrection stories of Elijah, who raised the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and Elisha, who with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, performed double the Old Testament resurrection miracles. Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4). Also, a dead man was brought back to life when his body touched the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13). The city of Nain was in close proximity to Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and Jesus. We can imagine that at Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary may have recalled the raising of the widow of Nain’s son, giving her hope for the resurrection of her own son.
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How does viewing Jesus as my savior from death help me to face head-on the deaths of loved ones and even my own death?
Seek—Fast from passing judgment on anyone today. Realize in this little dying to yourself you are opening yourself to see others as God sees them.
Knock—Meditate on Revelation 1:17-18
When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One, I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld.
Imagine Jesus touching you with his right hand and lifting you up from your death. What other areas of your life are dominated by death rather than the life of Christ Ask Our Lord to free you from all death.
Transform Your Life—Do not shy away from death. Attend the funerals of loved ones and use the experience to engage your faith in Christ. Pray for others, ask the saints to pray for you, seeing in them living examples of the promise of Christ to save us from death.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Saturday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 5:27-32
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything he got up and followed him.
In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
From the treatise "Against the Heresies" by St Irenaeus
The friendship of God
Our Lord, the Word of God, first drew men to God as servants, but later he freed those made subject to him. He himself testified to this: I do not call you servants any longer, for a servant does not know what his master is doing. Instead I call you friends, since I have made known to you everything that I have learned from my Father. Friendship with God brings the gift of immortality to those who accept it.
In the beginning God created Adam, not because he needed man, but because he wanted to have someone on whom to bestow his blessings. Not only before Adam but also before all creation, the Word was glorifying the Father in whom he dwelt, and was himself being glorified by the Father. The Word himself said: Father, glorify me with that glory I had with you before the world was.
Nor did the Lord need our service. He commanded us to follow him, but his was the gift of salvation. To follow the Saviour is to share in salvation; to follow the light is to enjoy the light. Those who are in the light do not illuminate the light but are themselves illuminated and enlightened by the light. They add nothing to the light; rather, they are beneficiaries, for they are enlightened by the light.
The same is true of service to God: it adds nothing to God, nor does God need the service of man. Rather, he gives life and immortality and eternal glory to those who follow and serve him. He confers a benefit on his servants in return for their service and on his followers in return for their loyalty, but he receives no benefit from them. He is rich, perfect and in need of nothing.
The reason why God requires service from man is this: because he is good and merciful he desires to confer benefits on those who persevere in his service. In proportion to God’s need of nothing is man’s need for communion with God.
This is the glory of man: to persevere and remain in the service of God. For this reason the Lord told his disciples: You did not choose me but I chose you. He meant that his disciples did not glorify him by following him, but in following the Son of God they were glorified by him. As he said: I wish that where I am they also may be, that they may see my glory.
Let us pray.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
look with compassion on our frailty,
and for our protection
stretch out to us your strong right hand.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Episode 1 -Stations of the Cross: Reflections with Deacon James Keating –
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. While Reflecting deeply on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 1st and 2nd station along the Way of the Cross.
Friday after Ash Wednesday
HOW MUCH WE NEED JESUS
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—How greatly do I feel the need for Christ in my life?
Seek— Practice fasting before your reception of the Eucharist. Also find special times to fast before high points in the Christian year and during high points in your own life so that you may always remain focused on your need for Christ. Try doing more than is required by the Church.
Knock—Meditate on Revelation 22:17, 20
The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come'. Let everyone who listens answer, ‘Come'. Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. The one who guarantees these revelations repeats his promise: I shall indeed be with you soon. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.
What did Jesus say about two or more gathering in his name?
Who are you waiting for?
Transform Your Life—Foster and keep before you the need that you have for Jesus. Make your constant prayer to Jesus one of entreating him to come, to be present, inviting him to be a part of your life.
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 9:14-15
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
From a homily by Pseudo-Chrysostom
(Supp. Hom. 6 De precatione: PG 64, 462-466)
Prayer is the light of the soul
The highest good is prayer and conversation with God, because it means that we are in God’s company and in union with him. When light enters our bodily eyes our eyesight is sharpened; when a soul is intent on God, God’s inextinguishable light shines into it and makes it bright and clear. I am talking, of course, of prayer that comes from the heart and not from routine: not the prayer that is assigned to particular days or particular moments in time, but the prayer that happens continuously by day and by night.
Indeed the soul should not only turn to God at times of explicit prayer. Whatever we are engaged in, whether it is care for the poor, or some other duty, or some act of generosity, we should remember God and long for God. The love of God will be as salt is to food, making our actions into a perfect dish to set before the Lord of all things. Then it is right that we should receive the fruits of our labours, overflowing onto us through all eternity, if we have been offering them to him throughout our lives.
Prayer is the light of the soul, true knowledge of God, a mediator between God and men. Prayer lifts the soul into the heavens where it hugs God in an indescribable embrace. The soul seeks the milk of God like a baby crying for the breast. It fulfils its own vows and receives in exchange gifts better than anything that can be seen or imagined.
Prayer is a go-between linking us to God. It gives joy to the soul and calms its emotions. I warn you, though: do not imagine that prayer is simply words. Prayer is the desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not given by man but brought about by God’s grace. As St Paul says: For when we cannot choose words in order to pray properly, the Spirit himself intercedes on our behalf in a way that could never be put into words.
If God gives to someone the gift of such prayer, it is a gift of imperishable riches, a heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. Whoever tastes that food catches fire and his soul burns for ever with desire for the Lord.
To begin on this path, start by adorning your house with modesty and humility. Make it shine brightly with the light of justice. Decorate it with the gold leaf of good works, with the jewels of faithfulness and greatness of heart. Finally, to make the house perfect, raise a gable above it all, a gable of prayer. Thus you will have prepared a pure and sparkling house for the Lord. Receive the Lord into this royal and splendid dwelling — in other words: receive, by his grace, his image into the temple of your soul.
Let us pray.
Give us the grace, Lord,
to continue the works of penitence we have begun;
so that the Lenten observance we have taken upon ourselves
may be accomplished in sincerity of heart.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
[powepress]
The Redeemer and the Gift of Lent
From Beginning to Pray
Each of us has a great task … that of becoming who God made us to be. Were we without sin, this task would still be impossible for us, left to our own resources and abilities. For indeed, the Lord created us in His Image and Likeness. This means that we are made to be the praise of God's glory, living icons of His hidden life and love in His visible creation. What creature could ever attain to such holiness and splendor? Yet, we are made, though a little less than the angels, the very crown of God's creative action.
The great purpose entrusted to each one of us was long ago made subject to futility because of the mystery of sin. From the very origins of humanity, the envy of Satan and the sin of our first parents has threatened our existence. Though we want to do what is good, noble, and true, without Divine help, we are inclined to fall into an abyss of self-contradictions. Our desire to praise God, to make known His glory, never leaves us, even if it is utterly forgotten or resisted. Our restlessness and death remind us of our downfall and pride, but sin and its consequences are not the last word about humanity. Something more beautiful defines the mystery of our humanity, and every man and woman is invited to freely accept this calling if they will listen to the voice of God.
The Father, whose thought of us delighted Him so much that He summoned us into existence, could not bear that we should perish without hope. As He promised, He sent us a Redeemer who would enter into our plight and rescue us from sin and death. This Good Shepherd did not fear the wolves that threaten our existence and he did not allow the distance that we had strayed to discourage Him in His search for us. A physician of the body and spirit, His words of truth are the remedy for the wounds we bear and the mistaken judgments that have driven us into myths and alienation. He does this moreover by entering into our misery so deep that in the face of our hostility, He patiently remains and will not forsake us, anxious that we should not suffer alone.
Call to Him. He actively works, holding nothing back, until our dignity is restored and our every humiliation redressed. Indeed, all that is most precious to Him – His obedience to the Father and His own devotion to His Mother, He freely offers as a gift to all those who ask. Most of all, by his passion and Crucifixion, He merited for our sake that Divine Gift whose presence not only remits our sins and consecrates us in holiness, but infuses us with the love that the Father has yearned for us to know. An inexhaustible fountain, this sanctifying Gift infuses every moment with treasures too precious for this present life to hold, but imperfectly, for a time, if only we ask and accept what He offers us.
Because even the most imperfect beginnings of this New Life offer so much hope to the world, we must also welcome Lent as a gift won for us by the Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. Lenten observance is no more than a participation in the graces already won for us — and they point somewhere beyond the here and now, to mysteries so sacred and tender, even the greatest joys of this life are as nothing in comparison. We step into an arena because the life of the Risen Lord in us enables us to be contestants in the battle for all that is good, noble and true. We fight with confidence against all that threatens not only our own integrity but that of our brothers and sisters too because Christ gives us a sharing in His confidence. We do not fear our weaknesses but surrender them in prayer and repentance as occasions for the power of God to be made perfect. We run the race because the Spirit of the Lord quickens us on our way until nothing can hold us back from the prize.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
THE INVITATION OF JESUS
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Do I fear the cross of Christ or do I embrace it?
Seek—Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home. Look upon this sign of our salvation upon rising and before you retire for the night, asking Christ to help you to “take up your cross” and follow him.
Knock—Meditate on Philippians 3:18-21
I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ.
They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things.
For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.
What are you living for?
Do you see the saving power of the cross or are you an enemy of the cross?
Do you believe in the power of Christ?
Transform Your Life— Believe in the gospel and experience the liberating effects of taking up your cross and following Jesus. Make your life one that will not be spent looking backward in regret for all the good that you did not do—focus on the good that you can do right now!
The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all he said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 1 -Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion – "The Desert of Consumerism".
Lent wants to remind us of our real identity. At first appearance a seeming “obligation,” Lent is actually a great gift. Are we brave enough to enter this desert, and then let it affect us so deeply as to turn us away from sin and false identities, turn us toward communion with the living God? The Church presents this season to us every year because it is hoped that this year will be our year to say “Yes” to Lent’s call to repentance. Lent should not be something we go through alone, but together. As the Hebrews wandered the desert for forty years, so we should enter Lent through the ecclesial community and share its challenges with brothers and sisters in Christ. Lent should not be what the elderly man in the barbershop characterized as “life as usual.” With our goal being moral conversion, let us now turn to see how God can facilitate that conversion when we take on a “lenten mind.”
Ash Wednesday
ETERNAL LIFE OR DEATH?
Steps to Take as You Follow Christ
Ask—Am I living my life in fear of death or in anticipation of eternal life in Christ?
Seek— Try to focus on Christ as the motivation for all of your actions throughout the day. Be conscious of whom you are trying to please in all that you do.
Knock— Meditate on Genesis 3:19.
"You are dust and to dust, you shall return"
How does Baptism wash away original sin? What is the purpose of recalling that without Christ we are all living to die? How does the cross of Christ defeat death?
Transform Your Life—Make the cross of Christ your banner of hope. See in the victory of Jesus’ cross a life-changing invitation to overcome all the evil forces that try to keep you from being who God has created you to be and to drive you away from your true purpose in life.
The author of "The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life", Michael Dubriuel, died in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has graciously made his book available as a free e-book. We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.
"The Power of the Cross" is available as a free e-book,
for more information visit here
Check out more at the Discerning Hearts' Michael Dubruiel page
Ash Wednesday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your a...
From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope
(Cap. 7,7-8,3; 8,5-9,1;13,1-4;19,2: Funk 1, 71-73,77-78)
Repent
Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to him. When Noah preached God’s message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God’s people.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the ministers of God’s grace have spoken of repentance; indeed, the Master of the whole universe himself spoke of repentance with an oath: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the death of the sinner but his repentance. He added this evidence of his goodness: House of Israel, repent of your wickedness. Tell the sons of my people: If their sins should reach from earth to heaven, if they are brighter than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, you need only turn to me with your whole heart and say, “Father”, and I will listen to you as a holy people.
In other words, God wanted all his beloved ones to have the opportunity to repent and he confirmed this desire by his own almighty will. That is why we should obey his sovereign and glorious will and prayerfully entreat his mercy and kindness. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarrelling and jealousy which only lead to death.
Brothers, we should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride and foolish anger. Rather, we should act in accordance with the Scriptures, as the Holy Spirit says: The wise man must not glory in his wisdom nor the strong man in his strength nor the rich man in his riches. Rather, let him who glories glory in the Lord by seeking him and doing what is right and just. Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance. Be merciful, he said, so that you may have mercy shown to you. Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you treat others, so you will be treated. As you give, so you will receive. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you are kind to others, so you will be treated kindly. The measure of your giving will be the measure of your receiving.
Let these commandments and precepts strengthen us to live in humble obedience to his sacred words. As Scripture asks: Whom shall I look upon with favour except the humble, peaceful man who trembles at my words?
Sharing then in the heritage of so many vast and glorious achievements, let us hasten toward the goal of peace, set before us from the beginning. Let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and hold fast to his splendid and transcendent gifts of peace and all his blessings.
COLLECT
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
From a letter by Saint Leo the Great, pope
(Sermo 6 de Quadragesima, 1-2: PL 54, 285-287)
Purification of spirit through fasting and almsgiving
Dear friends, at every moment the earth is full of the mercy of God, and nature itself is a lesson for all the faithful in the worship of God. The heavens, the sea and all that is in them bear witness to the goodness and omnipotence of their Creator, and the marvelous beauty of the elements as they obey him demands from the intelligent creation a fitting expression of its gratitude.
But with the return of that season marked out in a special way by the mystery of our redemption, and of the days that lead up to the paschal feast, we are summoned more urgently to prepare ourselves by a purification of spirit.
The special note of the paschal feast is this: the whole Church rejoices in the forgiveness of sins. It rejoices in the forgiveness not only of those who are then reborn in holy baptism but also of those who are already numbered among God's adopted children.
Initially, men are made new by the rebirth of baptism. Yet there still is required a daily renewal to repair the shortcomings of our mortal nature, and whatever degree of progress has been made there is no one who should not be more advanced. All must therefore strive to ensure that on the day of redemption no one may be found in the sins of his former life.
Dear friends, what the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion, so that the Lenten fast enjoined by the apostles may be fulfilled, not simply by abstinence from food but above all by the renunciation of sin.
There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of all the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not. The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.
The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Episode 31 – Childlike Simplicity
“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:3)
The spiritual life is so simple that you need the simplicity of a little child to see it. There is only one thing that is necessary, and that is love. Not our love of God, but his love of us.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
What a delight to have a conversation with Gretchen Crowe about two of my favorite topics – the Holy Rosary of Our Lady and St. Pope John Paul II! Gretchen has authored a beautiful book entitled "Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II" which is filled with reflections and images which illuminate the mysteries of this treasured prayer through the gaze of this beloved saint. We highly recommend this book!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
With this book, you can pray the Rosary with the saint who loved it so much. For each mystery of the Rosary, you will find:
- The spiritual fruit that accompanies each mystery
- A short reflection on how Pope St. John Paul II embodied the spiritual fruit
- A Scripture passage for reflection
- An excerpt from a talk or writing of John Paul II
Whether the Rosary is already your favorite prayer or you're just learning to pray it, Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II will help you "rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives."
Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 10:17-27
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Master, I have kept all these from my earliest days.’ Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.
Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, ‘My children,’ he said to them ‘how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were more astonished than ever. ‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, ‘Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You must not kill; You must not commit adultery; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; You must not defraud; Honour your father and mother.
Sunday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 6:39-45
Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.
‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.
‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.
‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Episode 15 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 1
“Resurrection at Nain”
In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word to Jesus, asking if Jesus was the one “who is to come”. We know from Matthew 14 that John was imprisoned for chastising Herod about his unlawful marriage to Herodias. In his desolation, John wanted to know if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Having just performed many miracles, Jesus responded by saying “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them” thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 35. Going further, Jesus told the crowd that John was not a “reed shaken by the wind.” That is, John was a man of serious conviction, the messenger sent to prepare the way for Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of Malachi 3 and Isaiah 40. Jesus also said that “among those born of women no one is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Who is the “least in the kingdom of God”? We read in Philippians 2 that Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Jesus, the most humble in the kingdom of heaven, was baptized by John, the greatest born of women.
Going further, we then look at the somewhat mysterious verses about the analogy of children in the marketplace, who played a dirge yet no one wept and played the flute, yet no one danced. This passage alludes to two major life events: weddings and funerals. John played the “funeral dirge” of repentance, while Jesus played the “wedding march” of salvation. Yet the Pharisees refused to listen to either.
Returning to the beginning of Luke 7, we read of the healing of the Centurion’s servant. We repeat the powerful words of the Centurion just before receiving communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Centurion understood the nature of authority, and willingly submitted to the healing power of Jesus’ Word. Reading about the Centurion reminds us that Israel was under Roman rule at the time of Jesus. Prior to his assassination in 44 BC, Julius Caesar appointed his nephew and adopted son, Octavius, to succeed him at his death. At the time of Julius’ death, a great comet appeared and was seen as a sign in favor of the deification of Julius, who was ultimately declared a god. Augustus reigned for 40 years, ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth as described in Luke 2. After expanding his empire, Augustus was able to maintain a period of political stability known as Pax Romana. Thus Augustus was not only titled the “son of god” but also the “prince of peace” at the time of Jesus’ birth and childhood. At the time of Jesus’ adult ministry, Tiberius Caesar was the Roman emperor and Herod the Edomite was the puppet king of Israel who collaborated with the occupying Romans. The Roman army was made up of legions of 6000 soldiers and a centurion was a veteran soldier in command of over 100 men. Commensurate with their position, centurions were paid well which explains why the centurion mentioned in Luke 7 would have the resources to build the synagogue at Capernaum.
The story of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain is found only in Luke. This recalls the resurrection stories of Elijah, who raised the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and Elisha, who with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, performed double the Old Testament resurrection miracles. Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4). Also, a dead man was brought back to life when his body touched the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13). The city of Nain was in close proximity to Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and Jesus. We can imagine that at Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary may have recalled the raising of the widow of Nain’s son, giving her hope for the resurrection of her own son.
Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 10:1-12
Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’ They were testing him. He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ ‘Moses allowed us’ they said ‘to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘It was because you were so unteachable that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, ‘The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’ They were testing him. He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ ‘Moses allowed us’ they said ‘to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘It was because you were so unteachable that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, ‘The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’ They were testing him. He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ ‘Moses allowed us’ they said ‘to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘It was because you were so unteachable that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, ‘The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father,
Episode 30 – From Grim and Grumpy Souls, Good Lord Deliver Us
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 9:41-50
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing,
Episode 30 – The Impossible Made Possible
“With love you may bring your heart to do whatsoever you may please. The hardest things become easy and pleasant, but without love you will find anything not only difficult but also impossible.” – John of Bonilla, OFM
We can achieve nothing in the spiritual life without creating quality space and time in our daily lives, for the prayer that gives us access to the same love that filled Jesus Christ and inspired everything he said and did.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
What a delight to discuss with Fr. Cassian Koenemann O.S.B. The Grace of “Nothingness” – Navigating the Spiritual Life with Blessed Columba Marmion. Many today are unaware of the teachings of this great 20th-century spiritual master, but his influence can be seen in the lives of today's beloved saints, including St. Teresa of Calcutta. Thanks to Fr. Cassian, we can all better benefit from Bl. Columba's great spiritual legacy. We HIGHLY recommend this book for the spiritual library. Don't miss the opportunity to grow in "nothingness", your life will be richer for it.
To obtain a copy of the book visit here
“The Grace of ‘Nothingness’ is a work of deep and sober reflection. What it reveals to us of Columba Marmion’s vision, however, is as fresh and surprising as the Gospel itself. Here we find, in the understanding of ‘nothingness,’ not the least hint of anything mandarin or esoteric, but a theme that focuses attention on the unique, saving grace of Christ. Fr Cassian complements his study with a helpful overview of the centuries of reflection on the theme of ‘nothingness’ in the writings of Catholic saints and mystics. This work is without question a truly insightful contribution to spiritual theology.”
—FR. PAUL MURRAY, OP
author of A Journey with Jonah
“St John of the Cross says that at the summit of the spiritual life there is ‘nothing.’ This introduction to the theme of ‘nothingness’ in the writings of Abbot Marmion offers fresh insights into this demanding feature of Christian life.”
—FR. CHRISTOPHER JAMISON, OSB
Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation
Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd.
Episode 25 Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes pt. 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue our conversation on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
Gaudium et spes (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈɡau̯di.um et ˈspes], "Joy and Hope"), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, is one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It was the last and longest published document from the council and is the first constitution published by an ecumenical council to address the entire world.
Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled at the council, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 7 December 1965, the day the council ended.
An excerpt from Gaudium et Spes:
22. The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of Him Who was to come,(20) namely Christ the Lord. Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. It is not surprising, then, that in Him all the aforementioned truths find their root and attain their crown.
He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15),(21) is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled,(22) by that very fact it has been raised up to a divine dignity in our respect too. For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every man. He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice(23) and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, He has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin.(24)
As an innocent lamb He merited for us life by the free shedding of His own blood. In Him God reconciled us(25) to Himself and among ourselves; from bondage to the devil and sin He delivered us, so that each one of us can say with the Apostle: The Son of God "loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20). By suffering for us He not only provided us with an example for our imitation,(26) He blazed a trail, and if we follow it, life and death are made holy and take on a new meaning.
The Christian man, conformed to the likeness of that Son Who is the firstborn of many brothers,(27) received "the first-fruits of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:23) by which he becomes capable of discharging the new law of love.(28) Through this Spirit, who is "the pledge of our inheritance" (Eph. 1:14), the whole man is renewed from within, even to the achievement of "the redemption of the body" (Rom. 8:23): "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the death dwells in you, then he who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also bring to life your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).(29) Pressing upon the Christian to be sure, are the need and the duty to battle against evil through manifold tribulations and even to suffer death. But, linked with the paschal mystery and patterned on the dying Christ, he will hasten forward to resurrection in the strength which ...
Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 9:14-29
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressing round him, he rebuked the unclean spirit. ‘Deaf and dumb spirit,’ he said ‘I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.’ Then throwing the boy into violent convulsions it came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand. When he had gone indoors his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why were we unable to cast it out?’ ‘This is the kind’ he answered ‘that can only be driven out by prayer.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressi...
"Building a Kingdom of Love" – "How can we possibly love as God expects? Only "through Him, with Him, in Him!"
Gospel MT 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Sunday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your ...
Episode 12 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 5 Part 2
“Let Your Nets Down for a Catch”
Duc in altum.” Put out into the deep water. These are the words that Jesus used to invite Peter to become his disciple. The call of Peter and the other fisherman disciples (Andrew, James and John) took place on the Lake of Gennesaret. Known also as the Sea of Galilee, this important fresh water lake was the location of many important events in Jesus’ ministry. Tiberius Caesar later renamed the lake and adjacent town after himself. The northern and eastern borders of the Sea of Galilee is the modern day Golan Heights, which is the Israeli occupied border zone between Israel and the surrounding countries of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Within the Golan Heights is the Mount Hermon mountain range, and at its base is found Caesarea Philipi, named after Herod Philip, the tetrarch of this region during the time of Christ. Caesarea Philipi is an imposing rock wall, into which was built a temple to the pagan god Pan. At the base of the rock was a deep hole named the Gates of Hades and from this hole flowed the headwaters of the Jordan River. With the Gates of Hades and the temple of Pan as a backdrop, Jesus declared that Peter would be THEE rock upon which He would build His church and the Gates of Hades would not prevail against it.
Many other important events occurred on or near the Sea of Galilee: Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:16-24); Jesus calmed a storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25); a miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:1-6); the sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7); the appearance of Jesus to his disciples after the resurrection and Peter’s reinstatement (John 21).
In Luke 5:4, Jesus told Peter to “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Already fatigued from a long night of fruitless fishing, Peter obeyed this request despite knowing that catching fish in deep water during the middle of the day would likely fail. However, Peter and his partners caught more fish than their nets could hold, threatening to sink their two boats. The Church Fathers saw the two boats as representing the Jews and the Gentiles: Jesus came for all. Fully aware that he was in the presence of God, Peter fell to his knees, begging the Lord to leave. Peter was painfully aware of his sinful nature, yet the Lord chose this sinful man to lead his Church. Jesus told Peter, “Do not be afraid.” These words not only echoed the words of Gabriel to Mary and Zechariah, as well as the angels to the shepherd, but they also warned of an impending battle or mission. Jesus told Peter to be a fisher of men, but at Peter’s reinstatement, Jesus commanded Peter to feed and tend His sheep. Peter became the guardian of the flock, protecting it from the evil one who prowls about, looking to devour souls.
Jesus next cured a leper, who like Peter, fell to his knees in the presence of the Lord. In the Bible, leprosy is often seen as a metaphor for sin. When Jesus cured the leper, he instructed the leper to show himself to the priests, who alone could confirm the healing of the leprosy (as prescribed in Leviticus 13-14). Leprosy is contagious, putting the entire community at risk, forcing the leper to live in isolation. In the same way, sin puts others at risk, isolates us from the community and only the priest can declare a person to be free of sin.
Next Jesus cured the paralytic man, whose friends lowered him through the roof of a house to see Jesus, as the crowd kept them from entering it. The man came in need for a physical healing, yet also receiving a spiritual healing by Jesus’ forgiveness of sin. The four men who carried the paralytic represent the universal forgiveness of sin offered by Jesus.
Finally, we then learn the meaning behind the parable of the old and new wine skins.
Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 9:2-13
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean. And they put this question to him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True,’ he said ‘Elijah is to come first and to see that everything is as it should be; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of Man that he is to suffer grievously and be treated with contempt? However, I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean. And they put this question to him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True,’ he said ‘Elijah is to come first and to see that everything is as it should be; yet how is it that the scriptures say about the Son of Man that he is to suffer grievously and be treated with contempt? However, I tell you that Elijah has come and they have treated him as they pleased, just as the scriptures say about him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.
Episode 7 – Bread, Wine, and the Gift of Self – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Presentation of the Gifts (also known as the Offertory)
Take a moment and pray:
God, my loving Father, when the priest and servers prepare the altar and place the sacred vessels upon it, grant me the Heart of Jesus, our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Help me prepare to offer my life with all its joys and struggles to you as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing” in your sight.
Father, when the gifts are brought in procession, help me to present, with them, my life, my desire to grow closer to you, my family, my hopes, my fears, my concerns of health, the financial issues I face, and help me to offer all of this with Jesus in this Mass.
Father, when the priest says over the bread and wine, “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you . . . the wine we offer you . . . ,” grant me a heart like that of Jesus, who offers himself in the form of bread and wine. I join the offering of my life with that of Jesus on the altar, and by your grace, I make this offering from my heart.
Father, when the priest washes his hands, I ask that you wash and cleanse me too. I ask for a heart made pure, a heart prepared to pray the Eucharistic Prayer, to live the Consecration, and to receive the Communion that will follow.
Father, when the priest says, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty
Father,” help me to respond from my heart, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his holy Church.” Make my sacrifice, too, the offering of my life, acceptable to you.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 57). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 8:34-9:1
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus called the people and his disciples to him and said:
‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life? And indeed what can a man offer in exchange for his life? For if anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ And he said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 29 – Three Data on Which Delight Finally Depends
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus and his disciples left for the villages round Caesarea Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all this quite openly. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
Episode 29 – True Humility
“When you stop falling you are in heaven, but when you stop getting up you are in hell.” – Peter Calvay, "The Hermit"
The measure of spiritual advancement can always be determined by the speed with which we turn back to God from the distractions, the temptations, or the sins that try to turn us away from him. However, this speed can only be maintained with help and strength from God.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark 8:22-26
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida, and some people brought to him a blind man whom they begged him to touch. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then putting spittle on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ The man, who was beginning to see, replied, ‘I can see people; they look like trees to me, but they are walking about.’ Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again and he saw clearly; he was cured, and he could see everything plainly and distinctly. And Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
What a joy to discuss the 2nd edition of "The Spiritual Direction of St. Claude de la Colombiere" with John Galten, who wrote the forward to the book. Filled with an abundance of wisdom this little work is a must for those seeking solid spiritual guidance. In this podcast, we discuss the great legacy of St. Claude as well as the historical and spiritual richness of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. John is a delight to talk with him, his joy for Christ and deep respect for St. Claude is utterly engaging.
To obtain a copy of the book visit here
This book contains a great treasure of spiritual insight and guidance for the soul who is seeking God. –Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., Author, Inside the Bible
Saint Claude has been one of my most important spiritual guides for a half century. This little jewel is a must for those who seek God's will and mercy expressed in the most authentic devotion to Christ. –Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., Author, Arise from Darkness
Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 8 verses 14-21
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Episode 24 Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin a conversation on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
Gaudium et spes (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈɡau̯di.um et ˈspes], "Joy and Hope"), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, is one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It was the last and longest published document from the council and is the first constitution published by an ecumenical council to address the entire world.
Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled at the council, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 7 December 1965, the day the council ended.
An excerpt from Gaudium et Spes:
1. The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds.
2. Hence this Second Vatican Council, having probed more profoundly into the mystery of the Church, now addresses itself without hesitation, not only to the sons of the Church and to all who invoke the name of Christ, but to the whole of humanity. For the council yearns to explain to everyone how it conceives of the presence and activity of the Church in the world of today.
Therefore, the council focuses its attention on the world of men, the whole human family along with the sum of those realities in the midst of which it lives; that world which is the theater of man's history, and the heir of his energies, his tragedies and his triumphs; that world which the Christian sees as created and sustained by its Maker's love, fallen indeed into the bondage of sin, yet emancipated now by Christ, Who was crucified and rose again to break the strangle hold of personified evil, so that the world might be fashioned anew according to God's design and reach its fulfillment.
3. Though mankind is stricken with wonder at its own discoveries and its power, it often raises anxious questions about the current trend of the world, about the place and role of man in the universe, about the meaning of its individual and collective strivings, and about the ultimate destiny of reality and of humanity. Hence, giving witness and voice to the faith of the whole people of God gathered together by Christ, this council can provide no more eloquent proof of its solidarity with, as well as its respect and love for the entire human family with which it is bound up, than by engaging with it in conversation about these various problems. The council brings to mankind light kindled from the Gospel, and puts at its disposal those saving resources which the Church herself, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, receives from her Founder. For the human person deserves to be preserved; human society deserves to be renewe...
Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 17, 20-26
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Sunday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 6 verses 17, 20-26
Jesus came down with the Twelve and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus came down with the Twelve and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus came down with the Twelve and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you!
Episode 11 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 5 Part 1
“Let Your Nets Down for a Catch”
Duc in altum.” Put out into the deep water. These are the words that Jesus used to invite Peter to become his disciple. The call of Peter and the other fisherman disciples (Andrew, James and John) took place on the Lake of Gennesaret. Known also as the Sea of Galilee, this important fresh water lake was the location of many important events in Jesus’ ministry. Tiberius Caesar later renamed the lake and adjacent town after himself. The northern and eastern borders of the Sea of Galilee is the modern day Golan Heights, which is the Israeli occupied border zone between Israel and the surrounding countries of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Within the Golan Heights is the Mount Hermon mountain range, and at its base is found Caesarea Philipi, named after Herod Philip, the tetrarch of this region during the time of Christ. Caesarea Philipi is an imposing rock wall, into which was built a temple to the pagan god Pan. At the base of the rock was a deep hole named the Gates of Hades and from this hole flowed the headwaters of the Jordan River. With the Gates of Hades and the temple of Pan as a backdrop, Jesus declared that Peter would be THEE rock upon which He would build His church and the Gates of Hades would not prevail against it.
Many other important events occurred on or near the Sea of Galilee: Jesus walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:16-24); Jesus calmed a storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25); a miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:1-6); the sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7); the appearance of Jesus to his disciples after the resurrection and Peter’s reinstatement (John 21).
In Luke 5:4, Jesus told Peter to “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Already fatigued from a long night of fruitless fishing, Peter obeyed this request despite knowing that catching fish in deep water during the middle of the day would likely fail. However, Peter and his partners caught more fish than their nets could hold, threatening to sink their two boats. The Church Fathers saw the two boats as representing the Jews and the Gentiles: Jesus came for all. Fully aware that he was in the presence of God, Peter fell to his knees, begging the Lord to leave. Peter was painfully aware of his sinful nature, yet the Lord chose this sinful man to lead his Church. Jesus told Peter, “Do not be afraid.” These words not only echoed the words of Gabriel to Mary and Zechariah, as well as the angels to the shepherd, but they also warned of an impending battle or mission. Jesus told Peter to be a fisher of men, but at Peter’s reinstatement, Jesus commanded Peter to feed and tend His sheep. Peter became the guardian of the flock, protecting it from the evil one who prowls about, looking to devour souls.
Jesus next cured a leper, who like Peter, fell to his knees in the presence of the Lord. In the Bible, leprosy is often seen as a metaphor for sin. When Jesus cured the leper, he instructed the leper to show himself to the priests, who alone could confirm the healing of the leprosy (as prescribed in Leviticus 13-14). Leprosy is contagious, putting the entire community at risk, forcing the leper to live in isolation. In the same way, sin puts others at risk, isolates us from the community and only the priest can declare a person to be free of sin.
Next Jesus cured the paralytic man, whose friends lowered him through the roof of a house to see Jesus, as the crowd kept them from entering it. The man came in need for a physical healing, yet also receiving a spiritual healing by Jesus’ forgiveness of sin. The four men who carried the paralytic represent the universal forgiveness of sin offered by Jesus.
Finally, we then learn the meaning behind the parable of the old and new wine skins.
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 8 verses 1-10
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately, getting into the boat with his disciples, went to the region of Dalmanutha.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately, getting into the boat with his disciples, went to the region of Dalmanutha.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
A great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat. So Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them off home hungry they will collapse on the way; some have come a great distance.’ His disciples replied, ‘Where could anyone get bread to feed these people in a deserted place like this?’ He asked them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said. Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd. They had a few small fish as well, and over these he said a blessing and ordered them to be distributed also. They ate as much as they wanted, and they collected seven basketfuls of the scraps left over. Now there had been about four thousand people. He sent them away and immediately,
Episode 6 – The Courage of the Martyrs – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Profession of Faith
Ask the Lord for a heart like Saint Justin’s and that of other martyrs, past and present, who professed their faith with similar courage. Then, slowly pray the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed that we say at Mass. As you pray, pause briefly at each truth you express. Let its meaning fill your heart. Renew your faith in it.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty (I believe in you, God the Father, God my father),
maker of heaven and earth (I believe in you as Creator),
of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ (I believe in you, Jesus, the Christ, and my Lord),
the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God (I believe that you, Jesus, are true God),
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation (I believe that you are my Savior)
he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate (I believe in your Incarnation)
of the Virgin Mary (I believe that you took flesh through Mary),
and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried (I believe that you died for our salvation),
and rose again on the third day (I believe in your Resurrection from the dead in power and glory)
in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father (I believe in your Ascension, that you were taken up to heaven).
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (I believe in your Second Coming at the end of time)
and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life (I believe in you, God the Holy Spirit, “Paraclete, Gift of God, living Fountain, Fire, Love, spiritual Anointing” [Veni Creator Spiritus]),
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church (I believe that you founded the Catholic Church, the Spouse of the Lamb, our Mother).
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins (I believe in the grace and power of Baptism, of my Baptism)
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. (I believe in eternal life).
Pray the Profession of Faith like this at Mass.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 51-53). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning...
From a letter from Saint Bernadette Soubirous, virgin
(Ep. ad Gondrand a 1861: cf. A. Ravier, Les escrits de sainte Bernadette, Paris, 1961, pp. 53-59)
The apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes
I had gone down one day with two other girls to the bank of the river Gave when suddenly I heard a kind of rustling sound. I turned my head toward the field by the side of the river but the trees seemed quite still and the noise was evidently not from them. Then I looked up and caught sight of the cave where I saw a lady wearing a lovely white dress with a bright belt. On top of each of her feet was a pale yellow rose, the same color as her rosary beads.
At this I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was seeing things, and I put my hands into the fold of my dress where my rosary was. I wanted to make the sign of the cross but for the life of me I couldn’t manage it and my hand just fell down. Then the lady made the sign of the cross herself and at the second attempt I managed to do the same, though my hands were trembling. Then I began to say the rosary while the lady let her beads slip through her fingers, without moving her lips. When I stopped saying the Hail Mary, she immediately vanished.
I asked my two companions if they had noticed anything, but they said no. Of course they wanted to know what I was doing and I told them that I had seen a lady wearing a nice white dress, though I didn’t know who she was. I told them not to say anything about it, and they said I was silly to have anything to do with it. I said they were wrong and I came back next Sunday, feeling myself drawn to the place….
The third time I went the lady spoke to me and asked me to come every day for fifteen days. I said I would and then she said that she wanted me to tell the priests to build a chapel there. She also told me to drink from the stream. I went to the Gave, the only stream I could see. Then she made me realise she was not speaking of the Gave and she indicated a little trickle of water close by. When I got to it I could only find a few drops, mostly mud. I cupped my hands to catch some liquid without success and then I started to scrape the ground. I managed to find a few drops of water but only at the fourth attempt was there a sufficient amount for any kind of drink. The lady then vanished and I went back home.
I went back each day for two weeks and each time, except one Monday and one Friday, the lady appeared and told me to look for a stream and wash in it and to see that the priests build a chapel there. I must also pray, she said, for the conversion of sinners. I asked her many times what she meant by that, but she only smiled. Finally with outstretched arms and eyes looking up to heaven she told me she was the Immaculate Conception.
During the two weeks she told me three secrets but I was not to speak about them to anyone and so far I have not.
COLLECT
Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness,
that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God,
may, with the help of her intercession,
rise up from our iniquities.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 verses 31-37
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc.
Episode 28 – Life: So Startling There is No Time for Anything Else
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time.
Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 verses 24-30
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil,
In this compelling conversation with Deacon James Keating, a spiritual master of the highest order, we discuss those things that block us from having a closer relationship with God. We also discuss the importance of making time for Lectio Divina, living in the liturgy of the Church, and the danger of letting prayer become too complex.
Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a wonderful how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God’s movement within them. We highly recommend this book to those souls seeking a deeper relationship with God.
You can find the book here
Here are excerpts from our conversation in the podcast –
Sin, to some extent, possesses us, usually at the level of pleasure. Even if you think about the sin of anger, it always seems like it's mayhem, but it's actually pleasurable. People get a rush out of being angry. They get a rush out of being greedy. There's a pleasure in sloth, in daydreaming, in fantasizing, in not doing the duty or the work we're supposed to do right in front of us. There's a pleasure in sloth.
And so that pleasure is the glue, the adhesive that keeps us in love with our sins. And that's what God is alwaying fighting. He's trying to displace that false love that we have set up by the way of pleasure. God knows that pleasure is not the deepest reality of existence. And so he's not going to play the game back and like trump the pleasure of sin. He is going to attract us away from the pleasure of sin, by the beauty of truth.
As Joseph Ratizinger used to say, "The face of God, is the beauty of God's face." What's that mean? That means that the truth, the radiance of truth will eventually win us over even against the strong undertow of sin's pleasure. If we give him a chance, spend time with him, open our hearts to be affected by him, then over time, this beauty of his own face, the truth of who God is will move us away from the immediacy, the gratification of the pleasure that's hiding within all of our sins. And that's what salvation is. Salvation is finally surrendering to truth and its beauty over and against the fleeting pleasure of self-involvement
also
The liturgy is your participation in being loved and loving back. Catechesisis not learning in a classroom style. It's learning how to pray. If we don't learn how to pray, we won't even be interested in the catechism. Why would you be interested in the catechism if you don't know the person whose voluminous beauty fills the catechism? Why would you want to open that book?
The Catechism at its heart is learning how to be with Him, to receive Him. And then your intellect is a flame to want to know Him. We do it backwards. We've always done it backwards. I don't know for how long, but since my birth, we've done it backwards. Reducing the mystery to academics. And that's inherently boring because to study anybody you don't know, to study anyone that you have no motivation to learn about, is boredom. So we have to let them be burned by the fire first. This is why to some extent, parishes have to be remodeled. Maybe God is doing this by making our parishes so much smaller.
People are leaving. They're not saying this. They're leaving because they're bored. They're leaving because they haven't encountered. They're leaving because they don't know God. And they're looking for God, but maybe we have to make our parishes more like retreat centers than some type of bureaucratic paperwork center where you go through and get certified to receive this s...
O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 verses 14-23
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus called the people to him and said, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, ‘Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean, because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he pronounced all foods clean.) And he went on, ‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Episode 28 – The Prayer Without Ceasing
“He ‘prays without ceasing’ who unites prayer to works and good works to prayer. Only in this way can we consider as realizable the principle of praying without ceasing.” – Origen
We can only hope to receive the ‘prayer without ceasing’ when we begin to realize that every moment is a time for repentance , for turning to receive the love of God that continually surges out of the risen Christ.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 verses 1-13
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake ...
O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the gracious Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favor we so earnestly seek in this novena.
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 53-56
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the vow we give when we respond to our particular "calling" placed in our hearts by God.
1 COR 15:3-8, 11
Brothers and sisters,
I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one abnormally born,
he appeared to me.
Therefore, whether it be I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favorably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favor we seek in this novena.
Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 30-34
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied,
Episode 10 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 4 Part 2
Temptations & Ministry
This lecture begins by recalling the baptism of Jesus by John. John, the New Elijah, was well aware of his role. He always pointed towards Jesus. The baptism was a theophany, with all members of the Trinity present: the voice of the Father from above, the Holy Spirit in the bodily form of a dove, and Jesus himself. Not since the Garden of Eden has the Trinity so clearly been seen, and the baptism gives us hope for what we lost with Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. According to Cyril of Jerusalem, “Jesus’ descent into this water tomb, into this inferno that envelops him on every side, is thus an anticipation of his act into descending into the underworld.” The baptism of Jesus takes place at Bethabara beyond the Jordan, which is just north of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the face of the earth (418 feet below sea level).
Several other pivotal events in salvation history have occurred in this location. Joshua and the Israelite nation crossed into the Promised Land, carrying the Ark of the Covenant (Joshua 4). Also, the story of Elijah and Elisha takes place in this region (1 Kings and 2 Kings). Elijah encounters Elisha, who is plowing the field with 12 yoke of oxen, which suggests Elisha was blessed with supernatural strength to control such a large number of oxen. The number 12 is also symbolic for governance and the 12 tribes of Israel. Elijah casts his mantle on Elisha, who then slaughters the oxen and abandons his life as a farmer, and accompanies Elijah. Elijah then later parts the waters of the Jordan by striking the water with his mantle, which recalls the crossing of Joshua and the Israelites. When Elijah is taken up in the fiery chariot, he throws his mantle down to Elisha, who requests and is gifted with a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. Shortly afterward, Elisha also parts the Jordan River by striking the water with Elijah’s mantle. The parting of the water prefigures the Baptism of Jesus: both events are symbolic of passage from certain death to a new life. As John the Baptist is the new Elijah, so then is Jesus the new Elisha: Elisha inherits a double portion of the spirit, while Jesus is one with the Spirit. Jesus is the new Adam, the new Moses, the new Joshua, the new Elisha.
We then turn our attention to the temptation of Jesus in the desert. After 40 days and nights of fasting, Satan appears to Jesus, who may have been at his weakest physically, but was at his strongest spiritually. Satan begins his temptations with, “IF you are the Son of God…” Does Satan know if Jesus is the Messiah? Jesus’ identity as the Messiah was not clearly seen by Satan. This so-called Messianic Secret is seen in other places in Scripture where Jesus commands his followers to maintain silence about his Messianic mission (see Mark 1:43 and 8:29-30). Why did Jesus desire to keep his Messianic identity a secret? According to Ignatius of Antioch, there were three mysteries in God’s plan of salvation that had to be kept secret: the virginity of Mary, the virgin birth of Jesus, and Jesus’ death on the cross. In each of these three instances, the identity of Jesus as Messiah is hidden from the world so that the Father’s plan of salvation would not be thwarted.
Continuing on, we learn about the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth. Initially, those who hear Jesus in the synagogue respond favorably to Jesus’ words, especially when He proclaims that he fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” However, the crowd turns against Jesus and attempts to throw Him over the side of a cliff. Why such a change in heart?
O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we your wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the angels and saints and your own-the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified in heaven and on earth. Our Lady of Lourdes, as you looked down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her rosary in the grotto, look down now, we beseech you, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted you by your Divine Son, sweet Mother of God, give to each of us all that your motherly heart sees we need and at this moment look with special favor on the grace we seek in this novena.
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Gary Jansen is one of my favorite authors; I love our conversations. He has a spiritual tenderness that appreciates the practical need to help the everyman find a way to deepen his relationship with God. "MicroShifts: Transforming Your Life One Step at a Time" is a beautiful response to that need! In its pages, Gary offers an effective way to navigate the travails of the spiritual journey. We highly recommend this and all of Gary's books.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Is it really possible to change my life—in ways that will last?
Author Gary Jansen knows how difficult it can be to create significant, sustainable change in our lives. Sometimes we feel too overwhelmed to even start, and in other cases this self-work seems like one more burden. In his new book he offers an answer that he calls “microshifting”—small, incremental adjustments that gradually reshape our deeply rooted patterns.
With a blend of masterful storytelling and dozens of practical tips, MicroShifts suggests simple, small changes across many aspects of our lives—everything from how we greet others to how we try to talk to God—to generate big results physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you are looking for steps to improve your life that are achievable, sustainable, and potentially life-changing, MicroShifts is a powerful place to begin.
"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now I beseech you to hear our fervent prayer and do, we beseech you, grant us the petition we now so earnestly seek.
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 14-29
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.
Episode 5 – A Disciple's Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Liturgy of the Word
Be there on the mountainside. Take your place close to Jesus. See the great crowd around you, eager to listen. Slowly read the words, and hear Jesus say them personally to you. Pause after each beatitude to consider it briefly: What does it mean? What is Jesus saying to you?
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him (you are seated there among them).
He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit (poor in spirit: humble, knowing our need for God, trusting in him), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn (mourn over sin and evil), for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek (meek: gentle, not quick to take offense, patient), for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness (hunger and thirst for holiness, for new closeness to God), for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful (the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy), for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart (interiorly clean, pure, without duplicity), for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers (those who reconcile people with each other and with God), for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (those who suffer for their fidelity to Christ), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
If you listen to the readings at Mass in this way, with a disciple’s heart, then Jesus’s Word will become for you, as the Second Vatican Council affirms, a “strength of faith,” a “food of the soul,” and a “pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.”40
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 47-48). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 7-13
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 27 – Saying No to Nihilism
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Novenas to Our Lady of Lourdes
DAY ONE
O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, virgin and mother, queen of heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and in virtue of this title preserved from original sin, we kneel before you as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in you that as we contemplate your glorious appearance at Lourdes, you will look with mercy on our present petition and secure for us a favorable answer to the request for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 verses 22-40
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
Chapter 27 – Pray At All Times
“Prayer is trying to raise our minds and hearts to God.” – Cardinal Basil Hume
Prayer is ‘gently’ trying to raise the heart and mind to God. Our endeavour will lead us nowhere without God’s help. In God’s time, not ours, the Holy Spirit will reward those of good will who have persevered despite human failures.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 5 verses 21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’
While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.
Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it,
Episode 23 Vatican II – Lumen Gentium pt. 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin a conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. As is customary with significant Roman Catholic Church documents, it is known by its incipit, "Lumen Gentium", Latin for "Light of the Nations".
The eight chapters of the document can be paired thematically: chapters one and two treat the church's nature and historical existence, chapters three and four treat different roles in the church, chapters five and six treat holiness and religious life, while chapters seven and eight discuss the saints and Mary.
An excerpt from Lumen Gentium:
39. The Church, whose mystery is being set forth by this Sacred Synod, is believed to be indefectibly holy. Indeed Christ, the Son of God, who with the Father and the Spirit is praised as "uniquely holy," (1*) loved the Church as His bride, delivering Himself up for her. He did this that He might sanctify her.(214) He united her to Himself as His own body and brought it to perfection by the gift of the Holy Spirit for God's glory. Therefore in the Church, everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness, according to the saying of the Apostle: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification".(215) However, this holiness of the Church is unceasingly manifested, and must be manifested, in the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful; it is expressed in many ways in individuals, who in their walk of life, tend toward the perfection of charity, thus causing the edification of others; in a very special way this (holiness) appears in the practice of the counsels, customarily called "evangelical." This practice of the counsels, under the impulsion of the Holy Spirit, undertaken by many Christians, either privately or in a Church-approved condition or state of life, gives and must give in the world an outstanding witness and example of this same holiness.
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 5 verses 1-20
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.
Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs,
Msgr. Esseff reflects what it means to truly encounter Jesus. Do we recognize Him in the poor, the prisoner, the disabled, the stranger? Or do we pass Him by because we truly do not know Him? He offers insight primarily from the teachings found in the letter from St. James Chap 2:
My brothers and sisters, show no partiality
as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes
comes into your assembly,
and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes
and say, "Sit here, please, "
while you say to the poor one, "Stand there, " or "Sit at my feet, "
have you not made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil designs?
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love him?. – NAB
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Sunday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 4 verses 21-30
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’
But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’
And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’
But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’
And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’
When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus began to speak in the synagogue: ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips. They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’
But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside.”’
And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.
‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged thr...
Episode 9 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 4 Part 1
Temptations & Ministry
This lecture begins by recalling the baptism of Jesus by John. John, the New Elijah, was well aware of his role. He always pointed towards Jesus. The baptism was a theophany, with all members of the Trinity present: the voice of the Father from above, the Holy Spirit in the bodily form of a dove, and Jesus himself. Not since the Garden of Eden has the Trinity so clearly been seen, and the baptism gives us hope for what we lost with Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. According to Cyril of Jerusalem, “Jesus’ descent into this water tomb, into this inferno that envelops him on every side, is thus an anticipation of his act into descending into the underworld.” The baptism of Jesus takes place at Bethabara beyond the Jordan, which is just north of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the face of the earth (418 feet below sea level).
Several other pivotal events in salvation history have occurred in this location. Joshua and the Israelite nation crossed into the Promised Land, carrying the Ark of the Covenant (Joshua 4). Also, the story of Elijah and Elisha takes place in this region (1 Kings and 2 Kings). Elijah encounters Elisha, who is plowing the field with 12 yoke of oxen, which suggests Elisha was blessed with supernatural strength to control such a large number of oxen. The number 12 is also symbolic for governance and the 12 tribes of Israel. Elijah casts his mantle on Elisha, who then slaughters the oxen and abandons his life as a farmer, and accompanies Elijah. Elijah then later parts the waters of the Jordan by striking the water with his mantle, which recalls the crossing of Joshua and the Israelites. When Elijah is taken up in the fiery chariot, he throws his mantle down to Elisha, who requests and is gifted with a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. Shortly afterward, Elisha also parts the Jordan River by striking the water with Elijah’s mantle. The parting of the water prefigures the Baptism of Jesus: both events are symbolic of passage from certain death to a new life. As John the Baptist is the new Elijah, so then is Jesus the new Elisha: Elisha inherits a double portion of the spirit, while Jesus is one with the Spirit. Jesus is the new Adam, the new Moses, the new Joshua, the new Elisha.
We then turn our attention to the temptation of Jesus in the desert. After 40 days and nights of fasting, Satan appears to Jesus, who may have been at his weakest physically, but was at his strongest spiritually. Satan begins his temptations with, “IF you are the Son of God…” Does Satan know if Jesus is the Messiah? Jesus’ identity as the Messiah was not clearly seen by Satan. This so-called Messianic Secret is seen in other places in Scripture where Jesus commands his followers to maintain silence about his Messianic mission (see Mark 1:43 and 8:29-30). Why did Jesus desire to keep his Messianic identity a secret? According to Ignatius of Antioch, there were three mysteries in God’s plan of salvation that had to be kept secret: the virginity of Mary, the virgin birth of Jesus, and Jesus’ death on the cross. In each of these three instances, the identity of Jesus as Messiah is hidden from the world so that the Father’s plan of salvation would not be thwarted.
Continuing on, we learn about the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth. Initially, those who hear Jesus in the synagogue respond favorably to Jesus’ words, especially when He proclaims that he fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” However, the crowd turns against Jesus and attempts to throw Him over the side of a cliff. Why such a change in heart?
Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verses 35-41
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verses 26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’
Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with...
Chapter 26 – The Essence of All Prayer
“Prayer is trying to raise our minds and hearts to God.” – Cardinal Basil Hume
Prayer is ‘gently’ trying to raise the heart and mind to God. Our endeavour will lead us nowhere without God’s help. In God’s time, not ours, the Holy Spirit will reward those of good will who have persevered despite human failures.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verses 21-25
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 26 – Read This: Chance or the Dance
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verses 1-20
Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge.
He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company, asked what the parables meant. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand; otherwise they might be converted and be forgiven.’
He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than Satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus began to teach by the lakeside, but such a huge crowd gathered round him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there. The people were all along the shore, at the water’s edge.
He taught them many things in parables, and in the course of his teaching he said to them, ‘Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow. Now it happened that, as he sowed, some of the seed fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground where it found little soil and sprang up straightaway, because there was no depth of earth; and when the sun came up it was scorched and, not having any roots, it withered away. Some seed fell into thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. And some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’
When he was alone, the Twelve, together with the others who formed his company,
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
SPEAKS OF VARIOUS OTHER GRACES GOD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL IN DIFFERENT WAYS, AND OF THE GREAT BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THEM.
1. Reasons for speaking of these supernatural favours. 2. An intellectual vision. 3. God compared to a palace in which His creatures dwell. 4. Forgive as we are forgiven. 5. The vision shows God to be Truth itself. 6. We should imitate God by truthfulness. 7. Why God reveals these truths.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 22-30
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 22-30
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’ So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house.
‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Angelic Realm, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the magnificence of the Throne of God
Isaiah Chap 6:1-4
1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne,a with the train of his garment filling the temple.
2 Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered.b
3 One cried out to the other:
“Holy, holy, holy* is the LORD of hosts!
All the earth is filled with his glory!”
4 At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Think for a moment of the piety of the Madonna when the angel told her that the Spirit would overshadow her. What sentiments of humility, confidence and courage! At the very moment when she understood that God had given her His heart, that is, His Son, she gave herself to God. Her soul was flooded with charity, so she could say with the sacred spouse, "...My heart trembled within me, and I grew faint when he spoke." [Sg:5:4] As far as we are concerned, we receive a similar grace in Communion, because not an angel but Jesus Christ Himself assures us that in it the Holy Spirit descends on us. Heavenly power covers us with its shadow and the Son of God really comes to us. He can say that He is conceived and born in us. Truly then, the soul can respond with the Madonna, "I am the servant of the Lord; let is be done to me as you say." [Lk 1:38] (Spiritual Directory, Art. 12)
Sunday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 verses 1-4, 4:14-21
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning,
Episode 8 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 2
A Voice Cries Out
“Nothing is impossible with God.” Our lecture this week opens with this reassuring statement, taken from Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary. We recall from last week that Mary was the singular blessed woman of the New Testament who, through Jesus, fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, and crushes the head of Satan. Mary’s power against Satan is also present in the Rosary, whose mysteries are meditations on the life of Christ. Many popes and saints have attested to the power of the Rosary: as described by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the power of the Rosary is beyond description. At the famous Battle of Lepanto, victory against the invading Ottoman empire is attributed to the power of the Rosary.
Through her fiat, Mary displays her great humility, which stands in stark contrast to the pride of Satan. It is no surprise, then, that the lowly shepherds are the first to hear the angel's announcement of the Messiah’s birth.
Last week, we learned of the head-crushing women of the Bible, which raises the question: are there any head-crushing men in the Bible? This brings us to the story of David. We learn in 1 Samuel that through a miraculous conception, Hannah gives birth to Samuel, who she offers back to the Lord for service in the temple. The Israelites at that time clamored for a king and the Lord appeases them by having Samuel anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. Under the ineffective Saul, the Israelites are on the verge of being conquered by the Philistines. Samuel enters the picture once again, and at the Lord’s direction, anoints David. The spirit of the Lord comes upon the young David, who kills the Philistine giant Goliath with a single rock throw from his sling and then cuts off his head. The Philistines flee and Israel triumphs. Blessed be David, another head crusher of the enemy!
Before turning our attention to Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, we spend some time looking at Mary’s lineage. While scripture does not directly say that Mary was from the line of David, a number of clues are present that would lead us to believe she was. In response to the Roman census, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, which Luke calls the “City of David” indicating the birthplace of the famous king of Israel. Many of the Church fathers conclude that Mary is from David’s line, including Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr.
As we then move to the proclamation of John the Baptist, the new Elijah predicted in Malachi 4. John also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” John preached a baptism of repentance, while Jesus baptizes into the trinity. John’s purpose was to glorify Jesus, who in turn glorifies the Father.
We then dig deeper into the genealogies of Luke and Matthew. How is it that they list different ancestors of Jesus? The answer is these genealogies are much theological as historical. Matthew is Jewish, speaks to a Jewish audience and stresses Jewish themes. He describes three separate groups of 14 generations leading to Jesus: Abraham to David, David to the Babylonian exile, the end of the exile to the birth of Jesus. In the Hebrew gematria, David corresponds to the number 14. In essence, by describing three groups of 14 generations, Matthew is proclaiming “David, David, David.” Jesus is the new David. Also, three groups of 14 generations gives a total of 42 generations, which is the number of Israel’s encampments as they leave Egypt for the promised land. Jesus is the new Moses.
In contrast, Luke is gentile by birth, writing to a more universal audience. He does not necessarily stress the Davidic line of Jesus nor does he begin with Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. Rather, he traces Jesus’ lineage all the way to Adam, who Luke describes as the son of God. Jesus, the Son of God,
Day 8
One of the greatest proofs of love that Jesus displayed on the cross was putting up with the imperfections of His neighbor. There He showed us that He has a heart that loves us tenderly and watches over us kindly. He even showed His love for those who put Him to death. In those dire moments the Savior expressed thoughts of love even for his executioners, pardoning them in the very act of sinning! How petty-minded we are when we cannot bring ourselves to forget some injury received, even after a long time! Whoever sincerely pardons another calls down abundant blessings and perfectly imitates Christ. (Spiritual Treatises IV; O. VI, pp. 65-66)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 20-21
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 4 – Hearts Raised in Supplication – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Collect
Almighty and merciful God (we lift our heart to you, loving Father, who are infinitely powerful and whose mercy knows no limits),
graciously keep from us all adversity (we pray for freedom from physical, moral, and spiritual harm),
so that, unhindered in mind and body alike (not weighed down by burdens of mind and body),
we may pursue in freedom of heart (our hearts may be truly free to pursue what is most important: a great grace!)
the things that are yours (love of God, love of neighbor, doing God’s will, living our vocations, eternal life; we ask for freedom to live in the way God desires, in the light of his Word),
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 39-40). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
St. Francis de Sales Novena Day 7
Day 7
Our intellect is ordinarily full of ideas, opinions and considerations suggested by self-love. This is the root of many conflicts within the soul, putting before us all sorts of reasons dictated by human prudence to justify our pretensions. People who make use of this false prudence, instead of enlightening their intellect, obscure it. They reject advice given to them and let those reasons prevail in their minds which support their own opinions, even wrong ones. Make use of the virtue of prudence because it is good, but make good use of it. Employ it only rarely, with simplicity, and solely for the glory of God. (Sermons 30; O. IX, pp. 297-298)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 13-19
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Day 6
Do not pay any attention to the kind of work you do, but rather to the honor that it brings to God, even though it may seem quite trivial. Desire only to do the Divine Will, following Divine Providence, which is the disposition of Divine Wisdom. In a word, if your works are pleasing to God and recognized as such, that is all that matters. Work hard every day at increasing your purity of heart, which consists in appraising things and weighing them in the balance of God's will. (Letters 280; O. XIII, p. 53)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 7-12
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he warned them strongly not to make him known.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 25 – Only God Could Tell This Tale
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Day 5
This poor life is only a journey to the happy life to come. We must not be angry with one another on the way, but rather we must march on as a band of brothers and sisters united in meekness, peace and love. I state absolutely and make no exception: do not be angry at all if that is possible. Do no accept any pretext whatever for opening your heart's door to anger. Saint James tells us positively and without reservation," … a man's anger does not fulfill God's justice." [Jas 1:20] (INT. Part III, Ch. 8; O. III, p. 162)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 3 verses 1-6
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus went into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing. Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 25 – An Overarching Principle
“Pray as you can, not as you can’t.” – Dom John Chapman
Ways, methods or techniques of prayer are only a means to an end. There are no perfect means, just different means for different people at different stages of their spiritual journey.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 4
Self-love dies only when our body dies, so we must, while we live in this land of exile, continue to counterattack its assaults on our senses and its underhanded tactics. It is enough if we firmly withstand, giving no willful or deliberate consent … When we feel within ourselves the first movements of self-love or of other passions, let us prostrate ourselves immediately before the heart of God and tell Him, in a spirit of confidence and humility, "Lord, have mercy on me because I am a very weak creature." Then let us tranquilly rest in peace and put ourselves at God's disposal. (Letters 1675; O. XIX, pp. 272-273)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 2 verses 23-28
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 22 Vatican II – Lumen Gentium pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin a conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. As is customary with significant Roman Catholic Church documents, it is known by its incipit, "Lumen Gentium", Latin for "Light of the Nations".
The eight chapters of the document can be paired thematically: chapters one and two treat the church's nature and historical existence, chapters three and four treat different roles in the church, chapters five and six treat holiness and religious life, while chapters seven and eight discuss the saints and Mary.
An excerpt from Lumen Gentium:
1. Christ is the Light of nations. Because this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature,(1) to bring the light of Christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church. Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more fully to the faithful of the Church and to the whole world its own inner nature and universal mission. This it intends to do following faithfully the teaching of previous councils. The present-day conditions of the world add greater urgency to this work of the Church so that all men, joined more closely today by various social, technical and cultural ties, might also attain fuller unity in Christ.
Another excerpt:
10. Christ the Lord, High Priest taken from among men,(100) made the new people "a kingdom and priests to God the Father".(101) The baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, in order that through all those works which are those of the Christian man they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the power of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.(102) Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God,(103) should present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.(104) Everywhere on earth they must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life which is in them.(105)
Though they differ from one another in essence and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are nonetheless interrelated: each of them in its own special way is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ.(2) The ministerial priest, by the sacred power he enjoys, teaches and rules the priestly people; acting in the person of Christ, he makes present the Eucharistic sacrifice, and offers it to God in the name of all the people. But the faithful, in virtue of their royal priesthood, join in the offering of the Eucharist.(3) They likewise exercise that priesthood in receiving the sacraments, in prayer and thanksgiving, in the witness of a holy life, and by self-denial and active charity.
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
St. Francis de Sales Novena Day 3
Day 3
I desire very little, and what I do desire I desire very little; I have hardly any desires, but if I were to begin my life all over again I would want to have none at all … Ask for nothing, refuse nothing; we must simply abandon ourselves into the hands of Providence, without nourishing any other desire but to do whatever God wills. St. Paul practiced this act of absolute abandonment at the very moment of his conversion. When he was deprived of his sight, he immediately said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" [cf. Act 22:10] From that moment on he put himself completely at God's disposal. All our perfection consists precisely in the practical application of this principle. (Spiritual Treatises XXI, O. VI, pp. 383-384)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9 day St. Francis de Sales Novena visit here
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 2 verses 1-11
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
One day when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; if he does, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. And nobody puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins too. No! New wine, fresh skins!’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Msgr. Esseff reflects on how we are to daily discern the movement of Christ in us and the movement of the self, the world, and the activity of the enemy.
Transition:
Become aware of the love with which God looks upon me as I begin this examen.
Gratitude
Note the gifts that God’s love has given you this day and give thanks to God for them.
Petition
Ask God for an insight and a strength that will make this examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond your human capacity alone.
Review
With God, review the day. Look for the stirrings in your heart and the thoughts which God has given you this day.
Look also for those which have not been of God.
Review your choices in response to both, and throughout the day in general.
Forgiveness.
Ask for the healing touch of the forgiving God who, with love and respect for you, removes your heart’s burdens.
Renewal.
Look to the following day and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in accord with God’s loving desire for your life.
Transition:
Aware of God’s presence with you, prayerfully conclude the examen
*The above text was adapted from a pdf online entitled “The Examen” found here
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
State openly that you desire to be devout. I do not say that you should assert that you are devout but that you desire to be devout. Do not be ashamed to practice the ordinary, necessary actions that bring us to the love of God. Acknowledge frankly that you are trying to meditate, that you would rather die than commit a mortal sin, that you are resolved to frequent the sacraments and to follow your director's advice. This candid confession of our desire to serve God and to consecrate ourselves entirely to His love is most acceptable to His Divine Majesty. (INT. V, Ch. 18; O. III, p. 365)
Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 2 verses 1-11
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.’
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water,
Episode 3 – A Heart Filled with Praise- A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Gloria
Glory to God in the highest (raise your heart on high; let it express joyful praise of God),
and on earth peace to people of good will (ask for God’s peace on this troubled earth).
We praise you (pause simply to recognize God’s love and goodness),
we bless you (pronounce his name with love and reverence; bless him for his works of love),
we adore you (lift your heart in reverent and joyful adoration of his love, his goodness),
we glorify you (express your love for God, glorify him with your heart, your words, your life),
we give you thanks for your great glory (thank him for his saving work in the world and in your life),
Lord God, heavenly King (welcome him with love as Lord, as King in your life),
O God, almighty Father (open your heart to the love and power of our heavenly Father),
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son (turn now to Jesus, our Lord, the beloved Son in whom the Father takes delight),
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father (“Behold, the Lamb of God” [John 1:36]: see the divine Lamb; behold him; draw near to him with confidence),
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (ask with confidence for the mercy that takes away sin);
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer (“Everyone who asks, receives” [Matt. 7:8]; present your prayer with trust in his promise);
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us (“Therefore he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them” [Heb. 7:25]; ponder these words).
For you alone are the Holy one (acknowledge the unique holiness, goodness, and love of Jesus),
you alone are the Lord (“At the name of Jesus every knee should bend . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” [Phil. 2:10–11]: profess him as the Lord of your life.),
you alone are the Most High (“you alone”: give him this special, unequalled place in your life, in your heart.),
Jesus Christ (the Son, our Savior), with the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete, the Advocate, the Consoler), in the glory of God the Father (our loving Father in heaven). Amen.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 39-40). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
Episode 7 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 3 Part 1
A Voice Cries Out
“Nothing is impossible with God.” Our lecture this week opens with this reassuring statement, taken from Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary. We recall from last week that Mary was the singular blessed woman of the New Testament who, through Jesus, fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, and crushes the head of Satan. Mary’s power against Satan is also present in the Rosary, whose mysteries are meditations on the life of Christ. Many popes and saints have attested to the power of the Rosary: as described by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the power of the Rosary is beyond description. At the famous Battle of Lepanto, victory against the invading Ottoman empire is attributed to the power of the Rosary.
Through her fiat, Mary displays her great humility, which stands in stark contrast to the pride of Satan. It is no surprise, then, that the lowly shepherds are the first to hear the angels’ announcement of the Messiah’s birth.
Last week, we learned of the head crushing women of the Bible, which raises the question: are there any head-crushing men in the Bible? This brings us to the story of David. We learn in 1 Samuel that through a miraculous conception, Hannah gives birth to Samuel, who she offers back to the Lord for service in the temple. The Israelites at that time clamor for a king and the Lord appeases them by having Samuel anoint Saul as the first king of Israel. Under the ineffective Saul, the Israelites are on the verge of being conquered by the Philistines. Samuel enters the picture once again, and at the Lord’s direction, anoints David. The spirit of the Lord comes upon the young David, who kills the Philistine giant Goliath with a single rock throw from his sling and then cuts off his head. The Philistines flee and Israel triumphs. Blessed be David, another head crusher of the enemy!
Before turning our attention to Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, we spend some time looking at Mary’s lineage. While scripture does not directly say that Mary was from the line of David, a number of clues are present that would lead us to believe she was. In response to the Roman census, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, which Luke calls the “City of David” indicating the birthplace of the famous king of Israel. Many of the Church fathers conclude that Mary is from David’s line, including Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr.
As we then move to the proclamation of John the Baptist, the new Elijah predicted in Malachi 4. John also fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” John preached a baptism of repentance, while Jesus baptizes into the trinity. John’s purpose was to glorify Jesus, who in turn glorifies the Father.
We then dig deeper into the genealogies of Luke and Matthew. How is it that they list different ancestors of Jesus? The answer is these genealogies are much theological as historical. Matthew is Jewish, speaks to a Jewish audience and stresses Jewish themes. He describes three separate groups of 14 generations leading to Jesus: Abraham to David, David to the Babylonian exile, the end of the exile to the birth of Jesus. In the Hebrew gematria, David corresponds to the number 14. In essence, by describing three groups of 14 generations, Matthew is proclaiming “David, David, David.” Jesus is the new David. Also, three groups of 14 generations gives a total of 42 generations, which is the number of Israel’s encampments as they leave Egypt for the promised land. Jesus is the new Moses.
In contrast, Luke is gentile by birth, writing to a more universal audience. He does not necessarily stress the Davidic line of Jesus nor does he begin with Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. Rather, he traces Jesus’ lineage all the way to Adam, who Luke describes as the son of God. Jesus, the Son of God,
St. Francis de Sales Novena Day 1
Day 1
There is no clock, no matter how good it may be, that doesn't need resetting and rewinding twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition, at least once a year it must be taken apart to remove the dirt clogging it, straighten out bent parts and repair those worn out. In like manner, every morning and evening a person who really takes care of his heart must rewind it for God's service by means of certain practices of piety. At least once a year he must take it apart and examine every piece in detail; that is, every affection and passion, in order to repair whatever defects there may be. (INT. Part 5, Ch. 1; O. III, p. 340)
O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbor,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people,
especially (names of those whom you wish to include) may experience
the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ
and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity
with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern
that I now lift up in prayer. (mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many long the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit
may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
For the complete 9-Day St. Francis de Sales Novena – Mp3 audio and text visit here
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 verses 40-45
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 2 verses 1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and work of St. Hilary of Poitiers
Born: 310 AD,
Died: May 2, 367 AD
For more on St. Hilary of Poitiers and his teachings
Hilary of Poitiers
– On the Councils, or the Faith of the Easterns
– On the Trinity
– Homilies on the Psalms
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 2007:
To sum up the essentials of his doctrine, I would like to say that Hilary found the starting point for his theological reflection in baptismal faith. In De Trinitate, Hilary writes: Jesus "has commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (cf. Mt 28: 19), that is, in the confession of the Author, of the Only-Begotten One and of the Gift. The Author of all things is one alone, for one alone is God the Father, from whom all things proceed. And one alone is Our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist (cf. I Cor 8: 6), and one alone is the Spirit (cf. Eph 4: 4), a gift in all…. In nothing can be found to be lacking so great a fullness, in which the immensity in the Eternal One, the revelation in the Image, joy in the Gift, converge in the Father, in the Son and in the Holy Spirit" (De Trinitate 2, 1). God the Father, being wholly love, is able to communicate his divinity to his Son in its fullness. I find particularly beautiful the following formula of St Hilary: "God knows not how to be anything other than love, he knows not how to be anyone other than the Father. Those who love are not envious and the one who is the Father is so in his totality. This name admits no compromise, as if God were father in some aspects and not in others" (ibid., 9, 61).
For this reason the Son is fully God without any gaps or diminishment. "The One who comes from the perfect is perfect because he has all, he has given all" (ibid., 2, 8). Humanity finds salvation in Christ alone, Son of God and Son of man. In assuming our human nature, he has united himself with every man, "he has become the flesh of us all" (Tractatus super Psalmos 54, 9); "he took on himself the nature of all flesh and through it became true life, he has in himself the root of every vine shoot" (ibid., 51, 16). For this very reason the way to Christ is open to all – because he has drawn all into his being as a man -, even if personal conversion is always required: "Through the relationship with his flesh, access to Christ is open to all, on condition that they divest themselves of their former self (cf. Eph 4: 22), nailing it to the Cross (cf. Col 2: 14); provided we give up our former way of life and convert in order to be buried with him in his baptism, in view of life (cf. Col1: 12; Rom 6: 4)" (ibid., 91, 9).
Fidelity to God is a gift of his grace. Therefore, St Hilary asks, at the end of his Treatise on the Trinity, to be able to remain ever faithful to the baptismal faith. It is a feature of this book: reflection is transformed into prayer and prayer returns to reflection. The whole book is a dialogue with God.
I would like to end today's Catechesis with one of these prayers,
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 verses 40-45
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 24 – The Sacred Heart
“In the New Testament, the heart is the source of the divine operations, which transform the Christian.” – John L. McKenzie
The devotion to the Sacred Heart proclaims a profound truth that is central to our faith. Jesus has risen and is alive now, bursting with love that pours out of his heart and into the hearts of all who would receive him.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 verses 29 – 39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too,
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 verses 29 – 39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever, and they told him about her straightaway. He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to wait on them.
That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another; he also cast out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was.
In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too,
Episode 24 – Advent: Only 3 1/2 Weeks Spent Waiting for God
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 verses 14 – 20
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’
As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of the "Baptism" and how it transforms us all.
Gospel LK 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The Baptism of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 3 verses 22 -30
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 6 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 2 Part 2
Jesus is Born
The lecture this week begins with a look at Papal Infallibility and how it relates to Mary. Beginning with our first Pope, Peter, there has been an unbroken succession of apostolic authority. A dogma is declared infallible only when three criteria are met: the pronouncement must be made by the lawful successor of Peter; the subject matter must be in the area of faith and morals; the pope must speak ex cathedra, that is from the office and seat of Peter. Papal infallibility has been invoked for only two dogmas of the Church: the immaculate conception of Mary (Pius IX in 1854) and the bodily assumption of Mary (Pius XII in 1950).
Picking up where we left off last week, we return to Luke 1 and the story of the Annunciation to Mary. When the angel declares to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, she wonders how this could be since she had no relations with a man. John Paull II explains her response by saying that Mary had the intention of forever being a virgin. The angel replies by saying that Mary will be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. The Greek for overshadow is “episkiasei.” This word is used only one other time in the New Testament in Matthew 17, when at the Transfiguration the when Jesus and the apostles were Moses and Elijah were overshadowed by a cloud from which the voice of God could be heard. “Episkiasei” implies the divine true presence of God, and in the Old Testament, this word is only used in reference to the tent of the meeting, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Tabernacle, where the true presence of God was kept. The Ark of the Covenant was powerful and could not be touched without dire consequences. Just as the old Ark of the Covenant could not be touched, neither could the new Ark of the Covenant, Mary. Mary was perpetually a virgin. Like the Ark of the Covenant, Mary housed the true presence of God in her Womb.
We then turn our attention to the visitation of Mary to her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who is miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Upon seeing Mary, Elizabeth “cries out” (anaphōneō in the Greek): “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Anaphōneō, “to cry out” with shouts of joy, is only used in the Old Testament when the Ark of the Covenant is present. Furthermore, only two women other than Mary in Scripture are called “blessed.” The book of Judges tells the story of Jael, who kills the enemy Canaanite General Sisera by driving a tent peg into his head. In celebration of the defeat of Israel’s enemy, Deborah the judge declares: “Most blessed of women be Jael!” (Judges 5:24). In the book of Judith, another enemy of Israel falls at the hand of a blessed woman. Judith cuts off the head of the Assyrian General Holofernes. Upon seeing the severed head of Holofernes, King Uzziah proclaims: “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth!” (Judith 13:18). Both of these blessed women, Jael and Judith, help preserve the line of Messiah by crushing the head of the enemies of Israel. Likewise, the Blessed Virgin Mary bears the Messiah himself, Jesus, who crushes the head of Satan as predicted in Genesis 3:15.
There are striking similarities between the Old Ark of the Covenant and Mary, the new Ark of the Covenant. The Old Ark contained the stone tablets of the law (the word of God), manna (the bread of God), and Aaron’s rod (the authority of God’s High Priest). These contents prefigure Mary, the New Ark, whose womb contains Jesus, who IS the word of life, who IS the bread of life, who IS the authority of God on earth, the final High Priest of Israel. As mentioned, the contents of the ark are sacred and not to be touched. Recall how Uzzah was struck dead when he touched the side of the Ark to steady it (2 Sam 6) or when the Lord slew 70 men who looked into the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 6).
The Saturday after Epiphany Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 3 verses 22 -30
Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. At the same time John was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there to be baptised. This was before John had been put in prison.
Now some of John’s disciples had opened a discussion with a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, ‘Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now; and everyone is going to him.’
John replied:
‘A man can lay claim
only to what is given him from heaven.
‘You yourselves can bear me out: I said: I myself am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent in front of him.
‘The bride is only for the bridegroom;
and yet the bridegroom’s friend,
who stands there and listens,
is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.
He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. At the same time John was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there to be baptised. This was before John had been put in prison.
Now some of John’s disciples had opened a discussion with a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, ‘Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now; and everyone is going to him.’
John replied:
‘A man can lay claim
only to what is given him from heaven.
‘You yourselves can bear me out: I said: I myself am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent in front of him.
‘The bride is only for the bridegroom;
and yet the bridegroom’s friend,
who stands there and listens,
is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.
He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside and stayed with them there and baptised. At the same time John was baptising at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were going there to be baptised. This was before John had been put in prison.
Now some of John’s disciples had opened a discussion with a Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, ‘Rabbi, the man who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you bore witness, is baptising now; and everyone is going to him.’
John replied:
‘A man can lay claim
only to what is given him from heaven.
‘You yourselves can bear me out: I said: I myself am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent in front of him.
‘The bride is only for the bridegroom;
and yet the bridegroom’s friend,
who stands there and listens,
is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.
This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.
He must grow greater, I must grow smaller.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
With Dr. Larry Chapp, we take a closer look at the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, more commonly known as Gaudium et Spes ("Joy and Hope") one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1964.
An excerpt from the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World – specifically Gaudium et Spes #22:
22. The truth is that only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. For Adam, the first man, was a figure of Him Who was to come,(20) namely Christ the Lord. Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. It is not surprising, then, that in Him all the aforementioned truths find their root and attain their crown.
He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15),(21) is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled,(22) by that very fact it has been raised up to a divine dignity in our respect too. For by His incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every man. He worked with human hands, He thought with a human mind, acted by human choice(23) and loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, He has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin.(24)
As an innocent lamb He merited for us life by the free shedding of His own blood. In Him God reconciled us(25) to Himself and among ourselves; from bondage to the devil and sin He delivered us, so that each one of us can say with the Apostle: The Son of God "loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20). By suffering for us He not only provided us with an example for our imitation,(26) He blazed a trail, and if we follow it, life and death are made holy and take on a new meaning.
The Christian man, conformed to the likeness of that Son Who is the firstborn of many brothers,(27) received "the first-fruits of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:23) by which he becomes capable of discharging the new law of love.(28) Through this Spirit, who is "the pledge of our inheritance" (Eph. 1:14), the whole man is renewed from within, even to the achievement of "the redemption of the body" (Rom. 8:23): "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the death dwells in you, then he who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also bring to life your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).(29) Pressing upon the Christian to be sure, are the need and the duty to battle against evil through manifold tribulations and even to suffer death. But, linked with the paschal mystery and patterned on the dying Christ, he will hasten forward to resurrection in the strength which comes from hope.(30)
All this holds true not only for Christians, but for all men of good will in whose hearts grace works in an unseen way.(31) For, since Christ died for all men,(32) and since the ultimate vocation of man is in fact one, and divine, we ought to believe that the Holy Spirit in a manner known only to God offers to every man the possibility of being associated with this paschal mystery.
Such is the mystery of man, and it is a great one, as seen by believers in the light of Christian revelation. Through Christ and in Christ, the riddles of sorrow and death grow meaningful. Apart from His Gospel, they overwhelm us. Christ has risen, destroying death by His death; He has lavished life upon us(33) so that, as sons in the Son, we can cry out in the Spirit; Abba, Father(34)
Click here for Dr. Chapp's blog site:
The Friday after Epiphany Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 3 verses 12-16
Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once. He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them.’
His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once. He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them.’
His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’ Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once. He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them.’
His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 23 – The Rosary
“The Rosary is a School of Silent Contemplation and has an intimate connection to the Word of God.” – Pope Benedict XVI
For centuries the Rosary has guided the faithful from the foothills of the spiritual life to the heights. This is how so many of our parents and grandparents were taught to pray.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
The Thursday after Epiphany Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 4 verses 14-22
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.
He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.’ And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
Episode 2 – Preparing Our Hearts for Mass – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Penitential rite of the Mass.
Take a moment now to ponder the tax collector’s prayer (Luke 18:9–14). Consider his heart: his sincerity, his openness, his contrition, his desire to change, and his trust in God’s mercy. Pray for a heart like his. Then, with his same sentiments, slowly pray these words:
I confess to almighty God (the God whose infinite love and mercy we know)
and to you, my brothers and sisters (before whom also we accept our responsibility),
that I have greatly sinned (humble recognition, like the tax collector),
in my thoughts and in my words (how I have thought of others and how I have spoken),
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do (my actions and my omissions),
through my fault, through my fault (I accept my responsibility), through my most grievous fault (and accept it again with a humble heart);
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin (my heart lifts as I ponder her tender love),
all the Angels and Saints (my heart lifts further as I contemplate the multitude of angels and saints who love me),
and you, my brothers and sisters (I ask this, too, of those present here with me),
to pray for me to the Lord our God (with confidence, I ask for the prayers of all these). *
Now, with a heart like the tax collector’s, pray the following words. Pause briefly at each invocation. The biblical verse cited may assist this meditation. As you pray, feel the healing grace of the God who is “nothing but mercy and love” (Saint Thérèse): Lord, have mercy.
(“Lord, you are good and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you” [Ps. 86:5].)
Lord, have mercy. (“With the Lord is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption” [Ps 130:7].)
Christ, have mercy. (A prayer to Jesus from the heart: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean” [Matt. 8:2].)
Christ, have mercy. (Again, from the heart: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me” [Mark 10:47].)
Lord, have mercy. (“God, who is rich in mercy . . . brought us to life with Christ” [Eph. 2:4–5].
Our God is rich in mercy.) Lord, have mercy. (“Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy” [Heb. 4:16].)
Pray these invocations in this way, with these sentiments, when you are at Mass.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 34-35). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here
"On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Twelve Drummers Drumming …" sounding out the cadence of what we believe in our lives, the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed:
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
5. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8. The holy catholic Church,
9. The communion of saints,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. And life everlasting.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Wednesday after Epiphany Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 34-44
After the five thousand had eaten and were filled, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away. After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray. When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. He could see they were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the lake. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But he at once spoke to them, and said, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After the five thousand had eaten and were filled, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away. After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray. When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. He could see they were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the lake. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But he at once spoke to them, and said, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After the five thousand had eaten and were filled, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away. After saying goodbye to them he went off into the hills to pray. When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. He could see they were worn out with rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the lake. He was going to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the lake they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they had all seen him and were terrified. But he at once spoke to them, and said, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
Episode 23 – Happy Thanksgiving
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping …" symbolizing the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. The list does not include Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple who betrayed Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus called the twelve to His side, called them to leave their homes and families, just as Jesus left his to teach us to live worthily. As we are called this holy season to help the poor and needy, the weak, the inflicted and the abandoned help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and sometimes painful paths of service to others. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Tuesday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Mark Chapter 6 verses 34-44
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.
Episode 21 Vatican II – Dei Verbum pt. 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue our conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
Dei verbum, the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 18 November 1965, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,344 to 6. The phrase "Dei verbum" is Latin for "Word of God" and is taken from the first line of the document, as is customary for titles of major Catholic documents.
An excerpt from Dei Verbum:
12. However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.
To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to "literary forms." For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. (7) For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (8)
But, since Holy Scripture must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written, (9) no less serious attention must be given to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out. The living tradition of the whole Church must be taken into account along with the harmony which exists between elements of the faith. It is the task of exegetes to work according to these rules toward a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture, so that through preparatory study the judgment of the Church may mature. For all of what has been said about the way of interpreting Scripture is subject finally to the judgment of the Church, which carries out the divine commission and ministry of guarding and interpreting the word of God. (10)
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten Lords A Leaping …" the lords or rulers of our lives establish the law. The lords stand for the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which are holy and good, by which we should live and by which we are all judged. (Gal 3:10-28)
Prayer: Heavenly Father we strive to live by your commandments, help us oh Lord. We pray for those who have been called to rule, give them good judgment, discernment, and humbleness. Lord, help us to honor those who have been called to lead and pray for them and their families. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Monday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 4 verses 12-17, 23-25.
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and Transjordania.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and Transjordania.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali!
Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,
Galilee of the nations!
The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death
a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’
He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful...
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of the "Epiphany" and how we can manifest the light of Christ to the world.
“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Nine Ladies Dancing …"
symbolizing the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Prayer: Holy Spirit abide in me, let my life be abundant with Your fruit that I may bring peace and love to a hurting world. I pray that during this season of excess that the greatest of all will be the harvest of Your fruits in my life, for without an abundant harvest of Your fruits, I have nothing to give. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 versus 1-12
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Episode 5 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 2 Part 1
Jesus is Born
The lecture this week begins with a look at Papal Infallibility and how it relates to Mary. Beginning with our first Pope, Peter, there has been an unbroken succession of apostolic authority. A dogma is declared infallible only when three criteria are met: the pronouncement must be made by the lawful successor of Peter; the subject matter must be in the area of faith and morals; the pope must speak ex cathedra, that is from the office and seat of Peter. Papal infallibility has been invoked for only two dogmas of the Church: the immaculate conception of Mary (Pius IX in 1854) and the bodily assumption of Mary (Pius XII in 1950).
Picking up where we left off last week, we return to Luke 1 and the story of the Annunciation to Mary. When the angel declares to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, she wonders how this could be since she had no relations with a man. John Paull II explains her response by saying that Mary had the intention of forever being a virgin. The angel replies by saying that Mary will be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. The Greek for overshadow is “episkiasei.” This word is used only one other time in the New Testament in Matthew 17, when at the Transfiguration the when Jesus and the apostles were Moses and Elijah were overshadowed by a cloud from which the voice of God could be heard. “Episkiasei” implies the divine true presence of God, and in the Old Testament, this word is only used in reference to the tent of the meeting, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Tabernacle, where the true presence of God was kept. The Ark of the Covenant was powerful and could not be touched without dire consequences. Just as the old Ark of the Covenant could not be touched, neither could the new Ark of the Covenant, Mary. Mary was perpetually a virgin. Like the Ark of the Covenant, Mary housed the true presence of God in her Womb.
We then turn our attention to the visitation of Mary to her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who is miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Upon seeing Mary, Elizabeth “cries out” (anaphōneō in the Greek): “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Anaphōneō, “to cry out” with shouts of joy, is only used in the Old Testament when the Ark of the Covenant is present. Furthermore, only two women other than Mary in Scripture are called “blessed.” The book of Judges tells the story of Jael, who kills the enemy Canaanite General Sisera by driving a tent peg into his head. In celebration of the defeat of Israel’s enemy, Deborah the judge declares: “Most blessed of women be Jael!” (Judges 5:24). In the book of Judith, another enemy of Israel falls at the hand of a blessed woman. Judith cuts off the head of the Assyrian General Holofernes. Upon seeing the severed head of Holofernes, King Uzziah proclaims: “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth!” (Judith 13:18). Both of these blessed women, Jael and Judith, help preserve the line of Messiah by crushing the head of the enemies of Israel. Likewise, the Blessed Virgin Mary bears the Messiah himself, Jesus, who crushes the head of Satan as predicted in Genesis 3:15.
There are striking similarities between the Old Ark of the Covenant and Mary, the new Ark of the Covenant. The Old Ark contained the stone tablets of the law (the word of God), manna (the bread of God), and Aaron’s rod (the authority of God’s High Priest). These contents prefigure Mary, the New Ark, whose womb contains Jesus, who IS the word of life, who IS the bread of life, who IS the authority of God on earth, the final High Priest of Israel. As mentioned, the contents of the ark are sacred and not to be touched. Recall how Uzzah was struck dead when he touched the side of the Ark to steady it (2 Sam 6) or when the Lord slew 70 men who looked into the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam 6).
“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eight Maids a Milking …"
who were the least of the servants in a home. They symbolize Christ’s love for the least of us, and His faithfulness to those who don’t deserve it. The eight maids stand for the Beatitudes or blessings listed in Matthew.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for standing by us when we least deserve it…we remember today that blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake….let us open our lives to Your blessings! Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Eighth Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 versus 16-21
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 1 – Preparing Our Hearts for Mass – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
We begin our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri to enter into a prayerful experience of participating at the mass by meditating on passages from Sacred Scripture and allowing them to dwell in our hearts.
When we pray in words or gestures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms, it is the whole person who prays (CCC 2562). Yet, the Catechism continues, “in naming the source of prayer, Scripture sometimes speaks of the soul or the spirit, but most often of the heart (more than a thousand times). According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays” (2562). The emphasis is in the original.
A rich description of the heart follows:
“The heart is the dwelling-place where I am and where I live.”
“According to the Semitic or Biblical expression, the heart is the place ‘to which I withdraw.’ ”
“The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others.”
“Only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully.”
“The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives.”
“It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death.”
“It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation.”
“It is the place of covenant.” (CCC 2563)
How, then, can we pray the supreme prayer, the Mass, from the heart, from, with, and in this interior place to which we withdraw and in which we dwell, this hidden center of our being, this place of decision, of truth, of encounter, and of covenant?
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 24-25). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
We then explore how we concretely prepare ourselves before we even enter the church.
Venerable Bruno proposes an exercise of prayer. Could you pause for a moment to do this now as you read? Choose a saint whom you love and with whose life you are familiar. See this saint begin his or her day. Watch him or her arrange matters to make time for Mass. Leave home with this saint, accompany him or her to church, enter, and prepare for Mass with this saint. Ask him or her: What made you so desire Mass? What brought you to church? What did you seek? What did you find? Why did you go so often?
Ask for the same dispositions as you prepare for Mass.
O God, you are my God — it is you I seek!
For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts,
In a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. (Ps 63:1–2)
A Mass prepared with this desire will be prayed with faith, love, and spiritual fruit.
Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 30-31). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.
You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For other
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A Swimming …"
representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion or the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, penance, Eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. This is a day of new beginning, seven is the number of finality and we finish the old year and begin anew this day.
Prayer: Lord, examine our hearts today, let us come to You as anew, pure as the snow of the season. Show us our conscience, help us take Your words to heart, and make a new beginning. Lord, let this season of birth be a new birth in me. Amen
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 1 versus 1-18
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
He who comes after me ranks before me
because he existed before me.’
Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –
yes, grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses,
grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Six Geese A Laying …"symbolizing the six days of the creation. Eggs are also a universal symbol of new life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are reminded this day that there is holiness in the ordinary. There is holiness in the birth of a new child, in the creation of life, and in the ordinary task of raising those children.We are blessed to all be Your children, brothers, and sisters in Christ. Help us to bear our unique responsibility to bring forth into the world the gifts we have received. Lord, let us see the holiness every day in the face of children. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 22 – Traditional Devotions
“Anything that helps to raise the heart to God is Prayer” Saint Francis de Sales
Many helps to prayer have stood the test of time, like the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and devotions to the Sacred Heart. These improvisations are good because they generally re-presented the authentic teaching and spirit of the gospels.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings …" pointing to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. This is the history of humanity’s fall from grace and God’s response to make those people a light unto the world.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us through the wilderness of our lives, let us live as light unto the Earth by Your light radiating through us. As we light candles in our homes and trim them with lights, let us be mindful that salvation and reconciliation come through your Son, the living light Jesus Christ. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke 2:22-35
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses,
Episode 22 – Destined to "dart about as sparks through stubble"
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds …"symbolizing the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which proclaim the good news of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give thanks for the good news! We are blessed to have heard it in our lives and are called to share the news with others. Help us share the news with just one today, Lord. Bless those whose lives are dedicated to the proclamation of the news…the ministers, priests, missionaries, teachers, evangelists and saints of the Church. This holiday help us to foster Your kingdom on Earth! Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Feast of the Holy Innocents- A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 2:18-18
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loudly lamenting:
it was Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with ...
Episode 20 Vatican II – Dei Verbum pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin our conversation on the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation
Dei verbum, the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 18 November 1965, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,344 to 6. The phrase "Dei verbum" is Latin for "Word of God" and is taken from the first line of the document, as is customary for titles of major Catholic documents.
An excerpt from Dei Verbum:
10. Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers (see Acts 2, 42, Greek text), so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort. (7)
But the task of authentically interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on, (8) has been entrusted exclusively to the living teaching office of the Church, (9) whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ. This teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on, listening to it devoutly, guarding it scrupulously and explaining it faithfully in accord with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it draws from this one deposit of faith everything which it presents for belief as divinely revealed.
It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God's most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others, and that all together and each in its own way under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.
Also:
11. Those divinely revealed realities which are contained and presented in Sacred Scripture have been committed to writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For holy mother Church, relying on the belief of the Apostles (see John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-20, 3:15-16), holds that the books of both the Old and New Testaments in their entirety, with all their parts, are sacred and canonical because written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the Church herself.(1) In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him (2) they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, (3) they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. (4)
Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings (5) for the sake of salvation. Therefore "all Scripture is divinely inspired and has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, for reformation of manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every ki...
“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Three French Hens …" symbolic of the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize the three theological values of faith, hope, and charity or sacrificial love and foretells of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, we give thanks for family and the sacrificial love that is the glue that holds families together. We give thanks regardless of the situation and know You will bless us in our rejoicing. Jesus, we give thanks for Your exquisite, exemplary life and the model that it provides for our family and all others. We pray we can share faith, hope, and love this holiday season. Holy Spirit, we thank You for your presence in our life at all times. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 20 versus 2-8
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
On the first day of the week Mary of Magdala came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
“On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Two Turtle Doves …" which represent the Old and New Testaments, which bear witness to God’s relationship with all mankind. God’s relationship is begun in the New Testament in His covenant with Abraham and his Descendants and is fulfilled in the New Testament by the new covenant of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, who came to earth through Your Son Jesus Christ we thank You for the gift of your Son, Your new covenant that we may have an intimate relationship with You, and the gift of Your Word. As we exchange gifts, Father, let us recognize and bear witness to the fact that You have given the greatest gifts of all. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
The Feast of the Holy Family – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 1 versus 1-18
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors,
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: A Partridge in a Pear Tree …."
The partridge symbolizes Jesus, the Christ. He is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless chicks.
Prayer: Oh Lord who sacrificed for us, so that we may live in the safety of the knowledge that our death is not the end but only the beginning, we rejoice! We rejoice in the knowledge that your heavenly city is awaiting us. We rejoice in the beginning of the season that brings all men together to fulfill your great commandment of love. We rejoice in the season of giving so that we might reveal Your love to all men through our generosity and your endless grace and sacrifice. Amen.
Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006
Christmas Day – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of John Chapter 1 versus 1-18
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
He who comes after me ranks before me
because he existed before me.’
Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –
yes, grace in return for grace,
since, though the Law was given through Moses,
grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God;
it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,
who has made him known.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be,
not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
and that life was the light of men,
a light that shines in the dark,
a light that darkness could not overpower.
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
The Word was the true light
that enlightens all men;
and he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had its being through him,
and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
and his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to all who believe in the name of him
who was born not out of human stock
or urge of the flesh
or will of man
but of God himself.
The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John appears as his witness. He proclaims:
‘This is the one of whom I said:
Episode 4 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 1 Part 2
Gabriel's Announcement
The Virgin Mary is at the center of the beginning of our lecture covering Luke 1. The church fathers, including Ambrose and Augustine, realized that Mary’s perpetual virginity was anticipated by the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel 44, we read about the locked eastern gate of the sanctuary, which could only be entered by the messianic prince. Mary is ever inviolate, even while giving birth to Jesus: like light passing through glass, Jesus was born of Mary, whose virginal integrity remained preserved. Mary serves as the gateway to heaven, through which passes Jesus.
Luke 1 begins with an address to “Most excellent Theophilus,” who may be a specific high ranking official. “Theophilus” also means beloved of God, and Luke might instead be writing an open letter the entire Christian community. Luke provides the historical detail that Herod is king at the time Jesus’ birth. Herod the Great, an Edomite, was not the legitimate ruler of Israel. Rather, he was a puppet king propped up by the occupying Romans. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau and the Israelites were the descendants of Jacob. The two nations were forever in conflict ever since Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew and Jacob deceived his blind father, obtaining the blessing that was rightfully due to Esau.
Many Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Luke 1, most notably the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which announces that a virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son called Immanuel. In addition, the mission of John the Baptist is foretold by the final prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers (Mal 4: 5-6).” Jesus himself describes John as “Elijah who is to come” (Mt 11: 14).
Luke 1 begins with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John. Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous before the Lord, yet they had not yet been blessed with children. Zechariah, a priest, was chosen by lot to pray within the Holy of Holies. Ironically, during the time of Zechariah, the Ark of the Covenant is no longer present in the Holy of Holies, having been hidden by Jeremiah the prophet, never again to be found (2 Maccabees 2). The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and echoes the words of Malachi, predicting the birth of John the Baptist, the Elijah yet to come. Zechariah doubts Gabriel and is struck mute. The last time Gabriel appeared was during the Babylonian exile when he told Daniel that it would be “70 weeks of years” of atonement for Israel. Indeed, 490 years later, Jesus the Messiah ushers in the end of atonement for Israel.
Luke 1 continues with the Annunciation to Mary. The angel Gabriel again appears, this time to Mary, greeting her: “Hail, full of grace!” The Greek word for this phrase is “kecharitomene” which means that Mary was full of grace, is full of grace and will be full of grace, which is a reference to her life-long sinless nature. The angel tells Mary, “Be not afraid.” These words of encouragement were given to Joshua, Gideon and Moses as they prepared for battle, indicating that while Gabriel was comforting Mary, he was also preparing her for the battle yet to come.
Finally, the lecture concludes with a glimpse into the early life of Mary, drawing from the extra-biblical source “The Protoevangelium of James.” While not part of the canon of inspired scripture, this text tells us of the early years of Mary. From this text, we learn the names of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna. According to “The Protoevangelium of James,” Joachim and Anna were childless and advanced in years when an angel appears in a vision, announcing that they will have a child.
Day 9 – Life Eternal
O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Friday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 67-79
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore
to our father Abraham
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence, all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,
to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet
into the way of peace.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
the oath he swore
to our father Abraham
that he would grant us, free from fear,
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence, all our days.
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God
who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us,
to give light to those who live
in darkness and the shadow of death
and to guide our feet
into the way of peace.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue
and he has raised up for us a power for salvation
in the House of his servant David,
even as he proclaimed,
by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all who hate us.
Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors,
thus he remembers his holy covenant
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 10 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
SPEAKS OF VARIOUS OTHER GRACES GOD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL IN DIFFERENT WAYS, AND OF THE GREAT BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THEM.
1. Reasons for speaking of these supernatural favours. 2. An intellectual vision. 3. God compared to a palace in which His creatures dwell. 4. Forgive as we are forgiven. 5. The vision shows God to be Truth itself. 6. We should imitate God by truthfulness. 7. Why God reveals these truths.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Chapter 21 – Food For Prayer
"It is not only the scriptures, but anything inspired by them, that can inspire us with the prayer that leads to contemplative union." – Francisco de Osuna
There are many profound and beautiful hymns that we only glance at briefly every now and then when we sing them in church, like “Lead Kindly Light” or “Come Holy Spirit.” But these can be a rich source of material for meditative prayer.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 8 – Holiness
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Thursday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 57-66
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.
Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
St. Therese of Lisieux said the following: “If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient. But I only look at the present. I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.” In these remarks, St. Therese is trying to point to the truth that is buried deep within the Christian revelation. God only lives in the present moment. He holds all time together in the present. For ourselves, we get lost many times in the past, which could breed nostalgia and grief. Or we anxiously and fearfully try to make the present come quicker. This Advent, ask the Lord for the grace to live in the present so that our gratitude towards all that He is giving us now will deepen. And in our deepening gratitude, will be born a new fervor for worship. For worship is the fruit of the grateful heart.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Day 7 – Forgiveness
O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Wednesday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 46-56
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
Episode 21 – When the Dead Go Home to God
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Day 6 – Peace
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Tuesday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 39-45
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 19 Vatican II – Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy pt. 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue our conversation on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 4 December 1963. The title is taken from the opening lines of the document and means "this Sacred Council".
An excerpt from Sacrosanctum Concilium:
2. For the liturgy, "through which the work of our redemption is accomplished," [1] most of all in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. It is of the essence of the Church that she be both human and divine, visible and yet invisibly equipped, eager to act and yet intent on contemplation, present in this world and yet not at home in it; and she is all these things in such wise that in her the human is directed and subordinated to the divine, the visible likewise to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, which we seek [2]. While the liturgy daily builds up those who are within into a holy temple of the Lord, into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit [3], to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ [4], at the same time it marvelously strengthens their power to preach Christ, and thus shows forth the Church to those who are outside as a sign lifted up among the nations [5] under which the scattered children of God may be gathered together [6], until there is one sheepfold and one shepherd [7].
Also:
10. Nevertheless the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord's supper.
The liturgy in its turn moves the faithful,
Day 5 – Love
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us to love as You love this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Monday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 26-438
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of J...
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2021 – Love and Humility
Gospel LK 1:39-45
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 3 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 1 Part 1
Gabriel's Announcement
The Virgin Mary is at the center of the beginning of our lecture covering Luke 1. The church fathers, including Ambrose and Augustine, realized that Mary’s perpetual virginity was anticipated by the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel 44, we read about the locked eastern gate of the sanctuary, which could only be entered by the messianic prince. Mary is ever inviolate, even while giving birth to Jesus: like light passing through glass, Jesus was born of Mary, whose virginal integrity remained preserved. Mary serves as the gateway to heaven, through which passes Jesus.
Luke 1 begins with an address to “Most excellent Theophilus,” who may be a specific high ranking official. “Theophilus” also means beloved of God, and Luke might instead be writing an open letter the entire Christian community. Luke provides the historical detail that Herod is king at the time Jesus’ birth. Herod the Great, an Edomite, was not the legitimate ruler of Israel. Rather, he was a puppet king propped up by the occupying Romans. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau and the Israelites were the descendants of Jacob. The two nations were forever in conflict ever since Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew and Jacob deceived his blind father, obtaining the blessing that was rightfully due to Esau.
Many Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Luke 1, most notably the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which announces that a virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son called Immanuel. In addition, the mission of John the Baptist is foretold by the final prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers (Mal 4: 5-6).” Jesus himself describes John as “Elijah who is to come” (Mt 11: 14).
Luke 1 begins with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John. Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous before the Lord, yet they had not yet been blessed with children. Zechariah, a priest, was chosen by lot to pray within the Holy of Holies. Ironically, during the time of Zechariah, the Ark of the Covenant is no longer present in the Holy of Holies, having been hidden by Jeremiah the prophet, never again to be found (2 Maccabees 2). The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and echoes the words of Malachi, predicting the birth of John the Baptist, the Elijah yet to come. Zechariah doubts Gabriel and is struck mute. The last time Gabriel appeared was during the Babylonian exile when he told Daniel that it would be “70 weeks of years” of atonement for Israel. Indeed, 490 years later, Jesus the Messiah ushers in the end of atonement for Israel.
Luke 1 continues with the Annunciation to Mary. The angel Gabriel again appears, this time to Mary, greeting her: “Hail, full of grace!” The Greek word for this phrase is “kecharitomene” which means that Mary was full of grace, is full of grace and will be full of grace, which is a reference to her life-long sinless nature. The angel tells Mary, “Be not afraid.” These words of encouragement were given to Joshua, Gideon and Moses as they prepared for battle, indicating that while Gabriel was comforting Mary, he was also preparing her for the battle yet to come.
Finally, the lecture concludes with a glimpse into the early life of Mary, drawing from the extra-biblical source “The Protoevangelium of James.” While not part of the canon of inspired scripture, this text tells us of the early years of Mary. From this text, we learn the names of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna. According to “The Protoevangelium of James,” Joachim and Anna were childless and advanced in years when an angel appears in a vision, announcing that they will have a child.
Day 4 – Hope
O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Sunday of the 4th week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 versus 39-45
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
AR-SP2- THE GIFT OF HOLINESS AT CHRISTMAS w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., Ph.D.
This reflection was given during a special advent evening of prayer and meditation service at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, in Omaha, NE.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
AR-SP2- THE GIFT OF HOLINESS AT CHRISTMAS w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., Ph.D.
This reflection was given during a special advent evening of prayer and meditation service at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, in Omaha, NE.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Day 3 – Faith
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord, deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect faith in you this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Saturday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 versus 18-24
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son
and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’
When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil,
This reflection was given during a special Discerning Hearts Advent evening of prayer and meditation at St. Margaret Mary's Church, in Omaha, NE
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
This reflection was given during a special Discerning Hearts Advent evening of prayer and meditation at St. Margaret Mary's Church, in Omaha, NE
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Day 2 – Humility
O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life, and death. We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Friday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the book of Genesis 7:24-30
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jacob called his sons and said:
‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;
listen to Israel your father.
Judah, your brothers shall praise you:
you grip your enemies by the neck,
your father’s sons shall do you homage,
Judah is a lion cub,
you climb back, my son, from your kill;
like a lion he crouches and lies down,
or a lioness: who dare rouse him?
The sceptre shall not pass from Judah,
nor the mace from between his feet,
until he come to whom it belongs,
to whom the peoples shall render obedience.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Day 1 – Joy
O Lord, infant Jesus, fill us with Joy! The birth of any child is a cause for joy and so much more is the birth of You our Savior. We pray in union with Mary, Your mother, for a greater joy this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Thursday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 7:24-30
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 20 – Glorified Love
"As the Risen Christ is a true man and the same man that He was, both in body as well as in soul before the Resurrection, so He has still the same human affections now." – Thomas Goodwin
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Wednesday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 7:19-23
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”’ It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
In this conversation, we discuss the significance of St. John of the Cross and his relationship with St. Teresa of Avila. Dr. Lilles will also shed some light on the relationship between the Carmelites and the Jesuits, as well as with St. John of Avila.
For The Ascent of Mt. Carmel Audio Book visit this Discerning Hearts page
For commentary on various sections of The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by Dr. Lilles' visit this Discerning Hearts page
The Living Flame Of Love -Songs of the soul in the intimate communication of loving union with God.
- O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!
The Living Flame Of Love -Songs of the soul in the intimate communication of loving union with God.
- O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest center! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!
From a Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross, priest
The knowledge of the mystery hidden within Christ Jesus
Though holy doctors have uncovered many mysteries and wonders, and devout souls have understood them in this earthly condition of ours, yet the greater part still remains to be unfolded by them, and even to be understood by them.
We must then dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.
For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ: In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labours, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training.
All these are lesser things, disposing the soul for the lofty sanctuary of the knowledge of the mysteries of Christ: this is the highest wisdom attainable in this life.
Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.
Saint Paul therefore urges the Ephesians not to grow weary in the midst of tribulations, but to be steadfast and rooted and grounded in love, so that they may know with all the saints the breadth, the length, the height and the depth – to know what is beyond knowledge, the love of Christ, so as to be filled with all the fullness of God.
The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
From a Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross, priest
The knowledge of the mystery hidden within Christ Jesus
Though holy doctors have uncovered many mysteries and wonders, and devout souls have understood them in this earthly condition of ours, yet the greater part still remains to be unfolded by them, and even to be understood by them.
We must then dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.
For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ: In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labours, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training.
All these are lesser things, disposing the soul for the lofty sanctuary of the knowledge of the mysteries of Christ: this is the highest wisdom attainable in this life.
Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.
Saint Paul therefore urges the Ephesians not to grow weary in the midst of tribulations, but to be steadfast and rooted and grounded in love, so that they may know with all the saints the breadth, the length, the height and the depth – to know what is beyond knowledge, the love of Christ, so as to be filled with all the fullness of God.
The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Tuesday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 20 – Meditations on My Brother, Michael
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Episode 18 Vatican II – Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin a conversation on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 4 December 1963. The title is taken from the opening lines of the document and means "this Sacred Council".
An excerpt from Sacrosanctum Concilium:
2. For the liturgy, "through which the work of our redemption is accomplished," [1] most of all in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, is the outstanding means whereby the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. It is of the essence of the Church that she be both human and divine, visible and yet invisibly equipped, eager to act and yet intent on contemplation, present in this world and yet not at home in it; and she is all these things in such wise that in her the human is directed and subordinated to the divine, the visible likewise to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, which we seek [2]. While the liturgy daily builds up those who are within into a holy temple of the Lord, into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit [3], to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ [4], at the same time it marvelously strengthens their power to preach Christ, and thus shows forth the Church to those who are outside as a sign lifted up among the nations [5] under which the scattered children of God may be gathered together [6], until there is one sheepfold and one shepherd [7].
Also:
10. Nevertheless the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in the sacrifice, and to eat the Lord's supper.
The liturgy in its turn moves the faithful, filled with "the paschal sacraments,
Monday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 17:10-13
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Third Sunday of Advent 2021 – REPENT AND REJOICE
Gospel LK 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
From the Office of Readings:
From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century
(Nicon Mopohua, 12th ed., 3-9, 21)
The Voice of the Turtledove has been heard in our land
At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God's commandments. When he came near the hill called Tepeyac, dawn had already come, and Juan Diego heard someone calling him from the very top of the hill: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito."
He went up the hill and caught sight of a lady of unearthly grandeur whose clothing was as radiant as the sun. She said to him in words both gentle and courteous: "Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever virgin Mary, Mother of the true God through whom all things live. It is my ardent desire that a church be erected here so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me. Go to the Bishop of Mexico to make known to him what I greatly desire. Go and put all your efforts into this."
When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of the Bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the latter did not seem to believe Juan Diego and answered: "Come another time, and I will listen at leisure."
Juan Diego returned to the hilltop where the Heavenly Lady was waiting, and he said to her: "My Lady, my maiden, I presented your message to the Bishop, but it seemed that he did not think it was the truth. For this reason I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man."
She answered him: "Humblest of my sons, I ask that tomorrow you again go to see the Bishop and tell him that I, the ever virgin holy Mary, Mother of God, am the one who personally sent you."
But on the following day, Sunday, the Bishop again did not believe Juan Diego and told him that some sign was necessary so that he could believe that it was the Heavenly Lady herself who sent him. And then he dismissed Juan Diego.
On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very ill, and at night asked Juan to go to Tlatelolco at daybreak to call a priest to hear his confession.
Juan Diego set out on Tuesday, but he went around the hill and passed on the other side, toward the east, so as to arrive quickly in Mexico City and to avoid being detained by the Heavenly Lady. But she came out to meet him on that side of the hill and said to him: "Listen and understand, my humblest son. There is nothing to frighten and distress you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection? Are you not, fortunately, in my care? Do not let your uncle's illness distress you. It is certain that he has already been cured. Go up to the hilltop, my son, where you will find flowers of various kinds. Cut them, and bring them into my presence."
When Juan Diego reached the peak, he was astonished that so many Castilian roses had burst forth at a time when the frost was severe. He carried the roses in the folds of his tilma (mantle) to the Heavenly Lady. She said to him: "My son, this is the proof and the sign which you will bring to the Bishop so that he will see my will in it. You are my ambassador, very worthy of trust."
Juan Diego set out on his way, now content and sure of succeeding. On arriving in the Bishop's presence, he told him: "My lord, I did what you asked. The Heavenly Lady complied with your request and fulfilled it.
Sunday of the 3rd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 17:10-13
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’
A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Episode 2 – The Gospel of Luke – An Overview Part 2
We begin our study of the Gospel of Luke with an overview lecture, beginning with what we know about the author himself. From the historian, Eusebius, we learn that Luke was a physician from Antioch, an ancient Greek city located in Asia Minor. Antioch was the center of the early Church, and it was here that the followers of Jesus came to be known as “Christians.” Luke, a companion of St. Paul, is responsible for the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which comprise the greatest percentage of the New Testament.
The word “Gospel” means “Good News” and comes from the Greek word, “euangelion.” During the first century, the fastest growing religion was the imperial cult of Roman emperor worship. The word “euangelion” took on religious significance with the announcement of the “good news” of a new emperor, a new “god.” For Christians, however, the “euangelion” meant the “good news” of the new King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
As a physician, Luke wrote his Gospel to bring the medicine needed for our wounded souls. The new medicine came from the new tree of life, the cross, and the medicine of immortality is the Eucharist. “Every time this mystery is celebrated, "the work of our redemption is carried on" and we "break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ (CCC 1405).”
Through the incarnation, Christ joined in our humanity and introduced His kingdom to the world. As the final High Priest, Jesus completes the perfect sacrifice on the cross. God desires that we cooperate with His plan of salvation, joining in His suffering, to complete “what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church (Col 1:24).” “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Eph 5:25-27).”
Christ has cleansed the Church, making her holy, yet we know that the Church is made up of sinners in need of healing. Jesus, the divine physician, has left us with the healing sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. What is hidden in shame and secrecy needs to be brought to the light so that healing can take place: “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God (John 3:20-21).”
Further details about St. Luke come from the Church Father St. Hippolytus, a disciple of Irenaeus, who was a disciple of Polycarp who followed St. John the Evangelist. Hippolytus tells us that Luke was one of the 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 who were sent out to spread the Good News to the surrounding countries. These 70 were also the same disciples who walked away from Jesus when they could not understand Jesus’ command to eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6: 66). Later, St. Mark was persuaded back to the fold by St. Peter and it was St. Paul who encouraged Luke to return as a follower of Jesus, and the two became great friends.
As we will learn this year, despite being one of the Synoptics that “see together”, the Gospel of Luke has many unique stories not found in the other Gospels. Luke likely personally interviewed Mary, bringing us the beautiful infancy narratives. The stories behind the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, can all be found in the first two chapters of Luke. From Luke, we receive the Canticles of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon. Only in Luke are found the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 17:10-13
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode, we discuss letter 165, with a special focus on the power of the Eucharist and meets us in our suffering:
[ June 14, 1903]
Dijon Carmel, June 14
J. M. + J. T.
“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”2
Monsieur l’Abbé, It seems to me that nothing better expresses the love in God’s Heart than the Eucharist: it is union, consummation, He in us, we in Him, and isn’t that Heaven on earth? Heaven in faith while awaiting the face-to-face vision we so desire. Then “we will be satisfied when His glory appears,”3 when we see Him in His light. Don’t you find that the thought of this meeting refreshes the soul, this talk with Him whom it loves solely? Then everything disappears and it seems that one is already entering into the mystery of God! . . .
This whole mystery is so much “ours,” as you said to me in your letter. Oh! pray, won’t you, that I may live fully my bridal dowry. That I may be wholly available, wholly vigilant in faith, so the Master can bear me wherever He wishes. I wish to stay always close to Him who knows the whole mystery, to hear everything from Him. “The language of the Word is the infusion of the gift,”4 oh yes, it is really so, isn’t it, that He speaks to our soul in silence. I find this dear silence a blessing. From Ascension to Pentecost, we were in retreat in the Cenacle, waiting for the Holy Spirit, and it was so good.5 During that whole Octave6 we have the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the oratory; those are divine hours spent in this little corner of Heaven where we possess the vision in substance under the humble Host. Yes, He whom the blessed contemplate in light and we adore in faith is really the same One. The other day someone wrote me such a beautiful thought, I send it on to you: “Faith is the face-to-face in darkness.”7 Why wouldn’t it be so for us, since God is in us and since He asks only to take possession of us as He took possession of the saints? Only, they were always attentive, as Père Vallée says: “They are silent, recollected, and their only activity is to be the being who receives.”8 Let us unite ourselves, therefore, Father, in making happy Him who “has loved us exceedingly,”9 as Saint Paul says. Let us make a dwelling for Him in our soul that is wholly at peace,10 in which the canticle of love, of thanksgiving, is always being sung; and then that great silence, the echo of the silence that is in God! . . . Then, as you said, let us approach the all-pure, all-luminous Virgin, that she may present us to Him whom she has penetrated so profoundly, and may our life be a continual communion, a wholly simple movement toward God. Pray to the Queen of Carmel for me; I, for my part, pray fervently for you, I assure you, and I remain with you in adoration and love! . . .
Sister Marie Elizabeth of the Trinity, r.c.i.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 105-106). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Special thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for her readings of St. Elizabeth's letters
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity" with Dr. Anthony Lilles'
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Semina...
Friday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 11:16-19
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
“We played the pipes for you,
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang dirges,
and you wouldn’t be mourners.”
‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 19 – The Beginning of Contemplation – Contemplatio
"Contemplate and share the fruits of contemplation with others." – St. Thomas Aquinas
Meditating on God’s love as it was embodied in the historical Christ gives way to contemplating his love as it is now, pouring out of the risen Christ. It is the fruit of this profound prayer that is, in the eyes of Saint Thomas, the perfect preparation for sharing the Faith with others.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
What is a barbarian? And might you be one? Father Fessio and Joseph Pearce discuss two more essays by G.K. Chesterton, “On the Return of the Barbarian” and “On Man: Heir of All the Ages,” both from the collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 11:11-15
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading; and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!’
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 19 – Feast of All Souls
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, and Fr. John Sianchuck, C.Ss.R., a Ukrainian Byzantine priest do a great job of explaining the Western and Eastern understanding of the great mystery of the Immaculate Conception. Teresa poses a provocative question: Could the Blessed Virgin Mary say no to the Angel Gabriel? What would your answer be?
For more information on the Dogma of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Immaculate Conception,
"490 To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace".133 In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.
491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God,134 was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.135
492 The "splendor of an entirely unique holiness" by which Mary is "enriched from the first instant of her conception" comes wholly from Christ: she is "redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son".136 The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love".137
493 The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God "the All-Holy" (Panagia), and celebrate her as "free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature".138 By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long. "
Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, and Fr. John Sianchuck, C.Ss.R., a Ukrainian Byzantine priest do a great job of explaining the Western and Eastern understanding of the great mystery of the Immaculate Conception. Teresa poses a provocative question: Could the Blessed Virgin Mary say no to the Angel Gabriel? What would your answer be?
For more information on the Dogma of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Immaculate Conception,
"490 To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace".133 In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.
491 Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God,134 was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.135
492 The "splendor of an entirely unique holiness" by which Mary is "enriched from the first instant of her conception" comes wholly from Christ: she is "redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son".136 The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person "in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love".137
493 The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God "the All-Holy" (Panagia), and celebrate her as "free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature".138 By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long. "
From a sermon by Saint Anselm, bishop
Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you
Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendour by men who believe in God. The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.
Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.
Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, but the Creator himself has been blessed by creation.
To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.
God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.
Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved."
From a sermon by Saint Anselm, bishop
Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you
Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendour by men who believe in God. The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.
Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.
Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, but the Creator himself has been blessed by creation.
To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.
God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.
Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved."
Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has,
How Saints Die: 100 Stories of Hope is more about how to live than how to die. With Ignatius Press editor, Thomas Jacobi, we discuss life and death, and the challenges of living a life which strives for holiness. We discuss how the saints are great beacons of hope for the world and our essential companions for the spiritual journey.
Thomas Jacobi will say in our conversation:
"Each Saint is a unique revelation actually of the personality of God, in Christ. Each Saint is so different and each saint reveals something new that we didn't or couldn't see before about Christ, about God. And that's why it's so important to get to know the saints. They reveal to us who God is in a fresh and exciting way. So I would encourage people to pick up this book for that reason."
We would agree with Thomas!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Italian Carmelite Antonio Maria Sicari's vibrant biographies of saints—from Augustine to Catherine of Siena to Faustina Kowalska—have been read across Europe for decades. In How Saints Die, Sicari turns to the most difficult challenge in the life of a Christian: the hour of death.
What he uncovers in this darkest moment, however, is not desolation, but inexplicable joy. "I have recounted the death of many saints," he writes, "but all of them have confirmed for me the truth of this ancient Christian intuition: in the death of a saint, it is death that dies!"
With in-depth research and a flair for storytelling, Sicari brings before our eyes the gracious last hours of one hundred men and women—lovers and martyrs, thinkers and workers, ancients and moderns, old men and teens. Included are Kateri Tekakwitha, Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa, Thomas Aquinas, Josephine Bakhita, Jérôme Lejeune, Clare of Assisi, and many more. In each, a new shade of the divine light shines through.
Those seeking insight into the mystery of death and suffering will find in this book not only wisdom, but rich and realistic consolation.
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Mother of the King of the Universe,
most perfect member of the human race,
"our tainted nature’s solitary boast,"
we turn to you as mother,
advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary,
assist us in our present necessity.
By your Immaculate Conception,
O Mary conceived without sin,
we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart
to intercede for us with your Divine Son
and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
On the last day of this Novena, recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 18:12-14
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 17 Vatican II – Introduction pt. 2 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue the introduction to Vatican II.
The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions), each lasting between 8 and 12 weeks, in the autumn of each of the four years 1962 to 1965. Preparation for the council took three years, from the summer of 1959 to the autumn of 1962. The council was opened on 11 October 1962 by John XXIII (pope during the preparation and the first session), and was closed on 8 December 1965 by Paul VI (pope during the last three sessions, after the death of John XXIII on 3 June 1963). – wikipedia
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Most gracious Virgin Mary,
beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
intercede with him for us
that we be granted the favor which we petition
for so earnestly in this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence
that your prayers in our behalf
will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O Glorious Mother of God,
in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception,
hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Monday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 5:17-26
Jesus was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, ‘What are these thoughts you have in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven you” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralysed man – ‘I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’ And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
They were all astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, ‘What are these thoughts you have in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven you” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralysed man – ‘I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’ And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
They were all astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him. But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy?
Second Sunday of Advent 2021
Reading 1 LUKE 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother,
from the sublime heights of your dignity
turn your merciful eyes upon me while I,
full of confidence in your bounty
and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception
and fully conscious of your power,
beg of you to come to our aid
and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor
we earnestly seek in this novena,
if it be beneficial for our immortal souls
and the souls for whom we pray.
Amen.
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Sunday of the 2nd week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened
and rough roads made smooth.
And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened
and rough roads made smooth.
And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened
and rough roads made smooth.
And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 1 – The Gospel of Luke – An Overview Part 1
We begin our study of the Gospel of Luke with an overview lecture, beginning with what we know about the author himself. From the historian, Eusebius, we learn that Luke was a physician from Antioch, an ancient Greek city located in Asia Minor. Antioch was the center of the early Church, and it was here that the followers of Jesus came to be known as “Christians.” Luke, a companion of St. Paul, is responsible for the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which comprise the greatest percentage of the New Testament.
The word “Gospel” means “Good News” and comes from the Greek word, “euangelion.” During the first century, the fastest growing religion was the imperial cult of Roman emperor worship. The word “euangelion” took on religious significance with the announcement of the “good news” of a new emperor, a new “god.” For Christians, however, the “euangelion” meant the “good news” of the new King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
As a physician, Luke wrote his Gospel to bring the medicine needed for our wounded souls. The new medicine came from the new tree of life, the cross, and the medicine of immortality is the Eucharist. “Every time this mystery is celebrated, "the work of our redemption is carried on" and we "break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ (CCC 1405).”
Through the incarnation, Christ joined in our humanity and introduced His kingdom to the world. As the final High Priest, Jesus completes the perfect sacrifice on the cross. God desires that we cooperate with His plan of salvation, joining in His suffering, to complete “what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church (Col 1:24).” “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Eph 5:25-27).”
Christ has cleansed the Church, making her holy, yet we know that the Church is made up of sinners in need of healing. Jesus, the divine physician, has left us with the healing sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. What is hidden in shame and secrecy needs to be brought to the light so that healing can take place: “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God (John 3:20-21).”
Further details about St. Luke come from the Church Father St. Hippolytus, a disciple of Irenaeus, who was a disciple of Polycarp who followed St. John the Evangelist. Hippolytus tells us that Luke was one of the 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 who were sent out to spread the Good News to the surrounding countries. These 70 were also the same disciples who walked away from Jesus when they could not understand Jesus’ command to eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6: 66). Later, St. Mark was persuaded back to the fold by St. Peter and it was St. Paul who encouraged Luke to return as a follower of Jesus, and the two became great friends.
As we will learn this year, despite being one of the Synoptics that “see together”, the Gospel of Luke has many unique stories not found in the other Gospels. Luke likely personally interviewed Mary, bringing us the beautiful infancy narratives. The stories behind the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, can all be found in the first two chapters of Luke. From Luke, we receive the Canticles of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon. Only in Luke are found the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven,
we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception
preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son.
We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception.
To the one ever-reigning God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
three in one Person,
one in nature,
we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception.
O Mother of the Word mad Flesh,
listen to our petition as we ask
this special grace during this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Saturday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 9:27-31
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
This is a special edition of the reflection offered by Fr. Timothy Gallagher on the "Contemplation to Attain the love of God" by St. Ignatius of Loyola as found in the "Spiritual Exercises." What we originally provided to you as two separate episodes, we now combine into a single extended episode without interruption. We hope this will enhance your experience of this Ignatian exercise.
CONTEMPLATION TO ATTAIN THE LOVE OF GOD
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, [1914], at sacred-texts.com
Note. First, it is well to remark two things: the first is that love ought to be put more in deeds than in words.
The second, love consists in the interchange between the two parties; that is to say in the lover's giving and communicating to the beloved what he has or out of what he has or can; and so contrary, the beloved to the lover. So that if the one has the knowledge, he gives to the one who has it not. The same of honors, of riches; and so the one to the other.
CONTEMPLATION TO GAIN LOVE
Prayer. The usual Prayer.
First Prelude. The first Prelude is a composition, which is here to see how I am standing before God our Lord, and of the Angels and of the Saints interceding for me.
Second Prelude. The second, to ask for what I want. It will be here to ask for interior knowledge of so great good received, in order that being entirely grateful, I may be able in all to love and serve His Divine Majesty.
First Point. The First Point is, to bring to memory the benefits received, of Creation, Redemption and particular gifts, pondering with much feeling how much God our Lord has done for me, and how much He has given me of what He has, and then the same Lord desires to give me Himself as much as He can, according to His Divine ordination.
And with this to reflect on myself, considering with much reason and justice, what I ought on my side to offer and give to His Divine Majesty, that is to say, everything that is mine, and myself with it, as one who makes an offering with much feeling:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my intellect, and all my will — all that I have and possess. Thou gavest it to me: to Thee, Lord, I return it! All is Thine, dispose of it according to all Thy will. Give me Thy love and grace, for this is enough for me.
Second Point. The second, to look how God dwells in creatures, in the elements, giving them being, in the plants vegetating, in the animals feeling in them, in men giving them to understand: and so in me, giving me being, animating me, giving me sensation and making me to understand; likewise making a temple of me, being created to the likeness and image of His Divine Majesty; reflecting as much on myself in the way which is said in the first Point, or in another which I feel to be better. In the same manner, will be done on each Point which follows.
Third Point. The third, to consider how God works and labors for me in all things created on the face of the earth — that is, behaves like one who labors — as in the heavens, elements, plants, fruits, cattle, etc., giving them being, preserving them, giving them vegetation and sensation, etc.
Then to reflect on me.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to look how all the good things and gifts descend from above, as my poor power from the supreme and infinite power from above; and so justice, goodness, pity, mercy, etc.; as from the sun descend the rays, from the fountain the waters, etc.
Then to finish reflecting on myself, as has been said.
I will end with a Colloquy and an OUR FATHER.
Be sure to check out Fr. Timothy Gallaghers latest book
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exe...
Friday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Chapter 18 – Heartfelt Prayer – Oratio
"If the heart does not pray then the tongue labours in vain." – St. Bernadine of Siena
The slow meditation on the sacred texts suddenly begins to bear fruit; the spiritual understanding begins to stir and the emotions are touched and begin to react. What began as rather dry academic knowledge about God changes and begins to strike with an ever-deepening impact.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Black magic, power, and the Lord of the Rings. Another rich discussion of two essays by G.K. Chesterton from the collection In Defense of Sanity
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God,
endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception
with the fullness of grace;
unique among women
in that you are both mother and virgin;
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ,
we ask you to look down with a tender heart
from your throne and listen to our prayers
as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us
the favor for which we now plead…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Thursday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and s truck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode, we discuss letter 162, with a special focus on the power of the liturgy and the grace that comes by living by faith as described below:
[April 28–30, 1903]
Dijon Carmel, April
J. M. + J. T.
My good little Aunts,
It seems to me that Carlipa and Dijon are very close, for my heart has quickly jumped the distance to go find yours! And my Divine Bridegroom gives me wings like this so I can fly off to you: these wings are prayer, and then this unity in faith and love creates the communion of saints! . . . I have many things to tell you, my little Aunts, but where to begin? Oh! if you knew how beautiful Holy Week is in Carmel! I wish you could have attended our beautiful Offices, and especially on our beautiful feast of Easter. On that day, we chant Matins at 3 o’clock in the morning, we enter the choir in procession, wearing our white mantles, each holding a candle and singing the Regina Coeli. At 5 o’clock, we have the Mass of the Resurrection, followed by a magnificent procession in our beautiful garden. Everything was so still, so mysterious, that it seemed our Master was going to appear to us along the solitary paths as He once did to Mary Magdalene, and if our eyes did not see Him, at least our souls met Him in faith. Faith is so good; it is Heaven in darkness, but one day the veil will be lifted and we will contemplate in His light Him whom we love; while awaiting the Bridegroom’s “Veni” we must spend ourselves, suffer for Him, and, above all, love Him greatly. Thank Him for having called your little Elizabeth to Carmel for the persecution;2 I do not know what awaits us, and this perspective of having to suffer because I am His delights my soul. I love my dear cloister so much, and sometimes I have wondered if I don’t love this dear little cell too much,3 where it is so good to be “alone with the Alone.”4 Perhaps one day He will ask me to sacrifice it. I am ready to follow Him everywhere, and my soul will say with Saint Paul: “Who will separate me from the love of Christ?”5 I have within me a solitude where He dwells, and nothing can take that away from me! . . .
Guite had the good idea of passing your dear photographs on to me. I introduced you to our Reverend Mother, since she has heard her little lamb,6 who loves you so much, speak about you for so long. I was also delighted to show her your dear house; what sweet memories it brings back to me. I spent so many wonderful vacations, certainly the best, there among you. And the Serre, is it still so beautiful? What fine prayers must be offered there! Would you tell Monsieur le Curé that I send him my soul to say the Office with him in that dear little valley, pay him my respects and ask him to pray much for me. He is so good, I am sure he would really want to remember me at his Mass. My little Aunts, if you knew how I love your beautiful breviaries! I can’t say it enough, and each time I use them, I take your souls with mine to enter into communion with all Heaven. I assure you that you have made me very happy; they follow me everywhere, and day and night my prayer for you is my “thank you”!
I am leaving you to go to Matins “with you.” I still have many things to tell you, but there’s the bell, so I only have time to kiss you, as well as my good Aunt, from the best of my heart.
Your little Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.
Pray for my dear Mama. Events have really saddened her, but her courage edifies me and I thank Him who has given me such a good one. Hello to Anna.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 101-102). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Special thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for her readings of St. Elizabeth's letters
For other episodes in the series visit
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Blessed Virgin Mary,
glory of the Christian people,
joy of the universal Church
and Mother of Our Lord,
speak for us to the Heart of Jesus,
who is your Son and our brother.
O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception
did enter the world free from stain,
in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus
the special favor which we now so earnestly seek…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 15:29-37
Jesus reached the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the hills. He sat there, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?’ Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said ‘and a few small fish.’ Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and he gave thanks and broke them and handed them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus reached the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the hills. He sat there, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?’ Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said ‘and a few small fish.’ Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and he gave thanks and broke them and handed them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus reached the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the hills. He sat there, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.
But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, they might collapse on the way.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?’ Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves have you?’ ‘Seven’ they said ‘and a few small fish.’ Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and he gave thanks and broke them and handed them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
Episode 18 – Feast of All Saints
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Day 2 – Novena to the Immaculate Conception
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
Day 2
O Mary, ever-blessed Virgin,
Mother of God,
Queen of angels and of saints,
we salute you with the most profound veneration
and filial devotion
as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception,
We thank you for your maternal protection
and for the many blessings that we have received
through your wondrous mercy
and most powerful intercession.
In all our necessities
we have recourse to you
with unbounded confidence.
O Mother of Mercy,
we beseech you now to hear our prayer
and to obtain for us of your Divine Son
the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Episode 16 Vatican II – Introduction pt. 1 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas
In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we begin with an introduction to Vatican II.
The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, was the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions), each lasting between 8 and 12 weeks, in the autumn of each of the four years 1962 to 1965. Preparation for the council took three years, from the summer of 1959 to the autumn of 1962. The council was opened on 11 October 1962 by John XXIII (pope during the preparation and the first session), and was closed on 8 December 1965 by Paul VI (pope during the last three sessions, after the death of John XXIII on 3 June 1963). – wikipedia
For the documents of Vatican II visit here
For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page
For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org
Monday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
First Sunday of Advent 2021
Reading 1 JER 33:14-16
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Sunday of the 1st week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
What touched your heart in this time of prayer?
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
We thank you, Lord Jesus for this time with you.
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,
as we await the advent of Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc.
Episode 44 – John 21 Part 2 –The Reinstatement of Peter
We conclude our amazing journey through the Gospel of John with chapter 21. Sharon begins her lecture with the question Jesus asks of Peter and of each of us: Do you love me? This particular chapter is packed with an abundance of symbolism and profound theological truths.
We can date the writing of John’s Gospel to a clue found in this chapter. The Sea of Galilee was known by a variety of other names, including the Sea of Chinnereth (meaning harp-shaped) and the Sea of Gennesaret. However, John calls it the Sea of Tiberius, indicating that John wrote his Gospel sometime after 20 A.D. when Herod Antipas built the city of Tiberius in honor of the reigning Roman emperor and also renames the lake in honor of Caesar Tiberius.
Having seen the risen Christ on two occasions, Peter and the other disciples decided to go fishing and encounter Jesus for the third time in John’s Gospel. John 21, the reinstatement of Peter, is best understood in relation to Luke 5, the call of Peter. In Luke 5, Peter has been fishing all night, catching nothing. Jesus invites Peter to put his nets out into the deep waters and he catches a great number of fish, causing his nets to tear. Peter is immediately aware of the power of Jesus as well as his own sinful nature and he leaves everything to follow Christ. In John 21, once again Peter has been fishing all night, catching nothing. Jesus appears on the shore, inviting him to cast out the right side of the boat. Once again, Peter catches a super-abundance of fish and jumps out of the boat to greet the Lord. This time, the nets do not tear, symbolizing the enduring nature of the Church, which will prevail against all threats. Jesus and the disciples share of a meal of five fish, symbolic of the Torah, and two fish, symbolic of the Jews and Gentiles, indicating that Jesus fulfills the covenant with Israel and establishes a new universal covenant for all.
Sharon then goes on to explore the meaning behind 153, the number of fish that are caught in this chapter. The church fathers have proposed a variety of explanations, including Augustine’s realization that 153 is the sum of the integers from 1 to 17. However, Sharon shows us an even more intriguing explanation. Pythagoras, who lived centuries before Jesus, described himself as the first philosopher, or literally “lover of wisdom.” Pythagoras was a great mathematician and discovered a number of still famous theorems. He discovered that only four numbers exist, whose sum of the cube of the digits equals that same number. The first of these numbers is 153: (13+ 53+ 33= 153). The symmetry of this number is a reminder of the beautiful symmetry of the desert tabernacle in Exodus, the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple in 1 Kings, and the heavenly tabernacle in Revelation.
Sharon concludes her lecture by drawing from Pope Benedict’s insights into the three-fold acquittal of Peter in Chapter 21, absolving him of his three-fold denial. Peter acknowledges the weakness of his human love for Jesus, realizing he does not yet have the perfect agape type of love that he so desires. However, Jesus welcomes whatever love Peter has to offer, and reinstates him as vicar, charging him and his successors to shepherd the flock of the Church.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdioces...
Chapter 17 – Meditation – Meditatio
"You should show yourself diligent, indeed constant, in the reading of scripture, until continual meditation fills your heart and forms you as it were after its likeness." – John Cassian
The Word was made flesh precisely so that people of flesh and blood could understand and see God’s love made tangible. To neglect the Passion as a primary source of Christian meditation and prayer is to neglect the most important manifestation of God’s love that ever took place.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 17 – Baptizing Babies
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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King of the Holy Family and Prince of the Church – Episode 3 – St. Joseph with Sonja Corbitt
St. Joseph is stepping into a more visible role in the Church right now, and inviting you to develop a relationship with him. In learning about his roles as prophet, priest, and king of the Holy Family and prince of the Church, we get to know him more personally, and how he operates in those roles on our behalf. In conclusion of our series, I’d like to leave you with a list of prayers for the Year of St. Joseph, here at this link.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Can you discern St. Joseph’s activity in your life through his roles of protector, provider, and guide? What do you want to say to him about that?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my great protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection, or implored your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you. Do not turn down my petitions, foster father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen +
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode, we discuss letter 158, with a special focus on the nature of mystical and contemplative prayer as described below:
[February 24, 1903]
Dijon Carmel, February
Amo Christum
J. M. + J. T.
Monsieur l’Abbé,
Before entering into the great silence of Lent, I want to answer your kind letter. And my soul needs to tell you that it is wholly in communion with yours, letting itself be caught, carried away, invaded by Him whose charity envelops us and who wishes to consummate us into “one” with Him. I thought of you when I read these words of Père Vallée on contemplation: “The contemplative is a being who lives in the radiance of the Face of Christ, who enters into the mystery of God, not in the light that flows from human thought, but in that created by the word of the Incarnate Word.”3 Don’t you have this passion to listen to Him?3a Sometimes it is so strong, this need to be silent, that one would like to know how to do nothing but remain like Magdalene, that beautiful model for the contemplative soul, at the feet of the Master, eager to hear everything, to penetrate ever deeper into this mystery of Charity that He came to reveal to us. Don’t you find that in action, when we are in Martha’s role,4 the soul can still remain wholly adoring, buried like Magdalene in her contemplation, staying by this source like someone who is starving; and this is how I understand the Carmelite’s apostolate as well as the priest’s. Then both can radiate God, give Him to souls, if they constantly stay close to this divine source. It seems to me that we should draw so close to the Master, in such communion with His soul, to identify ourselves with all its movements, and then go out as He did, according to the will of His Father. Then it does not matter what happens to the soul, since it has faith in the One it loves who dwells within it. During this Lent I would like, as Saint Paul says, “to be buried in God with Christ,”5 to be lost in this Trinity who will one day be our vision, and in this divine light penetrate into the depth of the Mystery. Would you pray that I may be wholly surrendered and that my Beloved Bridegroom may carry me away wherever He wishes. A Dieu, Monsieur l’Abbé, let us remain in His love;6 is He not that infinity for which our souls so thirst?
Sr. M. Elizabeth of the Trinity, r.c.i.
Our Reverend Mother asks me to express her gratitude for the canticle; how good she is and how she gives God (to others), don’t you agree? On Monday7 I will offer Holy Communion for you; don’t forget me either.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 95-96). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Special thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for her readings of St. Elizabeth's letters
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity" with Dr. Anthony Lilles'
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Msgr. Esseff shares an encounter with a couple he met while traveling home after time with family. Tom and Mary shared their important encounters with God over the course of their 36 years of marriage. Each story speaks of our times and how relevant it is for our lives to allow Christ to be King of our hearts…that is how He will reign in this world. Msgr. Esseff then reflects on how God answers prayers and why we say "Your will be done".
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 43 – John 21 Part 1 –The Reinstatement of Peter
We conclude our amazing journey through the Gospel of John with chapter 21. Sharon begins her lecture with the question Jesus asks of Peter and of each of us: Do you love me? This particular chapter is packed with an abundance of symbolism and profound theological truths.
We can date the writing of John’s Gospel to a clue found in this chapter. The Sea of Galilee was known by a variety of other names, including the Sea of Chinnereth (meaning harp-shaped) and the Sea of Gennesaret. However, John calls it the Sea of Tiberius, indicating that John wrote his Gospel sometime after 20 A.D. when Herod Antipas built the city of Tiberius in honor of the reigning Roman emperor and also renames the lake in honor of Caesar Tiberius.
Having seen the risen Christ on two occasions, Peter and the other disciples decide to go fishing and encounter Jesus for the third time in John’s Gospel. John 21, the re-instatement of Peter, is best understood in relation to Luke 5, the call of Peter. In Luke 5, Peter has been fishing all night, catching nothing. Jesus invites Peter to put his nets out into the deep waters and he catches a great number of fish, causing his nets to tear. Peter is immediately aware of the power of Jesus as well as his own sinful nature and he leaves everything to follow Christ. In John 21, once again Peter has been fishing all night, catching nothing. Jesus appears on the shore, inviting him to cast out the right side of the boat. Once again, Peter catches a super-abundance of fish and jumps out of the boat to greet the Lord. This time, the nets do not tear, symbolizing the enduring nature of the Church, which will prevail against all threats. Jesus and the disciples share of meal of five fish, symbolic of Torah, and two fish, symbolic of the Jews and Gentiles, indicating that Jesus fulfills the covenant with Israel and establishes a new universal covenant for all.
Sharon then goes on to explore the meaning behind 153, the number of fish that are caught in this chapter. The church fathers have proposed a variety of explanations, including Augustine’s realization that 153 is the sum of the integers from 1 to 17. However, Sharon shows us an even more intriguing explanation. Pythagarus, who lived centuries before Jesus, described himself as the first philosopher, or literally “lover of wisdom.” Pythagarus was a great mathematician and discovered a number of still famous theorems. He discovered that only four numbers exist, whose sum of the cube of the digits equal that same number. The first of these numbers is 153: (13+ 53+ 33= 153). The symmetry of this number is a reminder of the beautiful symmetry of the desert tabernacle in Exodus, the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple in 1 Kings, and the heavenly tabernacle in Revelation.
Sharon concludes her lecture by drawing from Pope Benedict’s insights into the three-fold acquittal of Peter in Chapter 21, absolving him of his three-fold denial. Peter acknowledges the weakness of his human love for Jesus, realizing he does not yet have the perfect agape type of love that he so desires. However, Jesus welcomes whatever love Peter has to offer, and reinstates him as vicar, charging him and his successors to shepherd the flock of the Church.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Om...
Wisdom from the Psalms has become one of my all-time favorite Dr. Peter Kreeft books. Not only does this book inspire me to think and learn, but best of all it helped me to grow even more deeply in love with the Psalms and prayer. This particular podcast is a favorite as well. The Psalms only get better (is that possible?) when experienced with such an incredible guide. Give your prayer life a big boost and pick up a copy of this wonderful book.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
The Psalms are the most popular, most universally loved and used book in the Bible, which in turn is the most popular book in the world. They are hymns, songs, poems and prayers, both formal (liturgical and communal) and informal (spontaneous, personal, and individual); and this gives them many layers of meaning rather than one, unlike theologies and creeds.
They Psalms are literally inexhaustible, so a new book of reflections on them is always welcome. Especially a book by the beloved, widely read, best-selling author and philosopher, Peter Kreeft.
In this work Kreeft shares his personal explorations into the riches of the Psalms, his profound expeditions into this deep ocean of the divinely inspired spiritual water. He focuses on the dozen or so Psalms that are most people's favorites, including Kreeft.
Kreeft says that the Pslams are powerful prayers, and a spiritual weapon that God himself has given us for our great task of spiritual warfare, which is human life on earth.
What prayers did Jesus and his disciples pray? The Psalms! As all Jews have always done ever since they had them. The Psalms are God's answer to our plea, ‘Teach us to pray.' Christ prayed them not only in synagogue but throughout His life, and at his death. He prayed Psalm 22, ‘My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' even as He was dying on the Cross.
– Peter Kreeft, from the Introduction
Is America a little too arrogant? G.K. Chesterton thought so. We debate the American Dream as we continue discussing Chesterton’s essay collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Episode 10 – Mary, Mother of God
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she tells us of our "Personal Call to Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Pillar of Families – Episode 2 – St. Joseph with Sonja Corbitt
Every man is called to fatherhood and priesthood by virtue of his masculinity. Like Abraham, the Father of Faith, whose faith was “accounted” to him as righteousness, St. Joseph’s accumulated acts of sacrificial faith in his role of father and priest of the Holy Family formed him and made him capable for his larger role as the Pillar of Families for the whole Church.
In accepting and receiving our men, faults and all–husbands, sons, priests, fathers–we receive Joseph, in a sense. We participate in nurturing their role as priests and fathers knowing that St. Joseph works through them on our behalf in, with, and through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Accepting our men faults and all does not mean accepting abuse or being a doormat. Rather, it means receiving who they are–their personalities and temperaments, talents and gifts, roles and decisions–without trying to control or change them. Our husbands, sons, priests, and dads are imperfect as we are imperfect, but they are God’s provision for us, as OT Joseph and St. Joseph illustrate. How does St. Joseph encourage you to accept and receive the men in your life, faults and all? In what little ways can you communicate to them your acceptance of who they are, today?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my great protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection, or implored your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you. Do not turn down my petitions, foster father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen +
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Chapter 16 – Prayerful Reading – Lectio
"Reading supplies material for the understanding of truth, meditation prepares the material, prayer elevates it, and contemplation rejoices in it." – Hugh of St. Victor
When the Desert Fathers used the scriptures, most particularly the New Testament and the Psalms, they were not interested in how much they read, but in how deeply they penetrated the sacred texts.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Dr. Lilles continues the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode, we discuss letter 157, with a special focus on the Communion of Saints and petitionary prayer as described below:
[157}To Madame de Sourdon
[February 21, 1903]
Carmel, Saturday evening
J. M. + J. T.
Dear Madame,
Before your letter I received a few lines from Madame de Maizières, a cry from the heart my soul has really responded to, I assure you. When you write to her, would you tell her that we are praying fervently in Carmel and that I never once attend the Divine Office without commending to God the health of the dear patient who causes so much concern to those who love him. I understand this distress so well, and God above all understands it!
You remember, dear Madame, the distressing hours I have known myself. I will never forget how good you were to the poor little one who thought she was about to lose her mother. What painful memories—they are the bond, as it were, that unites our souls. Those are God’s times. Père Didon says “any destiny that doesn’t have its calvary is a punishment from God.” Oh, then, if we knew how to surrender ourselves totally into the hands of Him who is our Father. . . . I recommend your intentions to Him. Do not doubt Him, dear Madame, abandon everything to Him, as well as to your little friend. . . . She will be your advocate . . . for her mission is to pray unceasingly, and you know how much that holds true for you! She is so HAPPY, with a happiness that God alone knows, for He is its sole Object, a happiness that closely resembles that of Heaven. During this Lent, so divine in Carmel, my soul will be especially united to yours. I am asking God to show you the sweetness of His presence and to make your soul a sanctuary where He can come to be consoled. Will you let me enter there and, with you, adore Him who dwells there?
I kiss my dear Françoise whom I love so much and your sweet Marie-Louise. I pray fervently for them, and I am always all yours; don’t you feel that?
Your little friend,
Sr. M. Elizabeth of the Trinity r.c.i.
Would you tell my dear Mama that my soul is one with hers and that I love her with all my heart.
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 94-95). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Special thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for her readings of St. Elizabeth's letters
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity" with Dr. Anthony Lilles'
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Albert the Great
Born: 1193, Lauingen, Germany
Died: November 15, 1280, Cologne, Germany
Education: University of Padua
For more on St. Albert the Great and his teachings
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Albert the Great
One of the great masters of medieval theology is St Albert the Great.
The title "Great", (Magnus), with which he has passed into history indicates the vastness and depth of his teaching, which he combined with holiness of life. However, his contemporaries did not hesitate to attribute to him titles of excellence even then. One of his disciples, Ulric of Strasbourg, called him the "wonder and miracle of our epoch".
He was born in Germany at the beginning of the 13th century. When he was still young he went to Italy, to Padua, the seat of one of the most famous medieval universities. He devoted himself to the study of the so-called "liberal arts": grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music, that is, to culture in general, demonstrating that characteristic interest in the natural sciences which was soon to become the favourite field for his specialization. During his stay in Padua he attended the Church of the Dominicans, whom he then joined with the profession of the religious vows. Hagiographic sources suggest that Albert came to this decision gradually. His intense relationship with God, the Dominican Friars' example of holiness, hearing the sermons of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St Dominic's successor at the Master General of the Order of Preachers, were the decisive factors that helped him to overcome every doubt and even to surmount his family's resistence. God often speaks to us in the years of our youth and points out to us the project of our life. As it was for Albert, so also for all of us, personal prayer, nourished by the Lord's word, frequent reception of the Sacraments and the spiritual guidance of enlightened people are the means to discover and follow God's voice. He received the religious habit from Bl. Jordan of Saxony.
After his ordination to the priesthood, his superiors sent him to teach at various theological study centres annexed to the convents of the Dominican Fathers. His brilliant intellectual qualities enabled him to perfect his theological studies at the most famous university in that period, the University of Paris. From that time on St Albert began his extraordinary activity as a writer that he was to pursue throughout his life.
Prestigious tasks were assigned to him. In 1248 he was charged with opening a theological studium at Cologne, one of the most important regional capitals of Germany, where he lived at different times and which became his adopted city. He brought with him from Paris an exceptional student, Thomas Aquinas. The sole merit of having been St Thomas' teacher would suffice to elicit profound admiration for St Albert. A relationship of mutual esteem and friendship developed between these two great theologians, human attitudes that were very helpful in the development of this branch of knowlege. In 1254, Albert was elected Provincial of the Dominican Fathers' "Provincia Teutoniae" Teutonic Province which included communities scattered over a vast territory in Central and Northern Europe.
He distinguished himself for the zeal with which he exercised this ministry,
Episode 42 – John 20 Part 2 – I Am Alive: The Resurrection
This week we study John 20, the resurrection of Jesus. This is THE event of the life of Christ, the pivotal moment when death was conquered. Sharon begins her lecture with a look at Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, two of the individuals who played important roles after the crucifixion. Nicodemus brings 100 pounds of myrrh and aloe to anoint the body of Jesus in a manner truly fit for a king. Jesus’ body is placed in the newly hewn tomb gifted by Joseph of Arimathea, which recalls that just as the infant Jesus was carried in the virginal womb of Mary, he was laid to rest in the untouched tomb near Golgotha.
As Jesus passed through the walls of Mary leaving her ever-virgin, he can walk through locked doors as well. Sharon goes on to tell us more details about myrrh and the burial customs of first-century Israel. The Catholic Chrism oil of today, prefigured in Exodus 30, contains myrrh as one of its ingredients. Myrrh was used not only to anoint Jesus’ body, but it was also a gift of the Magi, showing how this oil was used at Jesus’ birth and when he was born again at the resurrection.
Sharon then focused on additional details of this passage, including how John notes that the linen facecloth was rolled up separately from the burial linens. Had the body of Jesus been stolen, these valuable linens would also have been taken by grave robbers. We then learn more about Mary Magdalene, a woman of means who traveled with Jesus, providing assistance to him and the apostles. Mary Magdalene becomes the apostle to the apostles, being the first to proclaim to them the event of the resurrection. At first, mistaking Jesus for a gardener, Mary recognizes him as he calls her name. By eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the old Adam was banished from the garden by disobedience. Jesus is the new Adam who, through obedience to the Father, provides entry into the new garden where we now eat from the new tree of life, the Eucharist.
Later, Jesus appears to the ten apostles (Thomas and Judas are missing), where they experience a private Pentecost. As the Father breathed the spirit of life into Adam, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into the apostles, giving them the authority to forgive sins, something only God can do. Because they are acting in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, the apostles and their successors become the permanent solution to the permanent problem of sin, replacing the Jewish high priest who once a year offered sacrifice for the atonement of sin, a temporary solution to the permanent problem of sin.
Finally, Sharon concludes this lecture by comparing Jesus’ reaction to Mary Magdalene and Thomas. Jesus does not want Mary to touch and cling to him, yet he invites Thomas to intimately touch his wounds. Why? Thomas, as well as the other apostles, are the new priesthood and Jesus invites Thomas to enter fully into the mystery of his humanity and divinity. Priests are called to immerse themselves into the suffering of Christ in a special way, whereby they become conduits of grace and bring us the sacraments. This mystery helps us understand the words of St Paul: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations (Col 1: 24-26).” By entering into the sufferings of Christ, the priesthood replaces what is lacking (the physical presence of Christ) and makes the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and chal...
Join Msgr. Esseff as he reflects on the gospel for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary time.
Gospel Mk 13:-24-35
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 9 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
THIS CHAPTER SPEAKS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD COMMUNICATES WITH THE SOUL BY IMAGINARY VISIONS. STRONG REASONS ARE GIVEN FOR NOT DESIRING TO BE LED IN THIS WAY; THIS IS VERY PROFITABLE READING.
- The jewel in the locket. 2. The simile explained. 3. The apparition explained. 4. Awe produced by this vision. 5. False and genuine visions. 6. Illusive visions. 7. Effects of a genuine vision. 8. Conviction left by a genuine vision. 9. Its effects upon the after conduct. 10. A confessor should be consulted. 11. How to treat visions. 12. Effects of seeing the face of Christ. 13. Reasons why visions are not to be sought. 14. The second reason. 15. Third reason. 16. Fourth reason. 17. Fifth reason. 18. Sixth reason. 19. Additional reasons. 20. The virtues are more meritorious than consolations. 21. Fervent souls desire to serve God for Himself alone.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Episode 9 – The Immaculate Conception
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she tells us of our "Personal Call to Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Episode 16 – Knowing Who We Are: The Example of St. Thomas Moore
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Old Testament Joseph – Episode 1 – St. Joseph with Sonja Corbitt
In this episode we explore Old Testament Joseph’s life, because in order to understand St. Joseph as patron of the Church, we must know something of his ancestor, OT Joseph, for whom he is named. Psalm 105 gives us a snapshot of OT Joseph, and a prophecy of NT Joseph:
“When he summoned a famine on the land, and broke every staff of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass the word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to instruct his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom” (Ps 105:16-22, emphasis mine).
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
One of my favorite things about OT Joseph is how he bore up under injustice and adversity and continued to operate in his gifts wherever he found himself. Ultimately, God used all of Joseph’s sufferings as stepping-stones to something greater and to the benefit of everyone: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many should be kept alive…” (Gen 50:20).
As you observe your own dysfunctional family relationships and circumstances, and the suffering there, can you discern an ultimate good toward which God might be moving all of you? In your family, is there one person who seems to be in the role of Joseph?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Lord, they may have meant evil against me, but You meant it for good (Gen 50:20). Help me to wait for your vindication, and as I wait, help me to forgive. Amen +
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Chapter 15 – Lectio Divina
"To be ignorant of the scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ." – Saint Jerome
All authentic Christian prayer begins, not by flinging oneself into obscure states of transcendental awareness, but by trying to listen to God’s words, most particularly as embodied in the words of Jesus Christ.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Dr. Lilles begins the spiritual explorations of the Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. In this episode we discuss letter 111 as described below:
[April 7, 1902]1
Dijon Carmel, April 7
J. M. + J. T.
Dear Monsieur le Chanoine,
If you only knew how good it is to spend Lent, Holy Week, and Easter in Carmel—it is something unique! With what joy I sang Alleluia, wrapped in the white mantle, clothed in the dear habit that I have so longed to wear. It was quite wonderful, I assure you, to spend Holy Thursday close to Him, and I would have spent the night as well, but the Master wanted me to rest. But that does not matter, does it? We find Him in our sleep just as we do in prayer, since He is in everything, everywhere, and always! At 2 o’clock I went down to choir; you can guess what a glorious time I had, and also what I said on your behalf! More and more I love the dear grilles that make me His prisoner of love. It is so good to think that we are prisoners, in chains for each other; more than that, that we are but one victim, offered to the Father for souls, so that they may be wholly consummated in Unity.
When you think of your little Carmelite, thank Him who has given her so beautiful a part. Sometimes I think that it is an anticipated Heaven: the horizon is so beautiful, it is He! Oh! what will it be like above since here below He already makes our union so intimate? You know my homesickness for Heaven, it does not diminish, for I already live in that Heaven, since I carry it within me; in Carmel it seems that we are already so near. Won’t you come to see me some day and continue through the grille the fine conversations you used to have with your little Elizabeth? Do you remember the first time I confided my secret to you in the cloister of Saint-Hilaire? I spent some happy moments with you and I am asking God to reward you for the good you have done me. I still remember my joy when I was able to have a little conference with you and entrust my great secret to you. I was only a child, but you never doubted the divine call!
I have not seen my dear Mama yet; I am expecting her at the first opportunity. My little Guite came last week. It had been nearly two months since we had seen each other, so you can guess what a meeting it was! I am overjoyed to see all the good God is doing in the souls of my darlings. He has taken me in order to give Himself more, and I can see I am doing them much more good in my dear Carmel than when I was near them; oh, how good God is! I am leaving you to go to prayer where we have the Blessed Sacrament exposed every Sunday. I only have time to ask your blessing; I know it is a fatherly one for your little Carmelite.
M. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Thank you very much for your pretty holy card. Please give my greetings to my dear Marie-Louise. Tell her she has certainly not been forgotten!
Catez, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel (pp. 42-43). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Special thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for her readings of St. Elizabeth's letters
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity" with Dr. Anthony Lilles'
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians,
"Holy Trinity, Whom I Adore" a prayer of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (translated by Dr. Anthony Lilles and offered by Miriam Gutierrez)
Holy Trinity, Whom I Adore
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul: make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to overwhelm me, to invade me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you. I want to be completely docile, ready to learn all from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want always to fixate on you and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me to the point that I could not forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love, come over me until my soul is rendered into an incarnation of the Word; may I be for Him another humanity in which he renews His whole Mystery.
And you, O Father, bend over your little creature, cover her with your shadow, and in her only the Beloved in whom You are well-pleased.
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, Infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself, I surrender myself as prey. Bury yourself in me in order that I might bury myself in you while waiting to contemplate in your light the immeasurable depths of your grandeur
.
"Holy Trinity, Whom I Adore" a prayer of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (translated by Dr. Anthony Lilles and offered by Miriam Gutierrez)
Holy Trinity, Whom I Adore
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul: make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to overwhelm me, to invade me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you. I want to be completely docile, ready to learn all from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want always to fixate on you and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me to the point that I could not forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love, come over me until my soul is rendered into an incarnation of the Word; may I be for Him another humanity in which he renews His whole Mystery.
And you, O Father, bend over your little creature, cover her with your shadow, and in her only the Beloved in whom You are well-pleased.
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, Infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I lose myself, I surrender myself as prey. Bury yourself in me in order that I might bury myself in you while waiting to contemplate in your light the immeasurable depths of your grandeur
.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and on how we pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory:
Reading 1 Wis 3:1-9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and on how we pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory:
Reading 1 Wis 3:1-9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 40 – John 19 – I Am Alive: The Resurrection
This week we study John 20, the resurrection of Jesus. This is THE event of the life of Christ, the pivotal moment when death was conquered. Sharon begins her lecture with a look at Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, two of the individuals who played important roles after the crucifixion. Nicodemus brings 100 pounds of myrrh and aloe to anoint the body of Jesus in a manner truly fit for a king. Jesus’ body is placed in the newly hewn tomb gifted by Joseph of Arimathea, which recalls that just as the infant Jesus was carried in the virginal womb of Mary, he was laid to rest in the untouched tomb near Golgotha.
As Jesus passed through the walls of Mary leaving her ever-virgin, he can walk through locked doors as well. Sharon goes on to tell us more details about myrrh and the burial customs of first-century Israel. The Catholic Chrism oil of today, prefigured in Exodus 30, contains myrrh as one of its ingredients. Myrrh was used not only to anoint Jesus’ body, but it was also a gift of the Magi, showing how this oil was used at Jesus’ birth and when he was born again at the resurrection.
Sharon then focused on additional details of this passage, including how John notes that the linen facecloth was rolled up separately from the burial linens. Had the body of Jesus been stolen, these valuable linens would also have been taken by grave robbers. We then learn more about Mary Magdalene, a woman of means who traveled with Jesus, providing assistance to him and the apostles. Mary Magdalene becomes the apostle to the apostles, being the first to proclaim to them the event of the resurrection. At first, mistaking Jesus for a gardener, Mary recognizes him as he calls her name. By eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the old Adam was banished from the garden by disobedience. Jesus is the new Adam who, through obedience to the Father, provides entry into the new garden where we now eat from the new tree of life, the Eucharist.
Later, Jesus appears to the ten apostles (Thomas and Judas are missing), where they experience a private Pentecost. As the Father breathed the spirit of life into Adam, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into the apostles, giving them the authority to forgive sins, something only God can do. Because they are acting in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, the apostles and their successors become the permanent solution to the permanent problem of sin, replacing the Jewish high priest who once a year offered sacrifice for the atonement of sin, a temporary solution to the permanent problem of sin.
Finally, Sharon concludes this lecture by comparing Jesus’ reaction to Mary Magdalene and Thomas. Jesus does not want Mary to touch and cling to him, yet he invites Thomas to intimately touch his wounds. Why? Thomas, as well as the other apostles, are the new priesthood and Jesus invites Thomas to enter fully into the mystery of his humanity and divinity. Priests are called to immerse themselves into the suffering of Christ in a special way, whereby they become conduits of grace and bring us the sacraments. This mystery helps us understand the words of St Paul: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations (Col 1: 24-26).” By entering into the sufferings of Christ, the priesthood replaces what is lacking (the physical presence of Christ) and makes the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge y...
Episode 8 – Mary and the Call to Holiness
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she tells us of our "Personal Call to Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
An essay against essays, the evil of nice-sounding words, and much more. We continue our discussion of G.K. Chesterton’s collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Episode 15 – Where Have All The Children Gone?
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Chapter 14 – Perfect Love
"You will never love someone unless you know them, but you will never really know them unless you love them." – William of St. Thierry
God became man, so that we could love him in Jesus. I decided to study Him more and more deeply so that I could come to love Him, and in loving Him come to experience the only love that could change me permanently for the better.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
My God! How was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou shown Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather to die than to again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession, and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
A Litany of Saints for the Discerning Heart
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
All you holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Protector of the Church, pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Saint Peter, pray for us.
Saint Paul, pray for us.
Saint Andrew, pray for us.
Saint James, pray for us.
Saint John, pray for us.
All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All you holy Martyrs, pray for us.
Saint Stephen, pray for us.
Saint Lawrence, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Ambrose, pray for us.
Saint Augustine, pray for us.
Saint Nicholas, pray for us.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
Saint Bernard, pray for us.
Saint Dominic, pray for us.
Saint Francis, pray for us.
All you holy Priests and Clergy, pray for us.
All you holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity, pray for us.
Saint Agatha, pray for us.
Saint Lucy, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, pray for us.
Saint Cecilia, pray for us.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us.
Saint Anastasia, pray for us.
Saint Clare, pray for us.
All you holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, pray for us.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
Saint Bridget of Sweden, pray for us
Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us.
Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
Saint John of the Cross, pray for us.
Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us.
Saint Jane de Chantal, pray for us.
Saint Claude de La Colombière, pray for us.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.
Saint John Henry Newman, pray for us
Saint Charbel Makhlouf, pray for us.
Saint Juan Diego, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette Soubirous, pray for us.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us.
Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, pray for us.
Saint Gemma Gilgani, pray for us.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.
Saint Fautina Kowalska, pray for us.
Saint Maximillian Mary Kolbe, pray for us.
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.
Saint Andrea Bessette, pray for us.
Saint Gianna Berretta Molla, pray for us.
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
Saint John Paul II, pray for us.
Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us.
Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, pray for us.
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.
Servant of God Leonie Martin, pray for us.
Servant of God Dorothy Day, pray for us.
Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty, pray for us.
All you Holy Saints, Blesseds, and Servants of God, pray for us.
Lord, be merciful. Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From every evil, Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From every sin, Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From the snares of the devil, Lord, deliver us, we pray.
From disease, famine, and war, Lord, deliver us, we pray.
By your Incarnation, Lord, deliver us, we pray.
By your death and resurrection, Lord,
composed by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
Oh my God! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so much grace, and yet despised Thy love and deserved to be cast by Thee into hell. But Thy infinite goodness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I will rather die than ever offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this their ardent desire! Send them Thy holy Angel to announce to them that Thou, their Father, are now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
My Divine Redeemer, Thou didst die for me on the Cross, and hast so often united Thyself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid Thee only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God; and I am more grieved at my offences against Thee than at any other evil. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
Why “vulgar” can be good—and much more, as we continue to discuss essays by G.K. Chesterton from the collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
composed by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
Woe to me, unhappy being, if Thou, O Lord, hadst cast me into hell; for from that dungeon of eternal pain there is no deliverance. I love Thee above all things, O infinite God and I am sincerely sorry for having offended Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
Episode 14 – St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, Pray for Us
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole heart for having offended Thee. I promise to die rather than ever offend Thee more. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those holy souls that burn in the cleansing fire and love Thee with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, assist them by thy powerful prayers.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
Body and Soul at Rest – Episode 9 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
Rest is not merely inactivity. Although it certainly includes leisure, rest involves the entire human person, in thoughts, emotions, body, and soul. In this episode we explore what the Bible means when it commands us to observe Sabbath rest.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Could a neglect of keeping a proper Sunday observance be contributing to your unrest? What small steps can you begin taking today to make your Sundays more restful for yourself and your family?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
composed by by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. And thou, Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
Chapter 13 – Preparing for Action – Actio
"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." – Jesus Christ, Matthew 25:40
We will not ultimately be judged by the wonderful feelings we have experienced in prayer, how many ecstasies we have had or even how many miracles we have worked or people we have healed, but how we have served God in the neighbor in need.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
composed by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance, that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
composed by St. Alphonsus of Liguori
Visit the Discerning Hearts “Holy Souls” page for the complete novena and text of the prayers
Jesus, my Saviour, I have so often deserved to be cast into hell. how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I myself had caused my damnation. I thank Thee for the patience with which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinite goodness. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance. Have pity on me and at the same time on those blessed souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say the following prayers: 1 Our Father… 1 Hail Mary…
The Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(State your intention(s) here while recommending yourself to the souls in Purgatory.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
In this episode of Beginning to Pray: Words of Encouragement for Spiritual Pilgrims, Dr. Lilles reflects on
Self-discovery and Gift of Self – the Truth Christ Reveals
John Paul II sincerely believed that we are so created that we can only discover the truth about ourselves when we give ourselves to another. He believed this from his own experience. He marveled how it was possible to meet someone and be so overwhelmed by their beauty that you should want to sacrifice everything for their sake, that this other person might thrive. In this he glimpsed not only the beauty of God's plan for man and woman in marriage, but also the beauty of Christ's love for each and every soul.
The communion Christ has come to share surpasses the fulfillment and mutual possession meant to be ours in the institution of marriage. When we see His beauty, we realize that the deepest joys shared in the marriage of man and woman only foreshadow a more wonderful communion that is to come.
Before the Beauty of His Face, even the sorrows and disappointments that we bear in our families, no matter how crushing, take on a new perspective. He who was abandoned and betrayed captivates us in His radiance even as we struggle with humiliation and resentment. Those who we thought we could never forgive, we find the courage to forgive whenever we glimpse Him gazing on us in love.
His beauty, the beauty of a love that holds nothing back, evokes a response from the deepest part of our being. For when our eyes are opened by faith in Him, we are moved to believe at once that Christ has perceived our beauty before the dawn of creation — and in perceiving it, brought it into being and offered His life in sacrifice for it, that each soul that believes in Him might know a greatness far beyond its power to surmise.
The Son who forever rejoices in the sheer goodness of His Father, rejoiced anew to make this known to all creation. He chose to do this through friendship with each of us – so that each of us participate in the revelation of glory the Father has given to His Son. This friendship and participation is nothing less than a dwelling in his presence – by faith in this life, and glory in the next. For this purpose and out of nothing, the Word of the Father summoned a beauty so deep in the human heart that, even when the human heart is diminished by sin, He has already resolved to sacrifice everything in order that all that is good, noble and true in it might not perish.
Nothing forces his loving sacrifice save the divine predilection for humble humanity that lives deep in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Father is drawn by our plight to speak His Word into our difficult personal circumstances. With His Word, He breathes His Holy Spirit into us that we should have hope and thrive. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ journeys across the vast horizons of our hearts "like a Bridegroom coming from his tent, a champion running his course." For what He finds most beautiful in us is that we are in His own image and likeness — creatures who are meant to mirror in time the love that He offers without reserve to the Father from eternity.
The work of redemption that He wrought on the Cross is about bringing to completion this intimate and faithful communion of sacrificial love for which we were created. He reveals the beauty of an unimpeded love on the Cross to capture our hearts so that we might finally be able to love without impediment. Though such a love seems so far beyond our limitations and sins, He offered his sacrifice for our sake in a way that allows us to participate in what He has done — and, in this, we become what we are meant to be: living sacrifices of love, the praise of His glory.
For more writings of encouragement visit Dr.
Episode 13 – Given and Forgiven
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Day Nine
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“The pilgrim Church on earth lifts its gaze to Heaven and exultantly joins the choir of those with whom God shares his glory. It is the communion of saints!”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Jesus said…"Abide in Me, and I in you…for apart from Me you can do nothing."
I leave you now with this prayer: that the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to each one of you, that He will give you the strength to go out and profess that you are Christian, that He will show you that He alone can fill your hearts. Accept His freedom and embrace His truth, and be messengers of the certainty that you have been truly liberated through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This will be the new experience, the powerful experience, that will generate, through you, a more just society and a better world.
God bless you and may the joy of Jesus be always with you!
[L’Osservatore Romano, 11-5-79, 2]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Body at Rest – Episode 8 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
The body has two systems of protection. The immune system fights inner threats, and the “fight or flight” system protects from external threats. Stress only becomes a serious physical problem when it moves from temporary to persistent or is aggravated by negative, fear-driven thoughts and emotion. Research shows that fear triggers known and measurable physical and chemical responses, throwing the body into a frantic, sick state.
Neck, shoulder, head, and back problems are exoskeletal and nervous system issues – structural issues. In the Bible they are related to the will, the “structure” that human life and existence are built on. When we willfully step out from under the protective, authoritative structure God has put into place, we often experience symptoms in these areas, such as migraines, muscle aches, back problems, and insomnia. Here’s how to re-order the structure of your life by re-ordering your will.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Did you gain any insight through this episode on migraines, neck and back pain? On the complications and messes in your marriage and family?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen + (Prayer for Inner Healing, Deliverance Prayers for the Laity, Fr. Ripperger)
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Day Eight
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Thus the great gift of redemption – our being ‘brought forth’ to divine life – is a mighty work of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It must be received by us in faith. It must be lived. It must be proclaimed.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Thanksgiving for the Eucharist
For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast!
O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for Your redeeming sacrifice, the only hope of men!
O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for the eucharistic breaking of bread, which You instituted in order to really meet Your brothers, in the course of the centuries!
Christ the Savior, put into the hearts of the baptized the desire to offer themselves with You and to commit themselves for the salvation of their brothers!
You who are really present in the Blessed Sacrament, spread Your blessings abundantly on Your people…Amen.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 7-27-81, 2]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Chapter 12 – Prayer and Petition – Intercessio
"Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." – Saint John Damascene
There is no such thing as private prayer in the Christian tradition, even though the people praying may be totally alone in their own home, in the local church, or in the furthest reaches of the most distant desert. They are united with all those who are in the family of Christ.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day Seven
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the ‘light of the world.’”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Lord, from You every family in heaven and on earth takes it name. Father, You are Love and Life.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families of the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of Marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.
We ask this of You, who are Life, Truth, and Love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 5-25-80, 19]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day Six
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“The Good News which she received from her divine Founder obliges the Church to proclaim the message of salvation and human dignity and to condemn injustices and attacks on human dignity.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
And behold: we who… are standing… beneath the cross of the ages, wish, through Your cross and passion, O Christ, to cry out today that mercy [which] has irreversibly entered in to the history of man, into our whole human history—and which in spite of the appearances of weakness is stronger than evil. It is the greatest power and force upon which man can sustain himself, threatened as he is from so many sides…
Holy is God.
Holy and strong.
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
Have mercy: eleison: misere.
May the power of Your love once more be shown to be greater than the evil that threatens it.
May it be shown to be greater than sin…
May the power of Your cross, O Christ, be shown to be greater than the author of sin, who is called "the prince of this world."
For by your blood and Your passion You have redeemed the world!
[L’Osservatore Romano, 4-27-81,8]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Join Msgr. Esseff as he reflects on the gospel for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary time.
Gospel Mk 10:-35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 5
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“As we ask for forgiveness, let us also forgive. This is what we say every day when we recite the prayer Jesus taught us: ‘Our Father . . . forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Save us from "grieving Your Spirit":
–by our lack of faith and lack of readiness to witness to Your Gospel "in deed and in truth", –by secularism and by wishing at all costs to conform to the mentality of this world; –by a lack of that love which is "patient and kind," which "is not boastful" and which "does not insist on its own way," which "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" – that love which "rejoices in the right" and only in the right. Save us from grieving Your Spirit: –by everything that brings inward sadness and is an obstacle for the soul; –by whatever causes…divisions; –by whatever makes us a fertile soil for all temptations.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 4-5,12-82,3]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 4
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Faith is strengthened when it is given to others! It is in commitment to the Church’s universal mission that the new evangelization of Christian peoples will find inspiration and support.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
May your faith be strong; may it not hesitate, not waver, before the doubts, the uncertainties which philosophical systems or fashionable movements would like to suggest to you. May it not descend to compromise with certain concepts, which would like to present Christianity as a mere ideology of historical character, and therefore be placed at the same level as so many others, now outdated.
May your faith be joyful, because it is based on awareness of possessing a divine gift. When you pray and dialogue with God and when you converse with me, [may you] manifest the you of this enviable possession.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 11-3-80, 3]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 9 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
THIS CHAPTER SPEAKS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD COMMUNICATES WITH THE SOUL BY IMAGINARY VISIONS. STRONG REASONS ARE GIVEN FOR NOT DESIRING TO BE LED IN THIS WAY; THIS IS VERY PROFITABLE READING.
- The jewel in the locket. 2. The simile explained. 3. The apparition explained. 4. Awe produced by this vision. 5. False and genuine visions. 6. Illusive visions. 7. Effects of a genuine vision. 8. Conviction left by a genuine vision. 9. Its effects upon the after conduct. 10. A confessor should be consulted. 11. How to treat visions. 12. Effects of seeing the face of Christ. 13. Reasons why visions are not to be sought. 14. The second reason. 15. Third reason. 16. Fourth reason. 17. Fifth reason. 18. Sixth reason. 19. Additional reasons. 20. The virtues are more meritorious than consolations. 21. Fervent souls desire to serve God for Himself alone.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day Three
Day Three
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
O God, You are our Creator.
You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds.
To You arises the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live.
To do Your will is our task.
To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart.
To You we offer our homage.
Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth.
Free us from all the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will.
Never allow us to stray from You.
O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.
O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples.
Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen!
May the God of mercy, the God of love, the God of peace bless each of you and all the members of your families!
[The Pope Speaks 37/4, 1992, 213]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Transforming Emotions – Episode 7 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
No matter how many big or little sufferings we offer up, if we do not also allow God to transform the thoughts and emotions surrounding our sufferings, we have not really discerned or submitted to their purpose; we have not undergone the deep transformation that Jesus died to give us and that the Bible calls a Sabbath rest.
Because it is such a profound, secret work, only God can identify and accomplish in us the deep soul work of purgatory, or sanctification, as thoroughly as we need it. He does not simply cover our sins with his blood, he scrubs out the deep, set-in wounds, “all unrighteousness.” We can and must dispose ourselves to receive this rest, but is always still a gift, one that God insistently offers us through the repeating circumstances and relationships that are meant to attract our attention and cooperation.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
What is your greatest fear? Have you acknowledged it to yourself? To God? Does the emotion of that fear drive your behavior in some way? What do you want to say to the Lord about that?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Day 2
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Darkness can only be scattered by light. Hatred can only be conquered by love. My most fervent wish, which I entrust to God in prayer . . . is that we should all carry in our unarmed hands the light of a love which nothing can discourage.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Mother… at this solemn moment we listen with particular attention to your words: "Do whatever my Son tells you."5 And we wish to respond to your words with all our heart. We wish to do what your Son tells us, for He has the words of eternal life. We wish to carry out and fulfill all that comes from Him, all that is contained in the Good News, as our forefathers did for many centuries.
May our ears constantly hear with the proper clarity your motherly voice: "Do whatever my Son tells you." Enable us to persevere with Christ. Enable us, Mother of the Church, to build up His Mystical Body by living with the life that He alone can grant us from His fullness, which is both divine and human.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 10-8-79, 14]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 9: CHARITY
St. Teresa you have said
The blessings gained through true poverty I think are many, and I wouldn’t want to lose them. I am often aware of a faith within me so great that I think God cannot fail anyone who serves Him. I know that there never is or will be any time in which His words will fail; for I cannot persuade myself otherwise, nor can I fear…It seems to me I have much more compassion for the poor than I used to. I feel such great pity and desire to find relief for them that if it were up to me I would give them the clothes off my back. I feel no repugnance whatsoever toward them, toward speaking to or touching them. This I now see is a gift given by God. For even though I used to give alms for love of Him, I didn’t have the natural compassion. I feel a very noticeable improvement in this matter.”
—Spiritual Testimonies II.3-4
According to Teresa, while interior development necessarily involves continued progress in self-knowledge and self-awareness, it is not egotistical, because it also encourages us to look beyond ourselves to God and to others. Thus progress in the spiritual life really authenticates itself in charity. God’s love, as the evangelist John tells us, is for all, and is so profound that He sent His Son for our redemption. For those engaged in a life of prayer, we must also love with this Divine love. It is a transformative love that changes the way we see and approach our fellow men and women, as Teresa illustrates in the passage above.
May we, therefore, learn to love others with the love that God loves us, that our prayer may be truly perfected.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection was written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 11 – Interior Stillness – Silentio
"As vocal prayer is interiorized and purified it goes beyond itself into the prayer of silence, which characterizes the state of union with God." – Père Louis Bouyer
Knowledge alone does not change a person permanently for the better, but love does. That is why the saint who was once a self-centered sinner like the rest of us becomes the sort of other-considering person whom we all admire and wish to emulate.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 1
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted . . .”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
O God, You are our Creator.
You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds.
To You arises the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live.
To do Your will is our task.
To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart.
To You we offer our homage.
Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth.
Free us from the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will.
Never allow us to stray from You.
O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.
O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples.
Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen!
[The Pope Speaks 37/4, 1992, 213]
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 8: VIRTUES
St. Teresa you have said
“I repeat, it is necessary that your foundation consist of more than prayer and contemplation. If you do not strive for the virtues and practice them, you will always be dwarfs. And, please God, it will be only a matter of not growing, for you already know that whoever does not increase decreases. I hold that love, where present, cannot possibly be content with remaining always the same.”
—Interior Castle VII:4.9
Teresa writes these words toward the end of her description of the interior journey, when the soul arrives at union. Fundamental to spiritual progress is the development of a life of virtue, as virtues and prayer shape one another. In the context of Teresa’s definition of prayer as the intimate sharing between friends, virtues are all that we do and suffer for the love of God our great friend. Therefore, engagement in recollection helps us to cultivate practices to enhance our relationship with God, while the continue exercise of these virtues helps us to be gradually more receptive to interacting with Him.
In our prayer today, let us ask for the grace to develop and grow in lives of virtue, that God’s love for us may be expressed and nurtured in our love for Him.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Day 7: SURRENDER
St. Teresa you have said
Myself surrendered and given,
The exchange is this:
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
When the gentle Hunter
Wounded and subdued me,
In love’s arms,
My soul fallen;
New life receiving,
Thus did I exchange
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
The arrow he drew
Full of love,
My soul was made one
With her Creator.
Other love I want not,
Surrendered now to my God,
That my Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
—On Those Words “Dilectus Meus Mihi”
This beautiful poem is the result of Teresa’s reflection on Songs 2:16: “My Beloved belongs to me and I to him.” In her verse, she expresses a fundamental truth of the interior journey: God himself initiates and sustains the relationship, and invites us to surrender to Him in faith. Our efforts of self-renunciation, sacrifice, and humility about which Teresa constantly discusses in her writings are our personal response to this love. In renouncing ourselves, we allow the Lord to unite us to Himself.
Let us not tire of making our sacrifices of love, but instead take courage, sure in the knowledge that we are already loved.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Episode 12 – Body of Christ, You Miserable Wretch
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Day 6: THE REALITY OF HELL
St. Teresa you have said
“A long time after the Lord had already granted me many of the favors I’ve mentioned and other very lofty ones, while I was in prayer one day, I suddenly found that, without knowing how, I had seemingly been put in hell…The fact is that I don’t know how to give a sufficiently powerful description of that interior fire and that despair, coming in addition to such extreme torments and pains. I didn’t see who inflicted them on me, but, as it seemed to me, I felt myself burning and crumbling; and I repeat the worst was that interior fire and despair.”
—Autobiography XXXII.1,2
Teresa experiences the vision described above within the context of God’s salvific action, both universal and personal, in order that she might understand the torments from which she was freed because of His mercy, and also to motivate her to realize her personal vocation of reform.
The theme of hell appears often in her writings, and underlines humanity’s gift of free will and its natural consequences. The redemption wrought by Christ is intended for all, and the Divine plan is that all should be saved, but this does not preclude one’s possibility to choose. Hell is the result of a lifetime of choices made of separating oneself from God through sin, resulting in the suffocating experience of being completely bound in the darkness of God’s absence, without freedom and without hope.
Not wanting to see others end like this, Teresa exercised her own free will, dedicating her life to participating in Christ’s own saving action via her life of prayer. May we, like Teresa, give thanks to God for the truths revealed to us about eternal life, for our redemption through Christ’s blood, and for the gift of free will that allows us to choose and love him freely. Let us also pray for all those who most need our prayers for conversion of heart today.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Day 5: HUMILITY
St. Teresa you have said
“O Eternal Father! How much this humility deserves. What treasure do we have that could buy Your Son? The sale of Him, we already know, was for thirty pieces of silver. But to buy Him, no price is sufficient. Since by sharing in our nature He has become one with us here below—and as Lord of His own will—He reminds the Father that because He belongs to Him the Father in turn can give Him to us. And so He says, “our bread.” He doesn’t make any difference between Himself and us, but we make one by not giving ourselves up each day for His Majesty.”
—Way of Perfection XXXIII.5
Teresa composed these words as she reflected on the words of the Our Father: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Her meditation on this phrase brought her immediately to Christ’s experience of the passion and its significance for her and her contemporaries. For her, Jesus is the foundation and model of humility in the spiritual life.
Humility plays an important role in interior progress, because through it we come to appreciate and understand the beauty of our souls and our limitations, to gradually cede control of our lives to God in faith and trust and develop a sensibility for perceiving and carrying out His will, to love others properly, and to accept and cherish the depth of the love God has for us.
So let us ask for the grace of humility, that we may grow in truthful relationship with God, ourselves, and others.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection was written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Day 4: THE SOUL
St. Teresa you have said
“It is that we consider our soul to be like a castle made entirely out of a diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in heaven there are many dwelling places. For in reflecting upon it carefully, Sisters, we realize that the soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says He finds His delight…I don’t find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity. Indeed, our intellects, however keen, can hardly comprehend it, just as they cannot comprehend God’ but He Himself says that He created us in His own image and likeness.”
—Interior Castle I:1.1
Teresa uses a variety of images to describe the soul, likening it to a beehive, a garden, and in this case, a castle. In doing so, she attempts to explain its innate fecund richness brought about through its creation.
Made in the image and likeness of God, our souls mirror the Divine in our natural interior profundity and in our capacity to do His loving and saving will. Moreover, our souls are where Christ resides and interacts with us, and desires to permeate with his light. The experience of God, therefore, is not something beyond the human experience, but intimately connected to it. Indeed, the work of personal transformation takes place in this interior environment
May we learn from Teresa how to appreciate and care for our souls, that we may radiate Christ to others and give thanks to God for making us his home.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 10 – The Mystical Union – Unio
"I do not even begin to think of unity when the Trinity bathes me in its splendour. I do not even begin to think of the Trinity when unity grasps me." – Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
It is into this Trinity of everlasting life and love that Jesus came to invite us. This is the home for which we were created and for which we yearn the more
we experience “the love that surpasses all understanding” reaching out to embrace us.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 3: THE CENTRALITY OF THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST
St. Teresa you have said
“The thought comes to me now that our good Jesus showed us the weakness of His humanity previous to the trials, and when He was in the abyss of His sufferings showed such great fortitude that He not only did not complain but did nothing that would make it appear He was suffering with weakness. When He went to the garden, He said: My soul is sorrowful even to death. Yet, while on the cross, for He was already suffering death, He did not complain.”
—Meditations on the Song of Songs III.11.
Teresa desired to share her reflections on the Song of Songs, a rather daring act for her time. Her ponderings on Songs 1:2, led her to describe the peace and union granted the soul, opening the person to the possibility of accepting trials in the service of God, opportunities that also bring one’s weaknesses and limitations to the fore. Desiring to encourage her sisters, she looks to Christ’s own experience during his Passion.
Indeed, the humanity of Christ plays a crucial role in her doctrine on prayer. In his Incarnation, he expresses the profundity of God’s love for humanity, and is the perfect mediator between the two. Moreover, his earthly life serves as the example and guide for our spiritual growth. In this way, he leads us to discover our true selves as we
Thus, as we continue to pray through the intercession of the saint, let us recognize that she invites us to be in love with Jesus Christ, Emanuel, “God-with-us.”
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Emotions at Rest – Episode 6 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
If thoughts are sparks of energy, emotions are currents. Emotions do not have boundaries. They cannot be controlled or ignored or silenced; they must be acknowledged and transformed, or they will resurface elsewhere, as in sickness, addiction, and historical emotions. Unaddressed emotion drives negativity and destructive behaviors and makes them circular and uncontrollable. But the Holy Spirit transforms and heals emotions. Find out how.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
What is your greatest fear? Have you acknowledged it to yourself? To God? Does the emotion of that fear drive your behavior in some way? What do you want to say to the Lord about that?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Day 2 INTIMATE AND TRANSFORMATIVE PRAYER
St. Teresa you have said
“Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire…And if one perseveres, I trust then in the mercy of God, who never fails to repay anyone who has taken him for a friend. For mental prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. In order that the love be true and the friendship endure, the wills of the friends must be in accord.”
—Autobiography VIII.5
On September 27, 1970, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Teresa a doctor of the Church. In his address, the Pope celebrated Teresa’s gift of spiritual doctrine, a fact underlined by the title written on her statue in the basilica in Ávila: Mater Spiritualium (the Mother of Spirituality). She certainly merits this title.
Her writings are not theoretical abstracts, but concrete lessons drawn from her own experience and interaction with the Divine. In entering the struggle of spiritual growth, she came to discover some very important truths about the process of prayer, the truth of God and the realization of self in this context. She realized in a very real and personal way Jesus’ words: “I call you friends.”
Learning from Teresa, let us make ample space for prayer, taking time and having the courage to open ourselves to all of the possibilities that lie open to us when we enter this deep and profound relationship, including our own transformation in God and His love.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
DAY 1: QUALITY SPIRITUAL READING
St. Teresa you have said:
“The prioress should see to it that good books are available, especially The Life of Christ by the Carthusian, the Flos Sanctorum, The Imitation of Christ, The Oratory of Religious, and those books written by Fray Luis de Granada and by Father Fray Pedro de Alcantara. This sustenance for the soul is in some way as necessary as is food for the body.”
—Constitutions 8
In chapter 4 of her autobiography, Teresa recounts the story of a particular visit to her uncle, Pedro Sánchez de Cepeda, wherein he gave her a copy of Francisco de Osuna’s book, the Third Spiritual Alphabet. It provided the foundations for her spiritual life and remained an important reference for many years. In time, Teresa added other works to her list of spiritual influences, including those listed in her Constitutions. It was essential to her spiritual growth and to that of her sisters to be educated by knowledgeable people in the realm of the interior life.
Through her example and counsel, we are also invited to enrich our faith and our interior lives by reading and studying the writings of the many holy authors whom the Church recommends to us. Of course, among these, Teresa is one who is especially recommended. Perhaps one way of preparing for the feast during these nine days of novena would be to prayerful read and reflect on one of her writings.
May she and all of the saintly authors continue to inspire us through their teachings and experience.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Episode 11 – Rebuild the Church, Fall On Your Knees
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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The Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
- Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. - On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades). - Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
In 1933, God gave Saint Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy,
She tells us:
"I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth, I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord's wounds and I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus."
Of another vision on Sept. 13, 1935, she writes:
"I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath… about to strike the earth…I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment…."
The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on ordinary rosary beads:
"First say one ‘Our Father', ‘Hail Mary', and ‘I believe'. Then on the large beads say the following words: ‘Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.'
On the smaller beads you are to say the following words:
‘For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the
whole world.'
In conclusion, you are to say these words three times:
‘Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us
and on the whole world'.
Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:
"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy…."
"….When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior".
With Anthony Ryan, Marketing Director for Ignatius Press, we discuss Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Didier-Marie Golay, who is Chaplain of Lisieux and a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. We discuss the great saint known as the "Little Flower of Lisieux" and the members of her family, and how the witness of their lives continue to shine a light on the pathway to holiness for all of us.
From the book description:
Thérèse of Lisieux is one of the most popular modern saints in the world, but the details of her life and spirituality are still not widely known and are somewhat of a mystery even to her devoted followers.
With over 150 stunning photographs, in-depth text, and plentiful sidebars on history, geography, and themes, this gorgeous work helps us enter into the universe of "the greatest saint of modern times" to discover the simplicity, yet depth of her daily life and of her relationships, both human and spiritual.
It invites us to a personal encounter with Thérèse, who once wrote, "I am your sister, your friend; I will always watch over you." It invites us also to discover her appealing and rich spirituality of "the little way". Patroness of missions, Doctor of the Church, this Carmelite sister, who died at only twenty-four, has not ceased to surprise us and to spread her powerful message of love and trust across the world.
Her whole life of can be encapsulated in her poem "Living on Love": a passionate love of Christ lived out in the everyday, in the joys and trials of life, in inner and outer sufferings. Living on love is a spiritual program for life, but to live it requires a special grace for which we must ask, especially through the intercession of the "Little Flower" of Jesus. This unique, very beautiful and moving work will inspire readers to desire to imitate St. Thérèse in "living on love".
Episode 1 – Fr. Gallagher discuss the importance of St Therese of Lisieux, who Pope St. Pius X called the most important saint of the 20th century. We discuss the significance of "letters" in revealing aspects of the saints and their relationships. In the case of St. Therese, Fr. Gallagher notices the "other centeredness" of her letters. He also sets into context the age and culture of France and how it touched the lives of the Martin family.
In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher chooses to begin with a look at the lives and letters of her canonized parents, Louis and Zélie Martin as seen through the eyes of St. Therese's family members.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
St. Therese of Lisieux by Those Who Knew Her (Testimonies from the Process of Beatification)
Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (1864-1885)
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 2 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the letters of Zélie Martin, which offers a compelling glimpse of the life of the Martin family and the tender love she had for her children and others. She was a beautiful example of what Pope St. John Paul II called "the gift of self."
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
St. Therese of Lisieux by Those Who Knew Her (Testimonies from the Process of Beatification)
Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (1864-1885)
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 3 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher continues the reflection on the letters of Zélie Martin, which offers a compelling glimpse of the life of the Martin family and the tender love she had for her children and others. She was a beautiful example of what Pope St. John Paul II called "the gift of self."
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
St. Therese of Lisieux by Those Who Knew Her (Testimonies from the Process of Beatification)
Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (1864-1885)
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 4 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher begins reflecting on the letters written by St. Therese, which offers a tender glimpse of the life of the Martin family after the death of Zélie and the love the sisters had for their father Louis Martin.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 5 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on letters written by St. Therese to her sister Celine who very much needed the contact given the suffering that was being endured by the family because of their father's illness. Celine bore much of the burden of the situation. The emotional suffering, sorrow, and helplessness are aspects of what Fr. Gallagher refers to as the "crucible of suffering." Also, we discuss the "mother wounds" suffered by St. Therese because of the four separations in her young life from the "mothers" in her life.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 6 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher continues to reflect on the letters written by St. Therese to her sister Celine who very much needed the contact given their father's illness. He also talks about the depths of St. Therese's devotion to the Suffering Holy Face of Jesus. Fr. Gallagher also reflects on her desire to be a person who loves.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 7 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher continues to reflect on the illuminating personality of St. Therese, by examining several letters written about her and letters she wrote to extended family members.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
This is one of the letters Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode
LT 166 From Thérèse to Mme. Pottier (Céline Maudelonde).
J.M.J.T.
Jesus †
Carmel, July 16, 1894
Dear little Céline,
Your letter gave me real joy. I marvel at how the Blessed Virgin is pleased to answer all your desires. Even before your marriage, she willed that the soul to whom you were to be joined form only one with yours by means of an identity of feelings. What a grace for you to feel you are so well understood, and, above all, to know your union will be everlasting, that after this life, you will still be able to love the husband who is so dear to you!…
They have passed away, then, for us both the blessed days of our childhood! We are now at the serious stage of life; the road we are following is different, however, the goal is the same. Both of us must have only one same purpose: to sanctify ourselves in the way God has traced out for us.1
I feel, dear little friend, that I can speak freely to you; you understand the language of faith better than that of the world, and the Jesus of your First Communion has remained the Master of your heart. In Him, you love the beautiful soul who forms only one with yours, and it is because of Him that your love is so tender and so strong.
Oh! how beautiful is our religion; instead of contracting hearts (as the world believes), it raises them up and renders them capable of loving, or loving with a love almost infinite since this love must continue after this mortal life which is given to us only for meriting the homeland of heaven where we shall find again the dear ones whom we have loved on earth!
I had asked for you, dear Céline, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel the grace you have obtained at Lourdes. How happy I am that you are clothed in the holy scapular!2 It is a sure sign of predestination, and besides are you not more intimately united by means of it to your little sisters in Carmel?…
You ask, dear little cousin, that I pray for your dear husband; do you think, then, I could fail in this?… No, I could not separate you in my weak prayers. I am asking Our Lord to be as generous in your regard as he was formerly to the spouses at the wedding of Cana. May He always change water into wine!3… That is to say, may He continue to make you happy and to soften as much as possible the trials that you encounter in life.
Trials, how could I place this word in my letter, when I know everything is happiness for you?…
Pardon me, dear little friend; enjoy in peace the joy God is giving you, without disturbing yourself regarding the future. He is reserving for you, I am sure, new graces and many consolations.
Our good Mother Marie de Gonzague is very appreciative of your kind remembrance of her, and she herself is not forgetting her dear little Céline. Our Mother and Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart are also very happy because of your joy, and they ask me to assure you of their affection.
I dare, dear little cousin,4 to beg you to offer my respectful regards to Monsieur Pottier, whom I cannot refrain from considering also as my cousin.
I leave you, dear Céline, remaining always united to you in my heart, and I shall, throughout my life, be happy to call myself, Your little sister in Jesus,
Episode 8 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on an important aspect of "the little way" as imaged by St. Therese of "casting flowers." This is demonstrated by her relationship with a challenging novice, Sister Marie of Saint-Joseph
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
This is one of the letters Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode
LT 194 From Thérèse to Sister Marie of Saint-Joseph.(Fragment.)
September 8-17 (?), 1896
LC lost
I am delighted with the little child, and the one who carries her in His arms is still more delighted than I…. Ah! how beautiful is the little child’s vocation! It is not one mission that she must evangelize but all missions. How will she do this?… By loving, by sleeping, by THROWING FLOWERS to Jesus when He is asleep. Then Jesus will take these flowers, and, giving them an inestimable value, He will throw them in His turn; He will have them fly over all shores and will save souls (with the flowers, with the love of the little child, who will see nothing but will always smile even through her tears!… (A child, a missionary, and even a warrior, what a marvel!)
St. Therese of Lisieux. Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Volume II: General Correspondence 1890-1897 (Critical Edition of the Complete Works of Saint Therese of Lisieux Book 2) (Kindle Locations 5315-5322). ICS publications. Kindle Edition..
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 9 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the suffering of St. Therese and her experience of it in light of the "Little Way" as seen in her letters and the observations from others.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
This is one of the letters Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode
An Excerpt from LT 226 From Thérèse to P. Roulland.
May 9, 1897
I do not understand, Brother, how you seem to doubt your immediate entrance into heaven if the infidels were to take your life. I know one must be very pure to appear before the God of all Holiness, but I know, too, that the Lord is infinitely just; and it is this justice which frightens so many souls that is the object of my joy and confidence. To be just is not only to exercise severity in order to punish the guilty; it is also to recognize right intentions and to reward virtue. I expect as much from God’s justice as from His mercy. It is because He is just that “He is compassionate and filled with gentleness, slow to punish, and abundant in mercy, for He knows our frailty, He remembers we are only dust. As a father has tenderness for his children, so the Lord has compassion on us!!” 6 Oh, Brother, when hearing these beautiful and consoling words of the Prophet-King, how can we doubt that God will open the doors of His kingdom to His children who loved Him even to sacrificing all for Him, who have not only left their family and their country to make Him known and loved, but even desire to give their life for Him whom they love…. Jesus was very right in saying that there is no greater love than that! 7 How would He allow Himself to be overcome in generosity? How would He purify in the flames of purgatory souls consumed in the fires of divine love? It is true that no human life is exempt from faults; only the Immaculate Virgin presents herself absolutely pure before the divine Majesty. Since she loves us and since she knows our weakness, what have we to fear? Here are a lot of sentences to express my thought, or rather not to succeed in expressing it, I wanted simply to say that it seems to me all missionaries are martyrs by desire and will and that, as a consequence, not one should have to go to purgatory. If there remains in their soul at the moment of appearing before God some trace of human weakness, the Blessed Virgin obtains for them the grace of making an act of perfect love, and then she gives them the palm and the crown that they so greatly merited.
This is, Brother, what I think of God’s justice; 8 my way is all confidence and love. I do not understand souls who fear a Friend so tender. At times, when I am reading certain spiritual treatises in which perfection is shown through a thousand obstacles, surrounded by a crowd of illusions, my poor little mind quickly tires; I close the learned book that is breaking my head and drying up my heart, 9 and I take up Holy Scripture. 10 Then all seems luminous to me; a single word uncovers for my soul infinite horizons, perfection seems simple to me, I see it is sufficient to recognize one’s nothingness and to abandon oneself as a child into God’s arms. Leaving to great souls, to great minds the beautiful books I cannot understand, much less put into practice, I rejoice at being little since children alone and those who resemble them will be admitted to the heavenly banquet. 11 I am very happy there are many mansions in God’s kingdom, 12 for if there were only the one whose description and road seems incomprehensible to me, I would not be able to enter there. I would like, however, not to be too far from your mansion; in consideration of...
Episode 10 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher continues his reflection on "the little way" and then discusses the Christmas moment that St. Therese described as her "complete conversion" moment.
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
It was December 25, 1886, that I received the grace of leaving my childhood, in a [5]word, the grace of my complete conversion. We had come back from Midnight Mass where I had the happiness of receiving the strong and powerful God. Upon arriving at Les Buissonnets, I used to love to take my shoes from the chimney corner and examine the presents in them; this old custom had given us so much joy in our youth that Céline wanted to continue treating me as a baby since I was the youngest in the family. Papa [10]had always loved to see my happiness and listen to my cries of delight as I drew each surprise from the magic shoes, and my dear King’s gaiety increased my own happiness very much. However, Jesus desired to show me that I was to give up the defects of my childhood and so He withdrew its innocent pleasures. He permitted Papa, tired out after the Midnight Mass, to experience annoyance when seeing my shoes at the fireplace, and that he speak [15]those words which pierced my heart: “Well, fortunately, this will be the last year!” I was going upstairs, at the time, to remove my hat, and Céline, knowing how sensitive I was and seeing the tears already glistening in my eyes, wanted to cry too, for she loved me very much and understood my grief. She said, “Oh, Thérèse, don’t go downstairs; it would cause you too much grief to look [20]at your slippers right now!” But Thérèse was no longer the same; Jesus had changed her heart! Forcing back my tears, I descended the stairs rapidly; controlling the poundings of my heart, I took my slippers and placed them in front of Papa, and withdrew all the objects joyfully. I had the happy appearance of a Queen. Having regained his own cheerfulness, Papa was laughing; Céline believed it was all a dream! Fortunately, it was a sweet reality; Thérèse had discovered once again the strength of soul which she had lost at the age of four and a half, and she was to preserve it forever! [45v°]
On that night of light began the third period of my life, the most beautiful and the most filled with graces from heaven. The work I had been unable to do in ten years was done by Jesus in one instant, contenting himself with my good will which was never lacking.
Foley OCD, Marc. Story of a Soul The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Study Edition (pp. 152-153). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
Episode 11 – In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the ordinary quality of St. Therese's holiness by reading from the testimony of those who knew her. He answers the question, "Could St. Therese be considered a mystic?"
Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode:
The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux)
Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II
From the Witnesses of the ordinary trial – Witness one: Agnes de Jesus (Pauline Martin)
One of them said that it wasn’t difficult being holy when one had everything one could wish for as she did, and when one lived with one’s family and was pampered. I am obliged to say that this senior professed nun, who was not of very sound judgement, decided to leave the monastery and is now living out in the world. Another, during her last illness, said, “I wonder what our Mother Prioress could possibly write about Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. What can you say about someone who has been constantly cosseted and hasn’t acquired virtue at the cost of struggles and suffering like us? She is meek and good, but these things come naturally to her.” [LC 29-7] I heard these words through Sr Thérèse herself, who had heard them. The nun who pronounced them is now dead. On the other hand, that same nun, who was a Lay Nun, said on other occasions that Sister Thérèse of the Child [241v] Jesus was a saint
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola". For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
For the other episodes in this series check out "The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts” page
From the autobiography of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin
(Manuscrits autobiographiques, Lisieux 1957, 227-229)
In the heart of the church I will be love
Since my longing for martyrdom was powerful and unsettling, I turned to the epistles of St. Paul in the hope of finally finding an answer. By chance the 12th and 13th chapters of the 1st epistle to the Corinthians caught my attention, and in the first section I read that not everyone can be an apostle, prophet or teacher, that the Church is composed of a variety of members, and that the eye cannot be the hand. Even with such an answer revealed before me, I was not satisfied and did not find peace.
I persevered in the reading and did not let my mind wander until I found this encouraging theme: "Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will show you the way which surpasses all others." For the Apostle insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind.
When I had looked upon the mystical body of the Church, I recognised myself in none of the members which St. Paul described, and what is more, I desired to distinguish myself more favourably within the whole body. Love appeared to me to be the hinge for my vocation. Indeed I knew that the Church had a body composed of various members, but in this body the necessary and more noble member was not lacking; I knew that the Church had a heart and that such a heart appeared to be aflame with love. I knew that one love drove the members of the Church to action, that if this love were extinguished, the apostles would have proclaimed the Gospel no longer, the martyrs would have shed their blood no more. I saw and realised that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place. In one word, that love is everlasting.
Then, nearly ecstatic with the supreme joy in my soul, I proclaimed: O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my calling: my call is love. Certainly I have found my place in the Church, and you gave me that very place, my God. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and thus I will be all things, as my desire finds its direction.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Chapter 9 – The Morning Offering – Offerta – How to Pray with David Torkington
"Christ does not offer alone, His people are joined to Him and offer with Him and through Him. Indeed, they are absorbed into Him and form one body with Him by the Holy Spirit who lives in all." – Fr. Josef Andreas Jungmann, SJ
Christ made it clear to his followers that The only offering that God really wants is the offering of ourselves. That is why we are all called to become priests, because only we can offer ourselves; no one else can do it for us.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 9 – The Liturgical Bridge to Mystery – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the "stages" of the spiritual journey and the vices which hinder growth in holiness.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
– Praktike (purgation), Physike (illumination), and Theologia (union with God)
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
What's the right relationship between our asceticism and liturgical mysticism?
I thought I would write a book on liturgical acestism and then write a book on liturgical mysticism, so I could find out, but I finished them both, and I'm not sure that I'm done with it yet. I liked the key you gave in our earlier conversation that I don't need to try to come up with a liturgical bridge to asceticism. And then another liturgical bridge to mysticism, liturgy is the bridge between those two. So if I walk the bridge of liturgy, I'll find on the east end and the west end, the north end and the south end of this bridge, both of them, I know that mysticism awaits us at the end of asceticism, as I understood it from the tradition. And in that book (On Liturgical Ascetism), I primarily dealt with Eastern and Orthodox material. I understand mysticism to be at the end of it because when it goes through these stages of praktike, physike, and theologia, in order to arrive theologia which union with God. Well, what better definition of mysticism do I need? Um, mysticism must surely have some requirements of us in efforts of us. Well, yeah. Mysticism assumes asceticism, asceticism assumes mysticism, but if the emphasis is on a different syllable, it seems like one of them starts with the efforts required. With askesis, training, discipline effort we arrive at the mystery and the other starts with the mystery, but acknowledges that the purgation and illumination will precede this unification. I think they're related. And I've got a number of metaphors for the relationship, but I don't think enough of them yet. And they're not entirely happy.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and
Episode 10 – Sending Satan Straight to Hell…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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The Power of the Tongue – Episode 5 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
Like the children of Israel in the desert, our thoughts and emotions are reflected in our words, and words have creative power for death or life (Prov 18:21). We can forfeit rest through constant negativity and complaining, the way they did, or we can follow the creative Consciousness of the universe to the promised land of rest.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Have you noticed that the more you complain and murmur, the more you get what you’ve complained and murmured about? Whether you think it’s worth having or not . . . you’re right. What do you want to say to Him about that?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Day 6
St. Therese you have said:
“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Episode 9 – Satan is No Symbol …
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Day 9
St. Padre Pio you have said:
How fortunate we are to be slaves of this great God who submitted Himself to death for us.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever.
Episode 7 – Kissing the Wounds of the Leper
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Chapter 8: Reconciliation – Reconciliatio (Reconciliation)
"When you come to prayer inspect your heart, so as to send your prayer pure to God, and carefully examine whether there is any obstacle to this." – Abbot Macarius, the Egyptian
It is time to ask God to show us everything we have done or failed to do that has kept him out. It is this that prevents him from making his home within us as he promised on the night before he died. Then our prayer will rise from a pure and contrite heart.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 8 – We Might As Well Dance…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Episode 6 – The Communion of Saints
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Day 9
St. Hildegard you have said:
“A human being is a vessel that God has built for himself and filled with his inspiration so that his works are perfected in it.”
“Now, O son of God, set in the valley of true humility, walk in peace without pride of spirit, which, like a precipitous mountain, offers a difficult, or near-impossible, ascent or descent to those who attempt to scale it, and on its summit no building can be built. For a person who tries to climb higher than he can achieve possesses the name of sanctity without substance, because, in name alone without a structure of good works, he glories in a kind of vain joy of the mind.”
"Humility always groans, weeps and destroys all offenses, for this is its work. So let anyone who wishes to conquer the Devil arm himself with humility, since Lucifer fervently flees it and hides in its presence like a snake in a hole; for wherever it finds him, it quickly snaps him like a fragile thread."
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Thoughts at Rest, Dealing with Deprivation – Episode 4 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
God is always leading us to the Promised Land of rest.
Rest is not simply inactivity.
Rest is not a luxury.
Rest is a discipline. Rest is a promise.
We dispose ourselves to receive the promise of rest through a disciplined desert process common to God’s people from the beginning. The biblical Exodus story is a map through this desert process, showing us the disciplines that offer “dew” – God’s renewing presence in the desert that leads us to the superabundance of rest in thought, emotion, body, and soul.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
What’s your knee-jerk reaction to deprivation? Is it related to your go-to sin, your predominant fault? How will you deal with deprivation differently after listening to the show?
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Day 8
St. Hildegard you have said:
“People have within themselves struggles of confession and of denial… And in this struggle the question is: Is there a God or not? The answer comes from the Holy Spirit Who dwells in the person:
God is, and created you, and also redeemed you.
As long as this question and answer are in a person, the power of God will not be absent from him, for this question and answer carries with it penitence. But when this question is not in a person, neither is the answer of the Holy Spirit, for such a person drives out God’s gift from himself and without the question that leads to penitence, throws himself upon death. And the Virtues display to God the battles of these wars, for they are the seal that shows God the intention that worships or denies Him.”
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Day 1
St. Padre Pio you have said:
Jesus keeps nothing for Himself of what is done for love of Him, and He will repay us very lavishly, Don’t let us make our happiness depend on enjoying wonderful health, or else we should be just like those foolish worldly people to whom it is not given to know the secrets of heaven…. Continue to love Jesus, and make an effort to love Him more and more, without wanting to know anything else He alone will steer us to the haven of salvation.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Day 7
St. Hildegard you have said:
Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Chapter 7 Adoration, Praise, and Thanksgiving – Adoratio (Adoration)
When we adore God a hidden highway is opened to the holiness of God. It enables his holiness to descend onto and into us as our homage rises to him. Peter Calvay (Hermit)
When the full impact of all that God has done for us begins to register in our inmost being, it is time to give him thanks over and over again for what he continually gives to us.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 6
St. Hildegard you have said:
Sometimes when we hear a song we breathe deeply and sigh. This reminds the prophet that the soul arises from heavenly harmony. In thinking about this, he was aware that the soul itself has something in itself of this music…
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Join Msgr. Esseff as he reflects on the gospel for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary time.
Gospel Mk 8:27-35
Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 5
St. Hildegard you have said:
Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap.
The mystery of God hugs you in its all-encompassing arms.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Episode 40 – John 19 – Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Part 2
The Gospel of John reaches a crescendo in Chapter 19: the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The cosmic battle between good and evil, life and death reaches its climax on the cross. The prince of light and life triumphs over the prince of darkness and death. Banished to a life of darkness with the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind is brought back into the kingdom of light as Jesus crushes the head of Satan. Yet, we are surrounded by a culture of darkness and death that can only be dispelled by Christ through the sacraments of the Church.
John’s Gospel is dripping with irony, especially during the trial and crucifixion of Christ. Pilate asks: “What is truth?” as he looks upon the source of all truth, Jesus Christ. Satan suppresses truth, and as we hear in Romans 1, the suppression of truth leads us to go against our very nature. Sharon then teaches us some facts about the torture that Jesus experienced. Crucifixion was the preferred method of execution used by the Romans in the first century. It was often preceded by flogging, which by itself could bring about the death of a victim. Jewish law forbids more than 40 lashes, but Roman law had no such restrictions. The shroud of Turin demonstrates that Jesus likely received more than 100 strikes with the whip, weakening him to the point he could not carry his cross unassisted. The victims of crucifixion experienced a slow, agonizing death, with asphyxiation as the ultimate cause.
Drawing from Matthew’s account, Sharon then teaches us about Claudia, the wife of Pilate, who warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus’ death. Returning to John’s account, Sharon highlights additional examples of irony. Pilate sits in judgment of Jesus, who is the final judge of the living and the dead. Also, the Jews proclaim they have no king but Caesar, which puts them in violation of the Lord’s prohibition against idolatry as the emperor was the focus of worship in Roman culture. The Jews crucify Jesus on the charge of blasphemy, yet they declare allegiance to the false god of the Roman emperor.
A final example of irony is Pilate’s inscription placed on Jesus’ cross: the king of the Jews. Jesus is truly the king of kings and Lord of lords. Sharon then gives us interesting teaching about Dismas, the “good thief” who joins Jesus in paradise on the day of the crucifixion. The hour of the crucifixion is the hour of a new creation. God is the universal Father, Mary the universal mother, and Jesus the universal brother of all humanity. The Holy Spirit is the universal language and John represents the universal priesthood established by Christ.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
Day 4
St. Hildegard you have said:
Listen: there was once a king sitting on his throne. Around Him stood great and wonderfully beautiful columns ornamented with ivory, bearing the banners of the king with great honour. Then it pleased the king to raise a small feather from the ground, and he commanded it to fly. The feather flew, not because of anything in itself but because the air bore it along. Thus am I, a feather on the breath of God.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Episode 7 – The Lesson of St. Benedict…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Day 3
St. Hildegard you have said:
Holy Spirit, the life that gives life: You are the cause of all movement. You are the breath of all creatures. You are the salve that purifies our souls. You are the ointment that heals our wounds. You are the fire that warms our hearts. You are the light that guides our feet. Let all the world praise you.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Episode 5 – Daily Spiritual Reading
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Day 2
St. Hildegard you have said:
These visions which I saw were not in sleep nor in dreams, nor in my imagination nor by bodily eyes or outward ears nor in a hidden place; but in watching, aware with the pure eyes of the mind and inner ear of the heart.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Families, homeschooling, and toll roads. We discuss three more essays by G.K. Chesterton from the collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
The Predictable Biological Mechanisms of Anxiety – Episode 3 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
Brain research and the science of thought are broad fields, but we know now that the brain is not static. Every thought actively changes your brain and body for better or worse. Toxic, negative thoughts and emotions are controllable, transformable, and healable, even after long-term habits of painful negativity!
Find out the predictable biological mechanisms of anxiety, and begin working toward rest in this episode.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Do you find knowing the science behind racing, negative, worrisome thoughts and emotions empowering? We are truly fearfully, wonderfully made! What do you need to say to the Holy Spirit about that?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Chapter 6 A Profession of Faith – Professio
"’ Twas much, that man was made like God before, But, that God should be made like man, much more." – John Donne
At the beginning of prayer, we may rarely experience anything, at least to begin with. Much more often than not, we have to accept in faith what Christ continually experiences and what we would like to experience one day for ourselves.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Ninth Day – Holiness is Jesus Living and Acting in Me
Thought for the day:
“Charity for each other is the surest way to great holiness.”
Ask for the grace to become a saint.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Eighth Day – Jesus Made Himself the Bread of Life and the Hungry One
Thought for the day: “Believe that He, Jesus, is in the appearance of Bread and that He, Jesus, is in the hungry, naked, sick, lonely, unloved, homeless, helpless and hopeless.”
Ask for the grace of a deep faith to see Jesus in the Bread of Life and to serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poor.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Seventh Day – God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Thought for the day:
“Joy is the sign of union with God, of God’s presence. Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love.”
Ask for the grace to find joy in loving and to share this joy with all you meet.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Sixth Day – True Love is Surrender
Thought for the day:
“Allow God to use you without consulting you.”
Ask for the grace to surrender your whole life to God.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Fifth Day – Trust Jesus Blindly
Thought for the day:
“Confidence in God can do all things. It is our emptiness and lowliness that God needs and not our plenitude’”
Ask for the grace to have an unshakeable trust in God’s power and love for you and for all.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Fourth Day – Our Lady Will Help You
Thought for the day:
“How close we must keep to Our Lady who understood what depth of Divine Love was being revealed as she stood at the foot of the Cross and heard Jesus cry out: ‘I thirst.’”
Ask for the grace to learn from Our Lady to quench Jesus’ thirst as she did.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Third Day –
Hear Him Say to You: “I Thirst”
Thought for the day:
“Just think! God is thirsting for you and me to come forward to satiate His thirst.”
Ask for the grace to understand Jesus’ cry of thirst.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
From the Confessions of St. Augustine, bishop
(Lib. 7,10,18; 10,27: CSEL 33,157-163,255)
O eternal truth, true love, and beloved eternity
Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under your guidance into the inmost depth of my soul. I was able to do so because you were my helper. On entering into myself I saw, as it were with the eye of the soul, what was beyond the eye of the soul, beyond my spirit: your immutable light. It was not the ordinary light perceptible to all flesh, nor was it merely something of greater magnitude but still essentially akin, shining more clearly and diffusing itself everywhere by its intensity. No, it was something entirely distinct, something altogether different from all these things; and it did not rest above my mind as oil on the surface of water, nor was it above me as heaven is above the earth. This light was above me because it had made me; I was below it because I was created by it. He who has come to know the truth knows this light.
O Eternal truth, true love and beloved eternity. You are my God. To you do I sigh day and night. When I first came to know you, you drew me to yourself so that I might see that there were things for me to see, but that I myself was not yet ready to see them. Meanwhile you overcame the weakness of my vision, sending forth most strongly the beams of your light, and I trembled at once with love and dread. I learned that I was in a region unlike yours and far distant from you, and I thought I heard your voice from on high: “I am the food of grown men; grow then, and you will feed on me. Nor will you change me into yourself like bodily food, but you will be changed into me.”
I sought a way to gain the strength which I needed to enjoy you. But I did not find it until I embraced the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who is above all, God blessed for ever. He was calling me and saying: I am the way of truth, I am the life. He was offering the food which I lacked the strength to take, the food he had mingled with our flesh. For the Word became flesh, that your wisdom, by which you created all things, might provide milk for us children.
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Second Day – Jesus Loves You
Thought for the day:
“Do not be afraid – you are precious to Jesus. He loves you.”
Ask for the grace to be convinced of Jesus’ unconditional and personal love for you.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
First Day – Know the Living Jesus
Thought for the day:
“Don’t search for Jesus in far lands; He is not there. He is close to you; He is in you.”
Ask for the grace of an intimate knowledge of Jesus.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Fight the Right Battle – Episode 2 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
Fight the right battle.
You feel like you’re spinning your wheels, laboring till you’re exhausted but seeing little permanent fruit. You’re depressed that certain relationships are a perpetual painful morass. You’re frustrated that the numerous “prescriptions” of faith that you’ve tried are not working. I get it. We expend a lot of energy fighting the wrong battles, and such futility is an underlying cause of anxiety.
This episode explores how to fight the right battle: how to work with the Holy Spirit for lasting peace rather than against Him. Our focus is on temporary relief, while His is on our permanent rest in Him. So we must determine to lean into the difficulties He allows and “suffer creatively,” as St. John of the Cross says.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
Did a particular relationship or repeating pattern come to mind during this show? What do you need to say to the Holy Spirit about that?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Episode 4 – Eucharistic Amazement
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 8 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
SPEAKS OF THE MANNER IN WHICH GOD COMMUNICATES WITH THE SOUL BY INTELLECTUAL VISION AND GIVES ADVICE UPON THE SUBJECT. OF THE EFFECTS PRODUCED BY THIS VISION WHEN GENUINE. SECRECY ABOUT THESE FAVOURS IS ENJOINED.
- Our Lord’s presence accompanying the soul. 2. St. Teresa’s experience of this. 3. Confidence and graces resulting from this vision. 4. Its effects. 5. It produces humility. 6. And prepares the soul for other graces. 7. Consciousness of the presence of the saints. 8. Obligations resulting from this grace. 9. Signs that this favour is genuine. 10. A confessor should be consulted. 11. Our Lord will enlighten our advisers. 12. Cautions about this vision.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 4
St. Augustine has written:
“You are surprised that the world is losing its grip, that the world is grown old? Think of a man: he is born, he grows up, he becomes old. Old age has its many complaints: coughing, shaking, failing eyesight, anxious, terribly tired. A man grows old; he is full of complaints. The world is old; it is full of pressing tribulations. . . . Do not hold onto the old man, the world; do not refuse to regain your youth in Christ, who says to you, ‘The world is passing away, the world is losing its grip, the world is short of breath. Do not fear. Thy youth shall be renewed as an eagle”
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Episode 40 – John 19 – Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Part 1
The Gospel of John reaches a crescendo in Chapter 19: the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The cosmic battle between good and evil, life and death reach its climax on the cross. The prince of light and life triumphs over the prince of darkness and death. Banished to a life of darkness with the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind is brought back into the kingdom of light as Jesus crushes the head of Satan. Yet, we are surrounded by a culture of darkness and death that can only be dispelled by the Christ through the sacraments of the Church.
John’s Gospel is dripping with irony, especially during the trial and crucifixion of Christ. Pilate asks: “What is truth?” as he looks upon the source of all truth, Jesus Christ. Satan suppresses truth, and as we hear in Romans 1, the suppression of truth leads us to go against our very nature. Sharon then teaches us some facts about the torture that Jesus experienced. Crucifixion was the preferred method of execution used by the Romans in the first century. It was often preceded by flogging, which by itself could bring about the death of a victim. Jewish law forbid more than 40 lashes, but Roman law had no such restrictions. The shroud of Turin demonstrates that Jesus likely received more than 100 strikes with the whip, weakening him to the point he could not carry his cross unassisted. The victims of crucifixion experienced a slow, agonizing death, with asphyxiation as the ultimate cause.
Drawing from Matthew’s account, Sharon then teaches us about Claudia, the wife of Pilate, who warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus’ death. Returning to John’s account, Sharon highlights additional examples of irony. Pilate sits in judgement of Jesus, who is the final judge of the living and the dead. Also, the Jews proclaim they have no king but Caesar, which puts them in violation of the Lord’s prohibition against idolatry as the emperor was the focus of worship in Roman culture. The Jews crucify Jesus on the charge of blasphemy, yet they declare allegiance to the false god of the Roman emperor.
A final example of irony is Pilate’s inscription placed on Jesus’ cross: the king of the Jews. Jesus is truly king of king and lord of lords. Sharon then gives us an interesting teaching about Dismas, the “good thief” who joins Jesus in paradise on the day of the crucifixion. The hour of the crucifixion is the hour of a new creation. God is the universal Father, Mary the universal mother and Jesus the universal brother of all humanity. The Holy Spirit is the universal language and John represents the universal priesthood established by Christ.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
Ugly churches and bad poetry. We discuss three more essays by G.K. Chesterton—on architecture, Shakespeare, and free verse poems—as we move through the collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Episode 6 – The Goodness of Creation…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Anxiety is Not from God – Episode 1 – Freedom from Anxiety with Sonja Corbitt
It may seem like an oxymoron, but rest is a discipline.
The number one thing you need to know in battling anxiety is that it does not come from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). Anxiety is an attack of the enemy, therefore we must close the doors of vulnerability that our unresolved experiences in life have left open. What are those doors? This episode explores the open doors and how to close them once and for all.
For other episodes in this series, visit the Discerning Hearts Sonja Corbitt page
Be sure to visit Bible StudyEvangelista webpage at: https://www.biblestudyevangelista.com
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice.
Listen (Receive the Word.)
Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
During the section of forgiving mom and dad, people with whom you have soul ties, self, and God, did a particular person or memory come to mind? What do you want to say to the Holy Spirit about that?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Heavenly Father, I ask that Your love flow upon me. May the Blood of Christ cover all wounds and restore all in me to wholeness and life. May the fire from Our Lady’s heart now enter me and anoint everything with the Holy Spirit and blind Satan. May St. Joseph wrap me with blessings and peace, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen + (Prayer for Inner Healing, Deliverance Prayers for the Laity, Fr. Ripperger)
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Click here for a written transcript of this episode.
Visit here for more on Sonja's "LOVE the Word" journal
Also:
Episode 3 – The Maximum
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Part 2 of our conversation with Fr. Vincent Lampert on Exorcism
In Exorcism: The Battle Against Satan and His Demons, Fr. Vincent Lampert, a seasoned Exorcist of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, offers valuable insight on the important ministry of exorcism available in the Church in our modern times. In our conversation, he offers a thorough and balanced overview of the activity of the enemy and the grace and freedom from those seeking deliverance from diabolical activity.
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
At a time when many Christians no longer practice their faith, there has been an increase in the attention given to the devil and his devious ways. Because the devil seeks to destroy and separate us from God, all Catholics must be on guard.
Providing a window into the merciful ministry of exorcism, Fr. Lampert equips Catholics with the knowledge necessary to avoid become vulnerable to spiritual attack. In Exorcism, you'll learn
– how the Church selects and trains priests for the ministry of exorcism
– where and how the devil operates in the world, and what Scripture has to say about it
– why it is vital for Catholics to live a vibrant life of faith
– what to do if you suspect the presence of the demonic in your life or in others and
– how to fend off spiritual attack and build a stronger relationship with God.
Exorcism makes clear that the power of Satan to wreak havoc in our lives pales in light of the glorious omnipotence of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and what death really means.
Reading 2 1 COR 15:20-27
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Episode 39 – John 18 – Christ’s Passion part 2
The arrest and trial of Jesus marks the beginning of his “hour” of glorification. He was aware of the impending suffering, yet gave full consent to the Father’s plan. Sharon sets the stage for this dramatic event with a detailed description of the Kidron valley, the deep chasm dividing the Temple from the Mount of Olives.
Solomon’s portico was the highest point on the Temple mount and overlooked the Kidron valley, which contains to this day the pillar of Absalom. Sharon recalls the story of Absalom, son of King David, who was banished by David after killing his half-brother, Amnon, for raping his sister, Tamar. Absalom died a violent death in the Kidron valley: as he was riding a mule, his hair became entangled in a tree, allowing David’s soldiers to spear him to death.
Facing the Kidron valley, the eastern gate of the Temple was particularly significant. Jewish tradition held that the divine presence of God would appear at the eastern gate, and it was through this gate that Jesus entered Jerusalem as the passion unfolded. Returning to Chapter 18, Sharon focuses on the details of Jesus’ arrest. Judas arrived with a cohort of soldiers; these 500 or more men fell to the ground in response to Jesus’ declaration: “I am he”, the one they were looking to arrest. Betrayal never comes from an enemy; only from someone close. Yet on the very night of his betrayal, Jesus offered his own life in forgiveness for sin. Jesus was taken first to Annas, who was the rightful high priest, but had been replaced by Rome with his son-in-law Caiphas.
Next, Peter’s three-time denial fulfills Christ’s prediction. Finally, the chapter ends with Jesus before Pilate, who attempted to free Jesus through the Passover tradition of releasing one prisoner. However, the Jews picked Barabbas, which is translated “son of the father”, choosing an insurrectionist over Jesus, the true “Son of the Father.”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
Episode 8 – The Life of Mystagogy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss our baptism and the meaning of "mystagogy."
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
– What is it to live the liturgy?
– What occurs at our baptism?
– What is our role true role in the liturgical celebration?
– What is the nature of "mystagogy?"
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
Liturgy is doing the world the way it was meant to be done, but I can't do it the way it was meant to be done unless I know what I am supposed to be doing. And unless I know what God wants me to be doing, and unless I know what God intends for the world. So I have to spend some time with the blueprint drawer, with the architect, with the designer. I don't know how this family should operate, or this marriage should operate, or this justice in society should operate unless they spend some time with the source of love and the source of justice and the source of life. So we go into the sacred in order to inhale, so that we can conduct our sacramental, ascetical, and mystical life. I live this life seven days in the world before Icome into the sacred on the eighth day, then I take a step up into heaven, so that I can see heaven around me.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton's Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).
Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg's books:
Chapter 5 The Parousia
The Mass should so form us that the whole of our lives becomes the Mass, the place where we continually offer ourselves through Christ to the Father. Josef Andreas Jungmann, SJ
Saint Peter sees the time between the first coming in history and the final coming in majesty as a time for repentance, or a time for repeatedly turning to receive the Christ who continually comes to us in mystery through love. That is why prayer is so important.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 8
Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, we rejoice that you are the Queen of Heaven and Earth. You have given your holy fiat to God and became the Mother of our Savior.
Obtain peace and salvation for us through your prayers, for you have given birth to Christ our Lord, the Savior of all mankind.
Intercede for us and bring our petitions before the Throne of God.
(mention your request)
Through your prayers, may our souls be filled with an intense desire to be like you, a humble vessel of the Holy Spirit and a servant of the Almighty God.
Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Part 1 of our conversation with Fr. Vincent Lampert on Exorcism
In Exorcism: The Battle Against Satan and His Demons, Fr. Vincent Lampert, a seasoned Exorcist of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, offers valuable insight on the important ministry of exorcism available in the Church in our modern times. In our conversation, he offers a thorough and balanced overview of the activity of the enemy and the grace and freedom from those seeking deliverance from diabolical activity.
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
At a time when many Christians no longer practice their faith, there has been an increase in the attention given to the devil and his devious ways. Because the devil seeks to destroy and separate us from God, all Catholics must be on guard.
Providing a window into the merciful ministry of exorcism, Fr. Lampert equips Catholics with the knowledge necessary to avoid become vulnerable to spiritual attack. In Exorcism, you'll learn
– how the Church selects and trains priests for the ministry of exorcism
– where and how the devil operates in the world, and what Scripture has to say about it
– why it is vital for Catholics to live a vibrant life of faith
– what to do if you suspect the presence of the demonic in your life or in others and
– how to fend off spiritual attack and build a stronger relationship with God.
Exorcism makes clear that the power of Satan to wreak havoc in our lives pales in light of the glorious omnipotence of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
What would G.K. Chesterton say about Amazon.com? We argue it out as we continue our discussion of In Defense of Sanity, a collection of some of Chesterton's best essays.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
From The Memoirs by the secretary of St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Love is as strong as death
One day Saint Jane spoke the following eloquent words, which listeners took down exactly as spoken:
"My dear daughters, many of our holy fathers in the faith, men who were pillars of the Church, did not die martyrs. Why do you think this was?" Each one present offered an answer; then their mother continued. "Well, I myself think it was because there is another martyrdom: the martyrdom of love. Here God keeps his servants and handmaids in this present life so that they may labor for him, and he makes of them both martyrs and confessors. I know," she added, "that the Daughters of the Visitation are meant to be martyrs of this kind, and that, by the favor of God, some of them, more fortunate than others in that their desire has been granted, will actually suffer such a martyrdom."
One sister asked what form this martyrdom took. The saint answered: "Yield yourself fully to God, and you will find out! Divine love takes its sword to the hidden recesses of our inmost soul and divides us from ourselves. I know one person whom love cut off from all that was dearest to her, just as completely and effectively as if a tyrant's blade had severed spirit from body."
We realized that she was speaking of herself. When another sister asked how long the martyrdom would continue, the Saint replied: "From the moment when we commit ourselves unreservedly to God, until our last breath. I am speaking, of course, of great-souled individuals who keep nothing back for themselves, but instead are faithful in love. Our Lord does not intend this martyrdom for those who are weak in love and perseverance. Such people he lets continue on their mediocre way, so that they will not be lost to him; he never does violence to our free will."
Finally, the saint was asked whether this martyrdom of love could be put on the same level as martyrdom of the body. She answered: "We should not worry about equality. I do think, however, that the martyrdom of love cannot be relegated to a second place, for love is as strong as death. For the martyrs of love suffer infinitely more in remaining in this life so as to serve God, than if they died a thousand times over in testimony to their faith and love and fidelity."
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 7
Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that we are and bind us to Jesus with the bonds of love, that we may be yours forever and may be able to say in all truth:
“I belong to Jesus through Mary”.
Our Mother, Assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe, ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain for us what we ask for if it be for the glory of God and the good of our souls.
(mention your request)
Our Mother, assumed into Heaven, we love you. Give us a greater love for Jesus and for you.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Episode 5 – Seeing Rome for the First Time…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 6
Mary, our dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive our poor hearts with all their freedom and desires, all the love and all the virtues and graces with which they may be adorned.
All we are and all we might be, all we have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, we have received from God through your loving intercession.
Help us dear Mother to surrender to God all that we have including our petitions.
(mention your request)
Our Lady and Queen, into your gentle hands, we entrust all, that it may be returned to its noble origin.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 7 part 3 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES THE GRIEF FELT ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS BY SOULS ON WHOM GOD HAS BESTOWED THE BEFORE MENTIONED FAVOURS. SHOWS THAT HOWEVER SPIRITUAL A PERSON MAY BE, IT IS A GREAT ERROR NOT TO KEEP BEFORE OUR MIND THE HUMANITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACRED PASSION AND LIFE, AS ALSO THE GLORIOUS MOTHER OF GOD AND THE SAINTS. THE BENEFITS GAINED BY SUCH A MEDITATION. THIS CHAPTER IS MOST PROFITABLE.
- Sorrow for sin felt by souls in the Sixth Mansion. 2. How this sorrow is felt. 3. St. Teresa’s grief for her past sins. 4. Such souls, centered in God, forget self-interest. 5. The remembrance of divine benefits increases contrition. 6. Meditation on our Lord’s Humanity. 7. Warning against discontinuing it. 8. Christ and the saints are models. 9. Meditation of contemplatives. 10. Meditation during aridity. 11. We must search for God when we do not feel His presence. 12. Reasoning and mental prayer. 13. A form of meditation on our Lord’s Life and Passion. 14. Simplicity of contemplatives’ meditation. 15. Souls in every state of prayer should think of the Passion. 16. Need of the example of Christ and the saints. 17. Faith shows us our Lord as both God and Man. 18. St. Teresa’s experience of meditation on the sacred Humanity. 19. Evil of giving up such meditation.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Episode 2 – The Art of Prayer
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
Pro Sanctity Mission Statement
The Pro Sanctity Movement is a Catholic organization dedicated to promoting the universal call to holiness by seeking to address the needs of the mind with theology, the heart with spirituality, and the hands with ministry.
It is open to all, especially to those who wish to deepen their commitment to God and to share the message of holiness with others.
Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org
Also, you may wish to visit the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Fullerton, CA. Learn more at Pro Sanctity Movement West
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 5
O merciful and loving Mother, may your glorious beauty fill our hearts with a distaste for earthly things and an ardent longing for the joys of Heaven.
May your merciful eyes glance down upon our struggles and our weakness in this vale of tears.
Hear then loving Mother, our request and plead to Jesus for us.
(mention your request)
Crown us with the pure robe of innocence and grace here, and with immortality and glory in Heaven.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Chapter 4 – Pray, do not babble
When you pray do not babble as pagans do, for they think by using many words they will make themselves heard. Matthew 6:7
One thing is absolutely necessary from the start, and that is to be completely honest with God. Nothing short of total frankness is called for when we start to pray. Do not forget that God knows us through and through even before we open our mouths.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 4
O Dearest Mother Mary, Assumed into Heaven, God placed you at His right hand that you may intercede for his little ones as the Mother of God.
In the midst of all the Saints you stand as their Queen and ours – dearer to the Heart of God than any creation. You pray for your children and give to us every grace won by our loving Savior on the Cross.
Please intercede for us in our needs and ask Jesus to grant our request if it be for the good of our souls.
(mention your request)
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on Hab 1:12-2:4
Are you not from eternity, O LORD,
my holy God, immortal?
O LORD, you have marked him for judgment,
O Rock, you have readied him punishment!
Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil,
and the sight of misery you cannot endure.
Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence
while the wicked man devours
one more just than himself?
You have made man like the fish of the sea,
like creeping things without a ruler.
He brings them all up with his hook,
he hauls them away with his net,
He gathers them in his seine;
and so he rejoices and exults.
Therefore he sacrifices to his net,
and burns incense to his seine;
for thanks to them his portion is generous,
and his repast sumptuous.
Shall he, then, keep on brandishing his sword
to slay peoples without mercy?
I will stand at my guard post,
and station myself upon the rampart,
And keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what answer he will give to my complaint.Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision
Clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash man has no integrity;
but the just man, because of his faith, shall live. -NAB
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. In addition, he continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 3
O Mother, Assumed into Heaven, because you shared in all the mysteries of our Redemption here below, Jesus has crowned you with glory.
With your most glorious and powerful intercession, help us O loving Mother and present to Jesus our request.
(mention your request)
O Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Episode 38 – John 18 – Christ’s Passion part 1
The arrest and trial of Jesus marks the beginning of his “hour” of glorification. He was aware of the impending suffering, yet gave full consent to the Father’s plan. Sharon sets the stage for this dramatic event with a detailed description of the Kidron valley, the deep chasm dividing the Temple from the Mount of Olives.
Solomon’s portico was the highest point on the Temple mount and overlooked the Kidron valley, which contains to this day the pillar of Absalom. Sharon recalls the story of Absalom, son of King David, who was banished by David after killing his half-brother, Amnon, for raping his sister, Tamar. Absalom died a violent death in the Kidron valley: as he was riding a mule, his hair became entangled in a tree, allowing David’s soldiers to spear him to death.
Facing the Kidron valley, the eastern gate of the Temple was particularly significant. Jewish tradition held that the divine presence of God would appear at the eastern gate, and it was through this gate that Jesus entered Jerusalem as the passion unfolded. Returning to Chapter 18, Sharon focuses on the details of Jesus’ arrest. Judas arrived with a cohort of soldiers; these 500 or more men fell to the ground in response to Jesus’ declaration: “I am he”, the one they were looking to arrest. Betrayal never comes from an enemy; only from someone close. Yet on the very night of his betrayal, Jesus offered his own life in forgiveness for sin. Jesus was taken first to Annas, who was the rightful high priest, but had been replaced by Rome with his son-in-law Caiphas.
Next, Peter’s three-time denial fulfills Christ’s prediction. Finally, the chapter ends with Jesus before Pilate, who attempted to free Jesus through the Passover tradition of releasing one prisoner. However, the Jews picked Barabbas, which is translated “son of the father”, choosing an insurrectionist over Jesus, the true “Son of the Father.”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
What a delight to talk once again to Sr. Mary Ann Fatula O.P. this time about Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit: Keys to a Transformed Life and Joy Heart! She provides us with a road map for the spiritual journey that takes us to the heart of the Holy Trinity led by the person of Love, the Holy Spirit. Highly recommended!
You can find this book here
From the book description:
Regardless of our past, or the trials afflicting us now or those we may face in the future, when we draw near to the Holy Spirit, our lives change for the better. Closeness with the Holy Spirit is the “secret” of holiness and happiness.
In this short yet penetrating work, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula reflects on how tenderly and powerfully the Holy Spirit offers us the precious gift of intimacy with Himself. Through the graces of our Baptism and Confirmation, the Holy Spirit― the Third Divine Person who is the Father’s and Son's sublime Love for Each other ― gives Himself to us to be our “Beloved,” our mighty Healer, our intimate Friend and Consoler, our constant Companion and Strength, our gentle Teacher and Guide.
Every page of this exquisite book will speak to your heart. Using the Church’s hymns and prayers, you will learn to pray to the Holy Spirit with love and tenderness, entrusting Him with your every concern, and inviting Him to possess you and anoint your every breath and moment of your life.
The saints show us how the Holy Spirit truly is our fierce “Protector” who loves us and “fights” powerfully for us. When we are weighed down with problems and worries, when we long for more joy and serenity, the Holy Spirit invites us to draw close to Him and let Him do for us what we cannot do ourselves.
It is the Holy Spirit who lifts us up when we are discouraged and fills us with His comfort and peace when we are sad and lonely. The Holy Spirit is the One who deepens our intimacy with the Father and the Son, and who gives us a heart full of empathy for others.
Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit invites you to taste the sweetness of the Holy Spirit and savor in your own life the wonders He accomplishes in those who draw close to Him.
Also listen to Sr. Mary Ann Fatula discuss Heaven Spleandor on this Inside the Pages Podcast with Kris McGregor
Episode 7 – The Definition of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss a "thicker" definition of liturgy.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
Liturgy is the perichoresis of the Trinity kenotically extended to invite our synergistic ascent into deification.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
So conversion metanoia means to take on a new mind, to receive a new mind. Well, what could you do with a new mind? I might see things differently. I might change my values. They might be turned upside down from selfish values to kingdom values. Conversion is one step, but it's a lifelong step. The entire life is a extended baptismal conversion. So one baptism doesn't end something. It starts something the same way that a wedding starts a marriage. It's it's not the end of the marriage. It's the beginning of the marriage. And baptism is the start of what, what do you want to call? The thing that baptism is the start of, Christianity, spirituality, your liturgical life, your spiritual warfare, your joys in the kingdom. It's the beginning.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton's Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).
Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg's books:
Episode 4 – The Church making the world endurable…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Gargoyles, the grotesque, and burning pictures of the pope: G.K. Chesterton helps us interpret the dark side of the world, as we continue our discussion of In Defense of Sanity, a collection of Chesterton's essays.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 9 – Opening to the Supreme Joy: Friendship with Jesus
“[The heart of the human person] finds itself in great distress without a close union with God, because only the fullness of being, of intelligence and of love, the infinite Unity and ineffable Trinity of God, can fill and satisfy its immense capacity.”
“The Church sings the solemn chant: Nobis datus, nobis natus–For us he has been given, for us he is born! Who would ever doubt this truth after so many testimonies? Jesus Christ is all for us. His Father gave him to us. He gave himself to us. There is no other acquisition better than this gift. He is therefore mine. Yes, he is mine and belongs to me. Oh Love! Oh Goodness! What is necessary on my part to gain this gift, greater than any gift, that contains in itself every other gift? Three things are necessary: faith, confidence and offering.”
“They are always in Jesus’ company; they are always conversing with Jesus. They strive to keep their memory gently fixed on Jesus, to accustom their intellect to always see and judge everything according to Jesus, to keep their will always tranquil and united to that of Jesus.”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to become a living copy of Jesus, letting him rejoice in me.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 7 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES THE GRIEF FELT ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS BY SOULS ON WHOM GOD HAS BESTOWED THE BEFORE MENTIONED FAVOURS. SHOWS THAT HOWEVER SPIRITUAL A PERSON MAY BE, IT IS A GREAT ERROR NOT TO KEEP BEFORE OUR MIND THE HUMANITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACRED PASSION AND LIFE, AS ALSO THE GLORIOUS MOTHER OF GOD AND THE SAINTS. THE BENEFITS GAINED BY SUCH A MEDITATION. THIS CHAPTER IS MOST PROFITABLE.
- Sorrow for sin felt by souls in the Sixth Mansion. 2. How this sorrow is felt. 3. St. Teresa’s grief for her past sins. 4. Such souls, centered in God, forget self-interest. 5. The remembrance of divine benefits increases contrition. 6. Meditation on our Lord’s Humanity. 7. Warning against discontinuing it. 8. Christ and the saints are models. 9. Meditation of contemplatives. 10. Meditation during aridity. 11. We must search for God when we do not feel His presence. 12. Reasoning and mental prayer. 13. A form of meditation on our Lord’s Life and Passion. 14. Simplicity of contemplatives’ meditation. 15. Souls in every state of prayer should think of the Passion. 16. Need of the example of Christ and the saints. 17. Faith shows us our Lord as both God and Man. 18. St. Teresa’s experience of meditation on the sacred Humanity. 19. Evil of giving up such meditation.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a "Personal Plan for Holiness". Listen along with these short, butbeautiful meditations which encourage us to continue on our journey as "saints in the making"!
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 8 – Overcoming Excuses for being Sad
“It is necessary to notice that many times these sufferings are products of our imagination, and a joyful spirit dispels them easily. In fact, many times they are trifles, or even without any foundation whatsoever. For example: a person forgets to greet someone because of a distraction, causing that person to presume it is out of malice or scorn. Or again, a word comes from the mouth of someone–perhaps in simplicity or jest–and it is immediately interpreted as an offense. Many times the disgust is disgust because we want to be disgusted, like spooked horses who jump backwards not because there may be an occasion for fear, but because they themselves create the fear.
…As for true and real tribulations and adversities, notice that if they are not taken with a joyful abandonment to God, they will become much heavier! They will damage the spirit and lead to impatience, lack of charity, murmuring against God, and even against one’s own body. Drive sadness far away from you, for sadness brought death to many (Sirach 30:23). Thus, afflictions of soul, desolations, desperation–see how they foster more sadness!
…Yes, these things impede joy if one looks upon them with a worldly eye, if one seeks their causes in the earth, or in creatures, and does not look upon them with the eye of faith, or does not believe that all comes from God… nothing happens contrary to His will. And it is from God our father–he is a father like no other father–who permits all things for our good, so may we reflect on the grace attached to it and the reward prepared for us.”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to accept with joy whatever you permit to happen, for I know that all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Chapter 3 – The School of Love
“Repent and be baptized every one of you, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Saint Peter (Acts 2:38)
Most people give up before they have started because they think that distractions make prayer impossible. The truth is we would never learn to pray without them. Each time we turn away from a distraction to turn back to God, we perform an act of selflessness and a habit of selflessness is gradually formed.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 1
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
Place your mind in the mirror of eternity;
Place your soul in the splendour of glory;
Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance;
And, through contemplation, transform your entire being into the image of the Divine One himself,
So that you, yourself, may also experience what his friends experience when they taste the hidden sweetness that God alone has kept from the beginning
For those who love him.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 7 – Acquiring Spiritual Joy
“Means for acquiring Joyfulness:
1. Ask the Lord for joyfulness. Joy or cheerfulness is the second fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22]. Blessed [John] Berchmans [1599-1621] was always so joyful that many called him Saint Leto [joy] and Saint IIario [laughter]. Joy was a grace he daily prayed for at Mass.
2. Think frequently of the Lord and thank Him for the goods that we possess and hope to possess. For example, thank him for the grace of God that we possess, and for the Paradise that we hope for. Let us go often to take from the Angels and Blessed above, an air of joyfulness, thinking that from now on we are citizens of Heaven and fortifying ourselves in Christian hope.
3. Perform good deeds with holy readiness and simplicity. Do things with good intention. Do them immediately, without reasoning too much on them, becoming over-reflective. Rather, cut off all ruminations, saying to oneself: ‘I should not dwell on this, one needs only to do what is good.’ Likewise, it is helpful to act with holy freedom of spirit,
despising every fear that is not founded on offending God, not waiting for tomorrow that which you can do today.”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to love my life, and to approach my duties with a joyful spirit.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 6 – Protecting against Sin and Vice
“Through joyfulness one avoids sins and easily triumphs over temptation. It is proper to temptations to begin to instill despondency and sadness. And in these troubled waters the devil begins to fish. The joyful man has great regard for and always enjoys the spiritual goods he hopes for and possesses. When these are compared to the apparent goods temptations offer, he quickly decides the question with the exclamation of St. Philip, "Paradise, Paradise." Therefore, he sins less and gains much more merit… With joyfulness, one drives out the sloth which impedes the practice of virtue.
With joyfulness one easily acquires holiness and perfects oneself through virtuous actions. "God loves a joyful giver" (2 Corinthians 9: 7). Joyful giving is done not as a burden, but by good grace, with love. If one thinks too much about a good action that is to be performed [and thus hesitates], the merit of that action will be diminished… So act promptly… The one who gives promptly, gives double.
Compare a sad person with a joyful one in their daily activities. The despondent one behaves like an old lazy man, who is sleepy, cold, frozen…. The joyful one behaves like a young man who carries himself well, is graceful, robust, and energetic. In fact, if one prays, if one meditates with joy, if one approaches the sacraments joyfully, if one converses with his neighbor with joy, how many sins against God and neighbor will be avoided!
With joyfulness one's perseverance in good is more easily assured, because doing things with sadness and against one's will constitutes a violent state that cannot last. In such a case, if great difficulties are encountered, how much more easily is everything abandoned. The joyful man, on the other hand, is resolute, generous, energetic, and so he easily overcomes the difficulty of perseverance.”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to think often of heaven, and to be generous in love.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Msgr. Esseff reflects on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4 v. 20 -24:
22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. – RCVCE
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 36 – John 17 – The High Priestly Prayer part 2
The High Priestly Prayer of John 17 is the conclusion of the Farewell Discourse of Jesus. Sharon begins her lecture with some additional insights on the Trinity, whose image is reflected in the marriage between man and woman and between Christ in both his Church and priesthood. Because they image God and can bear eternal life, these spiritual marriages are targeted by Satan. Because of the fall, we lost our immortality, and death entered the world, but through Jesus, death is conquered, and the prospect of eternal life is restored, which John discussed at least 19 times in his gospel.
In Chapter 17, Jesus proclaims that his hour of glory has arrived. Yet, we also learn that the glory of Jesus was present before the creation of the world. What is this glory? John the Evangelist was an eyewitness to the glory of Jesus at the Transfiguration, yet he did not include this story in his Gospel. Sharon shows how Revelation 11 is perhaps the Evangelist’s Transfiguration account in the symbolic language of the apocalypse.
Two witnesses are mentioned in Revelation 11, but 4 entities are mentioned. Two olive trees and two lampstands have the power to shut the sky and the power to turn water into blood, which recalls the stories of Elijah (who foretold a drought to King Ahab) and Moses (who turned the waters of the Nile into blood). Elijah, the Old Testament olive tree, prefigures John the Baptist; Moses, the Old Testament lampstand, prefigures Jesus. These two witnesses experienced the glory of the Lord in their own lifetimes: Elijah, in the silence of the cave at Horeb, and Moses, in the flame of the burning bush. The synoptic gospels have them in glory with Jesus Christ as well.
Sharon goes on to focus on the priesthood. The Levitical priesthood, born out of violence, was a temporary solution to the permanent problem of sin. Jesus re-established a new priesthood in the order of Melchizedek. The priesthood is the first priesthood mentioned by name in the bible in Genesis chapter 14 when Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness, blessed Abram. The Levitical priests offered yearly sacrifice for the atonement for sin. Jesus, the eternal high priest and king, offers a once for all, perpetual sacrifice that is continually celebrated at mass on earth and in the heavenly wedding banquet of the New Jerusalem. After completing the hour of glory of his death and crucifixion, Jesus ascends to the Father and sits down at his right hand, taking his rightful position on the mercy seat of the Trinity.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
Episode 3 – Leaves fall but they do not die…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 4 – Strengthening the Reasons to be Joyful
1. Our gratitude requires it. We have an obligation to be thankful for the spiritual goods we possess. How will we ever show enough appreciation for them unless we really enjoy them and celebrate them?
2. Our honor demands it. How can we rejoice and show gratitude [for spiritual goods] if we are sad and melancholy? One would enjoy, most certainly, being favored by a prince, receiving worldly riches and the hope for even more. Do we have any excuse for not enjoying being favored by God, receiving spiritual riches and the well-founded hope of eternal riches yet to come?
3. Sacred Scripture testifies that God’s manifest desire is our joy. Here are some of the Lord’s invitations:
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
• “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
• “I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12)
• “Nothing is more delightful than joy of the heart.” (Sirach 30:16)
• “Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because your works are pleasing to God.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
• “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; exult, all you upright of heart.” (Psalm 32:11)”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to open my heart to your gifts of consolation. Even if I struggle, I will rejoice that you are with me.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Fr. Nicholas Cachia is a truly insighful and gifted spiritual director and theologian. From the beautiful island of Malta, Fr. Cachia spends a portion of his summer as a faculty member with the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska. In this particular conversation we discuss various topics:
God's infinite and unique love for each of us
The need for authentic discernment in our daily life
One of the biggest blocks to the God's great love for us...the fear of losing control and surrendering
Why the prayer at the end of the day is so important.
The risk of loving God and others
The need for being open to the Word of God receiving the Word
What is "Lectio Continua"
Then he leads us in a meditation on
The Good Shepherd - The great image of Compassion.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 3 – Turning toward Spiritual Joy
“Spiritual joy is experienced when one ponders the spiritual goods it possesses. What are these goods? Participation in the divine nature (as children of God), union with Jesus Christ, being in the bosom of the Church as her children, God's special protection, the gifts of the theological virtues, the Sacraments, the communion of saints, grace, friendship with God, the merits of our actions, the glory of heaven that is already almost ours by the firm hope we have (as a son already almost possesses the inheritance that awaits him from his father).
This is the joy that we must seek. Few possess it, because they fail to call these
goods to mind and fail to understand how valuable they are. They are like people who never stop to look at a beautiful painting, or to listen to beautiful music, and really enjoy them. They are like children who possess precious things but do not realize how valuable
they are. Such people fail to ponder and take delight in the state of grace.
Unlike worldly joy, spiritual joy is true joy; it is not based on anything false or illusory. It is to be preferred to all else, because it is good, holy, and superior to anything temporal. Spiritual joy is angelic, because the angels themselves experience it. It is real, and it strengthens.”
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to treasure the gifts that are mine by faith.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, “It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything.” You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visit
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
From the Book of Job to the philosophy of cheese. We discuss two fantastic essays by G.K. Chesterton as we continue to work our way through In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Chapter 2 – The Little Back Room
We should keep for ourselves a little back room, all our own, untouched by others, in which we establish our true freedom and chief place of seclusion and solitude. Montaigne
It is time to start again by setting up that little back room so that we can retire into it every morning and evening to find there the inner freedom to receive and experience the love that inspired Jesus and transformed everything he did, enabling us to love those we already love more deeply, and even those we have never loved before.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 6 – The Mystery of Liturgical Synergy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss what is meant by full and active participation in the liturgy.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
The difference between being involved with ministry and being consciously present to the mystery of God.
The nature of synergy in regards to liturgy, and in particular the celebration of the mass.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
God plans to be fully, actively, and consciously present in liturgy. That's His presence from above. What should I do in response? Maybe I should be full, active, conscious response to his presence. That would be a nice filling out of the idea of participation because participation doesn't mean activity that I generate. Participation is my response to his presence. He's full, active, consciously present. I'm full, actively, consciously responding.
The Greek word for that is synergy, S Y N E R G Y. And syn means "together", enérgeia means an energy or an activity at work. Here are two examples. One of them is synergy. One of them is not synergy. Mom is coming. The apartment is a mess. You clean up that room. I'll clean up this room. Together, they cleaned up the apartment. The second, example is in order to have fire, you must have matter, spark, and oxygen. They have to operate together. The first example is just two people doing an activity at the same time. In the second example, the one makes possible the other makes it occur. Well, synergy is that second example. It's co operatio (co-operate), synergy. God's graces and we faith. God energizes and we synergize. He takes the lead in the ballroom dancing and we follow. We co-operate. Well, that leads me to suppose that it's not a matter of laity co-operating with the clergy. Rather laity and clergy should co-operate the liturgy which is occurring at this moment. And in our liturgy, the human liturgy, the liturgy of the Church, it is a cooperation with the full, active and conscious presence of God. He makes himself present. We make this response.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the
Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and
Episode 2 – Love and Forgiveness…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on several stories, along with the Gospel, that demonstrate Christian unity through, with, and in Christ.
Reading 2 EPH 4:1-6
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 35 – John 17 – The High Priestly Prayer part 1
The High Priestly Prayer of John 17 is the conclusion of the Farewell Discourse of Jesus. Sharon begins her lecture with some additional insights on the Trinity, whose image is reflected in the marriage between man and woman and between Christ in both his Church and priesthood. Because they image God and can bear eternal life, these spiritual marriages are targeted by Satan. Because of the fall, we lost our immortality, and death entered the world, but through Jesus, death is conquered, and the prospect of eternal life is restored, which John discussed at least 19 times in his gospel.
In Chapter 17, Jesus proclaims that his hour of glory has arrived. Yet, we also learn that the glory of Jesus was present before the creation of the world. What is this glory? John the Evangelist was an eyewitness to the glory of Jesus at the Transfiguration, yet he did not include this story in his Gospel. Sharon shows how Revelation 11 is perhaps the Evangelist’s Transfiguration account in the symbolic language of the apocalypse.
Two witnesses are mentioned in Revelation 11, but 4 entities are mentioned. Two olive trees and two lampstands have the power to shut the sky and the power to turn water into blood, which recalls the stories of Elijah (who foretold a drought to King Ahab) and Moses (who turned the waters of the Nile into blood). Elijah, the Old Testament olive tree, prefigures John the Baptist; Moses, the Old Testament lampstand, prefigures Jesus. These two witnesses experienced the glory of the Lord in their own lifetimes: Elijah, in the silence of the cave at Horeb, and Moses, in the flame of the burning bush. The synoptic gospels have them in glory with Jesus Christ as well.
Sharon goes on to focus on the priesthood. The Levitical priesthood, born out of violence, was a temporary solution to the permanent problem of sin. Jesus re-established a new priesthood in the order of Melchizedek. The priesthood is the first priesthood mentioned by name in the bible in Genesis chapter 14 when Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness, blessed Abram. The Levitical priests offered yearly sacrifice for the atonement for sin. Jesus, the eternal high priest and king, offers a once for all, perpetual sacrifice that is continually celebrated at mass on earth and in the heavenly wedding banquet of the New Jerusalem. After completing the hour of glory of his death and crucifixion, Jesus ascends to the Father and sits down at his right hand, taking his rightful position on the mercy seat of the Trinity.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series, visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more, go to www.seekingtruth.net
Chapter 1 – Transforming Love
There is only one way to perfection and that is to pray; if anyone points in another direction then they are deceiving you. Saint Teresa of Avila
Prayer is the place where we freely choose to receive God’s love despite the unwanted thoughts, fantasies, and daydreams that try to distract us from receiving it. It is by daily trying to raise the mind and heart to God in prayer, that God gives us the only love that can transform us into the image and likeness of Jesus.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 2
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
You are much deceived in thinking that the cause of your unrest and little progress in following the way of the Lord comes from the place where you live, or your superiors, or your brethren. This unrest comes from within you, that is, it comes from your own lack of humility, obedience, and prayer, and finally from a want of mortification and fervor in advancing in the way of perfection. You could have a change in residence, of superiors, and of brethren, but if the interior man is not changed these other changes will do you no good. Everywhere will be the same for you, unless you become humble, obedient, devout, and you mortify your self-love. This is the change you should seek and no other [Ep. 8:328-329].
Our Father….
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena to St. Ignatius of Loyola
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 7 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES THE GRIEF FELT ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS BY SOULS ON WHOM GOD HAS BESTOWED THE BEFORE MENTIONED FAVOURS. SHOWS THAT HOWEVER SPIRITUAL A PERSON MAY BE, IT IS A GREAT ERROR NOT TO KEEP BEFORE OUR MIND THE HUMANITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACRED PASSION AND LIFE, AS ALSO THE GLORIOUS MOTHER OF GOD AND THE SAINTS. THE BENEFITS GAINED BY SUCH A MEDITATION. THIS CHAPTER IS MOST PROFITABLE.
- Sorrow for sin felt by souls in the Sixth Mansion. 2. How this sorrow is felt. 3. St. Teresa’s grief for her past sins. 4. Such souls, centered in God, forget self-interest. 5. The remembrance of divine benefits increases contrition. 6. Meditation on our Lord’s Humanity. 7. Warning against discontinuing it. 8. Christ and the saints are models. 9. Meditation of contemplatives. 10. Meditation during aridity. 11. We must search for God when we do not feel His presence. 12. Reasoning and mental prayer. 13. A form of meditation on our Lord’s Life and Passion. 14. Simplicity of contemplatives’ meditation. 15. Souls in every state of prayer should think of the Passion. 16. Need of the example of Christ and the saints. 17. Faith shows us our Lord as both God and Man. 18. St. Teresa’s experience of meditation on the sacred Humanity. 19. Evil of giving up such meditation.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 1
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
The moment you decided to use all your strength in praising, honoring, and serving God our Lord, that was the moment you entered battle with the world, raised your standards against it, and made yourself ready to reject all that is exalted by embracing all that is lowly. At the same time you resolved to accept with indifference positions high or low, honor or dishonor, riches or poverty, to be loved or hated, to be appreciated or scorned—in short, the world's glory or the injuries it could inflict upon you
If we desire to live in honor and to be esteemed by our neighbors, then we shall never be solidly rooted in God our Lord, and it will be impossible for us to remain undisturbed when insults come our way
Our Father….
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena to St. Ignatius of Loyola
Episode 1 – Prologue to the Still Point…
Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.
For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar's Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.
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Episode 5 – The Marian Mystery and the Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the mystical participation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the liturgy.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
What is the relationship between Mary and the liturgy of the Church?
What is Liturgical Dogma?
Why is dogma important?
What is the authentic nature of "full and active participation"?
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
There's a relationship between Mary and the liturgy. She's the model of the spiritual attitude with which the church celebrates and lives. The divine mysteries, any names for Mary is the attentive Virgin. She's the Virgin in prayer. She's the Virgin Mother and the Virgin presenting offerings. What do we do in liturgy? This is what Paul VI goes through. In this document, we seek to be attentive, to offer a prayer, to be the maternal church that gathers the world under the wings and heals its sufferings and presents offerings. Mary is a model of a spiritual attitude, which every Christian should have when he or she celebrates and lives the divine mysteries. So she's not a replacement of the mystery. She's the model for how we live and express those mysteries.
More taken from the discussion:
The words which are vehicles for Spirit are revelatory in Scripture, but they're dogmatic in other forms. And dogmas are words, and you have to use the right words. The doctor is writing the prescription for you. He can't prescribe arsenic instead of aspirin, it matters which words he writes down on the pad. It matters what terms we use in our dogma. And that's why the Church argues over these things. You have to have the wording just right. As Chesterton has said, the Church is a lion tamer, and she's running with tigers and lions and dragons. And everything has to be just right in order to keep the balance. One wrong slip of words, Chesterton finishes, and all the stained glass would be broken and all the Christmas trees destroyed. Yeah. As it happened, when we goofed up our understanding of the sacramentality of the church, broke windows, and whitewashed the art, you have to be very careful in how you prescribe it.
We prefer to have a kind of loosey-goosey why can't we just say, be healthy? Why do we have to have doctors and med school and big medical manuals? Well, because it matters how strong a dose you prescribe. You have to argue about this. And sometimes the arguments have to go on for 300 years before we pinned down our correct definition of transubstantiation in order to make sense out of reality and symbol…John Carbone, again in his book, Wellspring of Worship writes The Virgin Mary is the Church as it dawns in a single person. Let's see who knew that? Oh yeah. Second Vatican Council Lumen Gentium, the document on the Church. How should we end this with a chapter on Mary? Mary is the Church as it dawns in a single person.
For more podcast episodes of this series, visit the
Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (la...
Introduction
“Although people go on crying out for solutions they become angry when they are told that the restoration of society must come from within and not from without.” Schumacher, Small Is Beautiful
The message is so simple that it needs the simplicity of the child to see what cynics can only scoff at. We are not helpless; we can do something to combat the evil that we see in the world around us, if we are only prepared to go like Saint Catherine into the inner room.
You can find the book here.
This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.
In the foreword to this new book from OSV, "How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life," Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,
"There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours."
This is not your standard "prayer book" – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.
Endorsement
“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”
Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years, he served the Church in Northern Colorado, where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
G.K. Chesterton on true mysticism, writing no-nos, and more, as we continue our journey through In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Episode 34 – John 16 – The Holy Spirit part 2
As we draw close to the passion, John 16 focuses our attention on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. Throughout John’s Gospel, we have read about the theme of “The Hour.” Jesus tells his apostles that the hour is now here, not only for himself but also for them.
Before moving into John 16, Sharon shares additional insights on Jesus, the True Vine of Chapter 15. From last week, we recall that Jacob gave his blessing to Judah and his birthright to Joseph and that these two “vines” point towards Jesus, the True Vine. After the time of the kings, the kingdom of Israel divided into northern (descendants of Joseph) and southern tribes (descendants of Judah), with the northern tribes being scattered further through the diaspora. So, how does Jesus reunite these two vines, bringing together the blessing and the birthright of Israel? The answer can be found in Ezekiel 37 where the Lord tells the prophet that he will combine the sticks of Joseph and Judah into one stick, gathering them together into one nation. This prophecy is fulfilled on the horizontal and vertical wood of the cross, where Jesus becomes the king over not only a united Israel, but over the entire world.
Moving on to John 16, Sharon draws our attention back to the Trinity, a word never actually found in the Bible, yet present through all scripture. In the 1st century AD, Tertullian first used the word “Trinity” and the doctrine was developed over the following centuries. We learn that a controversy between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches stems from a disagreement over Trinitarian doctrine. The Roman Catholic Church believes in the Nicene Creed “filioque” which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, while the Eastern churches believe the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father.
We learn also that John 16 predicts the persecution of the early Church, when Christians were cast out of the synagogue and thrown into jail by Saul. We also learn that unless Jesus left the world, the Holy Spirit would not come. The Holy Spirit convicts (but does not condemn) the world, convincing us of sin, righteousness and judgement. Finally, Sharon ends with a wonderful look at the famous Rublev icon of the Trinity, which depicts the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the setting of the three visitors to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, where many of the mysteries of the Trinity are unveiled.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Msgr. Esseff reflects on how Jesus cares for His flock today. Who fulfills the role of the "shepherd" today in the diocese, in the parish, in the homes?
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
You give us hope,
O Mother of Mercy,
that through your Scapular promise
we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory
to the Kingdom of your Son.
Be our comfort and our hope.
Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that,
ever faithful to your Son and to you,
we may speedily enjoy after death
the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
O Mary, Help of Christians,
you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily
would keep us from harm.
Protect us in both body and soul
with your continual aid.
May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
From playing in the rain to Father Christmas to the art of Pablo Picasso—more insights from G.K. Chesterton from the collection In Defense of Sanity.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Christian identity. Before the world was made, He chose us. Who are we? What does that mean for our lives and the life of the world?
Reading 2 Eph 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love, he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him, we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven, and on earth.In him, we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him, you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
O Mother of Fair Love,
through your goodness,
as your children,
we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel.
Help us to live in charity with one another,
prayerful as Elijah of old,
and mindful of our call to minister to God's people.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Episode 33 – John 16 – The Holy Spirit part 1
As we draw close to the passion, John 16 focuses our attention on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. Throughout John’s Gospel, we have read about the theme of “The Hour.” Jesus tells his apostles that the hour is now here, not only for himself but also for them.
Before moving into John 16, Sharon shares additional insights on Jesus, the True Vine of Chapter 15. From last week, we recall that Jacob gave his blessing to Judah and his birthright to Joseph and that these two “vines” point towards Jesus, the True Vine. After the time of the kings, the kingdom of Israel divided into northern (descendants of Joseph) and southern tribes (descendants of Judah), with the northern tribes being scattered further through the diaspora. So, how does Jesus reunite these two vines, bringing together the blessing and the birthright of Israel? The answer can be found in Ezekiel 37 where the Lord tells the prophet that he will combine the sticks of Joseph and Judah into one stick, gathering them together into one nation. This prophecy is fulfilled on the horizontal and vertical wood of the cross, where Jesus becomes the king over not only a united Israel, but over the entire world.
Moving on to John 16, Sharon draws our attention back to the Trinity, a word never actually found in the Bible, yet present through all scripture. In the 1st century AD, Tertullian first used the word “Trinity” and the doctrine was developed over the following centuries. We learn that a controversy between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches stems from a disagreement over Trinitarian doctrine. The Roman Catholic Church believes in the Nicene Creed “filioque” which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, while the Eastern churches believe the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father.
We learn also that John 16 predicts the persecution of the early Church, when Christians were cast out of the synagogue and thrown into jail by Saul. We also learn that unless Jesus left the world, the Holy Spirit would not come. The Holy Spirit convicts (but does not condemn) the world, convincing us of sin, righteousness and judgement. Finally, Sharon ends with a wonderful look at the famous Rublev icon of the Trinity, which depicts the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the setting of the three visitors to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, where many of the mysteries of the Trinity are unveiled.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 9
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
As there is a harsh and evil zeal which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a virtuous zeal which separates from vice and leads to God and life everlasting.
Let the monks, therefore, practice this zeal with most ardent love; namely, that in honor they forerun one another (cf Rom 12:10). Let them bear their infirmities, whether of body or mind, with the utmost patience; let them vie with one another in obedience. Let no one follow what he thinks useful to himself, but rather to another. Let them practice fraternal charity with a chaste love.
Let them fear God and love their Abbot with sincere and humble affection; let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and my He lead us all together to life everlasting. (Holy Rule 72)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
When you gave us, Gracious Lady,
the Scapular as our Habit,
you called us to be not only servants,
but also your own children.
We ask you to gain for us from your Son
the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Episode 4 – The Form of Liturgy – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss the form of liturgy and how it can become distorted.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
The experience of lukewarm prayer.
The nature of humility and worship.
What is the form of liturgy?
What is Dulia and Latria?
Liturgy comes from whom we are worshipping.
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
The odd thing is that we can sometimes be proud of our humility and our self knowledge which makes us more vainglorious I have a couple of lines that I'm proud of having written, and this is one of them. So long as there is this old Adam ego humility will feel like humiliation. And if you wake up in the morning with a Christian smile and say, dear God, I'd like to become more humble today. He'll accommodate you. There will be humiliations. Oh, I didn't mean to say that. Oh, I meant to hold my tongue. Oh, I'm not even, I'm going to fact like it's humiliating. Yes. That's what it is to carry these crosses to be nailed with Jesus to the cross is for you to die to yourself, to your seam. This isn't ego like healthy your strength. This is like me for as myself second, or there's anything left. I'll take it. This is a, God is my servant. Rather than me being his servant.
More taken from the discussion:
It's not as if God is changing so rapidly, that new material has to be inserted into the liturgy. Just to keep up with him. If the liturgy were totally or even significantly culturally dependent, then we could say that it would need continual revision for, with a changing material. The form would have to be different too, but liturgy is not an expression of how people see things. Rather it proposes instead how God sees all people.
And still more:
They are Dulia and Latria. Dulia means a homage or reverence or respect you pay dulia to distinguished persons, or even places. The Archangel Gabriel gets dulia. Saint Augustin gets dulia. Mother Theresa gets dulia. The grotto at Notre Dame gets dulia. Lartia is different from dulia. And I don't know if I can give it a single English word. So instead I'll give it a description. Latria is what we give God. And only God, because he is God, you can give dulia to the emperor, but you must give latria to God. And you ought not to give latria to the emperor because that would be giving latria to something other than God, to an image of God, to something lesser than God, which in Greek was the word eídolo. And that's where the word idolatry comes from idos lateria is giving latria to something other than God
For more podcast episodes of this series visit the
Pathways to Sacred Mysteries w/Dr. David Fagerberg page
David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds master's degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by cons...
Novena to St. Benedict Day 8
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
If we do not venture to approach men who are in power, except with humility and reverence, when we wish to ask a favor, how much must we beseech the Lord God of all things with all humility and purity of devotion? And let us be assured that it is not in many words, but in the purity of heart and tears of compunction that we are heard. For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. At the community exercises, however, let the prayer always be short, and the sign having been given by the Superior, let all rise together. (Holy Rule 20)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
O Queen of Heaven,
you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign
by which we might be known as your faithful children.
May we always wear it with honor
by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues.
Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Episode 4 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss:
1. The Maternal Heart
2. Something More
3. God Is No Stranger to Suffering
4. Have A Quiet Place
5. The Struggle is Our Holiness
Visit here to pick up a copy of the book
From the book description:
Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor.
In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today.
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism
Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 7
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet says, "Serve the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11). And again, "Sing wisely" (Ps 46[47]:8). And, "I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels" (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becomes us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice. (Holy Rule 19)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us
you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel,
having heard the prayers
of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock.
Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion.
May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
In When You Struggle In the Spiritual Life: An Ignatian Path to Freedom, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V., addresses the everyday challenges of those seeking a deeper relationship with God. Drawing from the spiritual wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the second rule of his classic discernment of spirits, Fr. Gallagher breaks open the four ways in which the enemy is going to try to discourage persons from moving more closely to God. And the five ways in which the good spirit is going to try to encourage persons on their journey. It was a delight to discuss this lovely book…highly recommended!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Once a person embarks on a spiritual journey questions and roadblocks will come up. Ignatian spirituality and practices hold a treasure of answers, and no one can explain Ignatian lifestyles as can Fr. Timothy Gallagher. – This little volume of clear and practical guidelines is invaluable for anyone wanting to grow spiritually. In this new volume, Fr. Gallagher explores additional understandings and applications of the Ignatian rules. These personal reflections have arisen from the delight—and the labor—of learning and sharing the rules, witnessing the joy and hope they have given to so many. These Ignatian guidelines set captives free from the discouragement and sadness of spiritual desolation. They offer hope precisely where persons may have felt hope was not possible—and so release new energy for the spiritual journey.
For more from Fr. Timothy Gallagher on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts visit: Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discernment of Spirits Podcasts
Holy Rule Novena Day 6
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always let it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him; … and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: "Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven" (Lk 18:13)…
Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, cast out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin. (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
O Beautiful Flower of Carmel,
most fruitful vine,
splendor of heaven,
holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a pure virgin,
assist us in our necessity!
O Star of the Sea,
help and protect us!
Show us that you are our Mother!
(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 5
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The second degree of humility is, when a man loves not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carries out that word of the Lord which says: "I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38). It is likewise said: "Self-will has its punishment, but necessity wins the crown."
The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: "He became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:8).
The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up, but hold out, as the Scripture says: "He that shall persevere to the end shall be saved" (Mt 10:22). (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
The meaning of chasing after your own hat, of sleeping late, of finding random objects in your pocket, and of diabolical evil itself. Another tour of the cosmos with G.K. Chesterton, as we continue to unpack the essay collection In Defense of Sanity—chapters 5 to 10.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 4
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes (cf Ps 35[36]:2), shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God has commanded, that he always consider in his mind how those who despise God will burn in hell for their sins, and that life everlasting is prepared for those who fear God. And while he guards himself evermore against sin and vices of thought, word, deed, and self-will, let him also hasten to cut off the desires of the flesh.
Let a man consider that God always sees him from Heaven, that the eye of God beholds his works everywhere, and that the angels report them to Him every hour. The Prophet tells us this when he shows God thus ever present in our thoughts, saying: "The searcher of hearts and reins is God" (Ps 7:10)…Therefore, in order that he may always be on his guard against evil thoughts, let the humble brother always say in his heart: "Then I shall be spotless before Him, if I shall keep myself from iniquity" (Ps 17[18]:24) . (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the danger of "anger." How should we deal with our anger.
From the RSVCE
Ephesians Chapter 4
26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians Chapter 6
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16 above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 3
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
Brothers, the Holy Scripture crys to us saying: "Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted" (Lk 14:11; 18:14). Since, therefore, it says this, it shows us that every exaltation is a kind of pride…
Hence, brethren, if we wish to reach the greatest height of humility, and speedily to arrive at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made in the present life by humility, then, mounting by our actions, we must erect the ladder which appeared to Jacob in his dream, by means of which angels were shown to him ascending and descending (cf Gen 28:12). Without a doubt, we understand this ascending and descending to be nothing else but that we descend by pride and ascend by humility. The erected ladder, however, is our life in the present world, which, if the heart is humble, is by the Lord lifted up to heaven. For we say that our body and our soul are the two sides of this ladder; and into these sides the divine calling has inserted various degrees of humility or discipline which we must mount. . (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
Episode 32 – John 15 – I am the True Vine part 2
“I am the true vine.” With this seventh and final “I am” statement, Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel focuses on our need to abide in Christ, remaining in His love. The image of a vine reminds us of the many allegories in the Bible related to wine, grapes, and vineyards.
Sharon goes on to remind us that in the Old Testament, the oldest son did not always receive the blessing and birthright that was due to him. In particular, Sharon focus on the story of Jacob and his 12 sons. The blessing goes to Judah, the fourth-born son, and the birthright to Joseph. Though his sons, Joseph received a double portion inheritance of the Promised Land. The blessing given to Judah is fully fulfilled in Jesus, who was a member of the tribe of Judah. And the birthright given to Joseph is also fully realized in Christ. God’s highly favored son Jesus, wins for us a double portion, God’s kingdom on earth (the church) as well as God’s heavenly Kingdom of heaven. Joseph is a wonderful “type” of Christ, with numerous examples of striking parallels in their lives. Genesis 49:22 describes Joseph as a fruitful bough or vine, which points towards Jesus, the true vine described in John 15. In the Old Testament, the plentiful fruit of the vine would remind Israel of God’s promise for redemption, but unfortunately, Israel was often unfruitful, yielding wild or rotten grapes as described in Isaiah 5. Jesus uses the same imagery in John 15 when he describes the blessings to those who abide in him and the destruction that occurs to those that do not. God’s vine of Israel was meant to spread throughout the world but instead became an un-kept, disgraceful vineyard. Israel was in need of a new and true vine, and Jesus fulfills that need.
Sharon then digs deeper into the imagery of John 15, showing us how God the Father is the husbandman of the vineyard, tending to the vines, pruning away the dead branches so that the vine may grow and flourish. If we allow, God will cut out our sinful tendencies. This discipline, while at times painful, is necessary for us to abide with Him. The branches closest to the trunk of the vine bear the most fruit, encouraging us to always humbly remain as close as possible to God. We recall the story of Solomon, who early in his life stayed close to the Lord, but as he grew more rich and powerful, he fell into the sin of pride, becoming increasingly self-sufficient and separated from the Lord. Jesus tells us that without him, we can do nothing, but if we abide in him, our joy will be complete. If we want to remain with Christ, we much follow his commands, which serve as a blueprint for our lives, bringing us to the fullness of joy that God desires for us. He wants us to bear eternal fruit that will last, and have a sober intoxication of His Holy Spirit, the sap that flows through the vine as we climb the trestle back to the Father.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 2
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
What, dearest brothers, can be sweeter to us than this voice of the Lord inviting us? See, in His loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way of life. Therefore, having our loins girt with faith and the performance of good works, let us walk His ways under the guidance of the Gospel, that we may be found worthy of seeing Him who has called us to His kingdom (cf 1 Thes 2:12).
If we desire to dwell in the tabernacle of His kingdom, we cannot reach it in any way, unless we run to it by good works. But let us ask the Lord with the Prophet, saying to Him: "Lord, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle, or who shall rest in Your holy hill" (Ps 14[15]:1)? . (Holy Rule 1)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
Holy Rule Novena to St. Benedict Day 1
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
Listen, O my son, to the precepts of the master, and incline the ear of your heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of your loving Father, that by the toil of obedience you may return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience you have gone away.
To You, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up your own will, take up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King. (Holy Rule – Prologue)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
For the complete 9-day St. Benedict Holy Rule Novena visit HERE
Sometimes G.K. Chesterton goes too far—but here's why. We begin our discussion of In Defense of Sanity, a book of essays by G.K. Chesterton.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton's essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand!
For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them. So three of the world's leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters.
The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton's thought that ties everything together.
A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.
Episode 3 – Living Mystery in the Mundane – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss how "mundane" liturgical theology consecrates the world and sanctifies our daily life.
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
What is a "mundane" liturgical theology?
The call to holiness is here and now.
How the Church serves a Mother.
Why liturgy? Why worship? Why are we called?
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
So where are you going to practice your asceticism, not sitting in your office, reading a book and thinking lofty thoughts about the human race, but when that colleague bugs me in this office meeting, when one more time I have to admit that Elizabeth is right, but I'm too stubborn to do so overcoming those passions of pride and vainglory and ego and avarice and gluttony and, and envy and backbiting… tiny little actions, day by day, movement by movement. St. John Chrysostom has a terrific homily on Ephesians which he says that the poor that you meet in the city, in the public square, the poor are another altar on which you can make your Eucharistic sacrifice. You're so happy to have been in the church where there's this stone altar that was, honored and revered because it bore upon it, the body and blood of Christ. Well, here is Christ in the person of the poor. Look, how generous God is to you. He's given you a thousand chances a day to make another liturgical act, another Eucharistic sacrifice. And just when I think I've satisfied my quarter, he sends another one to me, what a good and generous God we have.
More taken from the discussion:
Chesterton was asked why he became a Catholic. And his answer was because we're sinners. And because we have a God who loves us passionately. And so this is what God has done in order to rectify the problem. I think God always had intended to bring us home to him, to let us join the life of God, to enter the perichoresis of the Trinity. It's not like that was plan A and then after the fall in the garden of Eden, he moved on to plan B redemption is a completion of creation. Creation was the beginning of redemption. So his goal is for our sanctification, our adoption, our deification, and God gets the ball rolling with the salvation history.
David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating the World: On Mundane Liturgical Theology (Angelico Press, 2016).
He also has an avocation in G. K. Chesterton, having published Chesterton is Everywhere (Emmaus Press, 2013) and The Size of Chesterton's Catholicism (University of Notre Dame, 1998).
Here are a few of Dr. Fagerberg's books:
Episode 3 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss:
1. Responding to the Call
2. How is God Present?
3. The Need for More Teachers
4. Give God Permission
5. Letting Go of the Baggage
Visit here to pick up a copy of the book
From the book description:
Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor.
In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today.
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism
Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
What a delight to be joined by Kimberly Hahn to discuss Grace and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart! With Kimberly, we continue our journey through the wisdom found in Proverbs 31. This time we explore the joy of creating a home for our loved ones fueled by the grace found in the sacraments.
Kimberly is also the host of the Beloved and Blessed podcast. Her voice is a much-needed source of grace in this ever-expanding media platform. You can check it out at the link found below. We encourage you to subscribe!
You can find the book here
From the book description
As wives and mothers, we know that the home is the sacred space in which we live out our vocations. But many of us struggle to manage the various aspects of homemaking.
Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart draws from Proverbs 31 to give women indispensable wisdom on caring for our homes and families. In this six-part Bible study, learn
- Tips for time management
- How to create a pleasant environment
- The secrets of food preparation
- The importance of making meals a time of communion
- How to cultivate a garden
- And why each of the sacraments relate to homemaking
Grace and Gifted is an inspiring Bible study, perfect for personal or group use, that will help you discover the noble virtues that every wife needs.
Be sure to also check out Kimberly's Beloved and Blessed Podcast! You can find it by visiting: BelovedandBlessed.com
Would you fill a sacred chalice with coffee? Why or why not? Sex, the sacredness of the human body, and more as we finish our discussion of chapter 5 of Real Philosophy for Real People by Robert McTeigue, S.J.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
Episode 2 – Liturgy as the Mystical Encounter – Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg Ph.D.
Dr. David Fagerberg and Kris McGregor discuss liturgy as the mystical encounter with our spouse, with our bridegroom Christ
Here are some of the topics explored in this episode:
What melody is this liturgy supposed to be creating?
What is Liturgical Asceticism?
The influence of the Desert Fathers and St. Benedict of Nursia.
Who's liturgy should we be doing on Sunday morning?
Whose liturgy should we be doing in our lives?
From the discussion with Dr. Fagerberg:
There's an ascetical effort and the mystical takes flight. I've seen pictures of birds that take lots and lots of steps. Oh, I've seen them take off from water. We might as well go back to baptismal imagery. Here's the bird running along the surface of the waterfall. He's flapping his wings and then takes off. the feet are the asceticism and the wings are mysticism.
More taken from the discussion:
The mystery of Christ, it sounds like the faithful are enabled to be mystics. So the definition finally arrives in 10 69. The word liturgy originally meant a public work, a service in the name of, or on behalf of the people. This was a Schmiemann phrase. The liturgy is the work of a few on behalf of the many. In ancient Rome, paying your taxes was called the liturgy. This was what you did for the sake of the public polis space. When the rich, sponsored a civic improvement project and made new roads, or when they sponsored a series of games in the Coliseum, not killing Christians, I presume, but chariot races, this was called their liturgy. It's their contribution for the good of the city. Someone is doing a work to benefit others.
That's the definition of the word liturgy. According to Catechism 10.69, which continues in Christian tradition, it means participation of the people of God in the work of God, the work of a few on behalf of the many, in this case, the work of three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit on behalf of the human race, which stands cut off from God, alienated in death. The Father's will is to destroy death and raise us to return a life through the Son and the Holy Spirit. And the work of salvation has unfolded from the bossom of the Father. So through liturgy Christ, our Redeemer and high priest continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his liturgy. Through the liturgy, Christ continues his work of redemption. So who's liturgy should we be doing on Sunday morning? Not mine, not yours. Christ's work of redemption should be continued. Christ. When I meet my neighbor, I must be via Christ to him. She must be a Christ to me. This expands beyond the 50 minutes and the mystery, which Christ enacted by his passion, this pasta is a mystery that takes us up into it. And that's why we're mystics.
David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale Divinity School, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgical theology.
Fagerberg's work has explored how the Church's lex credendi (law of belief) is founded upon the Church's lex orandi (law of prayer). This was expressed in Theologia Prima (Hillenbrand Books, 2003). He has integrated into this the Eastern Orthodox understanding of asceticism by considering its role in preparing the liturgical person. This was treated in On Liturgical Asceticism (Catholic University Press, 2013). And these two themes come together in Consecrating t...
Episode 2 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss:
1. The Maternal Nurturer
2. Where Are The Women?
3. The Call to Teach
4. The Presence of a Sister
5. The Importance of Grandparents
Visit here to pick up a copy of the book
From the book description:
Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor.
In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today.
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism
Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
DAY NINE
O adorable Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe what your holy Word teaches. I believe that you were made a priest forever by the solemn oath of your eternal Father and that you offer sacrifices forever. I believe that you offer the most sublime, holy and pure sacrifice most pleasing to God in the fire of your love, your Heart, your infinite merits, even your entire self. I believe that the most profound compassion of your priestly Heart impels you to carry on the function of your priesthood forever and ever in order to reconcile your Father with us and to offer him adoration, praise and thanksgiving for us as well to entreat him and grant us every needed grace.
Inspired by this faith I come to you, O loving Jesus. I place all my needs with great confidence in your priestly Heart and upon the altar of your Heart. The eternal Father cannot refuse anything to such a priest and his sacrifice. Remember me then in all the Masses in which you offer yourself today throughout the world. Let your petition ascend from your Sacred Heart that the eternal Father may decide, through your merits, to forgive me all my sins which I detest from the bottom of my heart and in his fatherly love to grant me the grace for which I have so ardently pleaded during this novena (mention your request). O Sacred Heart, if the heavenly Father grants this request for your sake it will redound to your own glory because it will be a testimony to your Father's love for you. Procure this honor for yourself and from the sanctuary of heaven bring to me this desired grace so that my faith in you may be strengthened and my love of you may be more enkindled, O loving and priestly Heart of Jesus. Amen.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Episode 8 – Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – The "wellsprings" where Christ awaits us. Responding at the moment when the subtle interior movements of the Holy Spirit calls to us. The Word of God becomes a place of encounter. The danger of Scripture becoming all academic. People are converted when the Word approaches them as living. The liturgy is also a place of encounter. The heart is an "altar" in the liturgy.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
DAY EIGHT
My God and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe it to be an undeniable truth. I believe it firmly, O Jesus, that you are my good shepherd. Even if you had not said it, I would believe it because I know that you have in my behalf always manifested the heart of a good shepherd. Would that I, during my entire life, had permitted the goodness and solicitude of your Heart to lead me; would that I had never departed from your side, for then I would not have suffered so much misery and tribulation. But alas, I was untrue to you so often that in consequence I fell into the abyss of sin and was mortally wounded. Now, however, your straying lamb calls to you from the depths of its misery.
O my Good Shepherd, have mercy on me; give me proof again of your compassionate Heart. After all that you have thus far done for me, I cannot believe that your Heart will reject me. Consequently, I beseech this Heart, I embrace it with confidence; and conjure you by all your merits that you obtain for me from your heavenly Father the forgiveness of my sins and the grace for a complete conversion. And then I also pray for the grace of (mention your request) which I am so much in need and which I hope to receive as the fruit of this novena. O Heart of the Good Shepherd, have mercy on me. Amen
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon ...
Episode 1 of 4 of And Mary's ‘Yes' Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss the founding and charism of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. We discuss:
- The need for the Eucharist and how to foster a deeper relationship with God in prayer.
- The Nurturing of "presence"
- The role of Mary of bringing us to her son in the Eucharist.
- The spousal receptivity and the sharing of maternal love the God's children.
- The beauty of community life…in religious life and in the family
- The gift of self
Visit here to pick up a copy of the book
From the book description:
Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor.
In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today.
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture.
Read more about their charism
Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org
DAY SEVEN
O my Divine Savior, according to the words of the Holy Scriptures, you are in truth our advocate before our Father. You have freely taken this office upon yourself and unceasingly exercise it with faithful and loving zeal for all who trust in you. Your influence with the Father is so great he will not refuse you. He always hears you as you have testified at the grave of Lazarus. Filled with this faith and with confidence in your Compassionate Heart I come to you to plead my cause. I have offended your Father and have called the anger of his Majesty upon myself. I am heavily indebted to his strict justice. I have nothing with which to pay the debt and therefore must fear the punishment. Besides all this, I am in the present need of the request I place before you (mention your request) where only the power of the Father can help me. For the salvation of my soul I sorely need this grace.
O may it come to me from the riches of your Father. O my beloved advocate, from your throne in heaven to your Father and to my Father, to your God and to my God, reconcile me with him. Repay my debts out of the infinite treasury of your merits and obtain for me assistance in my present trial and the grace that I need so much. In the "Our Father" you have composed a prayer with which I will now approach the Father. Accompany me and with the fervor and power of your most Sacred Heart as my mediator, say with me: Our Father, who are in heaven…
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchednes...
DAY SIX
O Jesus, my divine model and teacher, what can I do when I see you the Son of the Eternal Father, full of glory and honor, laden with the cross, walking the awful road to death, especially when thereby you show me the way to salvation without selfishness but only for my benefit? O Jesus, what can I do but have faith in you and return your love by at least bearing my trials in patience and humility. And this, particularly, my God, because I have so often experienced the great power that my passions have over me, and how seldom I can withstand the temptations of the world. How hard do I not find it to deny myself the pleasure to mortify my desires and to renounce the false splendor of the world although I know full well that all these things so easily lead me into sin.
O give me strength to resist my passions and close my eyes to the allurements and charms of the world, help me to imitate your poverty, purity and humility, and send me trials. Therefore, if it be the Father's holy will, permit me to drink all of your chalice of suffering. Heart of Jesus, burning for love of me, inflame my heart with love for you.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm.
DAY FIVE
O Divine Savior, the infinite love of your Sacred Heart was so inflamed for us that it brought you as a sacrifice of propitiation for our sins to the altar of the cross. You have given us the wounded Heart and kept it open not only that we might find therein a protection against the justice of the Eternal Father whom we have offended by our sins but also that this source of grace and mercy may always be open to us in our needs.
Why then do I come to you so seldom and so indifferently? Why do I not fly to this source of all grace? O dearest Jesus forgive me these insults which through want of confidence in you I have so often committed against you. Behold, I now come to you with living faith with the intention never to leave you. Here I shall seek what I need so much, first the forgiveness of my sins, the grace to do better, and then I pray for your assistance in my present need.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
DAY FOUR
O sweetest Heart of Jesus, to whom shall I turn in all my sorrows if not to you, the faithful friend of our souls? You have given your very life for me. How then can you refuse me your assistance during my life? It is true, indeed, and I must confess this to you, that instead of relying on you only I have too often trusted to the love and friendship of creatures although I had frequently experienced their treachery. If I have thus insulted you in the past, I promise in the future never to repeat the offense. I promise henceforth in all my doubts, afflictions and needs I will have recourse to you only to find light, help, comfort, and grace. henceforth, you alone shall be my friend, upon you alone will I rely. Your friendship shall be above all others. In fact, I promise to renounce all other friendships if they are an occasion of disloyalty to you. To manifest my perfect trust in you, I now beg of you to help me in my present need. (mention your request)
O I pray you to be my "strong defense." Be to me a "medicine for immortality." By kindly granting this request, you will unite my heart more closely with yours and make me forever grateful for your love. Do not permit my trust in you to be confounded, O eternally faithful, benevolent and sweet Heart of Jesus.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of ...
What makes me, me—my thoughts, my emotions, my body? How is it all connected? This week, we plumb the depths of the human person with chapter 5 of Robert McTeigue's Real Philosophy for Real People
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
DAY THREE
O beloved Jesus, my heart is deeply moved at the thought that you, Almighty God, should take upon yourself our human nature in order to enable you to become our brother and to make us children of God. But your loving Heart was not satisfied to raise us to such high dignity; you also desired to make us partakers in your inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
How greatly are we indebted to you for these favors. O how I grieve to think that until this very day I have been so ungrateful for your many gifts. Most humbly do I ask for your forgiveness and pray that you will through the merits of your Sacred Heart grant me the grace to follow you in all things so that at death your heavenly Father may find me worthy to be your brother in heaven.
Furthermore, I beg of your most merciful Heart to have pity on me in my present need and grant me the favor (mention your request) that I hope to obtain from you
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Episode 7 – Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – The will to pray. To listen, to search, to see Him…to become prayer ourselves. You know are progressing by the fruit of your life. The parish is the "school of prayer" and the pastor as a teacher of prayer, the spiritual father. The disordered demands we may place on the priest. What is the remedy?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2650and 2651
2650 Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse: in order to pray, one must have the will to pray. Nor is it enough to know what the Scriptures reveal about prayer: one must also learn how to pray. Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within "the believing and praying Church,"1 The Holy Spirit teaches the children of God how to pray.
2651 The tradition of Christian prayer is one of the ways in which the tradition of faith takes shape and grows, especially through the contemplation and study of believers who treasure in their hearts the events and words of the economy of salvation, and through their profound grasp of the spiritual realities they experience.2
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
To whom, therefore, shall I go if not to you the best of fathers and the author of all good? It is indeed true that I have grievously offended you, that I have neglected to honor you properly and have been guilty of ingratitude and do not deserve to be numbered among your children. But although I forgot my duty to you as your child I know that you are still my beloved Father in heaven.
Now with a contrite heart, I kneel at your feet weeping over my sins and promising you that in the future I shall make every effort never to offend you again. I hope in spite of my sinfulness to be received by you who have so often sought me.
O sweetest Heart of Jesus help me with your grace so that I may carry out my resolution. Then, O Jesus, if my wishes are not contrary to your most holy will, I beg of you (mention your request) for which I pray with confidence and hope to receive from your infinite goodness.
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you, I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials, and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
DAY ONE
My God and my Lord, Jesus Christ, in deepest humility I kneel before you and adore your Divine Heart. No one dares to doubt that you will grant all graces necessary to our salvation. Did you not say: "God alone is good," and are not you my very God? Is not your Heart the Heart of God who is all love?
Therefore, there can be no power that is able to hinder you from granting our requests. Nothing is difficult for your omnipotence and your riches are infinite and can never be exhausted.
No matter how often I may have sinned against you, I shall not despair because I know that you are God, infinite in generosity and mercy, always ready to pardon every contrite and humble sinner.
O compassionate Heart of Jesus, God of solace, grant me comfort. Pardon me, come to my assistance. Say but the word and I shall find relief in my sore trials. (mention your request)
I place my hope in you. Let me not be confounded, O Heart of my omnipotent God, have mercy on me
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you, I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory an...
What a delight to talk with Bishop Donald Hying, bishop of the diocese of Madison, WI, about his book Love Never Fails: Living the Catholic Faith in Our Daily Lives! The book is steeped in wisdom from the heart of a contemplative bishop who is very much active in everyday life. He guides us all with his down-to-earth teaching on prayer and helps us to respond to the universal call to holiness. It is said that you can't give what you don't have, and it's truly evident that Bishop Hying has it … a love that never fails. We highly recommended this book and that you connect with Bishop Hying on Facebook to catch his daily video reflections!
You can find the book here
From the book description
The spiritual fruit of much pastoral experience, this book addresses both perennial and current issues facing Catholics in the world today. Ranging from the interior life of prayer and devotion to the practicalities of evangelization and virtue, Bishop Hying offers contemporary and practical insights into the depths of the Catholic faith and how to live it with heroism and humility. He gives a particular focus on the person of Jesus Christ–his identity, mission, and presence in our lives.
As a pastor of souls a good Bishop must apply theology to the lives of the people he serves. These reflections are born from the heart and mind of a pastor who has served in varied contexts of priestly and episcopal ministry, including suburban, inner city, Hispanic, seminary formation, and missionary settings. In the beauty, challenge, grace, and complexity of interacting with a wide variety of people sincerely striving to be holy, Bishop Hying has learned much about the efficacy of God's purpose and action in human lives and events. This book seeks to feed the Christian soul, mind, and heart.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the first Pentecost and its meaning for us today. The continuing call to conversion in our lives and the nature of true repentance are topics he explores in this discussion.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY NINE
O Lord, Holy Spirit,
grant me sight to see the wondrous promise of divine love;
insight to see my own weakness;
delight in Your divine presence in my soul
which You have made Your temple through sanctifying grace.
I pray, O Holy Spirit,
that I may be not doubting;
that I be spared the pain of being alone
without trust or hope in Christ;
that my prayer may always be "My Lord and my God!"
I pray that I may acquire a sense of retreat
to prayer and recollection at various times in my daily life;
for prayer is the bond that joins us to Christ.
I pray that I may be aware of the physical needs of the poor
and that I may share what I can with them
in the charitable works of the Church.
I pray, O Holy Spirit,
that You will in Your mercy
grant me the favor I have sought in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen
Fate versus destiny, "now" versus the present and other tricky concepts as we unpack chapter 4 of Robert McTeigue's Real Philosophy for Real People.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY EIGHT
O Holy Spirit,
life and light of the Church,
give us thoughts higher than our own thoughts,
and prayers better than our own prayers,
and powers beyond our own powers,
that we may love and live,
imitating Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior.
Come to us, Holy Spirit,
come with the Father
and the Son
and grant me the favor I so earnestly request in this novena…
State your request here…
Vouchsafe to dwell within our souls
and quickly make our hearts Your own.
Quench in us the fires of hate and strife,
the wasting fever of the heart.
From perils guard our feeble life
and to our souls Your peace impart.
Let voice and mind and heart
and strength confess
and glorify Your name
and let the fire of charity burn bright
and other hearts inflame.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY SEVEN
Come, Holy Spirit,
creator of all things:
come visit our hearts with Your power.
Fill with grace, friendly guest,
the hearts which You have created.
You are called the Consoler,
gift from the hand of God,
source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good.
You are the pledge of sevenfold grace,
finger of the Father’s hand,
promised us by Him,
and You make our tongues speak the truth.
Cast light on our senses,
pour love into our hearts.
Grant our weak bodies strength
that they may never grow weary of doing good
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Keep the enemy far from us,
give us peace always,
let us willingly follow in Your footsteps
that we may be far removed from sin.
Grant that through You
we may grow in knowledge of the Father and of the Son,
and that we may ever strongly believe in You,
the Spirit of both.
Praise and honor be forever to the Father on the highest throne,
in the risen Son of God,
in the Consoler.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Episode 6- Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – How we receive prayer. The reception of grace and the great gift of memory. Through prayer, heaven begins. Prayer is a battle…it isn't easy. Western culture is a "culture of distraction". We need to receive the coming of God when it enlights upon us.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2610and 2611
2610 Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives thanks before receiving his gifts, so he teaches us filial boldness: "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will."66 Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: "all things are possible to him who believes."67 Jesus is as saddened by the "lack of faith" of his own neighbors and the "little faith" of his own disciples68 as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.69
2611 The prayer of faith consists not only in saying "Lord, Lord," but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father.70 Jesus calls his disciples to bring into their prayer this concern for cooperating with the divine plan.71
2612 In Jesus "the Kingdom of God is at hand."72 He calls his hearers to conversion and faith, but also to watchfulness. In prayer the disciple keeps watch, attentive to Him Who Is and Him Who Comes, in memory of his first coming in the lowliness of the flesh, and in the hope of his second coming in glory.73 In communion with their Master, the disciples' prayer is a battle; only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation.74
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY SIX
O Father in Heaven,
I beg You to send the Holy Spirit.
May Your Holy Spirit remind me
when I am apt to forget Your law.
Your love, Your promises.
May Your Holy Spirit strengthen my memory
to recall frequently Your sanctity,
omniscience, wisdom, and goodness,
faithfulness, and love.
May Your Holy Spirit encourage me when I am slothful;
strengthen me when I am weak;
enlighten me when I no longer can help myself.
Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit,
that I may do what is holy.
Stir me, that I may love what is holy.
Strengthen me, that I may preserve what is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit,
that I may never lose what is holy
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY FIVE
Come, O Spirit of sanctity,
from the glory of heaven
and send forth the radiance of Your light.
Father of all the poor,
light and peace of all hearts,
come with Your countless gifts.
Consoler in desolation;
refreshment full of loveliness,
come dear friend of my soul.
In weariness send repose;
breath gently cool refreshing breeze;
console the desolate who weep alone.
Light of Beatitude,
make our hearts ready;
come enter our souls.
Without Your grace,
man stands alone;
he cannot be good or sure.
Cleanse what is soiled;
heal what is wounded;
moisten what is arid.
Bend the stubborn will;
warm the cold heart;
guide the wandering footstep.
O Holy Spirit,
we beg You to give us grace through Your sevenfold power
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Give us merit for the present,
and one day beatitude when we have finished our earthly journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits
You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY FOUR
O God,
Who today by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
give us, by the light of the same Holy Spirit,
a love for what is right and just and a constant enjoyment of His comforts.
Pray Holy Spirit, that I may strive to learn more of my faith;
that I may ever be conscious that reason in all its human magnificence is capable of grasping but a glimpse of the reality that is God.
Pray that I may accept as the motto of my life:
"All for the greater glory of God"
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Amen.
Msgr. Esseff asks the question, "Can you forgive ?" He challenges us to take a good look at our prayer lives and to prepare for the coming of Jesus in your life today.
1 Jn 4:11-16
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,
that he has given us of his Spirit.
Moreover, we have seen and testify
that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.
Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,
God remains in him and he in God.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever remains in love
remains in God and God in him.
Gospel
Jn 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY THREE
Heavenly Father,
You have called me to be a member
of the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
and to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.
I ask You to give me these gifts of the Holy Spirit:
wisdom, that I may understand the follies of this world;
understanding, that I may grasp more fully
the meaning of my existence
and the purpose of all things in the world;
counsel, that I may always choose the proper way;
fortitude, that I may remain faithful to You
under the pressure of temptation.;
piety, that I may revere You in all I do, think or say;
fear of the Lord, that should the motive of love fail me,
I may quickly be awakened to the eternal consequences of my deeds.
Visit me by Your grace
and Your love
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
What's real and what's not? And is life worth living at all? Nihilism, naturalism, existentialism, and more as we unpack chapters 3 and 4 of Robert McTeigue's Real Philosophy for Real People.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
shed the brightness of your light on all nations,
that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.
Amen.
DAY TWO
O Holy Spirit,
make me faithful in every thought,
and grant that I may always listen to your voice,
and watch for Your light,
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You,
and give myself to You,
and ask You by Your compassion
to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood,
adoring His opened side and stricken heart,
I implore You adorable Spirit,
helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Your grace,
now and always,
and grant us the favor we ask in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit : The Discerning Hearts' Holy Spirit Novena page
Episode 5- Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – " How did I ever live without prayer?" A sustained communion with Christ is the beginning of heaven. "Ask..seek…knock". Are you knocking to receive a relationship or are you knocking to get more stuff? Are you seeking to surrender and entrust or are you seeking to satisfy more of a passing desire or mood? Even in our coming to prayer Jesus wants to purify our motive for doing so. The challenge of entering into deep prayer leads to the great maturity of prayer.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin by reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY ONE
O Holy Spirit,
bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts.
Enlighten our understanding that we may know You.
Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us
and that we may accept it.
Grant us the gift of counsel
that we may always perceive what is right.
Fortify us that we may always be capable
of fulfilling Your Divine Will.
Inspire us with the spirit of learning
that we may be able to penetrate more deeply
into the truths that You have revealed.
Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness
that we may bring You joy.
Let us have proper fear of God
that we may never grieve You
or wander from the path of goodness. Give us the fulness of Your gifts
that we may glorify You.
Look with compassion upon us,
O Holy Spirit,
and grant us the favor we seek in this novena…
State your request here…
if it be in accordance with Your Holy Will.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit : The Discerning Hearts' Holy Spirit Novena page
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 6th Sunday of Easter
Gospel
Jn 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 4- Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – Deacon Keating continues his reflections on the last things said by Jesus on the Cross and Mary as a teacher of prayer. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the wellspring of interiority because she held all the mysteries in her heart. Deacon Keating discusses God's longing for us and allowing God to pray in us. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me"…is it more that we have abandoned God? Sin looks like crucifixion. The final words.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Faith and reason: are they opposites, or two wings on the same bird? We discuss chapters one, two, and three of Robert McTeigue's Real Philosophy for Real People.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena
Born: March 17, 1347, Siena, Italy
Died: April 29, 1380, Rome
Nationality: Italian
For more on St. Catherine of Siena and her teachings visit her Discerning Hearts page
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Catherine of Siena
A true and authentic spiritual family was built up around such a strong and genuine personality; people fascinated by the moral authority of this young woman with a most exalted lifestyle were at times also impressed by the mystical phenomena they witnessed, such as her frequent ecstasies. Many put themselves at Catherine’s service and above all considered it a privilege to receive spiritual guidance from her. They called her “mother” because, as her spiritual children, they drew spiritual nourishment from her. Today too the Church receives great benefit from the exercise of spiritual motherhood by so many women, lay and consecrated, who nourish souls with thoughts of God, who strengthen the people’s faith and direct Christian life towards ever loftier peaks. “Son, I say to you and call you”, Catherine wrote to one of her spiritual sons, Giovanni Sabbatini, a Carthusian, “inasmuch as I give birth to you in continuous prayers and desire in the presence of God, just as a mother gives birth to a son” (Epistolario, Lettera n. 141: To Fr Giovanni de’ Sabbatini). She would usually address the Dominican Fr Bartolomeo de Dominici with these words: “Most beloved and very dear brother and son in Christ sweet Jesus”.
Another trait of Catherine’s spirituality is linked to the gift of tears. They express an exquisite, profound sensitivity, a capacity for being moved and for tenderness. Many Saints have had the gift of tears, renewing the emotion of Jesus himself who did not hold back or hide his tears at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and at the grief of Mary and Martha or at the sight of Jerusalem during his last days on this earth. According to Catherine, the tears of Saints are mingled with the blood of Christ, of which she spoke in vibrant tones and with symbolic images that were very effective: “Remember Christ crucified, God and man….. Make your aim the Crucified Christ, hide in the wounds of the Crucified Christ and drown in the blood of the Crucified Christ” (Epistolario, Lettera n. 21: Ad uno il cui nome si tace [to one who remains anonymous]). Here we can understand why, despite her awareness of the human shortcomings of priests, Catherine always felt very great reverence for them: through the sacraments and the word they dispense the saving power of Christ’s Blood. The Sienese Saint always invited the sacred ministers, including the Pope whom she called “sweet Christ on earth”, to be faithful to their responsibilities, motivated always and only by her profound and constant love of the Church. She said before she died: “in leaving my body, truly I have consumed and given my life in the Church and for the Holy Church, which is for me a most unique grace” (Raimondo da Capua, S. Caterina da Siena, Legenda maior, n.
Day 9
"My Nature is Fire":
In your nature, eternal Godhead,
I shall come to know my nature.
And what is my nature, boundless love?
It is fire,
because you are nothing but a fire of love.
And you have given humankind
a share in this nature,
for by the fire of love you created us.
And so with all other people
and every created thing;
you made them out of love.
O ungrateful people!
What nature has your God given you?
His very own nature!
Are you not ashamed to cut yourself off from such a noble thing
through the guilt of deadly sin?
O eternal Trinity, my sweet love!
You, light, give us light.
You, wisdom, give us wisdom.
You, supreme strength, strengthen us.
Today, eternal God,
let our cloud be dissipated
so that we may perfectly know and follow your Truth in truth,
with a free and simple heart.
God, come to our assistance!
Lord, make haste to help us!
Amen.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Day 8
To Queen Giovanna of Naples (written in trance):
We have three chief foes. First, the devil, who is weak if I do not make him strong by consenting to his malice. He loses his strength in the power of the Blood of the humble and spotless Lamb. The world with all its honors and delights, which is our foe, is also weak, save in so far as we strengthen it to hurt us by possessing these things with intemperate love. In the gentleness, humility, poverty, in the shame and disgrace of Christ crucified, this tyrant the world is destroyed. Our third foe, our own frailty, was made weak; but reason strengthens it by the union which God has made with our humanity, arraying the Word with our humanity, and by the death of that sweet and loving Word, Christ crucified. So we are strong, and our foes are weak.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Episode 3- Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – Jesus is the primary teacher of prayer. How can we pray "always"? How do we become "prayer"? Jesus was conscious that all things flow from the Father. He teaches us how to pray to the Father. Deacon Keating speaks of praying in the name of Jesus and "receiving" God in our hearts.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Day 7
To the King of France:
Oh, how the man should be ashamed who follows the teaching of the devil and his own lower nature, caring more to gain and keep the riches of this world, which are all vain, and pass like the wind, than for his soul and his neighbor For while abiding in hate with his neighbor, he has hate by his side, since hate deprives him of divine charity. Surely he is foolish and blind, for he does not see that with the sword of hate to his neighbor he is killing himself.
Therefore I beg you, and will that you follow Christ crucified, and love your neighbor's salvation: proving that you follow the Lamb, who for hunger of His Father's honor and the salvation of souls chose bodily death. … Care not if you lose from your worldly substance; for loss will be gain to you, provided that you reconcile your soul with your brother.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 4th Sunday of Easter, and in particular, Our Lord's teachings on the role of the Good Shepherd. At the end of this episode, Msgr. Esseff offers a prayer with St. Padre Pio for healing.
Prayer for Healing
Beloved Padre Pio,
Today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to thee every day by those who love and venerate thee. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of thy friendship with the Lord, He heals those thou doth ask to be healed, and forgives those thou forgiveth.
Through thy visible wounds of the Cross, which thou didst bear for fifty years, thou wert chosen in our time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us to bring it back in our midst, for we acknowledge it is the only true sign of salvation. As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced thy hands, feet and side, we not only remember the blood thou didst shed in pain, but thy smile, and the invisible halo of sweet-smelling flowers that surrounded thee, the perfume of sanctity.
In thy kindness, please help me with my own special request:
[mention here your petition, making the Sign of the Cross]
Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Pio
O God, Thou didst give Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin priest, the great privilege of participating in a unique way in the Passion of Thy Son, grant me through his intercession the grace of . . . [name your request] which I ardently desire; and above all grant me the grace of living in conformity with the death of Jesus, to arrive at the glory of the resurrection.
Glory be to the Father . . . [three times].
Day 6
To Brother Raimondo of Capua at Avignon:
I do not want you to fall into weariness or confusion through any vexations that you might feel in your mind; but I want you to keep that good and holy and true faithful will which I know that God in His mercy has given you … Yes, I want that out of the shadows should issue knowledge of yourself, free from confusion…Reflect that through love He keeps your will good, and does not let it run by its own consent or pleasure after the suggestions of the devil. And so, through love, He has permitted to you and me and His other servants, the many vexations and deceits of the devil and fellow-creatures and our own flesh, solely in order that we might rise from negligence, and reach perfect zeal, true humility and most ardent charity: humility which comes from knowledge of self, and charity which comes from knowledge of the goodness of God. There is the soul inspired and consumed by love.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Day 5
To Monna Agnese wife of Francesco, a tailor of Florence
I desire to see thee clothed in true and perfect humility–for that is a little virtue which makes us great in the sight of God. This is the virtue which constrained and inclined God to make His most sweet Son incarnate in the Womb of Mary. It is as exalted as the proud are humbled; it shines in the sight of God and men; it binds the hands of the wicked, it unites the soul with God, it purifies and laves away the soil of our sin, and calls on God to show us mercy.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Day 4
To Nanna, daughter of Benincasa, a little maid, her niece, in Florence:
Now, then, we must have light–otherwise it would not be enough. This light has to be the light of most holy faith. But the saints say that faith without works is dead. Therefore we need to exert ourselves virtuously all the time, and leave our childishness and vanities, and not behave any longer like worldly girls, but like faithful brides consecrated to Christ crucified; in this way we shall have a lamp, and oil, and light.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena
Born: March 17, 1347, Siena, Italy
Died: April 29, 1380, Rome
Nationality: Italian
For more on St. Catherine of Siena and her teachings visit her Discerning Hearts page
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Catherine of Siena
Today I would like to talk to you about a woman who played an eminent role in the history of the Church: St Catherine of Siena. The century in which she lived — the 14th — was a troubled period in the life of the Church and throughout the social context of Italy and Europe. Yet, even in the most difficult times, the Lord does not cease to bless his People, bringing forth Saints who give a jolt to minds and hearts, provoking conversion and renewal.
Catherine is one of these and still today speaks to us and impels us to walk courageously toward holiness to be ever more fully disciples of the Lord.
Born in Siena in 1347, into a very large family, she died in Rome in 1380. When Catherine was 16 years old, motivated by a vision of St Dominic, she entered the Third Order of the Dominicans, the female branch known as the Mantellate. While living at home, she confirmed her vow of virginity made privately when she was still an adolescent and dedicated herself to prayer, penance and works of charity, especially for the benefit of the sick.
When the fame of her holiness spread, she became the protagonist of an intense activity of spiritual guidance for people from every walk of life: nobles and politicians, artists and ordinary people, consecrated men and women and religious, including Pope Gregory xi who was living at Avignon in that period and whom she energetically and effectively urged to return to Rome.
She travelled widely to press for the internal reform of the Church and to foster peace among the States. It was also for this reason that Venerable Pope John Paul ii chose to declare her Co-Patroness of Europe: may the Old Continent never forget the Christian roots that are at the origin of its progress and continue to draw from the Gospel the fundamental values that assure justice and harmony.
Like many of the Saints, Catherine knew great suffering. Some even thought that they should not trust her, to the point that in 1374, six years before her death, the General Chapter of the Dominicans summoned her to Florence to interrogate her. They appointed Raymund of Capua, a learned and humble Friar and a future Master General of the Order, as her spiritual guide. Having become her confessor and also her “spiritual son”, he wrote a first complete biography of the Saint. She was canonized in 1461.
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr.
Day 3
The Eternal Father speaks to Catherine:
Dearest daughter, contemplate the marvelous state of the soul who receives this bread of life, this food of angels, as she ought. When she receives this sacrament she lives in me and I in her. Just as the fish is in the sea and the sea in the fish, so am I in the soul and the soul in me, the sea of peace. Grace lives in such a soul because, having received this bread of life in grace, she lives in grace.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Philosophy for the total beginner: we take on the opening chapters of Real Philosophy for Real People by Robert McTeigue, S.J.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.
You can find the book here
A great philosopher once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can't not know about reality, humanity and morality.
In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth.
You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions.
But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person.
Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.
Day 2
The Eternal Father speaks to Catherine:
My Truth invited you to call out thus when He said: "Call and you will be answered; knock and it shall be opened to you; ask and it shall be given to you." So I am telling you what I want you to do. Never relax your desire to ask for My help. Never lower you voice in crying out to Me to be merciful to the world. Never stop knocking at the door of my Truth by following in His footsteps. Find your delight with Him on the cross by feeding on souls for the glory and praise of My Name.
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
(First paragraph excerpt taken from Dialogue of St Catherine,(Chapter 107), Translated by Suzanne Noffke, Classics of Western Spirituality Series.)
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Episode 2-Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – We have lost are fear of going astray and being unfaithful within. We must be aware of the spirits, personal or impersonal, that can get into us. We can get tangled up in many different influences in prayer. That is why it so important to have a director, a guide, to help us navigate in this journey and to test those spirits. Jesus is the model of prayer. "He learns to pray from His mother". (see below). The witness of the community. His prayer springs from a secret source and He wishes to share it with us. All prayer is foretaste of heaven.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Day 1
From a letter to Frate Giusto di Giovanni da Volterra:
"He gave His blood out of love and it is with this love that He asks us for a drink. I mean that Jesus, who loves, is asking to be loved and served. It is only right that the one who loves ought to be loved. This is how we give our Creator a drink: when we give Him love for love. But we cannot give it to Him through any service we can render Him; no we must give it to Him in the person of our neighbor."
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
(First paragraph excerpt taken from Letter 8 in Letters of St Catherine of Siena, Volume II translated by Suzanne Noffke OP,- published by Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies,2001)
For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page
Episode 1 -Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer –The most powerful principle of prayer is that God desires us. Prayer is a response to a presence who has entered our reality. Distractions, an enemy of prayer. Recovering the prophetic consciousness. The highest fruit of prayer to be someone who is so transparent to God, that God reveals His acts in our lives…the person has become prayer.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2567
God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face; he may run after idols or accuse the deity of having abandoned him; yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer. In prayer, the faithful God's initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response. As God gradually reveals himself and reveals man to himself, prayer appears as a reciprocal call, a covenant drama. Through words and actions, this drama engages the heart. It unfolds throughout the whole history of salvation.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and The Apostles Creed.
- Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. - On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all five decades). - Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Ninth Day – " The souls who have become lukewarm."
“Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.”
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
Click here for the entire 9 Day Novena
Eighth Day – " The souls who are detained in purgatory"
“Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Seventh Day – "The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus’ mercy"
“Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:
Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.
The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is “victim” souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes “every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,”we recommend the “active” souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren.
Sixth Day – "The meek and humble souls and the souls of children"
"Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.”
Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Fifth Day – "The souls of separated brethren"
“Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.”
Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Our Lord’s original words here were “heretics and schismatics,” since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council’s Decree on Ecumenism (n.3).
Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord’s inspirations and orders, she declared: “I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus ” I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me” (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.
Fourth Day – "Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him"
“Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me; I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.”
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Conference 4: Easter Sunday – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference 4 He is Risen…He Is Not Here
Theme: He is known through the Breaking of the Bread – Luke 24: 13-35
Reflection:
Grieving Jesus’ death, and worried about their future, the disciples walked to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. The risen Christ embraces their anxiety as He meets them on the way. While their eyes were kept from recognizing Him, their hearts burned within while He talked with them.
Perhaps you, too, have had your heart “burning” within…return to the moments on this journey when you have experienced God’s presence the most.
- What meditations most spoke to you?
- What words enflamed your hearts?
- What did Jesus say to you?
Finally, trust that God is pursuing you. God wants you and will tirelessly call you to that mysterious encounter known as prayer.
Reflection is taken from The Journey to Jerusalem – a Lenten Retreat by Father Mark Toups
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. “ She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others”.
Third Day – "All devout and faithful souls"
“Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Second Day – "The souls of priests and religious"
“Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.”
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard — upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun “us” since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.
For other days of the novena visit: The Discerning Hearts Divine Mercy Novena Page
Suffering for One More Soul: The Testimony of Madilyne "Maddy" Miller
In a world with so much fear, this is the testimony of a brave woman who, in the midst of her suffering, sees the hand of God.
Dcn. Omar F. A. Gutiérrez introduces us to Maddy Miller, a convert to Catholicism who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor some months ago. Through this interview, arranged by her and her family, Maddy shares with us how the Lord has prepared her for this life-threatening illness as an opportunity for trust and for bringing one more soul to Jesus and His Church.
We invite you to listen to this story of suffering that has been turned into joy.
Since the recording of the interview, Maddy did pass away from her illness. To the very end, she prayed for souls to come to know Jesus.
First Day – "For all mankind, especially sinners"
“Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.”
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites
You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
“These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.’ The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy.”
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
“On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy … On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls.”
Conference 3: The Holy Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
The Paschal Mystery
The Last Supper…Passion…Death…Burial
Theme: Jesus’ love, humility, suffering, dying – John 13 – 18
Holy Thursday The Lord’s Supper
- Jesus washes the disciples’ feet John 13: 1-20
- Jesus announces Judas’ betrayal John 13: 21-30
- The Bread of Life Discourse John 6: 22-51
- Take and eat…this is my body 26: 26-30
- Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection
Eucharist is the gift of Jesus, suffering, dying, rising.
We are Baptized into Jesus, we are to suffer, die, and rise…
My Suffering: Wounds in the Sacred Heart of Jesus – When did I suffer, die, rise?
- As a child – sexual & physical abuse; being made fun of; called names; rejected; did I relate my suffering to Jesus’ suffering?
- As a teenager – bullying; rejection; divorce of parents; did I realize that the depth of my suffering could be united to the wounds of Jesus?
- Throughout my life, what were – and are – my little and big crosses? Have I united them to Jesus’ wounded Heart?
Good Friday: The Passion, Death, and Burial of Jesus
- You are invited to reflect on Jesus and your own experiences of suffering during these days of rejection, abandonment, condemnation, torture, death, and burial.
- When were you lied about? falsely accused? rejected? scorned? abandoned?
- Who was your Peter? Judas?
The friend who deserted you? The person who ruined your reputation?
- Who was your Simon? Veronica? Mary? John?
Suffering and death are not the final answer…
- The Christian life is one of JOY…always ends in happiness…in GLORY.
- Mary took Jesus down from the Cross…held Him in her arms… prepared Him for burial…laid Him in the tomb…went home with John – John 19: 38-42
Holy Saturday with Mary
Spend Saturday with Mary…be with her…talk to her… listen to her
Forgiveness Litany
The Lord spoke very clearly when He said: “And so, when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your failings, too”. Mark 11: 25
Lord Jesus, I ask that You give me the grace to forgive any person who has hurt me at any time in my life. I ask, too, that I may be forgiven those persons whom I have hurt.
Significant areas of forgiveness may include:
God, I forgive YOU for:
Lord, I forgive MYSELF for:
Lord, I truly forgive my MOTHER for:
Jesus, I forgive my FATHER for:
Lord, I extend my forgiveness to my BROTHERS and SISTERS for:
Lord, I forgive my RELATIVES for:
Jesus, I forgive my HUSBAND/WIFE for:
Jesus, I forgive the PEOPLE with whom I work for:
Jesus, I forgive my BOSS for:
Lord, I forgive those of DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS for:
Lord, I forgive those who have harmed me ETHNICALLY or RACIALLY for:
Jesus, I pray especially the grace to forgive the ONE PERSON who has HURT ME the MOST:
Lord, I beg pardon of all those persons whom I HAVE HURT most deeply:
Thank You, Jesus, that I am being freed of the evil of unforgiveness.
May Your Holy Spirit fill me with light and let every dark area of my mind be enlightened.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world,
Episode 10 – Learning How To Love
James has returned home and begins in earnest, practicing his newfound life of prayer. However, we find him writing to Peter when he feels his prayer is floundering. Peter explains through their correspondence, that James is now finding himself on the threshold of contemplative prayer, and he encourages James to persevere and describes how he should proceed. This episode finishes many years later when Peter meets James again, but this time in his home in the New Forest. Peter has been giving lectures in London and James expresses his gratitude for his mentor in prayer, who changed the direction of his life completely.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Conference 2: Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
The Paschal Mystery
Unbelief…Darkness…Betrayal…Abandonment…
Theme: The Coming of Jesus’ Hour John 12: 20-50
The Anointing at Bethany John 12: 1-8
- Jesus knows He’s going to suffer and die although the
apostles and friends are unaware
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Mary’s anointing, thought useless and extravagant by Judas, foretells the anointing for Jesus’ burial
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Reflection: In my life, what are those events that have made me say: If only I had known, I would have………
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Jesus’ Hour of Darkness John 12: 27-50
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Jesus is troubled…it was for this purpose that He came to this hour
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Judas betrays Jesus Luke 22: 1-6
Reflection: What is my darkness…sinfulness…sin? 1 John 1: 5-10
O Holy Spirit to reveal to me my sinfulness.
What is my hour of darkness…when have I turned away from the light? John 3: 16-21
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. “ She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others”.
Conference 1: Palm Sunday – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Theme: KINGSHIP OF JESUS
Why does God, Who made all of creation, love US so much?
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3 galaxies for every one person in the entire world…ex. keystone college telescope –
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7 billion people in the world on planet earth… why is God so interested in humankind? This is a great mystery.
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God leaves the 99… for example the angelic world, all creation, and comes to our human world…WHY? g. Adam and Eve – original sin
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God the Father’s Plan – Ephesians 1: 3-6 – God wanted to save humans He made because He LOVES US.
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Jesus – Only-begotten Son of God the Father – it is in and through HIM that we are saved.
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Through the Holy Spirit, all mankind has become ONE – universality of all the living
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Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life
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“My kingdom is not of this world… John 18: 33-38
Scriptural References to Kingship
Isaiah 24: 23 – The Lord of hosts will reign on Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem, glorious in the sight of the elders…
Zechariah 14: 4. – Messiah would come to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives
Matthew 21: 1-11 – All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet saying: Tell ye the daughters of Sion, behold the king comes to thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. John 12: 12-16
John 18: 33-37. Jesus before Pilate – Are you a king?
Reflections:
What is it to belong to the universal Kingship of Jesus?
Is Jesus able to enter into my heart and my life?
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Commandments – Love of God…love of neighbor
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The Beatitudes: – Luke 6: 11-36. OR Matthew 5: 1-12 – Who is my neighbor today?
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Excerpts from: Homily on the Feast of Our Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem
“The sole conqueror of the human heart is Christ the King…there was never any king simultaneously just, a redeemer, gentle and seated on a donkey, who came to Jerusalem, unless this is He who alone is King of kings, God the Redeemer, Jesus. He is kind, gentle, and abundant in mercy for all those who call upon Him, as it is written.”
Reflection:
Is Jesus, my Lord and King, able to enter into my heart for and my life… and remain as my King?
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. “ She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor,
Episode 14 – Rule 8 and Conclusion – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher offers instruction on Rule 8 and comes to the conclusion of the Second Week Rules for the Greater Discernment of Spirits.
Eighth Rule
The eighth: When the consolation is without cause, although there is no deception in it, since it is of God our Lord alone, as has been said, nevertheless the spiritual person to whom God gives such a consolation should, with much vigilance and attention, look at and distinguish the time itself of such an actual consolation from the time following, in which the soul remains warm and favored with the favor and remnants of the past consolation; for frequently, in this second time, through his own reasoning by associating and drawing consequences from ideas and judgments, or through the good spirit, or through the bad, he forms different proposals and opinions which are not given immediately by God our Lord; and therefore they must be very well examined before entire credit is given them or they are put into effect. (336)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Day 9: Mary, Woman of Faith
Lord let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke I:38)
Let us pray:
Almighty Father, we are Your children. We call You by name and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Your Son. Give us the grace to have and live the faith of Mary so we may become worthy of the eternal life You promised. Father, let us fill our hearts with faith to be able to accept Your will for us without reservations.
Help us remove the doubts and perplexities that plague our minds to face the difficulties and uncertainties of life. Let us not waver in our faith. Father, call us Your children. Comfort us and give us mercy. As we proclaim the Virgin Mary, to be the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church, may our communion with her Son bring us to salvation. All praise and glory ever be Yours.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen
Episode 5 -Stations of the Cross: Reflections with Deacon James Keating – Deacon Keating guides us through the 12th station (Jesus dies on the Cross), the 13th station (Jesus is taken down from the Cross and laid in the arms of His mother), and the 14th station (Jesus is placed in the tomb) along the Way of the Cross.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Day 8: Mary, handmaid of the Lord
Then Mary said “I am the Handmaid of the Lord” (Luke I:38)
Let us pray:
O God, our loving Father, You infused into our hearts the gifts of service, charity and vocation. We come to You in humility. Grant us the spirit of divine love so that that we may imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary. Teach us how to genuinely serve, unconditionally respond to, and lovingly care for our family and brethren. Help us to respond to Your call so that we may become worthy instruments of Your divine work. Father God, we know that even before we heed Your call, You have already planned all things for us. Help us to understand that You must be first in our lives, Give us a heart that always desires to love, care, and serve. All these we pray through the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and through the intercession of Our lady of the Annunciation.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen
Episode 9 – True Christian Contemplation
It is James’ last meeting with Peter before climbing aboard the island plane and returning to the mainland. Peter begins to advise James on what to expect when Christian meditation has led us into Contemplation, true Christian Contemplation. Peter draws on the writings of the two saints that the Church has canonized and made Doctors of the Church, St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila, to explain what the church teaches us about true Christian Contemplation and how to pray when your meditation has led you to the verge of contemplative prayer.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 7: Mary, Help of Christians
Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God, nothing is impossible” (Luke I:36-37)
Let us pray: God, our Father, we come to You with confidence that You will enlighten us with Your grace and love. Today as we worry about the world’s miseries, where love is disappearing among families and neighbors, where we find disunity everywhere, where love and respect for Your Son Jesus Christ are no longer seen, we implore the intercession of our Blessed Mother so that we may find light and power in You. Loving God, we ask You to enlighten the abandoned, the handicapped, and those deprived of true love from a father and a mother. With Your mercy, may they find peace, hope, and unity. We ask You to help us to be like Mary who does not forget her children, always caring, helping and watching over us. We hope to be relieved from our burdens and sufferings. Please help us Your children to experience the love and unity You want in every home. May we also be a model of kindness by showing us the way to establish good relationship with our neighbor, which is an excellent way of promoting unity in oneness of heart. O Eternal Father, we praise and thank You for the graces You bestowed upon us, especially the Blessed Virgin Mother. Trusting in Your love and mercy, we hope to obtain the favor we earnestly ask through her, the grace to love and die in Your love.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen
Episode 9 – A Brief Reflection on Prudence
In this final episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and the virtue of prudence
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
The prudent way—the way of St. Joseph—begins with self-knowledge. People cannot see reality clearly as long as they have those planks in their eyes. They cannot have radical openness to reality if they harbor fears of the truth.
In his discussion of prudence, Pieper warns of something called falsification of memory. He sees this as the great destroyer of the sense of reality. People tend to mythologize their days. They make themselves out to be heroes. They make their adversaries and rivals out to be villains, just because they want the same things. It is hard not to see life in this way. But there is no doubt that it is a falsification of memory—and it is corrosive to our sense of reality.
The Christian tradition offers remedies for this. A good spiritual director will not permit his charges to hold on to this kind of thought. He will humanize the rivals they demonize.
Anyone can cultivate that attitude, too, by means of a daily examination of conscience and regular confession. Reality is something that must be faced squarely, deliberately, consciously, with the means God has provided—first, the inner reality of one’s self and then the reality of the world.
Joseph can be misunderstood, as prudence is misunderstood. His silence can be mistaken for passivity, but it is not.
Joseph is the prudent man whose thoughts correspond to reality, and whose actions flow from those thoughts. He is the image of God and yet a model for every Christian. He is the one who keeps the constant company of Jesus Christ.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (pp. 75-76). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
Day 6: Mary, Mother of Light
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. (Luke 1:35)
Let us pray:
Father, true to Your promise, You sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to call us out of darkness into Your wonderful Light. Help us to remember this whenever we are beset with life’s perils and miseries. Fill us with hope and faith in Your providence. As we journey through life, give us the strength to courageously encounter suffering. Send us Your love and mercy when we are on the verge of quitting. Help us to know that Your Kingdom will come and bring an end to our ills. Anoint us with Your Spirit so that we may become credible bearers of the Good News to our brothers and sisters who are lonely and brokenhearted. We ask this through Christ our Lord, and the intercession of Our Lady of the Annunciation, the Mother of Light.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen
On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff discusses the need to believe in Holy Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Taken from Gospel of St. John Chapter 11
The Death of Lazarus
11 Now a certain man was ill, Laz′arus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Laz′arus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz′arus. 6 So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer[a] in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, “Our friend Laz′arus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Laz′arus is dead; 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz′arus[b] had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[c]off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life;[d] he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping,
Day 4: Mary, Queen of Peace
But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you (Luke I:30)
Let us pray:
Loving Father, through our Mother, the Lady of the Annunciation, teach us how to be calm and serene so as to feel Your presence here today as we pray for our needs and desires. Teach us how to ask for them. Almighty Father, through the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Peace, may You grant us the tranquility in our hearts You granted to her at the Annunciation. Father, may the Blessed Virgin assist us especially in this Novena so that we may pray with faith, and that, if it is Your will, we may obtain through her the favor that we desire.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as His humble child. Amen
Day 5: Mary, Mother of Justice
You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. (Luke I:31-32)
Let us pray:
Almighty Father You gave us Mary, the mother of our Savior to be our model. She inspires us to constantly reach out to one another. We are called to anticipate the needs of those around us, perceive the cry of their heart, share their fears and their brokenness and give hope to the hopeless and forsaken. Teach us Lord how, when and where we must reach out to those in want and in pain. May our hearts be filled with Your love, ever yearning to serve You through others – without counting the cost. This we ask in Jesus name through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen
St. Joseph: Not Your Average Joe!
One can not speak about St. Joseph without also incorporating his beloved wife Mary. The chaste young spouses have a singular mission to bear Christ to the entire world. It is the same mission that we all have but they model it with great perfection. While Joseph is silent throughout sacred scripture, his actions speak volumes. His virtues of chastity, patience, and long-suffering win him a litany of wonderful and well-deserved titles.
Let your imagination sore as you consider this dearly loved Saint, a man for all times and all seasons and a spiritual father for all.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
Sharon Doran is the Founding Teaching Director of Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study www.SeekingTRUTH.net. She holds a MA in Educational Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a MA in Pastoral Theology/Sacred Scripture from the Augustine Institute. Sharon is certified in Ignatian Spiritual Direction and retreat leadership from Creighton University. She is co-author of the scripture commentary, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Israel.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Day 3: Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted
Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. (Luke I:29)
Let us pray:
With the help of our Mother of the Word Incarnate, grant us Your mercy and consolation to lighten the burden and give comfort and strength to all who are suffering now. Dear Lord, we ask Your Blessed Mother to teach us to be compassionate. Help Your children, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer the menace of evil and sin in all its manifestations. Through the intercession of the Our Lady of the Annunciation, we ask You to help us welcome the Word into the world, that we may all experience a rebirth. Through Mary, Your reign has dawned, a reign of compassion and mercy, born from the depths of the Word made flesh.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your consent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as His humble child. Amen
Day 2: Mary, Cause of Our Joy Rejoice!
The Lord is with you. (Luke I:28)
Let us pray:
Lord God, You were pleased to bring joy to the world through the incarnation of Your Son. You sacrificed Your Son in order to save our souls and enjoy life everlasting. Grant that we, who honor His Mother, the cause of our joy, may always walk in the way of Your commandments with our hearts set on true and lasting joy. Moreover, grant us the grace to share that joy found deep in the words and actions of Mary with everyone we meet. Show us the true joy of living the gospel life – even in our deepest suffering – for You have given Mary the power of helping the miserable. Father of mercy and God of all consolation, grant in Your loving kindness that we who joyfully venerate Mary, as our comforter, may deserve to enjoy the unending happiness of heaven with her. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your consent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as His humble child. Amen
With Fr. Gary Caster, we discuss "Joseph – The Man Who Raised Jesus". Thanks to his mother's encouragement, Fr. Gary received a rich devotion to the "silent" man who witnessed to the faith in an extraordinary way. He shares personal stories, passages from Scripture, and teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to demonstrate what a model of virtue and a protector of the Church and family, St. Joseph is in our lives today. Another wonderful work by Fr. Gary Caster. Good St. Joseph, pray for us!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Who was St. Joseph? Was he just a passive, incidental figure in the drama of salvation? On the contrary, in every way that Jesus needed a father, St. Joseph was that for him. And how overwhelming it must have been for Joseph to be asked to stand in the Father s place! No man has ever been asked to do so in such an unthinkable way. Every priest, and certainly every man who is a father (biologically or otherwise), should take this to heart.
Caster s book will provide a unique, in-depth presentation of Joseph from the perspective of the evangelical counsels and the theological and cardinal virtues. Each section will begin with an explanation of what each counsel or virtue means and then show how Joseph models it for us.
The descriptions of St. Joseph s life and character found in this book, while rooted in the Scripture passages that mention him, are chiefly inspired by Jesus, who spent the majority of his life at home with Joseph and Mary. For years, the three of them lived, prayed, celebrated, studied, and shared, all the while uniting their lives more intimately with God s own. Those years in Nazareth were a real preparation for the foundation upon which Jesus would build his saving ministry. And as much as Joseph and Mary offered Jesus, he offered them an ever-expanding awareness of the God that had changed both their lives. The reciprocity of love that perfectly defines the home in Nazareth is the very pattern for all family life—and therefore of the Church itself.
O glorious Saint Joseph,faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…
(State your request here.)
O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O glorious St. Joseph,
through the love you bear to Jesus Christ
and for the glory of His name,
hear our prayers
and obtain our petitions.
Amen.
DAY NINE
O good Saint Joseph, help us to be like you,
gentle to those whose weakness leans on us;
help us to give to those who seek our aid,
succor that they may journey unafraid.
Give us your faith,
that we may see the right shining above the victories of might.
Give us your hope that we may stand secure,
untouched by doubting, steadfast to endure.
Give us your love that as the years increase
an understanding heart may bring us peace.
Give us your purity that the hour of death
finds us untouched by evil’s breath.
Give us your love of labor
that we shirk no lot in life that calls us for honest work.
Give us your love of poverty so that we live contented,
let wealth come or go.
Give us your courage that we may be strong;
give us your meekness to confess our sins.
Give us your patience that we may possess the kingdom
of our souls without distress.
Help us, dear Saint,
to live that when life ends
we pass with you to Jesus and His friends.
O Glorious Saint Joseph,
hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Episode 13 – More Rule 7 and Intro to Rule 8 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher concludes his teaching on Rule 7 and begins an introduction to Rule 8, which discusses the importance of understanding "an actual consolation from the time following."
Seventh Rule.
The seventh: In those who proceed from good to better, the good angel touches such a soul sweetly, lightly and gently, as a drop of water that enters a sponge; and the bad touches it sharply and with noise and disquiet, as when the drop of water falls on a stone; and in those who proceed from bad to worse the above-said spirits touch in a contrary way; the cause of which is that the disposition of the soul is contrary or similar to the said angels; for when it is contrary, they enter with clamor and sensible disturbances, perceptibly; and when it is similar, they enter with silence, as in their own house through an open door. (335)
Eighth Rule
The eighth: When the consolation is without cause, although there is no deception in it, since it is of God our Lord alone, as has been said, nevertheless the spiritual person to whom God gives such a consolation should, with much vigilance and attention, look at and distinguish the time itself of such an actual consolation from the time following, in which the soul remains warm and favored with the favor and remnants of the past consolation; for frequently, in this second time, through his own reasoning by associating and drawing consequences from ideas and judgments, or through the good spirit, or through the bad, he forms different proposals and opinions which are not given immediately by God our Lord; and therefore they must be very well examined before entire credit is given them or they are put into effect. (336)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr.
Day 1: Mary, Full of Grace
From the Gospel according to Luke 1:28
In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. The Angel came to her and said, Rejoice, Full of Grace!
Let us pray:
Almighty Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we thank You for bestowing upon Your highly favored daughter all the graces to be Your Son's Mother and to be the Mother of all. We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer and savior. Thank You for giving us the breath of life and the splendor of Your creations. We thank You, Father, our Lord, and our God, for Your infinite kindness and mercy. How good You are to us, your children. We praise you and worship you, with Your Son, Jesus Christ, and his Mother Mary, our intercessor. To You, we owe everything. We acknowledge humbly that without You, we are nothing. Receive our gratitude and our undying adoration and devotion. We will try to reciprocate Your loving kindness by obeying Your commandments, by loving our neighbors and by earnestly endeavoring to become more like Your Son. We shall continuously affirm Your lordship and celebrate Your goodness and kindness all the days of our life.
Amen.
Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.
Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your consent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as His humble child. Amen
Episode 8 – True Christian Meditation
Peter was surprised to hear that James had been introduced to the practice of Indian meditation and had been unsuccessfully trying to adapt it to Christian prayer. He explained to James that his experience will help him to understand the meaning of true Christian meditation. The new form of meditation that Christianity introduced, grew out of reflecting and ruminating on the life and teaching of Jesus, which depicted the most loving and loveable person, who has ever lived. Peter explained that this is why all authentic Christian prayer begins, not by flinging oneself into obscure transcendental states of awareness, but by trying to get to know and love Jesus Christ.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 8 – Handing on the Passover
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and the role he had in Jesus' religious formation. Also, Mike offers a deeper insight on the scene popularly known as "the finding in the Temple."
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
A father has no idea what his son will make of the lessons of boyhood—the small and large skills passed from one generation to the next. It was Joseph who taught Jesus how to conduct the Passover seder. It was Joseph who showed him how to bless the bread and break it—how to bless the cup and share it. It was Joseph who taught him to make thanksgiving by means of the Haggadah, the ancient story of salvation. It was Joseph who read the poem that predicted the night of the messiah.
It was Joseph who gave Jesus the fundamental form that would later come to be filled by the Eucharist.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 70). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Building a Kingdom of Love – Are you blind although you can see?
Gospel JN 9:1-41
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.
4 We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay,
7 saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Silo'am" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man."
10 They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?"
11He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Silo'am and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight."
12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.
14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.
15 The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."
16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them.
17 So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight,
19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"
20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
21 but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself."
22His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.
23Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner."
25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see."
26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?"
28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does hi...
Thomas Howard teaches us the meaning of bawdy humor and the glory of everyday life. We finish our discussion of Howard's masterpiece, Chance or the Dance.
You can find the book here
Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.
Episode 4 -Stations of the Cross: Reflections with Deacon James Keating – The Stations of the Cross – one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 9th station (Jesus fall a 3rd time), the 10th station (Jesus is stripped of His garments), and the 11th station (Jesus is nailed to the Cross) along the Way of the Cross. For other episodes in the "Stations of the Cross" series click here
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 12 – Rule 7 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher provides teaching of Rule 7, which describes the classic discernment imagery of a drop of water on a sponge and the contrast of a drop of water hitting a stone regarding the good spirit’s workings and that of the enemy.
Seventh Rule.
The seventh: In those who proceed from good to better, the good angel touches such a soul sweetly, lightly and gently, as a drop of water that enters a sponge; and the bad touches it sharply and with noise and disquiet, as when the drop of water falls on a stone; and in those who proceed from bad to worse the above-said spirits touch in a contrary way; the cause of which is that the disposition of the soul is contrary or similar to the said angels; for when it is contrary, they enter with clamor and sensible disturbances, perceptibly; and when it is similar, they enter with silence, as in their own house through an open door. (335)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Episode 12 – Rule 7 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher provides teaching of Rule 7, which describes the classic discernment imagery of a drop of water on a sponge and the contrast of a drop of water hitting a stone regarding the good spirit's workings and that of the enemy.
Seventh Rule.
The seventh: In those who proceed from good to better, the good angel touches such a soul sweetly, lightly and gently, as a drop of water that enters a sponge; and the bad touches it sharply and with noise and disquiet, as when the drop of water falls on a stone; and in those who proceed from bad to worse the above-said spirits touch in a contrary way; the cause of which is that the disposition of the soul is contrary or similar to the said angels; for when it is contrary, they enter with clamor and sensible disturbances, perceptibly; and when it is similar, they enter with silence, as in their own house through an open door. (335)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Episode 7 – A Blueprint for Prayer: FATHER
When Peter arrives from Calvay for their next meeting, James immediately asks him to continue explaining his blueprint for prayer, using the second part, FATHER. Peter starts with the letter F explaining that our Faith is not firstly a belief in a body of truths, but in a body full of love that was filled to overflowing on the first Easter Day. He continues to use each letter of Father to explain our need for total abandonment to God and again incorporates the Mass, and introduces James to ancient prayers used by the Desert Fathers
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 7 – Joseph and His Work
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and his family's trade as a carpenter and the holiness found in "work."
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
He was a silent man. And one of his titles in modern devotion draws further attention to his silence: St. Joseph the Worker. The Catholic Church remembers St. John of Antioch as “Golden Mouth” (Chrysostom) and St. Peter of Ravenna for his “Golden Words” (Chrysologus). But we remember Joseph for getting things done. Among all who have labored, in all of human history, he is the one known as “the Worker.”
In the Gospels, Joseph’s identity is bound up with his relationships and his labor. He is the son of Jacob. He is the husband of Mary. He is the earthly father of Jesus. He is the companion of angels.
He is a son, a husband, a father. And he is a tekton—a craftsman, an artisan. An ancient tradition tells us more specifically that his craft was carpentry, a trade in which he apprenticed his son Jesus. When people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching, they asked: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (Mt 13:55).
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 59). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
On this Third Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff discusses the need for "The Scrutinies" in the life of the newly Elect. But he also emphasizes, during this time of Purification and Enlightenment, how they can also serve as a source of grace for every member of the Church. The First Scrutiny is based on the encounter of Jesus with the Woman at the Well.
Taken from Gospel of St. John Chapter 4
7 There came a woman of Samar′ia to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar′ia?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” 13 Jesus said to her, “Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;[a] and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, “What do you wish?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the city and were coming to him.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world...
On this Third Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff discusses the need for "The Scrutinies" in the life of the newly Elect. But he also emphasizes, during this time of Purification and Enlightenment, how they can also serve as a source of grace for every member of the Church. The First Scrutiny is based on the encounter of Jesus with the Woman at the Well.
Taken from Gospel of St. John Chapter 4
7 There came a woman of Samar′ia to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samar′ia?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” 13 Jesus said to her, “Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;[a] and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, “What do you wish?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the city and were coming to him.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world...
This week, author Thomas Howard tells us about freedom, dancing, love, and sex. We break down chapters 6 and 7 of Chance or the Dance.
You can find the book here
Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.
Episode 31 – John 15 – I am the True Vine part 1
“I am the true vine.” With this seventh and final “I am” statement, Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel focuses on our need to abide in Christ, remaining in His love. The image of a vine reminds us of the many allegories in the Bible related to wine, grapes, and vineyards.
Sharon goes on to remind us that in the Old Testament, the oldest son did not always receive the blessing and birthright that was due to him. In particular, Sharon focus on the story of Jacob and his 12 sons. The blessing goes to Judah, the fourth-born son, and the birthright to Joseph. Though his sons, Joseph received a double portion inheritance of the Promised Land. The blessing given to Judah is fully fulfilled in Jesus, who was a member of the tribe of Judah. And the birthright given to Joseph is also fully realized in Christ. God’s highly favored son Jesus, wins for us a double portion, God’s kingdom on earth (the church) as well as God’s heavenly Kingdom of heaven. Joseph is a wonderful “type” of Christ, with numerous examples of striking parallels in their lives. Genesis 49:22 describes Joseph as a fruitful bough or vine, which points towards Jesus, the true vine described in John 15. In the Old Testament, the plentiful fruit of the vine would remind Israel of God’s promise for redemption, but unfortunately, Israel was often unfruitful, yielding wild or rotten grapes as described in Isaiah 5. Jesus uses the same imagery in John 15 when he describes the blessings to those who abide in him and the destruction that occurs to those that do not. God’s vine of Israel was meant to spread throughout the world but instead became an un-kept, disgraceful vineyard. Israel was in need of a new and true vine, and Jesus fulfills that need.
Sharon then digs deeper into the imagery of John 15, showing us how God the Father is the husbandman of the vineyard, tending to the vines, pruning away the dead branches so that the vine may grow and flourish. If we allow, God will cut out our sinful tendencies. This discipline, while at times painful, is necessary for us to abide with Him. The branches closest to the trunk of the vine bear the most fruit, encouraging us to always humbly remain as close as possible to God. We recall the story of Solomon, who early in his life stayed close to the Lord, but as he grew more rich and powerful, he fell into the sin of pride, becoming increasingly self-sufficient and separated from the Lord. Jesus tells us that without him, we can do nothing, but if we abide in him, our joy will be complete. If we want to remain with Christ, we much follow his commands, which serve as a blueprint for our lives, bringing us to the fullness of joy that God desires for us. He wants us to bear eternal fruit that will last, and have a sober intoxication of His Holy Spirit, the sap that flows through the vine as we climb the trestle back to the Father.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 6th station (Veronica wipes the face of Jesus), the 7th station (Jesus falls a 2nd time), and the 8th station (Jesus encounters the women of Jerusalem) along the Way of the Cross
Episode 11 – Rule 6 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher expands on his teaching of Rule 6. Once we have learned from the course of things, the beginning, middle, and the end, and perceive the work of the enemy, now it is time to learn from the "little by little" how the enemy works to tempt us with the "good."
Sixth Rule.
The sixth: When the enemy of human nature has been perceived and known by his serpent’s tail and the bad end to which he induces, it profits the person who was tempted by him, to look immediately at the course of the good thoughts that he brought, and the beginning of them, and how little by little he procured to make him descend from the sweetness and spiritual gladness in which he was, till he brought him to his depraved intention; so that with such an experience known and noted he may guard himself in the future from his customary deceits. (334)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Episode 6 – A Blueprint for Prayer: Our
Peter describes the Lord’s Prayer as the pattern of all Christian prayer and that this prayer is itself summed up in the first two words, Our Father. Peter gives James a Blueprint for Prayer which can be used as a memory jog to start praying in earnest. In the blueprint he has used each letter of the OUR FATHER as a reminder of nine indispensable ingredients that should feature in our daily prayer. In the first part, OUR, Peter emphasises the very essence of Christian prayer and introduces James to the Morning Offering, the meaning of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 6 – Flight from Herod
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and the Holy Family's flight into Egypt.
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
The warning came in a dream: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Mt 2:13). Joseph had been asleep. It was late in the night, and even the roads in town were barely navigable for the darkness. Beyond the town, there was not a glimmer of light.
They had no time to prepare. Packing for maximum speed, they could carry few possessions with them. They would have to make the journey with little more than the clothes they wore and the divine baby in their arms.
This could not be delayed till morning. Mary and Joseph had spent the whole of their lives in a land ruled by Herod. They knew no other world. They had never seen another world. They knew that Herod would act swiftly, decisively, and effectively. Every despot in the Mediterranean region was capable of murderous cruelty. The Persians were notorious for it; and the Romans were every bit their equal. History showed that the Hasmoneans, too, had been inclined to slaughter and exemplary public torture. But Herod was efficient, and he did not allow himself or his forces to fail.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 53). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the feast of the Transfiguration. He asks us to take time and prayerfully reflect and ask God to show you those moments of "transfiguration" in our lives.
Gospel MK 9:2-10
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved
Episode 30 – John 14 – I am the Way, the Truth and the Life part 2
We continue our study of John’s Gospel with Chapter 14. This beautiful chapter has an abundance of nuptial imagery. God designed marriage as a way to image the Trinity. Just as life flows from the one-flesh union of man and woman, the life of the Holy Spirit flows from the union of the Father and Son, who are one.
From the beginning in Genesis, to the end in Revelation, the story of salvation is the story of the marriage between God and His people. To nullify the marital covenant between God and Israel, one of the parties needed to die. As we learn in Romans 7, through Jesus’ death on the cross, the marital covenant with Israel ends, freeing Christ to take a new bride, the universal Church. We learn, though, that in order for the wedding to take place, the bride must be pure and blemish-free. As we learned last time, through Baptism we are purified of original sin, and through Reconciliation, we are purified of the sins of our lives.
Returning to John 14, Sharon gives us a wonderful teaching about first-century Jewish wedding customs, which helps us to better understand the rich symbolism found in this chapter. In ancient Palestine, extended families lived together in an expansive house called an insula. With each successive generation, the sons would build additional rooms to accommodate their own wife and children. After the wedding, the young bride would leave her own home and move in with the groom’s family. The groom’s entire family, especially the parents, had to be willing to accept the bride into the insula, and her virtue was valued even more than her wealth or beauty. The marital ritual began when the groom and his father journeyed to the bride’s home and negotiated the terms of the marriage, with the best man (aka the shushbin) acting as an intermediary between the two parties.
Once the terms were set, the couple was now officially betrothed, though not yet married. The son announces he will go and prepare a place for his bride, returning when all the necessary preparations were complete. The son would return home and prepare the insula for the arrival of his bride. The bride prepares herself for the return of the groom, but she does not know how long it will take for him to return. After the necessary construction is completed, the father gives his son permission to return for his bride.
On the day of the wedding, the return of the groom to his bride is announced with the blowing of the shofar horn. The shushbin stands by as the marriage is consummated, and then offers proof of the bride’s purity through the display of the marital bedding. Knowing this, we now have a much better understanding of Jesus’ promise to return to us after he prepares a place for us in his Father’s house. Jesus invites us into marital union with him, a blood covenant that was consummated with his death on the cross, the cup of acceptance of this New Blood Covenant that we drink from the chalice at Mass. The Holy Spirit, the shushbin, guarantees the purity of the Church, the bride of Christ by keeping her pure and blemish-free through the sacraments.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scriptu...
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 3rd station (Jesus falls the first time), the 4th station (Jesus encounters His Blessed Mother), and the 5th station (Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the Cross) along the Way of the Cross
Episode 10 – Rule 5 and introduction to Rule 6 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher completes his teachings on Rule 5 and moves to understanding Rule 6. Once we have learned from the course of things, the beginning, middle, and the end, and perceive the work of the enemy, now it is time to learn from the "little by little" how the enemy works to tempt us with the "good."
Fifth Rule.
The fifth: We should give much attention to the course of the thoughts; and if the beginning, middle and end is all good, inclined to all good, it is a sign of the good angel; but if in the course of the thoughts that he brings, it ends in something bad, or distractive, or less good than the soul had proposed to do before, or if it weakens it, or disquiets, or troubles the soul, taking away the peace, tranquility and quiet, which it had before, it is a clear sign that it proceeds from the bad spirit, the enemy of our profit and eternal salvation.(333)
Sixth Rule.
The sixth: When the enemy of human nature has been perceived and known by his serpent’s tail and the bad end to which he induces, it profits the person who was tempted by him, to look immediately at the course of the good thoughts that he brought, and the beginning of them, and how little by little he procured to make him descend from the sweetness and spiritual gladness in which he was, till he brought him to his depraved intention; so that with such an experience known and noted he may guard himself in the future from his customary deceits. (334)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Episode 5: Abba – Father, Context and Direction
It is James’ fourth meeting with Peter and he realizes that there are only two more days left to speak with the hermit about his spiritual life. James asks Peter to teach him how to pray from the very beginning. The first time that question was asked of Christ by his first followers, was by giving them the prayer that we call the ‘Our Father’. Peter uses the first two words of that prayer, the word Our and the word Father, to sum up, the context and direction of all Christian prayer.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 5 – Joseph and His Angels
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and his interactions with the Angels.
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
The great difficulty in sketching the character of Joseph of Nazareth is that Scripture never shows him speaking. He never says yes or no. He never makes a nod or gesture. And not only is he never shown to speak, the Gospels never show a single human being speaking to him—not even his wife or son.
No humans speak to him; but four times, an angel speaks to him.
Christian tradition makes much of Mary’s Annunciation. The Church commemorates it by a feast day and dedicates a daily prayer to it (the Angelus). But Joseph’s “annunciations” are also worthy of scrutiny—certainly for what they reveal about him, but also for what they reveal about angels. The Gospels present almost every episode in Joseph’s life as an encounter with an angel.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 43). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the First Sunday of Lent and the need in our lives for true prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Mk 1:12-15
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.
”Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
This week, author Thomas Howard tells us the point of art—from Vermeer’s landscapes to Andy Warhol’s soup cans. And we debate it. Join us in our ongoing discussion of Howard’s book Chance or the Dance?
You can find the book here
Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.
Episode 29 – John 14 – I am the Way, the Truth and the Life part 1
We continue our study of John’s Gospel with Chapter 14. This beautiful chapter has an abundance of nuptial imagery. God designed marriage as a way to image the Trinity. Just as life flows from the one-flesh union of man and woman, the life of the Holy Spirit flows from the union of the Father and Son, who are one.
From the beginning in Genesis, to the end in Revelation, the story of salvation is the story of the marriage between God and His people. To nullify the marital covenant between God and Israel, one of the parties needed to die. As we learn in Romans 7, through Jesus’ death on the cross, the marital covenant with Israel ends, freeing Christ to take a new bride, the universal Church. We learn, though, that in order for the wedding to take place, the bride must be pure and blemish free. As we learned last time, through Baptism we are purified of original sin, and through Reconciliation we are purified of the sins of our lives.
Returning to John 14, Sharon gives us a wonderful teaching about first century Jewish wedding customs, which helps us to better understand the rich symbolism found in this chapter. In ancient Palestine, extended families lived together in an expansive house called an insula. With each successive generation, the sons would build additional rooms to accommodate their own wife and children. After the wedding, the young bride would leave her own home and move in with the groom’s family. The groom’s entire family, especially the parents, had to be willing to accept the bride into the insula, and her virtue was valued even more than her wealth or beauty. The marital ritual began when the groom and his father journeyed to the bride’s home and negotiated the terms of the marriage, with the best man (aka the shushbin) acting as an intermediary between the two parties.
Once the terms were set, the couple was now officially betrothed, though not yet married. The son announces he will go and prepare a place for his bride, returning when all the necessary preparations were complete. The son would return home and prepare the insula for the arrival of his bride. The bride prepares herself for the return of the groom, but she does not know how long it will take for him to return. After the necessary construction is completed, the father gives his son permission to return for his bride.
On the day of the wedding, the return of the groom to his bride is announced with the blowing of the shofar horn. The shushbin stands by as the marriage is consummated, and then offers proof of the bride’s purity through the display of the marital bedding. Knowing this, we now have a much better understanding of Jesus’ promise to return to us after he prepares a place for us in his Father’s house. Jesus invites us into marital union with him, a blood covenant that was consummated with his death on the cross, the cup of acceptance of this New Blood Covenant that we drink from the chalice at Mass. The Holy Spirit, the shushbin, guarantees the purity of the Church, the bride of Christ by keeping her pure and blemish free through the sacraments.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scriptur...
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 6 part 3 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES AN EFFECT WHICH PROVES THE PRAYER SPOKEN OF IN THE LAST CHAPTER TO BE GENUINE AND NO DECEPTION, TREATS OF ANOTHER FAVOUR OUR LORD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL TO MAKE IT PRAISE HIM FERVENTLY.
1. The soul longs for death. 2. The soul cannot help desiring these favours. 3. St. Teresa bewails her inability to serve God. 3. Fervour resulting from ecstasies. 5. Excessive desires to see God should be restrained. 6. They endanger health. 7. Tears often come from Physical causes. 8. St. Teresa’s own experience. 9. Works, not tears, are asked by God. 10. Confide entirely in God. 11. The jubilee of the soul. 12. Impossibility of concealing this joy. 13. The world’s judgment of this jubilee. 14. Which is often felt by the nuns of St. Joseph’s. 15. The Saint’s delight in this jubilee.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Episode 1 -Stations of the Cross: Reflections with Deacon James Keating –
The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. While Reflecting deeply on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 1st and 2nd station along the Way of the Cross.
Episode 9 – Rules 4 and 5 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher breaks open more fully Rule 5 and the need to "give much attention to the course of the thoughts." Then he emphasizes the importance of understanding the signs of the good spirit and problematic signs given by the enemy.
Fifth Rule.
The fifth: We should give much attention to the course of the thoughts; and if the beginning, middle and end is all good, inclined to all good, it is a sign of the good angel; but if in the course of the thoughts that he brings, it ends in something bad, or distractive, or less good than the soul had proposed to do before, or if it weakens it, or disquiets, or troubles the soul, taking away the peace, tranquility and quiet, which it had before, it is a clear sign that it proceeds from the bad spirit, the enemy of our profit and eternal salvation.(333)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.
You can find the book here.
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks – pt. 2
With Dr. Angela Franks, we continue our discussion on the truth of the uniqueness of each person and the danger of the "-isms" of modernity to depersonalize and devalue humanity. Among other things, Dr. Franks speaks on Balthasar's understanding of authority which provides a gift of unity for the Church and its members, as well as the receptivity of the Marian assent and the power of the Cross which enters into our daily reality. She also offers an insight on Balthasar's stances' on ecumenism and Biblical exegesis. How does the Christian interact in the body politic, is a question addressed, along with many others, in this conversation as well.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the'form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Angela Franks discussing A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from A Short Primer for the Unsettled Laymen – Audio and Text Excerpts
Episode 4: Freedom demands discipline
James sits at the jetty awaiting Peter’s arrival for their third meeting. Peter takes up the theme of the importance of God’s love because only his love can change human beings decisively and permanently for the better. Learning to pray, learning to open ourselves to God’s love is like anything else: it needs practice, and it takes time. Peter emphasizes that there is no accomplishment of any worth that he knows of, that you can attain merely by desiring to have it. Freedom always demands discipline, and prayer is no exception to the rule.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 4 – Joseph and His King – "Marriage Amid the Madness"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Mary and Joseph's marriage and his challenge with her pregnancy. They also discuss Mary's need to visit her cousin Elizabeth, commonly referred to as The Visitation.
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
Commentators down the ages have proposed three approaches to this enigmatic passage: (1) the suspicion theory, (2) the perplexity theory, and (3) the reverence theory. Let us examine them briefly.
1. The Suspicion Theory. In this reading of the Gospel passage, Joseph suspects that Mary has been unfaithful. He is devastated, but his love for her remains so great that he cannot bear the thought of her facing public shame—or, worse, the death penalty, since adultery was a capital crime, punishable by stoning. He decides to divorce her, as the Law permitted, until an angel deters him from that course of action.
2. The Perplexity Theory. According to this theory, Joseph cannot understand what has happened. He does not believe Mary could be unfaithful. Yet her pregnancy is undeniable and subject to legal penalties. Since Joseph is a just man, he finds a solution that respects the Law, but protects Mary as well. The angel, in this reading, provides the information that Joseph lacks and helps him to make a plan for going forward.
3. The Reverence Theory. This third theory presents Joseph as a man overwhelmed by awe when he learns of Mary’s miraculous conception. From the beginning, he knows of God’s singular intervention: “she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit.” Joseph feels unworthy to be involved, and so he decides he will cooperate just long enough to protect Mary’s secret and then make a quiet exit. In this reading, Joseph’s first impulse is like St. Peter’s when he said to Jesus, “Depart from me!” (Lk 5:8), or the Centurion’s when he said, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof” (Lk 7:6). The angel, however, persuades Joseph to put aside his fears.
Each theory has saints and doctors of the church among its proponents. St. Justin Martyr and St. Augustine of Hippo advanced the first; St. Jerome the second; and St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and St. Josemaria Escriva the third.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 39). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here.
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Anointing of the Sick, known as one of the Sacraments of Healing. He speaks of his personal experience with the sacrament and the importance of having it readily available for the faithful. Msgr. Esseff also addresses particular issues related to laying on of hands.
From the USSCB:
Jesus came to heal the whole person, body and soul.
In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español
Pray
- Prayers for the Health and Dignity of the Sick
- Order for the Blessing of the Sick
Learn
- Explore the USCCA to learn about the liturgy for the Anointing of the Sickand its effects within the community and the life of the sick. | en español
- Respecting the Dignity of the Human Person at the End of Life
Act
-
Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing| en español
-
The Corporal Works of Mercy include visiting the sick and burying the dead.
-
The Spiritual Works of Mercy include praying for the living and the dead.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to him begging him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him,
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Anointing of the Sick, known as one of the Sacraments of Healing. He speaks of his personal experience with the sacrament and the importance of having it readily available for the faithful. Msgr. Esseff also addresses particular issues related to laying on of hands.
From the USSCB:
Jesus came to heal the whole person, body and soul.
In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español
Pray
- Prayers for the Health and Dignity of the Sick
- Order for the Blessing of the Sick
Learn
- Explore the USCCA to learn about the liturgy for the Anointing of the Sickand its effects within the community and the life of the sick. | en español
- Respecting the Dignity of the Human Person at the End of Life
Act
-
Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing| en español
-
The Corporal Works of Mercy include visiting the sick and burying the dead.
-
The Spiritual Works of Mercy include praying for the living and the dead.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to him begging him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him,
What a delight to discuss Bernadette Chovelon's Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Élisabeth and Félix Leseur with the translator of the book Mary Dudro. This beautiful love story is filled with fascinating characters, panoramic landscapes, and a sweeping view of a time gone by that is nevertheless very much like our own. The tender relationship between an unbelieving husband and a faithful wife who trusts God completely is a compelling witness to the transformative power of love.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Élisabeth and Félix Leseur began their life together in France as a carefree young couple with a bright future ahead of them. They were beautifully and compatibly matched, except for one major difference—Élisabeth was a devout Catholic, and Félix was a firmly decided atheist. As they faced the seasons of life together, their relationship was tested, and both were called to deep spiritual transformation.
Out of love for her husband, Élisabeth spent her life offering her many sufferings for the sake of his conversion. After her death, and in response to the profound love he encountered in her writings, Félix converted and offered the rest of his life to God as a Dominican priest.
This biography is a lovely narrative of their marriage and the transformative power of God's love and grace in their lives. It also presents a charming picture of upper-middle-class French society at the turn of the last century. The cause for the canonization of Élisabeth Leseur has been opened by the Catholic Church.
Episode 6 -Baptism: Born from Above – The child is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…what does this mean? The anointing with Sacred Chrism, the clothing with the baptismal garment, the baptismal candle…what is the significance of these signs? The need for discernment. The blessings of the mother, and the father, and the baptized child.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 6 -Baptism: Born from Above – The child is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…what does this mean? The anointing with Sacred Chrism, the clothing with the baptismal garment, the baptismal candle…what is the significance of these signs? The need for discernment. The blessings of the mother, and the father, and the baptized child.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 8 – Rules 4 and 5 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher breaks open more fully Rules 4 and 5 and how the behavior of the enemy causes deceptions by appearing as an angel of light bringing good and holy thoughts. Fr. Gallagher addresses the need to examine the course of thoughts…beginning, the middle, and the end.
Fourth Rule
The fourth: It is proper to the bad angel, who takes on the appearance of an angel of light, to enter with the devout soul and to go out with himself; that is, to bring good and holy thoughts, conformed to such a just soul, and afterwards, little by little, he endeavors to go out, bringing the soul to his hidden deceits and perverse intentions. (332)
Fifth Rule.
The fifth: We should give much attention to the course of the thoughts; and if the beginning, middle and end is all good, inclined to all good, it is a sign of the good angel; but if in the course of the thoughts that he brings, it ends in something bad, or distractive, or less good than the soul had proposed to do before, or if it weakens it, or disquiets, or troubles the soul, taking away the peace, tranquility and quiet, which it had before, it is a clear sign that it proceeds from the bad spirit, the enemy of our profit and eternal salvation.(333)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series, visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr.
Episode 3: Knowledge alone is not enough – Experiencing Love
James has been waiting eagerly for Peter’s second visit. He asks Peter to explain what he meant when he said that there is all the difference in the world between knowing that we are loved, and experiencing being loved. Peter describes how the experience of human love can change a person for the better. But he takes the analogy further, describing how God’s love can change us permanently for the better. James is left with the conviction that he has now to learn anew how to welcome God’s love into his life and how to start again at square one, to begin again to learn how to pray”
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate books: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 3 – Joseph and His King – "Prosperity and It's Price"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss in more detail the life and influence of Herod the Great. Then the conversation turns to St. Joseph. We learn more about his family background. Who was his father? What was it like to be a carpenter in those days? How old was St. Joseph at the time of his marriage to the Blessed Virgin Mary? What was the influence of the Essene community?
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
An increasing number of scholars believe that the family of Jesus had contact with the Essenes. St. John the Baptist spent time in the desert and shared the movement’s emphases on asceticism and the coming age of the messiah. Mary and Joseph, too, approached their marriage in ways that seem to conform to Essene asceticism. Mary’s responses to the angel during the Annunciation make sense only if she had intended to observe lifelong virginity. Reviewing the evidence, the archeologist Bargil Pixner concluded that Joseph’s family “had strong ties with the Essene movement.”22 John Bergsma, in his book Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, arrived at a similar conclusion.23
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 34). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Thomas Howard tells us why poetry matters—part two of our series on Chance or the Dance?: A Critique of Modern Secularism. This and more in this week's discussion of Chance or the Dance.
You can find the book here
Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.
Episode 27 – John 13 – Jesus: The Servant of Love part 1
“Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John marks the end of the Book of Signs and the beginning of the Book of Glory. The hour of glory—the hour of the crucifixion—has started.
Chapters 13-16 are an extended discourse by Jesus, who is preparing his disciples for his exodus, his departure from this world back to his heavenly Father. The washing of the disciples’ feet is laden with nuptial imagery, a theme that runs throughout the entire Bible.
Beginning with Adam and Eve, the story of salvation is the story of the marriage between God and His people. God entered into a spiritual marriage with Adam and Eve, but this perfect union was shattered by original sin. But through our bodily nature, God has given us a glimpse into the image of the trinity. As John Paul II states in his Theology of the Body, “only the body is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it.” The eternal mystery is the union of the three persons of the Trinity. Man’s spiritual union with God, fractured by sin, is restored at the crucifixion, the wedding celebration of Christ and His Church.
Mary is the perfect model of spiritual marriage with Christ. She and John the Evangelist stayed in communion with Jesus as he hung on the cross. The message for us is to stay in communion with God and with each other, avoiding the temptation to run away from the messy crosses of our lives. Over the years, a number of saints have experienced a spiritual marriage with Jesus, and Sharon tells us the story of Catherine of Siena who suffered from the invisible stigmata in her union with Christ.
Turning back to the foot-washing, Sharon shows us the spiritual meaning of this story. Before a wedding, the bride must be blemish-free, washed free of the stain of sin. Baptism cleanses us from original sin, while reconciliation removes the filth of all other sin in our lives. When Jesus washes the feet of the apostles, he is spiritually washing away the guilt of sin, prefiguring the sacrament of reconciliation, “that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27).” Stripping down to his linen ephod, Jesus performs the intimate, yet priestly ritual of washing the apostles’ feet, preparing them to enter into the spiritual union of the crucifixion and to become the first priests of a new priesthood of which he is the Eternal High Priest. ”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks – pt. 1
With Dr. Angela Franks, we begin our discussion with an understanding of where we are today and why there is a crisis of identity. She will discuss Balthasar's emphasis on the importance of thinking with the Church and properly understanding Word, Sacrament, and Authority and his warnings concerning the corrosive effects of the "-isms" of our age.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the'form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Angela Franks discussing A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – Audio and Text Excerpts
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 6 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES AN EFFECT WHICH PROVES THE PRAYER SPOKEN OF IN THE LAST CHAPTER TO BE GENUINE AND NO DECEPTION, TREATS OF ANOTHER FAVOUR OUR LORD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL TO MAKE IT PRAISE HIM FERVENTLY.
1. The soul longs for death. 2. The soul cannot help desiring these favours. 3. St. Teresa bewails her inability to serve God. 3. Fervour resulting from ecstasies. 5. Excessive desires to see God should be restrained. 6. They endanger health. 7. Tears often come from Physical causes. 8. St. Teresa’s own experience. 9. Works, not tears, are asked by God. 10. Confide entirely in God. 11. The jubilee of the soul. 12. Impossibility of concealing this joy. 13. The world’s judgment of this jubilee. 14. Which is often felt by the nuns of St. Joseph’s. 15. The Saint’s delight in this jubilee.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Episode 5 -Baptism: Born from Above– The renunciation of Satan on the part of parents and godparents and their profession of faith…what does this mean? What are we called actually to do?
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
94. The celebrant questions the parents and godparents:
Celebrant: Do you reject Satan?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant: And all his works?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant: And all his empty promises?
Parents and Godparents: I do
95. Next the celebrant asks for the threefold profession of faith from the parents and godparents:
Celebrant:
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried,
rose from the dead,
and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
The celebrant and the congregation give their assent to this profession of faith:
Celebrant:
This is our faith.
This is the faith of the Church.
We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 5 -Baptism: Born from Above– The renunciation of Satan on the part of parents and godparents and their profession of faith…what does this mean? What are we called actually to do?
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
94. The celebrant questions the parents and godparents:
Celebrant: Do you reject Satan?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant: And all his works?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant: And all his empty promises?
Parents and Godparents: I do
95. Next the celebrant asks for the threefold profession of faith from the parents and godparents:
Celebrant:
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
was crucified, died, and was buried,
rose from the dead,
and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
The celebrant and the congregation give their assent to this profession of faith:
Celebrant:
This is our faith.
This is the faith of the Church.
We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 2: A man who speaks with Authority
It is James Robertson’s first meeting with Peter Calvay. James describes his initial impressions and admits to some misgivings and doubts that a hermit who had separated himself from the world could ever fully understand his predicament. He considers cutting his visit short, but when Peter begins to speak about the spiritual life with confidence and conviction, James is left in no doubt that here indeed was a man who spoke with authority. Peter leaves James with his memorable words, “Knowledge will never change anyone decisively and permanently for the better, but the experience of being loved will.”
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate books: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Episode 2 – Joseph and His King – "St. Joseph and His World"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the various religious and political figures prevalent in Israel at the time of St. Joseph. Chief among those leaders is the infamous figure of King Herod the Great.
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
In Judea at the time, there were three dominant factions to pit against each other.
The Sadducees, the descendants of Zadok, were the clerical caste, from whom the high priest had formerly been chosen. They were wealthy and largely materialist in their approach to religion. They disbelieved in angels and the afterlife. They recognized only the five books of Moses, the Torah, as Scripture.
The Pharisees were a lay movement that emphasized the meticulous observance of the Law. They supplemented the statutes of Moses with other regulations based on customs and oral tradition. They recognized as authoritative, in addition to the Torah, the Prophets, the Psalms, and sacred writings of Israel.
The Essenes were a group of pious separatists, founded probably when the Seleucids deposed the legitimate high priest and replaced him with his brother. They considered themselves the keepers of the traditional, priestly, sacrificial faith, and they awaited a messiah (or perhaps two messiahs) who would restore the integrity of Israel’s religious institutions. The Essenes had a contemplative community in the Judean desert.
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 22). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Is the cosmos full of items that are connected meaningfully or items that are disconnected? What place does imagination play in human experience? How do we employ imagination to give significance to ordinary and extraordinary things through ritual? This and more in this week's discussion of Chance or the Dance.
You can find the book here
Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.
Episode 27 – John 13 – Jesus: The Servant of Love part 1
“Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John marks the end of the Book of Signs and the beginning of the Book of Glory. The hour of glory—the hour of the crucifixion—has started.
Chapters 13-16 are an extended discourse by Jesus, who is preparing his disciples for his exodus, his departure from this world back to his heavenly Father. The washing of the disciples’ feet is laden with nuptial imagery, a theme that runs throughout the entire Bible.
Beginning with Adam and Eve, the story of salvation is the story of the marriage between God and His people. God entered into a spiritual marriage with Adam and Eve, but this perfect union was shattered by original sin. But through our bodily nature, God has given us a glimpse into the image of the trinity. As John Paul II states in his Theology of the Body, “only the body is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it.” The eternal mystery is the union of the three persons of the Trinity. Man’s spiritual union with God, fractured by sin, is restored at the crucifixion, the wedding celebration of Christ and His Church.
Mary is the perfect model of spiritual marriage with Christ. She and John the Evangelist stayed in communion with Jesus as he hung on the cross. The message for us is to stay in communion with God and with each other, avoiding the temptation to run away from the messy crosses of our lives. Over the years, a number of saints have experienced a spiritual marriage with Jesus, and Sharon tells us the story of Catherine of Siena who suffered from the invisible stigmata in her union with Christ.
Turning back to the foot-washing, Sharon shows us the spiritual meaning of this story. Before a wedding, the bride must be blemish-free, washed free of the stain of sin. Baptism cleanses us from original sin, while reconciliation removes the filth of all other sin in our lives. When Jesus washes the feet of the apostles, he is spiritually washing away the guilt of sin, prefiguring the sacrament of reconciliation, “that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27).” Stripping down to his linen ephod, Jesus performs the intimate, yet priestly ritual of washing the apostles’ feet, preparing them to enter into the spiritual union of the crucifixion and to become the first priests of a new priesthood of which he is the Eternal High Priest. ”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Episode 7 – Rules 3 and 4 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher breaks open more fully Rules 3 and 4 which primarily addresses the most common question in second mode discernment, "What about spiritual consolation with preceding cause?"
Third Rule
The third: with cause both the good angel and the bad can console the soul, for contrary ends: the good angel for the profit of the soul, that it may grow and rise from good to better; and the bad angel for the contrary, and later on to draw it to his damnable intention and malice. (331)
Fourth Rule
The fourth: It is proper to the bad angel, who takes on the appearance of an angel of light, to enter with the devout soul and to go out with himself; that is, to bring good and holy thoughts, conformed to such a just soul, and afterwards, little by little, he endeavors to go out, bringing the soul to his hidden deceits and perverse intentions. (332)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Episode 4 -Baptism: Born from Above– Deacon Keating discusses the adopted child reality and the Sonship of Jesus Christ. The symbol of water and it's importance in the rite and in our spiritual lives. The solemn prayer of the celebrant, which, by invoking God and recalling his plan of salvation, blesses the water of baptism or makes reference to its earlier blessing.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 4 -Baptism: Born from Above– Deacon Keating discusses the adopted child reality and the Sonship of Jesus Christ. The symbol of water and its importance in the rite and in our spiritual lives. The solemn prayer of the celebrant, which, by invoking God and recalling his plan of salvation, blesses the water of baptism or makes reference to its earlier blessing.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
From a conference by Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest
(Collatio 6 super Credo in Deum)
The Cross exemplifies every virtue
Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: "Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends." Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.
Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because "they divided my garments among themselves." Nor to honours, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for "weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head." Nor to anything delightful, for "in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
From a conference by Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest
(Collatio 6 super Credo in Deum)
The Cross exemplifies every virtue
Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: "Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends." Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.
Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because "they divided my garments among themselves." Nor to honours, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for "weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head." Nor to anything delightful, for "in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Episode 1: From Glasgow to Barra
In the first episode, the hermit, Peter Calvay, introduces himself and describes his spiritual journey, which led to him living the eremitical life on a remote island off the Scottish Outer Hebrides. James Robertson, the academic who visits Barra with the intention of seeking spiritual help from Peter, takes up the story. He describes how he came to know of Peter and how he persuaded him to see him over a period of a week. He describes his journey on the island plane landing on the famous cockleshell beach. He arrives filled with the expectation of how Peter, the Hermit, will change his life over the forthcoming week.
You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page
You can find the book here.
David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate books: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.
David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.
Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com
The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Day 9
St. Thomas you have taught
Suppose a person entering a house were to feel heat on the porch, and going further, were to feel the heat increasing, the more they penetrated within. Doubtless, such a person would believe there was a fire in the house, even though they did not see the fire that must be causing all this heat. A similar thing will happen to anyone who considers this world in detail: one will observe that all things are arranged according to their degrees of beauty and excellence, and that the nearer they are to God, the more beautiful and better they are.Sermon on the Apostles' Creed , 13-14
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Day 8
St. Thomas you have taught
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
“We can't have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.”
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode 1 – St. Joseph's World – "St. Joseph and His World"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor begin this series on the life and times of St. Joseph with a discussion on his ancestry.
An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:
The family of David was intensely aware of their mission and purpose in history. The residents of Nazareth and Kochba were alive to the possibility—perhaps a probability—that one of them would bear the messiah into the world.
Archeologists estimate that Nazareth had 120–150 inhabitants in the mid-first century before Christ.3 Seventy years after the clan’s arrival, they were surely established in their routines and integrated into the local economy. The households had their trades, which fathers taught their sons, and mothers taught their daughters.
Later in that century, one of the families in Nazareth—a family of artisans—gave birth to a boy and named him Joseph. His name, like the name of his birthplace, reflected the hope of his people. Joseph, in Hebrew, means “God will increase.”
Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (pp. 19-20). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Other Mike Aquilina series' found on Discerning Hearts:
Roots the Faith
The Resilient Church
Villains of the Early Church
Day 7
St. Thomas you have taught
“Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.”
“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
The Urgency of Jesus' Message to the World
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the call of Christ, especially at this time in our lives.
Gospel
Mk 1:14-20
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 6
St. Thomas you have taught us to pray…
Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of mercy,
I entrust to you my body and my soul,
my thoughts and my actions,
my life and my death.
My Queen,
come to my aid
and deliver me from the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace of loving
my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after him,
Mary,
of loving you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amen.
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode 26 – John 12: The Glory of the Lord part 2
“John 12 begins just six days before Jesus’ final Passover on earth. Gathering with some of his disciples, Jesus is dining at the house of Lazarus, who had just been risen from the dead. Sharon gives us the background of typical Greco-Roman dining, where guests would recline at table to eat their meal, and afterward, would be entertained by musicians and sometimes even prostitutes. We recall King Herod, married illicitly to Herodias, who promised even half his kingdom to Herodias’ daughter Salome after she performed a seductive after-dinner dance. Prompted by her mother, Salome demands the head of John the Baptist, who had publicly criticized the marriage between Herod and Herodias. In some paintings, Salome is pictured with a vial of spikenard, a rare, expensive, richly aromatic oil.
Sharon goes on to explain the significance of spikenard for a first-century Jewish girl. Spikenard was kept in an alabaster jar, and on her wedding night, the virgin bride would break open the jar, anoint her new groom, and consummate the wedding. With this background, we now better understand the beautiful meaning behind the actions of Mary of Bethany, who breaks open an enormous jar of spikenard, anoints the feet of Jesus, and then dries them with her hair. Mary desires to give everything to Jesus and enter into a spiritual marriage. She wants to lavish him with not only her most precious earthly gift, but even more, with the priceless gift of her total self: heart, mind, soul, and strength.
6 Spikenard was also used for burial anointing, but having just seen her brother rise from the dead, Mary knows Jesus will also rise and have no need for the burial anointing. Instead, Mary anoints Jesus now as her spiritual spouse. Sharon then moves on to the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, showing how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9, entering into his kingship riding atop a donkey. To reach Jerusalem, Jesus would have processed through Bethany and Bethphage. Sharon unlocks the importance of Bethphage, also known as the House of Un-ripened Figs. Despite being a few miles outside the city walls, Bethphage was still considered to be part of Jerusalem and was home to two members holding seats in the Sanhedrin. The irony of Jesus processing past this town is profound: any judicial order to execute a rebellious leader had to be made in Bethphage. Today Jesus rides triumphantly past Bethphage; in just a few short days, his execution will be confirmed in Bethphage. ”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Day 5
St. Thomas you have taught that:
“The world tempts us either by attaching us to it in prosperity, or by filling us with fear of adversity. But faith overcomes this in that we believe in a life to come better than this one, and hence we despise the riches of this world and we are not terrified in the face of adversity.”
― Thomas Aquinas, The Catechetical Instructions
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode 3 -Baptism: Born from Above– The importance of the community of faith. Also the relevance and effect of the prayers of exorcism and anointing
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 3 -Baptism: Born from Above– The importance of the community of faith. Also the relevance and effect of the prayers of exorcism and anointing
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Day 4
St. Thomas you have taught that:
“Many cry to the Lord that they may win riches, that they may avoid losses; they cry that their family may be established, they ask for temporal happiness, for worldly dignities; and, lastly, they cry for bodily health, which is the patrimony of the poor. For these and such like things many cry to the Lord; hardly one cries for the Lord Himself! How easy it is for a man to desire all manner of things from the Lord and yet not desire the Lord Himself! As though the gift could be sweeter than the Giver!”
― Thomas Aquinas, On Prayer and The Contemplative Life
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode 6 – Introduction to Rules 3 to 8 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher offers an introduction to Rules 3 through 8 which primarily addresses the most common question in second mode discernment, "What about spiritual consolation with preceding cause?"
Third Rule
The third: with cause both the good angel and the bad can console the soul, for contrary ends: the good angel for the profit of the soul, that it may grow and rise from good to better; and the bad angel for the contrary, and later on to draw it to his damnable intention and malice. (331)
Fourth Rule
The fourth: It is proper to the bad angel, who takes on the appearance of an angel of light, to enter with the devout soul and to go out with himself; that is, to bring good and holy thoughts, conformed to such a just soul, and afterwards, little by little, he endeavors to go out, bringing the soul to his hidden deceits and perverse intentions. (332)
Fifth Rule
The fifth: We should give much attention to the course of the thoughts; and if the beginning, middle and end is all good, inclined to all good, it is a sign of the good angel; but if in the course of the thoughts that he brings, it ends in something bad, or distractive, or less good than the soul had proposed to do before, or if it weakens it, or disquiets, or troubles the soul, taking away the peace, tranquility and quiet, which it had before, it is a clear sign that it proceeds from the bad spirit, the enemy of our profit and eternal salvation. (333)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Day 3
St. Thomas you have taught that:
“God loves his creatures, and he loves each one the more, the more it shares his own goodness, which is the first and primary object of his love. Therefore he wants the desires of his rational creatures to be fulfilled because they share most perfectly of all creatures the goodness of God.
And his will is an accomplisher of things because he is the cause of things by his will. So it belongs to the divine goodness to fulfill the desires of rational creatures which are put to him in prayer.”
― Thomas Aquinas, Faith, Reason and Theology
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Day 2
St. Thomas you have taught that:
“Even though the natural light of the human mind is inadequate to make known what is revealed by faith, nevertheless what is divinely taught to us by faith cannot be contrary to what we are endowed with by nature. One or the other would have to be false, and since we have both of them from God, he would be the cause of our error, which is impossible.”
― Thomas Aquinas, Faith, Reason and Theology
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
On liturgy and Traditionalism: our final discussion of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s book A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation, Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
St. Thomas Aquinas Novena Day 1
Day 1
St. Thomas you have taught that:
“God Himself is the rule and mode of virtue. Our faith is measured by divine truth, our hope by the greatness of His power and faithful affection, our charity by His goodness. His truth, power and goodness outreach any measure of reason. We can certainly never believe, trust or love God more than, or even as much as, we should. Extravagance is impossible. Here is no virtuous moderation, no measurable mean; the more extreme our activity, the better we are.”
― Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 5 Vols
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Grant me grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.
In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena.
[Make your request here…]
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.
Background music excerpt: "O Salutaris Hostia" performed by "Capella Musica Seoul"
For the complete 9-day Novena with St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode 12 – Nestorius – "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians"was
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Nestorius, an archbishop of Constantinople who proclaimed that Mary could not be the "Theotokos". Such statements brought about the Council of Ephesus and a declaration throughout the Christian Church that his thought was emphatically wrong. Mary was, and still is, the "Mother of God."
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church:
We’ve been having an argument with these other people, the monks explained. We say that Mary is rightly called Mother of God—in Greek, Theotokos. But these other people say it’s not right to call her anything but Mother of the Man—Anthropotokos. Which of us is right?
Nestorius was delighted with the opportunity to show off his erudition. His answer probably struck him as very clever and evenhanded. In a way, he said, you’re both right. Each of those names can be used for Mary in a loose and imprecise way. But technically the proper term would be Mother of the Christ—Christotokos. If you want to be accurate, you’ll avoid calling her anything else.3
Thus, Constantinople was first introduced to that little word “technically”—in Greek, akribos—which the world would soon learn was one of Nestorius’ very favorite terms when he was arguing with people. It revealed a lot about the way he thought. The problem with most people, Nestorius seemed to believe, was that they didn’t choose their terms carefully enough. When you’re talking about important issues of theology, you need to be very precise in your language.
The problem with Nestorius, thought practically everybody else in Constantinople, was that he had just said Mary wasn’t Mother of God.
The people of the city instantly latched onto that little word “technically” as representing everything they hated about Nestorius. “If Mary is not technically the Mother of God,” they said, “then her Son is not technically God.”4 Mary had always been called Mother of God, as long as anybody could remember. The city—the whole Empire—was devoted to the Blessed Virgin. What was wrong with this new archbishop?
“He seemed afraid of the word Theotokos,” Socrates recalled, “as if it were some frightful ghost.”5 In the opinion of Socrates and many others, the problem wasn’t loose language on the part of the great majority of Christians. The problem was that Nestorius didn’t know what he was talking about. “The baseless fear he showed on this subject merely demonstrated how very ignorant he was. He was naturally a fluent speaker, so people thought he must be well educated. But actually he was disgracefully illiterate.” Socrates thought that Nestorius not only didn’t know what the great Christian writers before him had written on these subjects, but also didn’t care. He was smarter than they were. He could work things out for himself.6
Well, if Nestorius didn’t know what the great Christians of earlier generations had taught, it was about time somebody told him. Enter the Bishop of Alexandria.
Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians . Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in the Villains of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics,
Episode 2 -Baptism: Born from Above– The importance of the name we are given at baptism. The role and significance of godparents.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 2 -Baptism: Born from Above– The importance of the name we are given at baptism. The role and significance of godparents.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 6 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
DESCRIBES AN EFFECT WHICH PROVES THE PRAYER SPOKEN OF IN THE LAST CHAPTER TO BE GENUINE AND NO DECEPTION, TREATS OF ANOTHER FAVOUR OUR LORD BESTOWS ON THE SOUL TO MAKE IT PRAISE HIM FERVENTLY.
1. The soul longs for death. 2. The soul cannot help desiring these favours. 3. St. Teresa bewails her inability to serve God. 3. Fervour resulting from ecstasies. 5. Excessive desires to see God should be restrained. 6. They endanger health. 7. Tears often come from Physical causes. 8. St. Teresa’s own experience. 9. Works, not tears, are asked by God. 10. Confide entirely in God. 11. The jubilee of the soul. 12. Impossibility of concealing this joy. 13. The world’s judgment of this jubilee. 14. Which is often felt by the nuns of St. Joseph’s. 15. The Saint’s delight in this jubilee.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Episode 5 – The Second Rule – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher continues to break open the Second Rule by using examples of different types of Spiritual Consolation. He also delves into the proper understanding of "preceding cause."
Second Rule
The second: it is of God our Lord alone to give consolation to the soul without preceding cause; because it is proper to the Creator to enter, go out, to move it interiorly, drawing it totally in love of his divine majesty. I say without cause, without any previous sentiment or knowledge of some object, through which such a consolation comes, by means of its acts of understanding and will. (330)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss how Hans Urs von Balthasar explains what obedience means in the Church.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation, Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
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Episode 1 -Baptism: Born from Above– The significance of Jesus' baptism. The ministry of parenthood. The role of the father.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized.
How can this be accomplished? What is the role of the parents, the godparents, the minister of baptism, the Church? These and other questions are reflected upon in "Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating".
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
.
Episode 1 -Baptism: Born from Above– The significance of Jesus' baptism. The ministry of parenthood. The role of the father.
Deacon Keating takes a careful look at the Baptismal Rite and offers prayerful reflection and insight to help us live out the faith and nurture the domestic church.
From the Baptismal Rite for Children:
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the Gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized not only adults but children as well. Our Lord said:
‘Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God.’ The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not
be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church, a faith proclaimedfor them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church
and the whole society of saints and believers: ‘The whole Church is the mother of all and the mother of each.’
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in
which they have been baptized. The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament
itself that they have already received. Christian formation, which is their due, seeks to lead
them gradually to learn God’s plan in Christ, so that they may ultimately accept for themselvesthe faith in which they have been baptized.
How can this be accomplished? What is the role of the parents, the godparents, the minister of baptism, the Church? These and other questions are reflected upon in "Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating".
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
More episodes of Baptism: Born from Above with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Deacon James Keating's book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God s movement within them.
Episode 11 – Julian the Apostate – "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Julian the Apostate, an emperor of Rome who was disillusioned by how his family who claimed to be Christians, yet acted counter to what they professed. He would embrace paganism and tried to eliminate Christian influence in the Roman Empire.
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church:
Christians remembered Julian as “the Apostate”—the one emperor who tried to turn back to paganism. There would be no others. From 363 to 1453, when Constantinople finally fell, the Roman Empire would be Christian.
But what can we say about Julian the man? He might have been a very good emperor if he had had better relatives. In spite of his retrograde religious views, he was personally moral—in fact, puritanical—and a competent administrator when the problem was limited and solvable. Perhaps the best tribute to him comes from the Christian poet Prudentius, who neatly summed up Julian in one line:
Faithless he was to God, though not to Rome.7
Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians . Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in the Villains of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
Episode 4 – The First and Second Rule – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher begins to break open the First and Second Rule by using examples of different types of Spiritual Consolation.
First Rule
The first: it is proper to God and to his angels, in their movements, to give true joy and spiritual gladness, taking away all sadness and disturbance which the enemy induces; to whom it is proper to militate against that joy and spiritual consolation, bringing apparent reasons, subtleties and persistent fallacies. (329)
Second Rule
The second: it is of God our Lord alone to give consolation to the soul without preceding cause; because it is proper to the Creator to enter, go out, to move it interiorly, drawing it totally in love of his divine majesty. I say without cause, without any previous sentiment or knowledge of some object, through which such a consolation comes, by means of its acts of understanding and will. (330)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Does Catholicism oppress women? Or is it the opposite? More tough questions as we move through Hans Urs von Balthasar’s “A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen”.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation, Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
Episode 3 – When to Apply the Rules – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher, by using St. Ignatius' 10th Annotation, continues to break open the Title Statement and describes those who need the second set of rules. Such a person in the second spiritual situation, as described in the teaching, is mature, dedicated, generous, deeply loves the Lord, and desires to dedicate his or her life to the Lord. They have a solid, faithful life of prayer and service in their vocations. This is a set of rules to protect the beauty of that portrait so that the enemy is not able to lead the soul astray through any temptation under the appearance of good and it goes solidly toward the Lord.
The Title Statement: "Rules for the same effect with greater discernment of spirits, and they help more for the second week. (328)
Tenth Annotation. The tenth: When the one who gives the exercises perceives that the one who receives them is assaulted and tempted under the appearance of good, then it is proper to explain to him the rules for the second week already mentioned. For the enemy of human nature commonly tempts more under the appearance of good when the person is exercising himself in the illuminative life, which corresponds to the exercises of the second week, and not so much in the purgative life, which corresponds to the exercises of the first week.
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 1:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Once again we are blessed by a conversation with Dr. Scott Hahn! It is Right and Just: Why the Future of Civilization Depends on True Religion is an important book that provides incredible insight on the importance of true religion in the life of society and culture. He provides the grand vision of salvation history and how religion is what is truly "right" and how necessarily expressed is true "justice" and vital in our world today.
You can find the book here
From the book description
Is religion a right given to us by the state? Is it an opium for the masses? Is it private opinion with no role in the public sphere?
In It Is Right and Just, bestselling author Scott Hahn and Brandon McGinley challenge our idea of religion and its role in society. Hahn and McGinley argue that to answer questions over religious liberty, justice, and peace, we must first reject the insidious lie perpetuated by secular-liberal culture: that religion is a private matter.
Contrary to what political commentators and activists say, religion is not only relevant to justice and law, but is necessary for civilization to thrive. Recover the public nature of true religion, It Is Right and Justargues, and watch as a revolution unfolds.
For more with Dr. Scott Hahn visit:
IP#359 Dr. Scott Hahn – Hope to Die on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast
IP#256 Dr. Scott Hahn – Evangelizing Catholics on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
IP#221 Dr. Scott Hahn – Consuming the Word on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
And for even more:
The Dr. Scott Hahn and Associates – Discerning Hearts Page
Part 2
Kathleen Beckman returns to discuss the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph as found in her book, A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Deliverance and Healing! In our first conversation with Kathleen (see the link below), we discussed the reality of spiritual warfare and the damage it does to individuals and families. In this episode, we asked Kathleen to join us once again in order to discuss the role of the Holy Family in our response to the enemy's attacks. She shines an important light on the role of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary as true companions in our spiritual journey as well as allies in our spiritual battle!
You can find the book here:
From the book description
In A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare, Kathleen Beckman offers you potent advice from her 12 years of active participation on an exorcist's team. She shows you how to clean up your household by cultivating in your family a civilization of love and how to withstand the spiritual attacks that inevitably come to destroy the harmonious family life you create.
Beckman reveals how you can recognize diabolical disguises in your home and offers proven means of protection found only in the Church's arsenal of spiritual weapons.
You'll also learn the devil's strategies how he does not necessarily seek to possess but simply to seed your family with the venom of hatred, desolation, envy, and vice. This, she explains, is why it s so important for spouses and children to become schooled in the art of spiritual combat. It's the only way you can destroy the works of the devil and unmask the hidden evil that weaves in and out of your daily family life.
Along with more than two dozen effective prayers for family healing and deliverance, you'll also learn:
- How to understand the spirits working for and against your family, and what to do in response to them
- What specific actions to take if you believe your family has come under the influence of demonic activity
- How to use your baptismal, spousal, and parental authority in spiritual warfare
- How curses can become effective and what can be done to counteract them
- The difference between diabolical temptation, oppression, obsession, and possession
- The seven ways your family can wear the full armor of God
- The diabolical counterparts to each of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes
- The 13 weapons you can use to defend yourself and your family against evil spirits
For more visit:
IP#371 – Kathleen Beckman – "The Holy Family" part 1 – A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor Podcast
IP#367 – Kathleen Beckman – A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast
IP#262 Kathleen Beckman – Praying For Priests on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
For prayers with St. Joseph found on Discerning Hearts visit
St. Joseph, devotions and prayers,
Holy Family Sunday – Honoring Mother and Father
Msgr. Esseff discusses honoring our parents (especially when it's hard) – The reality of our society and the challenge – The wounds and the need for healing
Reading 1 SIR 3:2-6, 12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
From an address by Pope Paul VI
Nazareth, a model
Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him.
Here we can learn to realise who Christ really is. And here we can sense and take account of the conditions and circumstances that surrounded and affected his life on earth: the places, the tenor of the times, the culture, the language, religious customs, in brief, everything which Jesus used to make himself known to the world. Here everything speaks to us, everything has meaning. Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of his Gospel.
How I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth! How wonderful to be close to Mary, learning again the lesson of the true meaning of life, learning again God’s truths. But here we are only on pilgrimage. Time presses and I must set aside my desire to stay and carry on my education in the Gospel, for that education is never finished. But I cannot leave without recalling, briefly and in passing; some thoughts I take with me from Nazareth.
First, we learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims so characteristic of these turbulent times. The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.
Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplify its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings, in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children – and for this there is no substitute.
Finally, in Nazareth, the home of a craftsman’s son, we learn about work and the discipline it entails. I would especially like to recognise its value – demanding yet redeeming – and to give it proper respect. I would remind everyone that work has its own dignity. On the other hand, it is not an end in itself. Its value and free character, however, derive not only from its place in the economic system, as they say, but rather from the purpose it serves.
In closing, may I express my deep regard for people everywhere who work for a living. To them I would point out their great model, Christ their brother, our Lord and God, who is their prophet in every cause that promotes their well being.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
From an address by Pope Paul VI
Nazareth, a model
Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God’s Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him.
Here we can learn to realise who Christ really is. And here we can sense and take account of the conditions and circumstances that surrounded and affected his life on earth: the places, the tenor of the times, the culture, the language, religious customs, in brief, everything which Jesus used to make himself known to the world. Here everything speaks to us, everything has meaning. Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of his Gospel.
How I would like to return to my childhood and attend the simple yet profound school that is Nazareth! How wonderful to be close to Mary, learning again the lesson of the true meaning of life, learning again God’s truths. But here we are only on pilgrimage. Time presses and I must set aside my desire to stay and carry on my education in the Gospel, for that education is never finished. But I cannot leave without recalling, briefly and in passing; some thoughts I take with me from Nazareth.
First, we learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims so characteristic of these turbulent times. The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God’s inner wisdom and the counsel of his true teachers. Nazareth can teach us the value of study and preparation, of meditation, of a well-ordered personal spiritual life, and of silent prayer that is known only to God.
Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplify its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings, in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children – and for this there is no substitute.
Finally, in Nazareth, the home of a craftsman’s son, we learn about work and the discipline it entails. I would especially like to recognise its value – demanding yet redeeming – and to give it proper respect. I would remind everyone that work has its own dignity. On the other hand, it is not an end in itself. Its value and free character, however, derive not only from its place in the economic system, as they say, but rather from the purpose it serves.
In closing, may I express my deep regard for people everywhere who work for a living. To them I would point out their great model, Christ their brother, our Lord and God, who is their prophet in every cause that promotes their well being.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Part 1
Kathleen Beckman returns to discuss the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph as found in her book, A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Deliverance and Healing! In our first conversation with Kathleen (see the link below), we discussed the reality of spiritual warfare and the damage it does to individuals and families. In this episode, we asked Kathleen to join us once again in order to discuss the role of the Holy Family in our response to the enemy's attacks. She shines an important light on the role of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary as true companions in our spiritual journey as well as allies in our spiritual battle!
You can find the book here:
From the book description
In A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare, Kathleen Beckman offers you potent advice from her 12 years of active participation on an exorcist's team. She shows you how to clean up your household by cultivating in your family a civilization of love and how to withstand the spiritual attacks that inevitably come to destroy the harmonious family life you create.
Beckman reveals how you can recognize diabolical disguises in your home and offers proven means of protection found only in the Church's arsenal of spiritual weapons.
You'll also learn the devil's strategies how he does not necessarily seek to possess but simply to seed your family with the venom of hatred, desolation, envy, and vice. This, she explains, is why it s so important for spouses and children to become schooled in the art of spiritual combat. It's the only way you can destroy the works of the devil and unmask the hidden evil that weaves in and out of your daily family life.
Along with more than two dozen effective prayers for family healing and deliverance, you'll also learn:
- How to understand the spirits working for and against your family, and what to do in response to them
- What specific actions to take if you believe your family has come under the influence of demonic activity
- How to use your baptismal, spousal, and parental authority in spiritual warfare
- How curses can become effective and what can be done to counteract them
- The difference between diabolical temptation, oppression, obsession, and possession
- The seven ways your family can wear the full armor of God
- The diabolical counterparts to each of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes
- The 13 weapons you can use to defend yourself and your family against evil spirits
For more visit:
IP#367 – Kathleen Beckman – A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast
IP#262 Kathleen Beckman – Praying For Priests on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
For prayers with St. Joseph found on Discerning Hearts visit
St. Joseph, devotions and prayers, texts and mp3 downloads
A Christmas message for everyone from Msgr. Esseff!
Is 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”
Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.
Gospel Jn 1:1-18.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
For more from Msgr. John Esseff visit: Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff podcasts
On Christmas Eve, the grand sweeping journey of salvation history comes to an important epoch with the "yes" of a virgin named Mary. From that point, the world is transformed forever. Msgr. Esseff challenges all of us to identify the tendency or flaw that cripples us. Give whatever that is to God. Christ has the power to heal you and change you into the person you were created to be. He encourages us to allow the Father in Heaven to embrace and love us.
Reading 1 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
Gospel Lk 1:67-79
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Day 9 – Life Eternal
O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Episode 2 – Teachings on the Title Statement and a look at the First Rule – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Fr. Gallagher breaks open the meaning of the term "greater discernment of spirits" and begins the teachings on the First Rule of the Second Week
The Title Statement: "Rules for the same effect with greater discernment of spirits, and they help more for the second week. (328)
First Rule. The first: it is proper to God and to his angels, in their movements, to give true joy and spiritual gladness, taking away all sadness and disturbance which the enemy induces; to whom it is proper to militate against that joy and spiritual consolation, bringing apparent reasons, subtleties and persistent fallacies. (329)
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
For other episodes in this series visit: The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page
You can find the book here
Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 1:
Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
For the PDF document:
Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf
Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf
The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager
Seventh Antiphon – December 23nd: O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel,[1] king and lawgiver,[2] desire of the nations,[3] Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.
We have here a variation on the theme that Jesus, who is Emmanuel – God with us – is present in the Church and in the world as king and lawmaker; yet we need him to come again, we desire him to come and set us free from ourselves through Christ, through his saving birth, life and teaching, death and resurrection and his return in glory, all of which are implicit in our Advent prayer. Vespers on the 24th is no longer Advent, but the first Vespers of Christmas, whose special antiphons take up the theme of the Birth of our Savior.
[1] Is. 7:14
[2] Is. 33:22
[3] Gen. 49:10
For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 8 – Holiness
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
This book is FANTASTIC and is a definite must-have for all those seeking to grasp the reality of spiritual warfare and the gift we have in the discernment of spirits! There is simply no one better than Fr. Robert Spitzer to shine a penetrating light on the subject! Christ Versus Satan In Our Daily Lives: The Cosmic Struggle Between Good and Evil is the very best resource we have come across, which accesses the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Desert Fathers, and the mystical wisdom of the Church to help us understand fully the tactics of the Enemy on our minds and hearts, and the freedom found in a relationship with Christ and his Church. A great resource for every discerning heart!
This podcast contains part 2 of our conversation.
Here is the link for part 1 of our conversation:
IP#369 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – Christ Versus Satan In Our Daily Lives Part 1 on Inside the Pages w/Kris McGregor Podcast
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Spiritual writer, theologian, and philosopher Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer tackles the topic of recognizing and overcoming spiritual evil. His focus is the human heart. His goal: our moral and spiritual transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness.
The book is divided into two main parts: the realities of God's goodness and of spiritual evil, and recognizing and overcoming diabolical tactics, which range from temptation and deception to the Deadly Sins.
Father Spitzer shows readers how to experience God's peace even during times of suffering and persecution. He examines the basics of the spiritual life and Christian mysticism, including the contemplative dimension. He explains the purgative, illuminative, and unitive aspects of spirituality, as well as the Lord's consolation and the passive Dark Night of the Spirit.
Father Spitzer provides the biblical and theological background of Jesus' victory over Satan. The author also explores the reality of the Devil, including extraordinary manifestations of diabolic activity such as possession. He recalls the true story of the famous possession case on which the novel and film The Exorcist were based.
In the final sections of the book the author explains:
how diabolical spiritual forces operate how temptation works, and what to do to defeat it the"deadly sins" and how to overcome them
Other conversations with Fr. Robert Spitzer:
IP#315 Fr. Robert Spitzer – The Light Shines On In The Darkness on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast
IP#295 Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. – God So Loved the World pt.1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
IP#296 Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. – God So Loved the World pt. 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
IP#289 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – The Souls Upward Yearning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor pt 1
IP#290 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J.
Episode 5 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First – Deacon Keating discusses Hell.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1057 Hell’s principal punishment consists of eternal separation from God in whom alone man can have the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
Sixth Antiphon – December 22nd: O Rex Gentium
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart,[1] O Keystone[2] of the mighty arch of man;[3] come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.[4]
This antiphon rejoices that the Lord is king not just of the Jews but us Gentiles as well, who makes them one people, one temple, in which he is the keystone, the crowning glory that holds all in place.[5] We beg the Lord to return again to save weak humanity made in Gods’ image but disfigured by sin.
[1] Haggai 2:8
[2] Is. 28:16
[3] Eph. 2:14
[4] Gen. 2:7
[5] Eph. 2:20
For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 7 – Forgiveness
O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 5 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF THE SAME SUBJECT AS THE LAST CHAPTER AND DESCRIBES THE FLIGHT OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS ANOTHER WAY BY WHICH GOD ELEVATES THE SOUL: THIS REQUIRES GREAT COURAGE IN ONE EXPERIENCING IT. THIS FAVOUR, BY WHICH GOD GREATLY DELIGHTS THE SOUL IS EXPLAINED. THIS CHAPTER IS VERY PROFITABLE.
- The flight of the spirit. 2. Self-control completely lost. 3. Symbol of the two cisterns. 4. Obligations following the se favours. 5. Humility produced by them. 6. How our crucified Lord comforted such a soul. 7. A humble soul fears these favours. 8. Mysteries learnt during the flight of the spirit. 9. Imaginary visions sometimes accompany intellectual ones. 10. How the flight of the spirit takes place. 11. The soul fortified by it. 12. Three great graces left in the soul. 13. The third grace. 14. Fear caused by this favour..
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Fifth Antiphon –
December 21st: O Oriens
O Radiant Dawn,[1] Splendor of Eternal Light,[2] Sun of Justice;[3] Come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.[4]
The Lord here is invoked as the Light of the World[5] coming as the real sol invictus at the end of time calling us out of darkness into his own wonderful light. The gloom of mid-winter can be seen as the hopelessness of ancient paganism or our own contemporary angst from which we desperately need deliverance.
[1] Zech. 6:12
[2] Heb. 1:3
[3] Mal. 4:2
[4] Luke 1:78
[5] John 8:12
For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 6 – Peace
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff will remind us that the baptized are the living temples of God. Now is the time to check your priorities. Our cathedral is the human heart.
Reading 1
2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?’“
"‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.'”
.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
For more podcasts from Msgr. Esseff visit: Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Podcasts
Fourth Antiphon –
December 20th: O Clavis David
O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven,[1] Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,[2] and lead your captive people into freedom
The Lord Jesus is invoked here as the Key of David,[3] the one who can open the gate into the kingdom because he is the gate.[4] He knocks at the door of our hearts[5] leading us out of the darkness of sin into the true freedom of the children of God, which is freedom from sin and the resulting joy and delight.
[1] Is. 22:22
[2] Luke 1:79
[3] Rev. 3:7
[4] cf. John 10:7
[5] Rev. 3:19
For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 5 – Love
O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us to love as You love this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Episode 1 – Introduction – The Second Week rules of the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
What does God want for our lives? How can we assess when feelings, even pleasant ones, are signs that God is calling us in a particular direction? Fr. Gallagher introduces us to the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola on this crucial question.
Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola's Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 "rules" (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a "spiritual consolation," could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God's gentle leading in our daily lives.
Examples used by Fr. Gallagher in the first conference talk:
A Review of the First Set of Rules:
George: “This morning in the chapel, prayer was difficult. In spite of so many and fervent appeals to Christ’s love, there was no feeling in me of response from the Beloved. I then turned to Our Blessed Lady and said something like this – “Please ask your Son to grant me the grace to love Him more and more… This was said only a very few minutes before the end of the half-hour which had been arid. Suddenly I felt a very sweet touch which warmed my whole being and stirred me to feelings of deep and moving gratitude to the Beloved and to his Mother.”
William Kernan, My Road to Certainty: “I looked out of the train window to the California countryside which I was rapidly leaving behind me – the orange groves shimmering in the light of the late afternoon sun the little bungalows which appeared here and there for a moment and then were gone as the train sped on, and the mountains far out on the horizon… An upsurge of gratitude swept through me and warmed my heart, and I thanked God for His Providence and goodness that had kept me all the days of my life and which, I was sure, would keep me safe forever. I could go on thinking of tomorrow in terms of today. Something would always be the same in every tomorrow; something would be certain – God.”
Married man, 38 years old: I had had a serious knee surgery five months earlier, and things had been slowly getting better with my knee. Recently, however, it seemed worse. This day, I saw the doctor and returned discouraged by his report: If my knee did not improve, how would I ever do my work for the years to come? How would I meet my family’s needs? I had felt tired already on rising, but when I got back from the doctor’s, I felt stripped of all energy. In the evening, I usually pray Evening Prayer. This day, I felt so tired and discouraged that I never said it. When I tried to pray at the end of the day, the same thing happened: I was tired, discouraged, and afraid, and it was hard to pray. Somehow, God seemed very far away, and I felt alone. I wound up spending time on the smartphone that I didn’t really want to spend.
I slept poorly that night and rose with a sense that it would be hard to pray at all this new day. The fear and discouragement were still there. I asked the Lord to help me get through this and to help me live the day well. As usual, I went to Mass before work. Mass was helpful; the readings spoke to me: they told of God’s care for his people in distress: “In you the orphan finds compassion,” “I will love them freely” (Hos. 14:2-10); “I relieved his shoulder from the burden” (Ps 81), and of the great commandment to love God with all our heart (Mk 12: 28-34).
After Mass, overcoming some initial resistance, I said the Rosary on the way to work, and that too lifted my heart. In the late morning, I had a meeting with a client who was grateful for the help I had given him.
Third Antiphon –
December 19th: O Virga Jesse
O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised as a sign for all peoples;[1] kings stand silent in your presence;[2] The nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.[3]
Here we call on the Lord as the seed, flower or descendant of the root or stock of Jesse, the father of King David. The Messiah comes from a royal line sprung from his human ancestor Jesse. He is the sign born of the Virgin, for all the nations to see. The East portrays the prophecy of Isaiah, “the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son,” with the child enclosed in a circle on his mother’s breast and calls that icon the Virgin of the Sign. We call on him now to come and help our sinful and weary world.
[1] Is. 11:10
[2] Is. 5:15
[3] Heb. 2:3
For more visit here: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 4 – Hope
O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Second Antiphon –
December 18th: O Adonai
O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel[1] who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,[2] who gave him the holy law on Sinai. Come stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.[3]
God gave his name Yahweh to Moses, and with that power over him; for to the Hebrew to use one’s name is to have intimacy with that person and thus to have power over him. Yet God cannot be like the gods of the pagans who are coerced by magical practices and so his name is not to be pronounced but instead “Adonai” or “Lord” is used. In the fulness of time, the Messiah will come and tell us to pray in his name of Jesus, with all the implications of that. We pray now that he come again with outstretched arm, that is with power to set us free. In the words of St. Justin, “He stretched out his arms on the cross,” and was rendered powerless and received from his Father the power of the Spirit to set us free from our sinful selves.
[1] Exod. 6:2
[2] Exod. 3:2
[3] Exod. 6:6
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 3"
We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. In this episode St. Benedict where he becomes free through detachment and becomes a light to others. The moment in St. Benedict's life is a great paradox. The one who outwardly looks like the beast, inwardly reveals the saint.
From the Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great:
CHAPTER I.
About the same time certain shepherds found him hid in a cave; who, at the first, spying him among the bushes, clothed in the skins of beasts, took him for some wild beast, but afterwards knowing him to be a servant of God, many of them were converted from their savage life to virtue. By this means his name began to be famous in the country, and many did resort unto him, bringing with them necessaries for his body, while they received from his lips the food of life.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Ne
Day 3 – Faith
O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord, deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect faith in you this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Contradictions in the Bible? Contradictions in the Christian faith? More heavy-hitting discussion as we continue to move through Hans Urs von Balthasar’s “A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen”.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
First Antiphon –
December 17th: O Sapientia
O, Wisdom, O holy Word of God,[1] you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.[2] Come and show your people the way to salvation.[3]
In this ancient antiphon the Church cries out to Christ, as the Wisdom of the Father, the eternal Word proclaimed by John in his prologue,[4] who was with the Father in the beginning of the creation of the world which he continues to govern. We, the Church cry “Come,” the most primordial of all prayers, because we know we’ve “messed up” the wonderful order of creation with human sin and manipulation and need God’s Wisdom, whose “thoughts are not our thoughts.”[5] Only he can show us his Son who is the way to Salvation; to saving us from ourselves and leading us to righteousness in thought and action, which the term salvation implies.
[1] Sir. 24:3
[2] Wis. 8:1
[3] Is. 40:3-5
[4] John 1
[5] Is. 55: 8-9
The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®
You can find the book here
Day 2 – Humility
O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life, and death. We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
This book is FANTASTIC and is a definite must-have for all those seeking to grasp the reality of spiritual warfare and the gift we have in the discernment of spirits! There is simply no one better than Fr. Robert Spitzer to shine a penetrating light on the subject! Christ Versus Satan In Our Daily Lives: The Cosmic Struggle Between Good and Evil is the very best resource we have come across, which accesses the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Desert Fathers, and the mystical wisdom of the Church to help us understand fully the tactics of the Enemy on our minds and hearts, and the freedom found in a relationship with Christ and his Church. A great resource for every discerning heart!
This podcast contains part 1 of our conversation.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Spiritual writer, theologian, and philosopher Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer tackles the topic of recognizing and overcoming spiritual evil. His focus is the human heart. His goal: our moral and spiritual transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness.
The book is divided into two main parts: the realities of God's goodness and of spiritual evil, and recognizing and overcoming diabolical tactics, which range from temptation and deception to the Deadly Sins.
Father Spitzer shows readers how to experience God's peace even during times of suffering and persecution. He examines the basics of the spiritual life and Christian mysticism, including the contemplative dimension. He explains the purgative, illuminative, and unitive aspects of spirituality, as well as the Lord's consolation and the passive Dark Night of the Spirit.
Father Spitzer provides the biblical and theological background of Jesus' victory over Satan. The author also explores the reality of the Devil, including extraordinary manifestations of diabolic activity such as possession. He recalls the true story of the famous possession case on which the novel and film The Exorcist were based.
In the final sections of the book the author explains:
how diabolical spiritual forces operate how temptation works, and what to do to defeat it the"deadly sins" and how to overcome them
Other conversations with Fr. Robert Spitzer:
IP#315 Fr. Robert Spitzer – The Light Shines On In The Darkness on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast
IP#295 Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. – God So Loved the World pt.1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
IP#296 Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. – God So Loved the World pt. 2 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
IP#289 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – The Souls Upward Yearning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor pt 1
IP#290 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – The Souls Upward Yearning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor pt 2
IP#282 Fr. Robert Spitzer S. J. – Finding True Happiness on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
St. Therese of Lisieux said the following: “If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient. But I only look at the present. I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.” In these remarks, St. Therese is trying to point to the truth that is buried deep within the Christian revelation. God only lives in the present moment. He holds all time together in the present. For ourselves, we get lost many times in the past, which could breed nostalgia and grief. Or we anxiously and fearfully try to make the present come quicker. This Advent, ask the Lord for the grace to live in the present so that our gratitude towards all that He is giving us now will deepen. And in our deepening gratitude, will be born a new fervor for worship. For worship is the fruit of the grateful heart.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Day 1 – Joy
O Lord, infant Jesus, fill us with Joy! The birth of any child is a cause for joy and so much more is the birth of You our Savior. We pray in union with Mary, Your mother, for a greater joy this Christmas.
Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.
Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.
Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.
Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother's most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.
Episode 4 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First – Deacon Keating discusses Heaven
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity—this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed—is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Hearts" page
Deacon Keating is also the author of:
You can find the book here.
(A great gift for clergy)
From the book description:
Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.
The patient one is also the meek one. In meekness, we have received God’s love so deeply, that we securely possess our own identities. Meekness is not weakness or some type of emotional withdrawal. To be meek, is to have suffered the coming of God’s love so deeply in our hearts, that we finally know who we are. And so we are no longer motivated to act or to choose out of fear or anxiety. These latter are the hallmark of impatient men. Impatient men choose out of fear or anxiety because they choose to relieve their fear, to console and to diminish their fear. But in the meantime, acting out of fear negates the power of their acting, as it flows only from weakness, and not the strength of being in communion with God. This Advent, let us ask for the grace to be meek. The grace to receive his love so deeply, that we finally come to fully possess our identity and banish from our lives all actions that are born in fear or anxiety.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
In the area of the new evangelization, we need to receive more in prayer. Even more than give witness to an action or word. The deeper we receive his love in prayer, the fewer our words will have to be to have great effect. God’s harvest awaits those who have received His love deeply. And for those who have received his love deeply, they bring forth great fruit. This Advent, let us overcome our impatience to want to spread the Gospel in haste. Let us first spend time deeply receiving the Gospel ourselves, so that the living word of God will transform our hearts, and we may become not simply people who carry words, or actions; witnessing to the love of God. But that we ourselves may become instances of the word of the love our God Himself. We ourselves may become, in our bodies, icons of the love of God. This Advent, let’s deepen our capacity to receive God’s love in prayer and then become this love. The love that the new evangelization is crying out for.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
First Reading RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.”
From the Office of Readings:
From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century
(Nicon Mopohua, 12th ed., 3-9, 21)
The Voice of the Turtledove has been heard in our land
At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God's commandments. When he came near the hill called Tepeyac, dawn had already come, and Juan Diego heard someone calling him from the very top of the hill: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito."
He went up the hill and caught sight of a lady of unearthly grandeur whose clothing was as radiant as the sun. She said to him in words both gentle and courteous: "Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever virgin Mary, Mother of the true God through whom all things live. It is my ardent desire that a church be erected here so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me. Go to the Bishop of Mexico to make known to him what I greatly desire. Go and put all your efforts into this."
When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of the Bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the latter did not seem to believe Juan Diego and answered: "Come another time, and I will listen at leisure."
Juan Diego returned to the hilltop where the Heavenly Lady was waiting, and he said to her: "My Lady, my maiden, I presented your message to the Bishop, but it seemed that he did not think it was the truth. For this reason I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man."
She answered him: "Humblest of my sons, I ask that tomorrow you again go to see the Bishop and tell him that I, the ever virgin holy Mary, Mother of God, am the one who personally sent you."
But on the following day, Sunday, the Bishop again did not believe Juan Diego and told him that some sign was necessary so that he could believe that it was the Heavenly Lady herself who sent him. And then he dismissed Juan Diego.
On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very ill, and at night asked Juan to go to Tlatelolco at daybreak to call a priest to hear his confession.
Juan Diego set out on Tuesday, but he went around the hill and passed on the other side, toward the east, so as to arrive quickly in Mexico City and to avoid being detained by the Hea...
An Advent Special – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 1
The Virgin Mary is at the center of the beginning of our lecture covering Luke 1. The church fathers, including Ambrose and Augustine, realized that Mary’s perpetual virginity was anticipated by the Old Testament prophets. In Ezekiel 44, we read about the locked eastern gate of the sanctuary, which could only be entered by the messianic prince. Mary is ever inviolate, even while giving birth to Jesus: like light passing through glass, Jesus was born of Mary, whose virginal integrity remained preserved. Mary serves as the gateway to heaven, through which passes Jesus.
Luke 1 begins with an address to “Most excellent Theophilus,” who may be a specific high ranking official. “Theophilus” also means beloved of God, and Luke might instead be writing an open letter the entire Christian community. Luke provides the historical detail that Herod is king at the time Jesus’ birth. Herod the Great, an Edomite, was not the legitimate ruler of Israel. Rather, he was a puppet king propped up by the occupying Romans. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau and the Israelites were the descendants of Jacob. The two nations were forever in conflict ever since Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew and Jacob deceived his blind father, obtaining the blessing that was rightfully due to Esau.
Many Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Luke 1, most notably the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, which announces that a virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son called Immanuel. In addition, the mission of John the Baptist is foretold by the final prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers (Mal 4: 5-6).” Jesus himself describes John as “Elijah who is to come” (Mt 11: 14).
Luke 1 begins with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John. Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous before the Lord, yet they had not yet been blessed with children. Zechariah, a priest, was chosen by lot to pray within the Holy of Holies. Ironically, during the time of Zechariah, the Ark of the Covenant is no longer present in the Holy of Holies, having been hidden by Jeremiah the prophet, never again to be found (2 Maccabees 2). The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and echoes the words of Malachi, predicting the birth of John the Baptist, the Elijah yet to come. Zechariah doubts Gabriel and is struck mute. The last time Gabriel appeared was during the Babylonian exile when he told Daniel that it would be “70 weeks of years” of atonement for Israel. Indeed, 490 years later, Jesus the Messiah ushers in the end of atonement for Israel.
Luke 1 continues with the Annunciation to Mary. The angel Gabriel again appears, this time to Mary, greeting her: “Hail, full of grace!” The Greek word for this phrase is “kecharitomene” which means that Mary was full of grace, is full of grace and will be full of grace, which is a reference to her life-long sinless nature. The angel tells Mary, “Be not afraid.” These words of encouragement were given to Joshua, Gideon and Moses as they prepared for battle, indicating that while Gabriel was comforting Mary, he was also preparing her for the battle yet to come.
Finally, the lecture concludes with a glimpse into the early life of Mary, drawing from the extra-biblical source “The Protoevangelium of James.” While not part of the canon of inspired scripture, this text tells us of the early years of Mary. From this text, we learn the names of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna. According to “The Protoevangelium of James,” Joachim and Anna were childless and advanced in years when an angel appears in a vision, announcing that they will have a child. In a singular act of grace,
From the Office of Readings:
From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century
(Nicon Mopohua, 12th ed., 3-9, 21)
The Voice of the Turtledove has been heard in our land
At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God's commandments. When he came near the hill called Tepeyac, dawn had already come, and Juan Diego heard someone calling him from the very top of the hill: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito."
He went up the hill and caught sight of a lady of unearthly grandeur whose clothing was as radiant as the sun. She said to him in words both gentle and courteous: "Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever virgin Mary, Mother of the true God through whom all things live. It is my ardent desire that a church be erected here so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me. Go to the Bishop of Mexico to make known to him what I greatly desire. Go and put all your efforts into this."
When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of the Bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the latter did not seem to believe Juan Diego and answered: "Come another time, and I will listen at leisure."
Juan Diego returned to the hilltop where the Heavenly Lady was waiting, and he said to her: "My Lady, my maiden, I presented your message to the Bishop, but it seemed that he did not think it was the truth. For this reason I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man."
She answered him: "Humblest of my sons, I ask that tomorrow you again go to see the Bishop and tell him that I, the ever virgin holy Mary, Mother of God, am the one who personally sent you."
But on the following day, Sunday, the Bishop again did not believe Juan Diego and told him that some sign was necessary so that he could believe that it was the Heavenly Lady herself who sent him. And then he dismissed Juan Diego.
On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very ill, and at night asked Juan to go to Tlatelolco at daybreak to call a priest to hear his confession.
Juan Diego set out on Tuesday, but he went around the hill and passed on the other side, toward the east, so as to arrive quickly in Mexico City and to avoid being detained by the Heavenly Lady. But she came out to meet him on that side of the hill and said to him: "Listen and understand, my humblest son. There is nothing to frighten and distress you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection? Are you not, fortunately, in my care? Do not let your uncle's illness distress you. It is certain that he has already been cured. Go up to the hilltop, my son, where you will find flowers of various kinds. Cut them, and bring them into my presence."
When Juan Diego reached the peak, he was astonished that so many Castilian roses had burst forth at a time when the frost was severe. He carried the roses in the folds of his tilma (mantle) to the Heavenly Lady. She said to him: "My son, this is the proof and the sign which you will bring to the Bishop so that he will see my will in it. You are my ambassador, very worthy of trust."
Juan Diego set out on his way, now content and sure of succeeding. On arriving in the Bishop's presence, he told him: "My lord, I did what you asked. The Heavenly Lady complied with your request and fulfilled it.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 5 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF THE SAME SUBJECT AS THE LAST CHAPTER AND DESCRIBES THE FLIGHT OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS ANOTHER WAY BY WHICH GOD ELEVATES THE SOUL: THIS REQUIRES GREAT COURAGE IN ONE EXPERIENCING IT. THIS FAVOUR, BY WHICH GOD GREATLY DELIGHTS THE SOUL IS EXPLAINED. THIS CHAPTER IS VERY PROFITABLE.
- The flight of the spirit. 2. Self-control completely lost. 3. Symbol of the two cisterns. 4. Obligations following the se favours. 5. Humility produced by them. 6. How our crucified Lord comforted such a soul. 7. A humble soul fears these favours. 8. Mysteries learnt during the flight of the spirit. 9. Imaginary visions sometimes accompany intellectual ones. 10. How the flight of the spirit takes place. 11. The soul fortified by it. 12. Three great graces left in the soul. 13. The third grace. 14. Fear caused by this favour..
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
What a delight to have such a wonderful new book in the Church's Marian spiritual library. Fr. Quan Tran took time from his busy schedule of serving his parish in California and his "Fullness of Grace" ministry (www.fullnessofgrace.org) to discuss with us his book The Imitation of Mary: Keys to Growth in Virtue and Grace. It is fantastic and highly recommended to all those who wish to learn not only more about the Blessed Virgin Mary, but how to live a life of true holiness.
You can find the book here
From the book description
In The Imitation of Mary, Fr. Quan Tran shows you how to imitate the twelve essential qualities of Mary in order to unleash a torrent of graces in your life. He explains that, like any gift, grace must be received, opened, and used. As you learn how, you'll begin to acquire the temperaments, dispositions, and qualities that are most pleasing to God and you'll serve as a channel of God s grace for others.
You'll also learn:
The three major obstacles to living a life of faith
What to do if you experience a crisis of faith
The four levels of happiness and how to acquire them
How it's possible for you to merit an increase in grace
Seven ways you can cultivate a rich devotion to Our Lady
The difference between sanctifying grace and actual grace
The four effects that grace will have on your soul
The impatient one, above all, desires to speed up time and to get what he wants, when he wants it. In this way, impatience is related to violence. Whereas patience takes suffering upon the self. The impatient one makes others suffer. The patient one suffers for the sake of others. This Advent, the one who suffered for our sake, will come and take on flesh; be born into our world and teach all of us the true way of love. It is not to be impatient, but to suffer for the sake of others. To suffer for the goodness of others. To suffer for what benefits others. Jesus, who lives within all Christians, moves the heart to this new kind of patience. Let us welcome it, and make choices that further the welfare of others.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Episode 3 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First – Deacon Keating continues reflecting on the reality of Purgatory. He discusses the teachings of the saints. What do our current sufferings on earth compare to purgatory? What does the sacrament of reconciliation offer us in this understanding?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven
Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Hearts" page
The art of waiting is really the cultivation of the virtue of love. I will wait, and wait, and wait with the Lord. I will wait with and in the Lord, rather than violate charity. Wanting to speed up time, and make things happen now is a violation of charity. It does violence to the nature of things. But the patient person keeps a perspective that is beyond expedient. Beyond what is immediate, and sees before him or her, all what serves love. This Advent, let’s ask for the grace to serve only what promotes love.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Mother of the King of the Universe,
most perfect member of the human race,
"our tainted nature’s solitary boast,"
we turn to you as mother,
advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary,
assist us in our present necessity.
By your Immaculate Conception,
O Mary conceived without sin,
we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart
to intercede for us with your Divine Son
and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
On the last day of this Novena, recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Msgr. Esseff asks are you crying out, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" Do you believe that you have been transformed by your baptism?
Gospel MK 1: 1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah, the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. On May 30, 1953, he was ordained by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II, to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the Institute for Priestly Formation founders and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He serves as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Most gracious Virgin Mary,
beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
intercede with him for us
that we be granted the favor which we petition
for so earnestly in this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence
that your prayers in our behalf
will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
O Glorious Mother of God,
in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception,
hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
What a delight to have an extended conversation with the marvelous Kathryn Jean Lopez about her book "A Year with the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living." Among our topics, we discuss the life of prayer and the gift that we have in the holy witnesses found within the mystical tradition of the Church. I love this book! Kathryn tenderly and prayerfully chose each writing from a saint (or from those on their way) and she composed helpful meditations that complement their teachings. This is a must-have for those on the spiritual journey!
You can find the book here
From the book description:
Mysticism is not some foreign and remote life of prayer for poets and saints in heaven; rather, it is the call for every Christian to draw more deeply and profoundly from the heart of Christ in prayer.
A Year with the Mystics is a tour, a retreat, and a love story in which God seeks you out. With the small commitment of a few minutes a day to prayer with mystic saints and other holy ones, you will be making time for communication and peace in the heart of the Trinity. Your faith will grow and you will see that the life of a contemplative in the world can be yours; it can become for you the air you breathe and a wellspring of renewal in your life as a Catholic, rooted in the sacraments.
This beautiful Premium UltraSoft gift edition features two-tone sewn binding, ribbon marker, gold edges, and designed interior pages.
An Advent Special – The Gospel of Luke – An Overview
“We begin our study of the Gospel of Luke with an overview lecture, beginning with what we know about the author himself. From the historian, Eusebius, we learn that Luke was a physician from Antioch, an ancient Greek city located in Asia Minor. Antioch was the center of the early Church, and it was here that the followers of Jesus came to be known as “Christians.” Luke, a companion of St. Paul, is responsible for the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which comprise the greatest percentage of the New Testament.
The word “Gospel” means “Good News” and comes from the Greek word, “euangelion.” During the first century, the fastest growing religion was the imperial cult of Roman emperor worship. The word “euangelion” took on religious significance with the announcement of the “good news” of a new emperor, a new “god.” For Christians, however, the “euangelion” meant the “good news” of the new King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
As a physician, Luke wrote his Gospel to bring the medicine needed for our wounded souls. The new medicine came from the new tree of life, the cross, and the medicine of immortality is the Eucharist. “Every time this mystery is celebrated, "the work of our redemption is carried on" and we "break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ (CCC 1405).”
Through the incarnation, Christ joined in our humanity and introduced His kingdom to the world. As the final High Priest, Jesus completes the perfect sacrifice on the cross. God desires that we cooperate with His plan of salvation, joining in His suffering, to complete “what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church (Col 1:24).” “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Eph 5:25-27).”
Christ has cleansed the Church, making her holy, yet we know that the Church is made up of sinners in need of healing. Jesus, the divine physician, has left us with the healing sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. What is hidden in shame and secrecy needs to be brought to the light so that healing can take place: “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God (John 3:20-21).”
Further details about St. Luke come from the Church Father St. Hippolytus, a disciple of Irenaeus, who was a disciple of Polycarp who followed St. John the Evangelist. Hippolytus tells us that Luke was one of the 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 who were sent out to spread the Good News to the surrounding countries. These 70 were also the same disciples who walked away from Jesus when they could not understand Jesus’ command to eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6: 66). Later, St. Mark was persuaded back to the fold by St. Peter and it was St. Paul who encouraged Luke to return as a follower of Jesus, and the two became great friends.
As we will learn this year, despite being one of the Synoptics that “see together”, the Gospel of Luke has many unique stories not found in the other Gospels. Luke likely personally interviewed Mary, bringing us the beautiful infancy narratives. The stories behind the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, can all be found in the first two chapters of Luke. From Luke, we receive the Canticles of Mary, Zechariah and Simeon. Only in Luke are found the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
AR#7 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
Since we are God’s creation, we have come from God and we are returning to God; God has great confidence in His own grace. He has great confidence that his love for us can change us. He knows that we can make progress and be restored to spiritual and moral health. Do you have confidence in God? Do you trust God? Always desiring to restore you, once again, to happiness and interior peace. Advent is a time to be restored. Primarily, the church is asking us to be restored through the sacramental life. Advent is a time to come back to Church; come back to the Mass; come back to the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation, where God is confidently waiting for you, knowing that you can make progress and be restored to spiritual health. And to taste, once again, His happiness that He shares with you.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page.
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother,
from the sublime heights of your dignity
turn your merciful eyes upon me while I,
full of confidence in your bounty
and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception
and fully conscious of your power,
beg of you to come to our aid
and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor
we earnestly seek in this novena,
if it be beneficial for our immortal souls
and the souls for whom we pray.
Amen.
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
Contradictions in the Bible? Contradictions in the Christian faith? More heavy-hitting discussion as we continue to move through Hans Urs von Balthasar’s “A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen”.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
AR#6 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
One of our greatest sufferings as Christians is our own impatience with ourselves. We want to be good and holy immediately. St. Francis de Sales said “Have patience with all things. But chiefly, have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage, in considering your own imperfections. But instantly set about to remedy them. Begin every day a task anew." During Advent, lets make our new task a deeper prayer life, entrusting all our desires for goodness and holiness, to the Most Holy Trinity, who has infinite patience with us. And as we receive this amazing love from the Trinity, let us ask that our own characters be reformed, so that we might have real patience with one another.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page.
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven,
we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception
preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son.
We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception.
To the one ever-reigning God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
three in one Person,
one in nature,
we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception.
O Mother of the Word mad Flesh,
listen to our petition as we ask
this special grace during this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
AR#5 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
As human beings, we tend to sin. We all know this about our characters. And many times, it moves us to despair. God sees our sin, but He never loses his patience with us. And one of the reasons why God never loses His patience with His creation, is, of course, because He loves us. But also because His happiness is already fully possessed by Himself. He’s not like us when we get angry at our children, and try to move time forward; try to make things happen quickly. God is perfectly happy in Himself, and so He does no violence to time, or to people’s development. He waits. He calls. He shares His own happiness with us. And He knows in this patience that He fully possesses, that someday we will be attracted to such a powerful person, to such a peaceful person as He revealed Himself to be in Jesus. This Advent, don’t lose patience with yourself. Convert all desires to sin into Jesus’ own heart. Give it to him and He will give you a share in His own happiness.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
A letter from St Francis Xavier to St Ignatius
Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel
We have visited the villages of the new converts who accepted the Christian religion a few years ago. No Portuguese live here, the country is so utterly barren and poor. The native Christians have no priests. They know only that they are Christians. There is nobody to say Mass for them; nobody to teach them the Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Commandments of God’s Law.
I have not stopped since the day I arrived. I conscientiously made the rounds of the villages. I bathed in the sacred waters all the children who had not yet been baptized. This means that I have purified a very large number of children so young that, as the saying goes, they could not tell their right hand from their left. The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand: “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
I could not refuse so devout a request without failing in devotion myself. I taught them, first the confession of faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, then the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father and Hail Mary. I noticed among them persons of great intelligence. If only someone could educate them in the Christian way of life, I have no doubt that they would make excellent Christians.
Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman, riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity: “What a tragedy: how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you!”
I wish they would work as hard at this as they do at their books, and so settle their account with God for their learning and the talents entrusted to them.
This thought would certainly stir most of them to meditate on spiritual realities, to listen actively to what God is saying to them. They would forget their own desires, their human affairs, and give themselves over entirely to God’s will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do? Send me anywhere you like – even to India.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Episode 10 – Diocletian – "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians"
In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Arius and the threat of the Arian heresy. Mike makes suggestions on what the Christian can do to stay true to the faith in times and recognize the Arian tendencies we continue to see today.
An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church:
ARIUS WAS an obscure Egyptian priest who probably had more influence on the history of Christian theology than any Christian thinker since St. Paul. It was all negative influence, but no one can deny the influence. Because of Arius, the Catholic Church had to define the relationship of the Son to the Father in clear and unambiguous terms. Because of Arius, we ended up with the Nicene Creed.
But no one would have guessed for most of his life that this Arius was going to set the world on fire.
Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition.
For more episodes in the Villains of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast
You can find the book on which this series is based here
Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.
Mike Aquilina's website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
AR#4 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
Human beings are called by God, to find their fulfillment patiently, to a life of cultivating virtue. We don’t become saints immediately; we don’t even grow in disdain of our sins immediately. For we are so attached to them, and the immediacy of pleasure that they give us, that it takes time for us to disconnect from that pleasure, and to cultivate a new love, for the only pleasure that lasts, God sharing His own happiness with us. This Advent lets ask the Lord to open our hearts more deeply so that we can receive this happiness from Him. And in so receiving it, be healed of our impatience. For what is being given, and what is coming to us, is more than we could ever imagine.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God,
endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception
with the fullness of grace;
unique among women
in that you are both mother and virgin;
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ,
we ask you to look down with a tender heart
from your throne and listen to our prayers
as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us
the favor for which we now plead…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot
The Three Comings of the Lord
We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.
In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself ways: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is, that he will keep God's word. Where is God's word to be kept? Obviously in the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
Keep God's word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength.
Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation.
If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the new Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam's sin spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 2"
We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. In this episode, St. Benedict is visited by a priest on Easter Sunday morning in the cave and is called from his seclusion.
From the Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great:
Now when it pleased Almighty God that Romanus should rest from his labors and that the life of Benedict should be manifest to the world for an example to all men, that the candle set upon a candlestick might shine and give light to the whole Church of God, our Lord vouchsafed to appear to a certain Priest living far off, who had to make ready his dinner for Easter Day, saying to him: “Thou hast prepared good cheer for thyself, and My servant in such a place is famished for hunger.” Who presently rose, and on the solemn day of Easter went towards the place with such meat as he had provided for himself, were seeking the man of God, amongst craggy rocks, winding valleys and hollow pits he found him hid in a cave. Then after prayers, and blessing the Almighty Lord, they sat down, and after some spiritual discourse, the Priest said: “Rise, and let us take our refection, for this is Easter Day.” To whom the man of God answered: “I know it is Easter because I have found so much favor as to see thee.” (For not having a long time conversed with men, he did not know it was Easter Day.) The good Priest did therefore again affirm it, saying: “Truly this is the day of our Lord’s Resurrection, and therefore it is not fit that you should keep abstinence, and for this cause I am sent that we may eat together that which Almighty God hath bestowed on us.” Whereupon blessing God, they fell to their meat. Their discourse and dinner ended; the Priest returned to his Church.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Ne
.
AR#3 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
As human beings, we have disordered desires. One of our greatest disordered desires is to want things now, to be impatient, to want things through our own efforts, without waiting or co-operating with God’s will. To wait and cooperate with God’s will, is to unleash the wonderful character trait of trust. To entrust all of our desires, and all that we wish would be fulfilled into the person of Jesus Christ, whose only desire is our goodness, our happiness, our holiness. This Advent, let’s trust that God is thinking about us all the time and moving creation in such a way that all that is good will be given to us. Let us ask him to heal our desire to want things now. And to renew within us the desire to want only holiness, to want only what God wants for us, for he knows what is best.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
O Blessed Virgin Mary,
glory of the Christian people,
joy of the universal Church
and Mother of Our Lord,
speak for us to the Heart of Jesus,
who is your Son and our brother.
O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception
did enter the world free from stain,
in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus
the special favor which we now so earnestly seek…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
St Gregory Nazianzen
The wonder of the Incarnation
The very Son of God, older than the ages, the invisible, the incomprehensible, the incorporeal, the beginning of beginning, the light of light, the fountain of life and immortality, the image of the archetype, the immovable seal, the perfect likeness, the definition and word of the Father: he it is who comes to his own image and takes our nature for the good of our nature, and unites himself to an intelligent soul for the good of my soul, to purify like by like. He takes to himself all that is human, except for sin. He was conceived by the Virgin Mary, who had been first prepared in soul and body by the Spirit; his coming to birth had to be treated with honour, virginity had to receive new honour. He comes forth as God, in the human nature he has taken, one being, made of two contrary elements, flesh and spirit. Spirit gave divinity, flesh received it.
He who makes rich is made poor; he takes on the poverty of my flesh, that I may gain the riches of his divinity. He who is full is made empty; he is emptied for a brief space of his glory, that I may share in his fullness. What is this wealth of goodness? What is this mystery that surrounds me? I received the likeness of God, but failed to keep it. He takes on my flesh, to bring salvation to the image, immortality to the flesh. He enters into a second union with us, a union far more wonderful than the first.
Holiness had to be brought to man by the humanity assumed by one who was God, so that God might overcome the tyrant by force and so deliver us and lead us back to himself through the mediation of his Son. The Son arranged this for the honour of the Father, to whom the Son is clearly obedient in all things.
The Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep, came in search of the straying sheep to the mountains and hills on which you used to offer sacrifice. When he found it, he took it on the shoulders that bore the wood of the cross, and led it back to the life of heaven.
Christ, the light of all lights, follows John, the lamp that goes before him. The Word of God follows the voice in the wilderness; the bridegroom follows the bridegroom’s friend, who prepares a worthy people for the Lord by cleansing them by water in preparation for the Spirit.
We needed God to take our flesh and die, that we might live. We have died with him, that we may be purified. We have risen again with him, because we have died with him. We have been glorified with him, because we have risen again with him.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 4 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF HOW GOD SUSPENDS THE SOUL IN PRAYER BY A TRANCE, ECSTASY, OR RAPTURE, WHICH I BELIEVE ARE ALL THE SAME THING. GREAT COURAGE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE EXTRAORDINARY FAVOURS FROM HIS MAJESTY.
1. Courage required by the soul for the divine espousals. 2. Raptures. 3. Rapture caused by the spark of love. 4. The powers and senses absorbed. 5. Mysteries revealed during ecstasies. 6. These mysteries are unspeakable. 7. Moses and the burning bush. 8. Simile of the museum. 9. St. Teresa’svisit to the Duchess of Alva. 10. Joy of the soul during raptures. 11. No imaginary vision. 12. True and false raptures. 13. Revelations of future bliss. 14. The soul’s preparation. 15. The soul blinded by its faults. 16. God ready to give these graces to all. 17. Faculties lost during ecstasy. 18. Spiritual inebriation. 19. Fervour and love of suffering left in the soul. 20. Scandal caused to spectators by such favours. 21. Our Lord’s predilection for such a soul. 22. Illusionary raptures.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 2 – Novena to the Immaculate Conception
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
Day 2
O Mary, ever-blessed Virgin,
Mother of God,
Queen of angels and of saints,
we salute you with the most profound veneration
and filial devotion
as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception,
We thank you for your maternal protection
and for the many blessings that we have received
through your wondrous mercy
and most powerful intercession.
In all our necessities
we have recourse to you
with unbounded confidence.
O Mother of Mercy,
we beseech you now to hear our prayer
and to obtain for us of your Divine Son
the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
A pastoral letter by St Charles Borromeo
The season of Advent
Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery. In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its innermost recesses, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seeds of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of his grace, and to make us children of God and heirs of eternal life.
Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery, she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; his power has still to be communicated to us all. We shall share his power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ.
The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace.
In her concern for our salvation, our loving mother the Church uses this holy season to teach us through hymns, canticles and other forms of expression, of voice or ritual, used by the Holy Spirit. She shows us how grateful we should be for so great a blessing, and how to gain its benefit: our hearts should be as much prepared for the coming of Christ as if he were still to come into this world. The same lesson is given us for our imitation by the words and example of the holy men of the Old Testament.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
AR#1 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
One of God’s attributes is patience. He suffers His own creation, as it comes to fulfillment in His love. The God that we worship is a God who truly loves us. And in this great love, He waits. He waits for us to respond to all that He has given us. And He doesn't simply wait in a passive way. He keeps loving us, keeps directing His love toward our hearts to awaken them with a response. This is near the very core of what Advent is about. God-loving us so deeply, directing His love toward us, and Him sharing His life with us so that we might respond in kind. So that we might wait and receive, and then respond to His great love
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page
Msgr. Esseff asks the question, "Are you prepared for the Lord's coming?" He challenges us to take a good look at our prayer lives and to prepare for the coming of Jesus in your life today.
Gospel MK 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 1 – Novena to the Immaculate Conception
Recite the following prayer for nine days from November 29 – December 7
(or at a minimum on the first and ninth days of the novena).
Prayer to be said each day of the Novena
O God,
who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that,
as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son,
You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us,
purified through Her intercession,
to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.
Day 1
O most Holy Virgin,
who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother,
immaculate in body and spirit,
in faith and in love,
look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession.
O most Holy Mother,
who by your blessed Immaculate Conception,
from the first moment of your conception
did crush the head of the enemy,
receive our prayers as we implore you
to present at the throne of God the favor we now request…
(State your intention here…)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception,
Mother of Christ,
you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth;
you have the same influence now in heaven.
Pray for us
and obtain for us from him
the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
For the complete 9 day novena visit the Discerning Hearts:
The Immaculate Conception Novena page
St Cyril of Jerusalem
The twofold coming of Christ
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom.
In general, whatever relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.
At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels.
We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At the first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Saviour will not come to be judged again, but to judge those by whom he was judged. At his own judgement he was silent; then he will address those who committed the outrages against him when they crucified him and will remind them: You did these things, and I was silent.
His first coming was to fulfil his plan of love, to teach men by gentle persuasion. This time, whether men like it or not, they will be subjects of his kingdom by necessity.
The prophet Malachi speaks of the two comings. And the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple: that is one coming.
Again he says of another coming: Look, the Lord almighty will come, and who will endure the day of his entry, or who will stand in his sight? Because he comes like a refiner’s fire, a fuller’s herb, and he will sit refining and cleansing.
These two comings are also referred to by Paul in writing to Titus: The grace of God the Saviour has appeared to all men, instructing us to put aside impiety and worldly desires and live temperately, uprightly, and religiously in this present age, waiting for the joyful hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Notice how he speaks of a first coming for which he gives thanks, and a second, the one we still await.
That is why the faith we profess has been handed on to you in these words: He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will therefore come from heaven. He will come at the end of the world, in glory, at the last day. For there will be an end to this world, and the created world will be made new.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
What a delight to talk once again with Dr. Thomas Howard. This time we discuss "Hallowed Be This House: Finding Signs of Heaven in Your Home". Dr. Howard has such a beautiful gift of recognizing the sacred. Through this marvelous book, he helps us all to appreciate the many ways in which we too can dive deeper into the "mystery", especially in those ordinary places and things in found in our lives. This book is a treasure!
AR#2 – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.
We want everything accomplished right away. God only knows that accomplishment follows one thing after another. He knows that it takes time for us to learn what it means to be human, to be those who are loved so deeply by His most Sacred Heart, His mother, and the saints. He knows that it takes time for us to understand that His love, and the reception of His love, is the very origin of our joy. During Advent, we ask even with more fervor, to receive this love. And we ask for the grace to release this joy, especially through the intercession of the saints and the Blessed Mother.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
Kathleen Beckman was meant to write this book: A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Deliverance and Healing! It is EXCELLENT! There really is no other person more suited to bring the wisdom of the Marian heart and the profound teachings of the Church to one of the most important needs of the domestic church, to prepare and undertake the spiritual battle with dark forces of the enemy assailing families around the world today! Do not be afraid! You can trust Kathleen's guidance in this area. Always practical and presented with clarity, this book should be in every home. In this conversation, we touch on only the tip of spiritual gold contained in its pages. We cannot recommend this book more highly!
You can find the book here:
From the book description
In A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare, Kathleen Beckman offers you potent advice from her 12 years of active participation on an exorcist's team. She shows you how to clean up your household by cultivating in your family a civilization of love and how to withstand the spiritual attacks that inevitably come to destroy the harmonious family life you create.
Beckman reveals how you can recognize diabolical disguises in your home and offers proven means of protection found only in the Church's arsenal of spiritual weapons.
You'll also learn the devil's strategies how he does not necessarily seek to possess but simply to seed your family with the venom of hatred, desolation, envy, and vice. This, she explains, is why it s so important for spouses and children to become schooled in the art of spiritual combat. It's the only way you can destroy the works of the devil and unmask the hidden evil that weaves in and out of your daily family life.
Along with more than two dozen effective prayers for family healing and deliverance, you'll also learn:
- How to understand the spirits working for and against your family, and what to do in response to them
- What specific actions to take if you believe your family has come under the influence of demonic activity
- How to use your baptismal, spousal, and parental authority in spiritual warfare
- How curses can become effective and what can be done to counteract them
- The difference between diabolical temptation, oppression, obsession, and possession
- The seven ways your family can wear the full armor of God
- The diabolical counterparts to each of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes
- The 13 weapons you can use to defend yourself and your family against evil spirits
You can also check out IP#262 Kathleen Beckman; Praying For Priests on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Sacred Scriptures chosen for the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. The greatest gift we have is the relationship with Jesus Christ.
Reading 1 SIR 50:22-24
And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days
Gospel LK 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 2 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First – What is Death? Why do we fail to contemplate its truth? Why do we fear it? What is Purgatory? Why is there a need for final purgation?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven
Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Hearts" page
What is human progress, and is it a good thing? How does it change how we see God? In the second part of the series, we face more confusing issues with the help of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen.
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
Episode 25 – John 12: The Glory of the Lord part 1
“John 12 begins just six days before Jesus’ final Passover on earth. Gathering with some of his disciples, Jesus is dining at the house of Lazarus, who had just been risen from the dead. Sharon gives us the background of typical Greco-Roman dining, where guests would recline at table to eat their meal, and afterward, would be entertained by musicians and sometimes even prostitutes. We recall King Herod, married illicitly to Herodias, who promised even half his kingdom to Herodias’ daughter Salome after she performed a seductive after-dinner dance. Prompted by her mother, Salome demands the head of John the Baptist, who had publicly criticized the marriage between Herod and Herodias. In some paintings, Salome is pictured with a vial of spikenard, a rare, expensive, richly aromatic oil.
Sharon goes on to explain the significance of spikenard for a first-century Jewish girl. Spikenard was kept in an alabaster jar, and on her wedding night, the virgin bride would break open the jar, anoint her new groom, and consummate the wedding. With this background, we now better understand the beautiful meaning behind the actions of Mary of Bethany, who breaks open an enormous jar of spikenard, anoints the feet of Jesus, and then dries them with her hair. Mary desires to give everything to Jesus and enter into a spiritual marriage. She wants to lavish him with not only her most precious earthly gift, but even more, with the priceless gift of her total self: heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Clarifying a common misconception, Sharon explains that Mary of Bethany is not the same person as Mary Magdalene or one of several other Mary’s found elsewhere in the Bible. Spikenard was also used for burial anointing, but having just seen her brother rise from the dead, Mary knows Jesus will also rise and have no need for the burial anointing. Instead, Mary anoints Jesus now as her spiritual spouse. Sharon then moves on to the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, showing how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9, entering into his kingship riding atop a donkey. To reach Jerusalem, Jesus would have processed through Bethany and Bethphage. Sharon unlocks the importance of Bethphage, also known as the House of Un-ripened Figs. Despite being a few miles outside the city walls, Bethphage was still considered to be part of Jerusalem and was home to two members holding seats in the Sanhedrin. The irony of Jesus processing past this town is profound: any judicial order to execute a rebellious leader had to be made in Bethphage. Today Jesus rides triumphantly past Bethphage; in just a few short days, his execution will be confirmed in Bethphage. ”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Episode 30- The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., PhD.
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 3"
We continue our conversation on the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode brings to his interaction with the monk called Romanus and the breaking of the bell outside the cave.
From the Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great:
CHAPTER I.
As he was travelling to this place, a certain monk called Romanus met him and asked whither he was going. Having understood his intention, he both kept it secret and afforded him help, moreover he gave him a religious habit and assisted him in all things. The man of God being come to this place lived for the space of three years in an obscure cave, unknown to any man except Romanus the Monk, who lived not far off in a Monastery governed by Father Deodatus. But he would piously steal forth, and on certain days bring to Benedict a loaf of bread which he had spared from his own allowance. But there being no way to the cave from Romanus his cell by reason of a steep and high rock which hung over it, Romanus used to let down the loaf by a long cord to which also he fastened a little bell, that by the sound of it, the man of God might know when Romanus brought him the bread, and going out may receive it. But the old enemy, envying the charity of the one and the refection of the other, when on a certain day he beheld the bread let down in this manner, threw a stone and brake the bell. Notwithstanding, Romanus afterwards failed not to assist him in the best manner he was able.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska
BKL 379 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe…Msgr. Esseff asks if you are ready for the accounting when you meet him? What have you done? How do you love?
Gospel MT 25:31 – 46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
.
Episode 1 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First – What are the "Last Things"? Death, Purgatory, Heaven, Hell, the Last Judgement, Eternal Life will be explored in this series. In this episode, we begin the discussion on What is death? What is resurrection? What is the connection between the body and the soul?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
994 But there is more. Jesus links faith in the resurrection to his own person: "I am the Resurrection and the life."544 It is Jesus himself who on the last day will raise up those who have believed in him, who have eaten his body and drunk his blood.545 Already now in this present life he gives a sign and pledge of this by restoring some of the dead to life,546 announcing thereby his own Resurrection, though it was to be of another order. He speaks of this unique event as the "sign of Jonah,"547 the sign of the temple: he announces that he will be put to death but rise thereafter on the third day.548
Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Hearts" page
What a delight to be joined by Kimberly Hahn to discuss Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for your Marriage! Kimberly is the guide we have needed for far too long to lead us to the well of the maternal nurturing wisdom contained in the Sacred Scriptures. With her gift of insight and understanding, and fueled by her 24/7 receptivity to the Word, Kimberly speaks to both men and women about the grace contained for marriage in Proverbs 31. We truly feel this is a must have book for the discerning heart.
Kimberly also has entered the arena of podcasting. Her voice is a much-needed source of grace in this ever-expanding media platform. You can check it out at the link found below. We encourage you to subscribe!
You can find the book here
From the book description
Proverbs 31 paints a picture of a woman resplendent with virtue, “far more precious than jewels.” In Chosen and Cherished, a Bible study based on Proverbs 31, beloved author Kimberly Hahn highlights this radiant image as a model for all wives and provides lessons on marriage for each season of life.
Whether you are engaged or have been married for decades, Chosen and Cherished offers biblical insight that will nurture your heart—and your marriage. With advice on everything from prioritizing relationships, communication, financial goals, and more, Kimberly Hahn invites you to boldly embrace Proverbs 31 to become
- A woman of faith who trusts in the Lord
- A woman of truth who knows her worth
- A woman of virtue who values faithfulness in marriage
- A woman of service who complements her husband
- A woman of goodness who is committed to peace and
- A woman of love who treasures the sanctity of marriage.
Chosen and Cherished is an inspiring Bible study, perfect for personal or group use, that will help you discover the noble virtues that every wife needs.
Be sure to also check out Kimberly's Beloved and Blessed Podcast! You can find it by visiting: BelovedandBlessed.com
Why is there so much division in the Church? We begin to approach the question with help of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s book "A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen".
It is said during the conversation that * Correction: "A Short Primer" was published in 1989, it was actually published in 1980. *
You can find the book here
Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.
Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful.
"In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today's faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the ‘form' of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole': the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands' of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history."
— Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 2"
We begin the reflection of the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode continues the teaching on detachment, particularly from our earthly mothers.
From the Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great:
INTRODUCTION.
THERE was a man of venerable life, Benedict by name and grace, who from the time of his very childhood carried the heart of an old man. His demeanour indeed surpassing his age, he gave himself no disport or pleasure, but living here upon earth he despised the world with all the glory thereof, at such time as he might have most freely enjoyed it. He was born in the province of Nursia of honourable parentage and sent to Rome to study the liberal sciences. But when he saw there many through the uneven paths of vice run headlong
to their own ruin, he drew back his foot, but new-set in the world, lest, in the search of human knowledge, he might also fall into the same dangerous precipice. Contemning therefore learning and studies and abandoning his father’s house and goods, he desired only to please God in a virtuous life. Therefore he departed skilfully ignorant and wisely unlearned.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Ne
Episode 24 – John 11: I AM the Resurrection part 2
“And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” With these words, we conclude our profession of faith at mass each week and today’s lesson is a very important teaching on this fundamental Catholic belief. In John 11, we read about the 5th sign (the raising of Lazarus) and the 7th “I Am” statement: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
The resurrection of Lazarus not only foreshadows the resurrection of Christ, but it is also a confirmation of the universal resurrection of the dead. Sharon reminds us of other resurrections found in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Elijah raises the son of the Zarephath widow, Elisha raises the son of the Shunammite woman and a dead man comes to life when he is buried next to the bones of Elisha. In the New Testament, Jesus raises not only Lazarus but also the daughter of Jarius and the son of the widow of Nain. In Acts of Apostles, Peter raises Tabitha (aka Dorcas) and Paul raises Eutychus.
The raising of the dead, particularly Lazarus, confirms our hope for the universal resurrection of the dead prophesied in Ezekiel 37. Sharon emphasizes a fundamental tenant of our faith: at the second coming of Jesus Christ, we will all experience a bodily resurrection, either to the resurrection of life in heaven or to the resurrection of condemnation in hell. We will be reunited with either our glorified or condemned bodies.
Looking more closely at the story of Lazarus, Sharon teaches us that John is theological and not necessarily chronological in how he presents the life of Jesus. The theme of the resurrection of the dead is found elsewhere in John’ Gospel: “the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment (5:28-29).” As when he healed the man born blind, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead so that God will be glorified. This miracle is deeply personal for Jesus. He could have chosen to spare Lazarus from death, healing him from afar, just as he did with the royal official’s son in John 4. Instead, he enters into the suffering of Mary and Martha, weeping for the friends he loves so dearly. As a result of the fall, death entered the world, separating humanity from the Father.
Through the death and resurrection of Christ, death no longer separates us from the Father; death becomes the gateway back to the Father. When Christ comes again, those dead in Christ will rise first and their glorified bodies will be reunited with their souls in heaven and so we can with great hope profess at mass: “And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come!”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
BKL 378 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – "Are you the lazy servant?" Msgr. Esseff helps us to see that the talents equals God's love. Knowing this, have you been the lazy servant?
Gospel MT 25:14-30
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 10-Listening For Truth– Practical ways of living a life of virtue prayer…one way to listen to friends and even enemies to hear the truth God may be wanting to reveal to us. The wounds that surface in the healing process. The interior healing that can occur and who should help with that process.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Gospel MT 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Day Nine: For the grace to become the praise of the glory of the Holy Trinity
In the heart of the Holy Trinity, the music of eternal praise echoes without ceasing in an eternal “now.” The Son reveals to the Father His glory in the power of the Holy Spirit and through the Holy Spirit the Father blesses His Son anew. This blessing is not a reality of the past or future, but of the eternal present. This means that this very moment we have together resounds with this canticle of love that the Three Divine Persons share with one another. The world came from this music and is directed to it – and the contemplative soul helps this mystery be realized.
The Praise of Glory. Saint Elizabeth believed that this was her vocation – the secret name that God had given her from all eternity. She believed that Saint Paul had revealed it to her.
In Ephesians, we learn that we have been predestined in Christ, the Beloved of the Father, for this great purpose. This is the Father’s plan of love for us. This praise of glory is what the Holy Spirit produces in us – if we will surrender ourselves completely to His Divine touch.
Saint Elizabeth sees us as musical instruments capable of joining in the Holy Trinity’s this great hymn of praise. This music is beautiful, but to produce it, the Holy Spirit must “tune” us first. This is painful. As long as we get caught up in internal emotional storms or else allow ourselves to be distracted by things that are not God’s will, we are out of tune. Conversely the more our interior life is in harmony with His mystery, the more beautiful the praise we are able to offer.
To ponder this is to begin to understand the last petition of Saint Elizabeth’s prayer to the Trinity – namely – she asks the Trinity to be buried in her so that she might bury herself in the Trinity. To be buried – this speaks about a death and being laid to rest. Saint Elizabeth understands the radical extent to which the Holy Trinity has given itself to humanity. Revealed in Christ crucified and buried in the tomb., the humanity of Christ makes known that God will hold nothing back to rescue us from death and to win our heart to join His eternal praise of glory. She sees her own heart as the tomb in which God has buried Himself. The death of Christ is always personal for her – “He gave Himself for me.”
To accept this gift in a personal way is to be caught up in the mystery of salvation. Just as Jesus was laid in the tomb on Good Friday, the Trinity can come into a soul and rest there in a new way – and the more it rests in the soul, the more that soul has the opportunity to rest in the Trinity. This feels like a total annihilation, but it is a radical identification with Christ’s salvific offering. Just as Jesus transformed His tomb into a sign of victory – He transforms hearts that accept his total gift of love on the Cross. If they will die to themselves, He will give them life. To believe in Jesus is to die to oneself in the Trinity, to be laid to rest in the Trinity, to be buried in the Trinity – in order that the mystery of the Holy Trinity through the life of Christ within might raise one up on high.
In this mystical death, the new life of Christ takes root in our souls.
He is the praise of the Father’s glory and when we die to ourselves, we allow His praise to swell up anew within us. The Holy Spirit “tunes’ our hearts by communicating the whole mystery of Christ into us and identifying all the inner movements of our hearts with the movements of Christ’s. Every thought is captive and every inordinate desire dies away, and our inner strength is perfected. The new desires and glorious thoughts of Christ Himself make it possible to praise the Father as the Risen Lord praises Him together with all of the heavenly hosts. Together, delighting the Heart of the Father anew, we have found a way extend the salvific work of Christ in our lives and in our communities – at a time when our neighbors m...
Day Eight: For the grace of possessing heaven already in this life by faith.
For Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, the veil between heaven and earth is thin. If we listen carefully with the ear of our heart, we can hear Mary share with us what she heard from Christ as He offered His great hymn of praise from the Cross. It is a canticle so beautiful, so exquisite, it reaches the very heart of the Father and fills the whole world with a salvific love. Through Mary’s presence in our agony, if we let her, Saint Elizabeth explains that the Mother of the Lord will teach us how to sing this same canticle– so that we can do something beautiful for God. She is with us to the very end. This is why Saint Elizabeth calls Mary “Gate of Heaven.”
As beautiful as this is, there are other canticles of praise that Elizabeth invites us to hear. She hears the 144,000 gathered around the throne of the lamb and she hears the elders who cry out “holy, holy, holy” as they cast down their crowns before the Risen Lord. The glory, praise, and silence of the saints echo in this life so that we too might know their joy. Saint Elizabeth wants us to hear this eternal hymn of praise and imitate it. A life lived in humility, simplicity, and recollection avails itself to such imitation – and when it does, heaven becomes present in this life by faith.
By faith, what is in heaven becomes present on earth. In the humble limits of the present moment and circumstances, we can participate in the great praise of glory that the angels and saints offer in heaven.
Heaven is not a remote or future reality. Heaven, even if hidden from our earthly eyes, is close by and present. It is present in the Mass. It is also present in everything – because by faith, everything and anything can become a sacrament that gives us God.
The love of heaven is present to us by faith. This is because faith makes us open to the presence of God dwelling in our souls. Wherever God dwells, there is heaven. The heaven of glory, with all the angels and saints, is present in our soul because this heaven is never separate from God. This means in the heaven of our souls where God dwells, the heaven of glory is already breaking in.
For the person of faith already implicated in the glory of heaven, nothing and no one is ever ordinary or commonplace. Every life event, no matter how small or large, how disappointing or joyful, is always a new opportunity for the soul to encounter the immensity of God’s love. The Trinity’s excessive love changes everything – even the most ordinary tasks become charged with new and everlasting meaning. This means that no one who believes ever really has an “ordinary” life – through faith, this passing life is opened to the greatness of eternity. Time for Saint Elizabeth is nothing other than “eternity begun and still in progress.”
In relation to the grace of living heaven by faith, Saint Elizabeth’s mission finds its footing in the great prayer of Jesus the night before He died. On that night, He offered his supreme prayer and his heart's desire – that we might dwell where He dwells – the Son of the Father dwells in the Fathers love, and Saint Elizabeth is praying that we might realize Jesus’ divine dream and dwell with Him in this great love too. For this purpose, let us pray:
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love,
The Moment of Christian Witness with Dr. Rodney Howsare Ph.D. – pt. 3
With Dr. Rodney Howsare, Ph.D., we continue our conversation on The Moment of Christian Witness. We explore in-depth section two of the book discussing various philosophical systems, such as those proposed by Kant and Marx, and their effect on the human person.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
Hans Urs von Balthasar puts his finger on the precise origin of all those elements in modern Christianity which see the real Jesus Christ as unknowable, the Gospels as merely the confused reflections of later Christians, and Christian tradition as a perpetuation of the mythology.
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Rodney Howsare discussing The Moment of Christian Witness – The Moment of Christian Witness Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from The Moment of Christian Witness – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day Seven – For the grace to become, like Mary, the “prey” of the Trinity – a soul consumed by love.
In the spiritual mission of Saint Elizabeth, the Virgin Mary, humble handmaid of the Lord, is the model of radical surrender to the Trinity. When we look to her, we see what it means to be the “prey” of the Trinity – a grace that we have been asking for throughout this Novena. When the Angel appeared to her, Mary responded: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, Let it be done to me according to your will.” Out of this humble “yes”, the Holy Trinity was able to bring to fulfillment the loving plan of salvation. This humble “yes” reveals a great spiritual truth for how God desires to work in every soul: God’s saving plan is always unleashed in the world through humble loving obedience to the Trinity.
For Saint Elizabeth, Mary’s obedient “yes” was more than a one-time event – Mary’s “fiat” reveals a continual attitude that she kept throughout her life, as she followed Jesus and stood before the Cross. This attitude was no mere human achievement. Mary’s constant awareness and readiness to respond with obedience to God was itself a work of the Trinity within her. Every act of surrender begets an even deeper act of surrender. In this way, Saint Elizabeth describes the humble handmaid of the Lord as the “prey” of the Trinity. Every prayerful soul, according to Saint Elizabeth, should make this same humble offering and become the “prey “ of the Trinity.
Just as the Virgin Mary became the “prey” of the Trinity through her peaceful and recollected surrender, through our surrender to the Holy Trinity, we can learn to live in humble recollection in each moment. In both peaceful moments of silence and difficult moments of trial, the Lord is just as present to us – He never changes. We simply need to believe in His immense love and have confidence in Him. This means we must renounce every disturbance of worry, anxiety, self-pity, or despair that would interrupt our own “fiat” to the Lord.
Such prayer is difficult, but allowing Mary to show us how to be this humble and recollected is an important aid. Christ has saved her maternal presence for our sake – He wants us to know His Mother because she is ready to help us if we ponder her example. A soul recollected in God’s presence can become like Mary, abandoned to the Father, docile to the Holy Spirit, and devoted to the Son, When this happens, this believer has also become the “prey” of the Trinity – a soul consumed by love.
Let us pray
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior. O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, I want to be completely docile, ready to learn everything from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want to fixate on you always and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me so that I would not be able to forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love,
Episode 9-Listening For Truth– The supernatural virtues provide for us the gifts to walk and respond to moral truths. We need to practice the virtues to receive the wisdom of God and to be more deliberate in the love of the good. The theological, contemplative language is foreign to many, unlike the political language in which the culture swims, and that can affect how we respond to moral questions. What can we do to listen and respond to Truth?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Day Six For the grace of living in the shadow of the Father
Jesus lived in the shadow of the Father. To be under this shadow is to accept a paradoxical mystery. In his humiliation, He was exalted. In his rejection, He was beloved. By His Wounds, we are healed. In His death, He became the source of life. Conversely, He humiliated the haughty and the proud who could not recognize Him. He declared the poor blessed, and the rich were not able to follow him. He held up the meek as conquerors, and the violent could not seize Him. He calmed storms but humbly accepted the kiss that betrayed Him. He saved others, but out of love for the Father, would not save Himself. It is in this shadow that Jesus gave Himself for us, and in this same shadow, we learn to how to give ourselves in love for Him.
Saint Elizabeth sees the shadow of the Father as a mystery that separates us from everything that might distract or impede our efforts to seek God by a wholly loving and simple movement of the heart. Sometimes being overshadowed in this way means embracing difficult and trying circumstances. Often it means having trust and confidence in God when we do not understand how or feel or even intuit that He is acting in our lives. The Trinity works at a level more fundamental than any state of consciousness, deeper than any feeling, higher than any understanding, beyond any intuition to sense or grasp. Saint John of the Cross, to whom Saint Elizabeth was devoted as a spiritual daughter, understood this secret place could only be entered by faith. Saint John of the Cross identifies the shadow of the Father with a mysterious darkness – and enchanting dark night in which love transforms by faith. In this night, God has the freedom to realize the plan of love that He has for each of us. The Father will detach us from every other support until we cleave to Him alone – allowing Him to transform us in the image of His Son. He wants us by faith to imitate His Son – who did everything with total trust and confidence in the goodness of the Father, even when that goodness seemed so hidden.
The spiritual mission of Saint Elizabeth encourages us to desire to live in the shadow of the Father, even though it is sometimes difficult to do so. She encourages this because she knows the joy and peace that one can find in this shadow – not only for oneself, but for everyone God entrusts to us. For this grace, let us pray
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior. O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, I want to be completely docile, ready to learn everything from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want to fixate on you always and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me so that I would not be able to forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love, come over me until my soul is rendered into an incarnation of the Word; may I be for Him another humanity in which he renews His whole Mystery.
Day Five – For the Grace of being overcome by the Fire of God’s Love
For Saint Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit is the consuming Fire of God’s Love. To fully offer oneself to the Lord, one needs to allow one’s whole existence to be set on fire by this Divine Love. This means a total offering of oneself analogous to the offering of holocaust proscribed in the Mosaic Law. Before Christ, such an offering would be completely consumed in the sacred fire before the altar of sacrifice. It was a sign of what God deserves from us, and with that acknowledgment, the people’s worship was deemed acceptable to the Lord. Christ’s offering of Himself on the Cross was the perfect fulfillment of this practice. Only it was not earthly flames that consumed His self-offering. Instead, He burned with the Gift of the Father’s Love and through this obedient love, opened up a pathway for us to render the Holy Trinity a hymn of praise so beautiful, God is utterly delighted by it.
Why should God be delighted by what we offer Him? It is because the Holy Spirit renews the mystery of the Word made flesh in us through our faith in Christ. The Word of the Father, the Radiant One, not only captivates the hearts of those who seek Him, but He is also the greatest delight of the Father. The Father delights in His Son because His Son communicates the truth about His love – and this is the Father’s glory. Born out of the silent fullness of the Father’s heart, the glory that the Word reveals makes all things new. When the Father spoke His Word into our humanity, He renewed humanity so that Christ’s humanity became the instrument to reveal the glory of God.
The Holy Spirit renews this whole mystery in us when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by His coming into our hearts. When we accept what Christ has done for us out of love for the Father, the love with which Christ burned, burns in us. This fire purifies us of our attachments to sin and at the same time implicates us in the plight of those whom God has sent into our lives. In this way, we discover new liberty to give ourselves in love of God and our neighbor that we did not have before. It is the freedom of Christ – the One crucified by love. Through this Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Father even recognizes the beauty of Christ in us – a beauty that delights Him and a beauty that saves the world.
Saint Elizabeth understands that, in a certain sense, being overwhelmed by the Fire of the Holy Spirit extends the mystery of the Incarnation through our humanity – into the circumstances, relationships and events of our lives. The more we surrender our humanity to the love of Christ and die to our plans, the more vulnerable we are to this movement of Love at work in us.
The mission that Saint Elizabeth exercises from heaven is geared to the total transformation of our lives that the Holy Spirit accomplishes when we make ourselves vulnerable to His wholly simple and wholly loving movement in us. For this kind of openness, let us pray:
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me,
Day Four – For the grace to be captivated by Christ
In her prayer to the Trinity, Saint Elizabeth asks particular graces of each of the Divine Persons. From Christ, she asks to be captivated by Him. She refers to Him as the Radiant Star and asks for the grace to fixate on Him and to learn all from Him. She situates this petition within her awareness of her own inadequacies, voids, weaknesses and failings. She does not run from these struggles, but she also knows that she cannot overcome these on her own. She needs help – the help that comes from Christ alone. When we look to Him, it is not our failures that ultimately define us – instead, it is the love that He has for us that becomes definitive in our lives. If we allow the dynamism of His presence to draw our hearts to Him, rather than self-pity or despair, we find the strength to trust Him even as everything in our lives seems to be falling apart. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will lead us to the victory of good over evil in our hearts, our families and our communities. He is greater than every evil and He loves to reveal His strength in our weakness. When we come across that painful emptiness in which everything seems impossible, Jesus is present there too — ready to shine on us anew and to help us find our way once again.
In the spiritual mission of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, she knows how much it brings the Radiant Star great delight when we allow Him to be the light that shines in the darkness of our lives – and, when we ask her to help us find this light, it increases Saint Elizabeth’s joy to help us triumph. Let us pray:
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior. O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, I want to be completely docile, ready to learn everything from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want to fixate on you always and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me so that I would not be able to forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love, come over me until my soul is render into an incarnation of the Word; may I be for Him another humanity in which he renews His whole Mystery.
And you, O Father, bend over your little creature, cover her with your shadow, and see in her only the Beloved in whom You are well-pleased.
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, Infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I loose myself, I surrender myself as prey. Bury yourself in me in order that I might bury myself in you, while waiting to contemplate in your light the immeasurable depths of your grandeur.
Amen
The Novena to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity is authored by Dr. Anthony Lilles S.T.D.
For the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Day Three – For the Grace that makes our sins into a source of humility
Today we ask Saint Elizabeth to intercede for us against the temptation to be discouraged by our sins. It is possible to take sin too lightly, to not realize the great price that was paid so that we might live as sons and daughters of God. It is also possible to allow our awareness of sin to discourage us, even to the point of abandoning prayer. Saint Elizabeth is adamant that we should never abandon prayer, that even our awareness of sin can help us go deeper into the silence in which the Lord wants to heal and transform us. This is because she keeps her eyes fixed on “God, who is rich in mercy.”
Those who keep the mercy of God before them never grow tired of confessing their sins and deepening their life of conversion. Mercy is love that suffers the misery of another, and Christ has justified us by suffering the misery of our sin for our sake. He has rescued our dignity and given us standing before the Father by accepting the consequences of our sin out of love for us and dying for us. This is the reason that Saint Elizabeth refers to Christ “crucified by love.” As long as we keep our eyes fixed on this love, rather than discourage us, our sins can become occasions for gratitude to the Lord and confidence in the immensity of His devotion to us.
Saint Elizabeth says that the Lord has found a way to convert our sins into instruments of salvation. This does not diminish the horror that we should have for sin. It opens up, instead, a source of humility. We are a little more free from self-love when we accept how broken we are and how much we need God’s love. Less self-satisfied, we discover in our hearts a new openness to die to ourselves and to live the life that the Lord would have for us instead. Whenever we humbly repent of what we have done and turn with confidence to the Lord, He is ready to give us peace and help us to begin again.
In her mission, Saint Elizabeth wants us to plunge into humility before the mercy of God. She does not want us to be discouraged by sin, but with a simple movement of love and confidence to confess it, to feel sorrow over it, and to humbly work to repair the damage that we have done. Instead of being pre-occupied with personal failure or even the hurt we have caused, we must see how God is turning even our weakness into a new kind of wisdom. We must allow God to love us in this way. Saint Elizabeth explains, “Love rebuilds what you have destroyed.”
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior. O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, I want to be completely docile, ready to learn everything from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want to fixate on you always and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me so that I would not be able to forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love,
Day Two – For the grace to give our hearts to Jesus
Saint Elizabeth wants us to give our heart to Jesus, to enter into a prayer so deep and beautiful, that we hear Him ask for it. She invites us to hear the Word of the Father speak to our souls the way the Samaritan Woman heard Christ speak to hers. Our Lord wants adorers “in spirit and truth.”
For Saint Elizabeth, Jesus is the great Adorer, and he wants us to become what He is. When we look at how He adored the Father, we see that his prayer was not a good intention or a nice wish, but a lived reality. What Christ offered to the Father in the silence of prayer, He gave up on the Cross for our sake. His whole existence became an act of worship and spiritual sacrifice.
This means that to be an adorer in “truth,” we must also live out the truth in our actions. We must give Jesus the gift of our hearts not only in our words and intentions but our actions as well. Here, however, our weaknesses seem to hinder us. The truth is that God loves us, and He does so, even in the face of our sins. Christ-crucified lived in the love of the Father, even as He took on the consequences of our sins to show us that God’s love is greater than sin. Everything for Jesus was done out of love for the Father. For us to be adorers in truth, we must, like Christ, live in God’s love – until every decision, every action is carried out in that love, by that love, and for that love. Even in the midst of difficult trials, our actions must be Christ-like – just as Jesus Christ lived by complete confidence in the Father, we must live in complete confidence in Him.
How do we acquire this is childlike posture before the Lord? Saint Elizabeth wants to help us spend time in the silence of prayer. Trying to stay in this silence is difficult. We must face our tendencies to brood over injuries or else simply not deal with the interior pain that we carry. Silence wasted on such interior rancor is dangerous. Saint Elizabeth describes another kind of silence, and it this silence that we must seek in prayer by renouncing every thought or feeling or fantasy that is not worthy of it. Each renunciation deepens childlike confidence and trust. The greater this trust, the deeper the silence God guides us into. She describes this silence as allowing the Lord to sit us on His knee and caress us like a mother comforts her child — an image from Isaiah. Throughout the trials and difficulties in life, the silent and tender love of God surrounds us and is completely present to us. This is the same love that gave Christ the strength to die for us. Now the Trinity gently offers it to strengthen us, too. In the silence of prayer, we can hear and respond to God’s gentle invitation, “Give me your heart."
The spiritual mission of Saint Elizabeth is to keep us in the deep silence in which we can hear this tender voice. So that she might help us give our hearts in the stillness of this immense love, let us pray:
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life.
Day One – For the grace to enter into great silence
In this nine days of prayer with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, we will offer her oblation to the Trinity, “O My God whom I adore. “ Elizabeth wrote this prayer to help souls seek a spiritually mature relationship with God. This journey to spiritual maturity progresses by way of silence, an interior silence. This is not an empty silence or an alienated one. It is a silence that is vigilant for the new work that the Holy Trinity is waiting to do in us. On this first day of this Novena, let us begin by recalling Saint Elizabeth’s mission – a mission completely oriented to the powerful silence in which the soul encounters the fullness of God. She writes, shortly before her death:
I suppose that in heaven my mission will be to attract souls
Helping them go out of themselves
To cleave to God by a entirely simple and loving movement
And to keep them inside this great silence
That will allow God to imprint Himself in them
And transform them into Himself. L 335
That this mission might be realized in us, and that we might enter into great silence, and through Saint Elizabeth’s intercession, remain there, let us pray:
O My God, Trinity whom I adore, help me to forget myself entirely so as to be established in you as still and as peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to disturb my peace, nor make me depart from you, o my Unchanging One, but may each moment carry me further into the depths of your Mystery. Pacify my soul, make it your heaven, your beloved abode, your resting place. May I never leave you there alone, but may I be entirely present, my faith completely ready, wholly adoring, fully surrendered to your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified by love, I would like to be a bride for your heart. I would like to cover you with glory, I would like to love you… unto death. I feel my powerlessness, however, and I ask you to clothe me with yourself, to identify my soul with all the movements of your soul, to defeat me, to overwhelm me, to substitute yourself for me, that my life might be but the radiation of your Life. Come into me as Adorer, as Healer, as Savior. O Eternal Word, Word of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, I want to be completely docile, ready to learn everything from you. Then, through all nights, all voids, all weakness, I want to fixate on you always and to remain under your great light. O My beloved Star, fascinate me so that I would not be able to forsake your shining light.
O Consuming Flame, Spirit of love, come over me until my soul is render into an incarnation of the Word; may I be for Him another humanity in which he renews His whole Mystery.
And you, O Father, bend over your little creature, cover her with your shadow, and see in her only the Beloved in whom You are well-pleased.
O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, Infinite Solitude, Immensity in which I loose myself, I surrender myself as prey. Bury yourself in me in order that I might bury myself in you, while waiting to contemplate in your light the immeasurable depths of your grandeur.
Amen
The Novena to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity is authored by Dr. Anthony Lilles S.T.D.
For the entire 9-Day Novena to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
BKL 78 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – "How can we possibly love as God expects? Only "through Him, with Him, in Him!"
Gospel MT 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day Nine
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“The pilgrim Church on earth lifts its gaze to Heaven and exultantly joins the choir of those with whom God shares his glory. It is the communion of saints!”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Jesus said…"Abide in Me, and I in you…for apart from Me you can do nothing."
I leave you now with this prayer: that the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to each one of you, that He will give you the strength to go out and profess that you are Christian, that He will show you that He alone can fill your hearts. Accept His freedom and embrace His truth, and be messengers of the certainty that you have been truly liberated through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This will be the new experience, the powerful experience, that will generate, through you, a more just society and a better world.
God bless you and may the joy of Jesus be always with you!
[L’Osservatore Romano, 11-5-79, 2]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day Eight
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Thus the great gift of redemption – our being ‘brought forth’ to divine life – is a mighty work of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It must be received by us in faith. It must be lived. It must be proclaimed.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Thanksgiving for the Eucharist
For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast!
O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for Your redeeming sacrifice, the only hope of men!
O Christ the Savior, we give You thanks for the eucharistic breaking of bread, which You instituted in order to really meet Your brothers, in the course of the centuries!
Christ the Savior, put into the hearts of the baptized the desire to offer themselves with You and to commit themselves for the salvation of their brothers!
You who are really present in the Blessed Sacrament, spread Your blessings abundantly on Your people…Amen.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 7-27-81, 2]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
The Moment of Christian Witness with Dr. Rodney Howsare Ph.D. – pt. 2
With Dr. Rodney Howsare Ph.D., we continue with a conversation of Hans Urs von Balthasar's The Moment of Christian Witness and the first section of the book entitled "The Decisive Moment." Among other topics, the Christian sense of mission and the nature of Christian love are discussed.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
Hans Urs von Balthasar puts his finger on the precise origin of all those elements in modern Christianity which see the real Jesus Christ as unknowable, the Gospels as merely the confused reflections of later Christians, and Christian tradition as a perpetuation of the mythology.
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Rodney Howsare discussing The Moment of Christian Witness – The Moment of Christian Witness Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from The Moment of Christian Witness – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day Seven
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the ‘light of the world.’”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Lord, from You every family in heaven and on earth takes it name. Father, You are Love and Life.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, the fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families of the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of Marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.
We ask this of You, who are Life, Truth, and Love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 5-25-80, 19]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day Six
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“The Good News which she received from her divine Founder obliges the Church to proclaim the message of salvation and human dignity and to condemn injustices and attacks on human dignity.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
And behold: we who… are standing… beneath the cross of the ages, wish, through Your cross and passion, O Christ, to cry out today that mercy [which] has irreversibly entered in to the history of man, into our whole human history—and which in spite of the appearances of weakness is stronger than evil. It is the greatest power and force upon which man can sustain himself, threatened as he is from so many sides…
Holy is God.
Holy and strong.
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
Have mercy: eleison: misere.
May the power of Your love once more be shown to be greater than the evil that threatens it.
May it be shown to be greater than sin…
May the power of Your cross, O Christ, be shown to be greater than the author of sin, who is called "the prince of this world."
For by your blood and Your passion You have redeemed the world!
[L’Osservatore Romano, 4-27-81,8]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Episode 23 – John 11: I AM the Resurrection part 1
“And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” With these words, we conclude our profession of faith at mass each week and today’s lesson is a very important teaching on this fundamental Catholic belief. In John 11, we read about the 5th sign (the raising of Lazarus) and the 7th “I Am” statement: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
The resurrection of Lazarus not only foreshadows the resurrection of Christ but it is also a confirmation of the universal resurrection of the dead. Sharon reminds us of other resurrections found in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Elijah raises the son of the Zarephath widow, Elisha raises the son of the Shunammite woman and a dead man comes to life when he is buried next to the bones of Elisha. In the New Testament, Jesus raises not only Lazarus, but also the daughter of Jarius and the son of widow of Nain. In Acts of Apostles, Peter raises Tabitha (aka Dorcas) and Paul raises Eutychus.
The raising of the dead, particularly Lazarus, confirms our hope for the universal resurrection of the dead prophesied in Ezekiel 37. Sharon emphasizes a fundamental tenant of our faith: at the second coming of Jesus Christ, we will all experience a bodily resurrection, either to the resurrection of life in heaven or to the resurrection of condemnation in hell. We will be reunited with either our glorified or condemned bodies.
Looking more closely at the story of Lazarus, Sharon teaches us that John is theological and not necessarily chronological in how he presents the life of Jesus. The theme of the resurrection of the dead is found elsewhere in John’ Gospel: “the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment (5:28-29).” As when he healed the man born blind, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead so that God will be glorified. This miracle is deeply personal for Jesus. He could have chosen to spare Lazarus from death, healing him from afar, just as he did with the royal official’s son in John 4. Instead, he enters into the suffering of Mary and Martha, weeping for the friends he loves so dearly. As a result of the fall, death entered the world, separating humanity from the Father.
Through the death and resurrection of Christ, death no longer separates us from the Father; death becomes the gateway back to the Father. When Christ comes again, those dead in Christ will rise first and their glorified bodies will be reunited with their souls in heaven and so we can with great hope profess at mass: “And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come!”
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
Day 5
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“As we ask for forgiveness, let us also forgive. This is what we say every day when we recite the prayer Jesus taught us: ‘Our Father . . . forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Save us from "grieving Your Spirit":
–by our lack of faith and lack of readiness to witness to Your Gospel "in deed and in truth", –by secularism and by wishing at all costs to conform to the mentality of this world; –by a lack of that love which is "patient and kind," which "is not boastful" and which "does not insist on its own way," which "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" – that love which "rejoices in the right" and only in the right. Save us from grieving Your Spirit: –by everything that brings inward sadness and is an obstacle for the soul; –by whatever causes…divisions; –by whatever makes us a fertile soil for all temptations.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 4-5,12-82,3]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 4
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Faith is strengthened when it is given to others! It is in commitment to the Church’s universal mission that the new evangelization of Christian peoples will find inspiration and support.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
May your faith be strong; may it not hesitate, not waver, before the doubts, the uncertainties which philosophical systems or fashionable movements would like to suggest to you. May it not descend to compromise with certain concepts, which would like to present Christianity as a mere ideology of historical character, and therefore be placed at the same level as so many others, now outdated.
May your faith be joyful, because it is based on awareness of possessing a divine gift. When you pray and dialogue with God and when you converse with me, [may you] manifest the you of this enviable possession.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 11-3-80, 3]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day Three
Day Three
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
O God, You are our Creator.
You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds.
To You arises the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live.
To do Your will is our task.
To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart.
To You we offer our homage.
Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth.
Free us from all the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will.
Never allow us to stray from You.
O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.
O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples.
Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen!
May the God of mercy, the God of love, the God of peace bless each of you and all the members of your families!
[The Pope Speaks 37/4, 1992, 213]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 2
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“Darkness can only be scattered by light. Hatred can only be conquered by love. My most fervent wish, which I entrust to God in prayer . . . is that we should all carry in our unarmed hands the light of a love which nothing can discourage.”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
Mother… at this solemn moment we listen with particular attention to your words: "Do whatever my Son tells you."5 And we wish to respond to your words with all our heart. We wish to do what your Son tells us, for He has the words of eternal life. We wish to carry out and fulfill all that comes from Him, all that is contained in the Good News, as our forefathers did for many centuries.
May our ears constantly hear with the proper clarity your motherly voice: "Do whatever my Son tells you." Enable us to persevere with Christ. Enable us, Mother of the Church, to build up His Mystical Body by living with the life that He alone can grant us from His fullness, which is both divine and human.
[L’Osservatore Romano, 10-8-79, 14]
St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 9: CHARITY
St. Teresa you have said
The blessings gained through true poverty I think are many, and I wouldn’t want to lose them. I am often aware of a faith within me so great that I think God cannot fail anyone who serves Him. I know that there never is or will be any time in which His words will fail; for I cannot persuade myself otherwise, nor can I fear…It seems to me I have much more compassion for the poor than I used to. I feel such great pity and desire to find relief for them that if it were up to me I would give them the clothes off my back. I feel no repugnance whatsoever toward them, toward speaking to or touching them. This I now see is a gift given by God. For even though I used to give alms for love of Him, I didn’t have the natural compassion. I feel a very noticeable improvement in this matter.”
—Spiritual Testimonies II.3-4
According to Teresa, while interior development necessarily involves continued progress in self-knowledge and self-awareness, it is not egotistical, because it also encourages us to look beyond ourselves to God and to others. Thus progress in the spiritual life really authenticates itself in charity. God’s love, as the evangelist John tells us, is for all, and is so profound that He sent His Son for our redemption. For those engaged in a life of prayer, we must also love with this Divine love. It is a transformative love that changes the way we see and approach our fellow men and women, as Teresa illustrates in the passage above.
May we, therefore, learn to love others with the love that God loves us, that our prayer may be truly perfected.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection was written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
The Moment of Christian Witness with Dr. Rodney Howsare Ph.D. – pt. 1
With Dr. Rodney Howsare Ph.D., we begin with a conversation about Hans Urs von Balthasar and his analysis of the thought of Karl Rahner S.J. and those who followed after him. We then discuss the meaning of what Balthasar calls "the Decisive Moment."
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
Hans Urs von Balthasar puts his finger on the precise origin of all those elements in modern Christianity which see the real Jesus Christ as unknowable, the Gospels as merely the confused reflections of later Christians, and Christian tradition as a perpetuation of the mythology.
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Rodney Howsare discussing The Moment of Christian Witness – The Moment of Christian Witness Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from The Moment of Christian Witness – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 1
Reflection by Saint John Paul II:
“It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted . . .”
Prayer for the Intercession of St. John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you
for having graced the Church with
Saint John Paul II and for allowing
the tenderness of your fatherly care,
the glory of the Cross of Christ
and the splendor of the Spirit of love
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
He has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary
Christian life and is the way of
achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession,
and according to your will,
the graces we implore,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer composed by St. John Paul II
O God, You are our Creator.
You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds.
To You arises the praise of every creature.
O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live.
To do Your will is our task.
To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart.
To You we offer our homage.
Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth.
Free us from the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will.
Never allow us to stray from You.
O God, judge of all humankind, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.
O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples.
Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen!
[The Pope Speaks 37/4, 1992, 213]
For the full 9-day Novena to St. John Paul II with Mp3 audio and text visit here
Day 8: VIRTUES
St. Teresa you have said
“I repeat, it is necessary that your foundation consist of more than prayer and contemplation. If you do not strive for the virtues and practice them, you will always be dwarfs. And, please God, it will be only a matter of not growing, for you already know that whoever does not increase decreases. I hold that love, where present, cannot possibly be content with remaining always the same.”
—Interior Castle VII:4.9
Teresa writes these words toward the end of her description of the interior journey, when the soul arrives at union. Fundamental to spiritual progress is the development of a life of virtue, as virtues and prayer shape one another. In the context of Teresa’s definition of prayer as the intimate sharing between friends, virtues are all that we do and suffer for the love of God our great friend. Therefore, engagement in recollection helps us to cultivate practices to enhance our relationship with God, while the continue exercise of these virtues helps us to be gradually more receptive to interacting with Him.
In our prayer today, let us ask for the grace to develop and grow in lives of virtue, that God’s love for us may be expressed and nurtured in our love for Him.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Episode 8-Listening For Truth– When we come upon the Truth, we rest in it. Our journey is over. The Lord wants us to rest in Him. We rest when we receive the truth about what is good for us and what is ethical. Within us is the mind that can discern truth and receives it and then has that truth confirmed by the indwelling presence of God. It's in the still small voice that will confirm; we have to learn how to go inward to hear it. To properly form conscience, we have to 1. Know who we are, 2. Find where we learn about moral truth: 3. Discern who we go to with our questions. The fullness of Truth is taught in the Church.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Day 7: SURRENDER
St. Teresa you have said
Myself surrendered and given,
The exchange is this:
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
When the gentle Hunter
Wounded and subdued me,
In love’s arms,
My soul fallen;
New life receiving,
Thus did I exchange
My Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
The arrow he drew
Full of love,
My soul was made one
With her Creator.
Other love I want not,
Surrendered now to my God,
That my Beloved is for me,
And I am for my Beloved.
—On Those Words “Dilectus Meus Mihi”
This beautiful poem is the result of Teresa’s reflection on Songs 2:16: “My Beloved belongs to me and I to him.” In her verse, she expresses a fundamental truth of the interior journey: God himself initiates and sustains the relationship, and invites us to surrender to Him in faith. Our efforts of self-renunciation, sacrifice, and humility about which Teresa constantly discusses in her writings are our personal response to this love. In renouncing ourselves, we allow the Lord to unite us to Himself.
Let us not tire of making our sacrifices of love, but instead take courage, sure in the knowledge that we are already loved.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“Christ has no body now but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Gospel MT 22:1-14
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
"The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests,
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?'
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world
Day 6: THE REALITY OF HELL
St. Teresa you have said
“A long time after the Lord had already granted me many of the favors I’ve mentioned and other very lofty ones, while I was in prayer one day, I suddenly found that, without knowing how, I had seemingly been put in hell…The fact is that I don’t know how to give a sufficiently powerful description of that interior fire and that despair, coming in addition to such extreme torments and pains. I didn’t see who inflicted them on me, but, as it seemed to me, I felt myself burning and crumbling; and I repeat the worst was that interior fire and despair.”
—Autobiography XXXII.1,2
Teresa experiences the vision described above within the context of God’s salvific action, both universal and personal, in order that she might understand the torments from which she was freed because of His mercy, and also to motivate her to realize her personal vocation of reform.
The theme of hell appears often in her writings, and underlines humanity’s gift of free will and its natural consequences. The redemption wrought by Christ is intended for all, and the Divine plan is that all should be saved, but this does not preclude one’s possibility to choose. Hell is the result of a lifetime of choices made of separating oneself from God through sin, resulting in the suffocating experience of being completely bound in the darkness of God’s absence, without freedom and without hope.
Not wanting to see others end like this, Teresa exercised her own free will, dedicating her life to participating in Christ’s own saving action via her life of prayer. May we, like Teresa, give thanks to God for the truths revealed to us about eternal life, for our redemption through Christ’s blood, and for the gift of free will that allows us to choose and love him freely. Let us also pray for all those who most need our prayers for conversion of heart today.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Episode 22 – John 10: The Good Shepherd part 2
In this next chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus reveals two more "I am" statements: I am the gate, and I am the good shepherd. To help us better understand this beautiful imagery, Sharon teaches us about shepherding in Biblical times. Many of the great figures of the Bible were shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. We recall the interesting story of Jacob who used his expertise in animal husbandry to breed a line of sheep that exists to this day.
Throughout scripture, we see a multitude of references to shepherds, and how a good shepherd protected his sheep, binding wounds, rescuing from danger, gathering together, seeking the lost. Psalm 23 is a wonderful example of imagery that describes the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep, a clear metaphor of our relationship with the Lord. The shepherd carried a rod to ward off predators or count sheep and staff to draw his sheep close. As our shepherds, the Bishops carry a crosier staff, which is a visual reminder of their duty to provide the proper teaching necessary to ward off sin. The shepherd carried a horn filled with oil to soothe wounds and ward off insidious diseases. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and at the Chrism Mass, the bishop breathes the Holy Spirit into the oil that will be used for anointing. Oil is also a reminder of the bishop's duty to identify the prevalent sins of current times and treat these diseases quickly, preventing infection from spreading throughout his flock.
To help us understand Jesus as "the gate" Sharon teaches us more about the nature of shepherding. At night, the shepherd guided his flock into an enclosed pen and would sleep at the entrance, acting as the gate through which no predator or thief could enter. Jesus is the singular gate to the Kingdom, through which is the sure way to salvation. The shepherd would literally lay down his life to protect his flock, unlike the hireling who would abandon the sheep at the first sign of danger. The hirelings at the time of Christ were the corrupt Jewish leaders who conspired with the worldly powers to maintain their power and influence.
Sharon concludes with a history lesson that puts this in proper context. During the Greek occupation of Israel, a civil war broke out between Jews faithful to Mosaic law and the apostates who abandoned their faith to curry favor with the Greeks. Led by the Hasmonean's, the faithful Jews were victorious over their unfaithful countrymen and also successfully drove out the Greeks. Building upon their success, the Hasmoneans forced conversion to Judaism upon the surrounding gentile nations. One of these nations was Edom, the descendants of Esau. A notable Edomite was Herod the Great, who married a Hasmonean princess, only to slaughter her remaining kinsmen, establishing a dynasty in servitude to the world power of Rome. The Sadducees, who followed only Torah and did not believe in the resurrection, came into existence during this period, and became a powerful influence at the time of Christ, only to fade into oblivion after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation...
Day 5: HUMILITY
St. Teresa you have said
“O Eternal Father! How much this humility deserves. What treasure do we have that could buy Your Son? The sale of Him, we already know, was for thirty pieces of silver. But to buy Him, no price is sufficient. Since by sharing in our nature He has become one with us here below—and as Lord of His own will—He reminds the Father that because He belongs to Him the Father in turn can give Him to us. And so He says, “our bread.” He doesn’t make any difference between Himself and us, but we make one by not giving ourselves up each day for His Majesty.”
—Way of Perfection XXXIII.5
Teresa composed these words as she reflected on the words of the Our Father: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Her meditation on this phrase brought her immediately to Christ’s experience of the passion and its significance for her and her contemporaries. For her, Jesus is the foundation and model of humility in the spiritual life.
Humility plays an important role in interior progress, because through it we come to appreciate and understand the beauty of our souls and our limitations, to gradually cede control of our lives to God in faith and trust and develop a sensibility for perceiving and carrying out His will, to love others properly, and to accept and cherish the depth of the love God has for us.
So let us ask for the grace of humility, that we may grow in truthful relationship with God, ourselves, and others.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection was written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Day 4: THE SOUL
St. Teresa you have said
“It is that we consider our soul to be like a castle made entirely out of a diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in heaven there are many dwelling places. For in reflecting upon it carefully, Sisters, we realize that the soul of the just person is nothing else but a paradise where the Lord says He finds His delight…I don’t find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its marvelous capacity. Indeed, our intellects, however keen, can hardly comprehend it, just as they cannot comprehend God’ but He Himself says that He created us in His own image and likeness.”
—Interior Castle I:1.1
Teresa uses a variety of images to describe the soul, likening it to a beehive, a garden, and in this case, a castle. In doing so, she attempts to explain its innate fecund richness brought about through its creation.
Made in the image and likeness of God, our souls mirror the Divine in our natural interior profundity and in our capacity to do His loving and saving will. Moreover, our souls are where Christ resides and interacts with us, and desires to permeate with his light. The experience of God, therefore, is not something beyond the human experience, but intimately connected to it. Indeed, the work of personal transformation takes place in this interior environment
May we learn from Teresa how to appreciate and care for our souls, that we may radiate Christ to others and give thanks to God for making us his home.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
"The Life of St. Benedict pt 1"
We begin the reflection of the life of St. Benedict by using the biography penned by St. Gregory the Great. This episode looks at the pivotal discernment he made as a young man to pursue the religious life. The aspect of detachment from our earthly family, particularly our earthly fathers, in favor of our Heavenly Father, is explored by Fr. Mauritius.
From the Life of Our Most Holy Father St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great:
INTRODUCTION.
THERE was a man of venerable life, Benedict by name and grace, who from the time of his very childhood carried the heart of an old man. His demeanour indeed surpassing his age, he gave himself no disport or pleasure, but living here upon earth he despised the world with all the glory thereof, at such time as he might have most freely enjoyed it. He was born in the province of Nursia of honourable parentage and sent to Rome to study the liberal sciences. But when he saw there many through the uneven paths of vice run headlong
to their own ruin, he drew back his foot, but new-set in the world, lest, in the search of human knowledge, he might also fall into the same dangerous precipice. Contemning therefore learning and studies and abandoning his father’s house and goods, he desired only to please God in a virtuous life. Therefore he departed skilfully ignorant and wisely unlearned.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. For more information about the ministry of the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, NE
Day 3: THE CENTRALITY OF THE HUMANITY OF CHRIST
St. Teresa you have said
“The thought comes to me now that our good Jesus showed us the weakness of His humanity previous to the trials, and when He was in the abyss of His sufferings showed such great fortitude that He not only did not complain but did nothing that would make it appear He was suffering with weakness. When He went to the garden, He said: My soul is sorrowful even to death. Yet, while on the cross, for He was already suffering death, He did not complain.”
—Meditations on the Song of Songs III.11.
Teresa desired to share her reflections on the Song of Songs, a rather daring act for her time. Her ponderings on Songs 1:2, led her to describe the peace and union granted the soul, opening the person to the possibility of accepting trials in the service of God, opportunities that also bring one’s weaknesses and limitations to the fore. Desiring to encourage her sisters, she looks to Christ’s own experience during his Passion.
Indeed, the humanity of Christ plays a crucial role in her doctrine on prayer. In his Incarnation, he expresses the profundity of God’s love for humanity, and is the perfect mediator between the two. Moreover, his earthly life serves as the example and guide for our spiritual growth. In this way, he leads us to discover our true selves as we
Thus, as we continue to pray through the intercession of the saint, let us recognize that she invites us to be in love with Jesus Christ, Emanuel, “God-with-us.”
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Section 3 (continued) – "Union" of Christian Meditation
With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we continue our discussion on section 3 of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Christian Mediation.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
While von Balthasar's classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God's revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.
In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.
"Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God's sight."
– Hans Urs von Balthasar
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 2 INTIMATE AND TRANSFORMATIVE PRAYER
St. Teresa you have said
“Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire…And if one perseveres, I trust then in the mercy of God, who never fails to repay anyone who has taken him for a friend. For mental prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. In order that the love be true and the friendship endure, the wills of the friends must be in accord.”
—Autobiography VIII.5
On September 27, 1970, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Teresa a doctor of the Church. In his address, the Pope celebrated Teresa’s gift of spiritual doctrine, a fact underlined by the title written on her statue in the basilica in Ávila: Mater Spiritualium (the Mother of Spirituality). She certainly merits this title.
Her writings are not theoretical abstracts, but concrete lessons drawn from her own experience and interaction with the Divine. In entering the struggle of spiritual growth, she came to discover some very important truths about the process of prayer, the truth of God and the realization of self in this context. She realized in a very real and personal way Jesus’ words: “I call you friends.”
Learning from Teresa, let us make ample space for prayer, taking time and having the courage to open ourselves to all of the possibilities that lie open to us when we enter this deep and profound relationship, including our own transformation in God and His love.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
Episode 7-Listening For Truth– We are resurrection people who live out of the power of the Resurrection. Theological virtues, faith, hope, and love, are given to us in the fullest sense through the sacraments and how we receive and open our hearts to that gift. Moving our affection from sin to truth. How do we prepare ourselves to receive moral truth?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
DAY 1: QUALITY SPIRITUAL READING
St. Teresa you have said:
“The prioress should see to it that good books are available, especially The Life of Christ by the Carthusian, the Flos Sanctorum, The Imitation of Christ, The Oratory of Religious, and those books written by Fray Luis de Granada and by Father Fray Pedro de Alcantara. This sustenance for the soul is in some way as necessary as is food for the body.”
—Constitutions 8
In chapter 4 of her autobiography, Teresa recounts the story of a particular visit to her uncle, Pedro Sánchez de Cepeda, wherein he gave her a copy of Francisco de Osuna’s book, the Third Spiritual Alphabet. It provided the foundations for her spiritual life and remained an important reference for many years. In time, Teresa added other works to her list of spiritual influences, including those listed in her Constitutions. It was essential to her spiritual growth and to that of her sisters to be educated by knowledgeable people in the realm of the interior life.
Through her example and counsel, we are also invited to enrich our faith and our interior lives by reading and studying the writings of the many holy authors whom the Church recommends to us. Of course, among these, Teresa is one who is especially recommended. Perhaps one way of preparing for the feast during these nine days of novena would be to prayerful read and reflect on one of her writings.
May she and all of the saintly authors continue to inspire us through their teachings and experience.
St. Teresa speaks to us today saying:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.”
O God, who through your Spirit
raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show the Church the way to seek perfection,
grant that we may always be nourished
by the food of her heavenly teaching
and fired with longing for true holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
St. Teresa, pray for us:
That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.
reflection written by Fr. Emiel Albalahin, O.Carm. Used by permission via the Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani Please visit http://www.ocarm.org/en/
The prayer offered by Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor
Audio versions of the "Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" by St. Teresa of Avila
From the autobiography of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, virgin
(Manuscrits autobiographiques, Lisieux 1957, 227-229)
In the heart of the church I will be love
Since my longing for martyrdom was powerful and unsettling, I turned to the epistles of St. Paul in the hope of finally finding an answer. By chance the 12th and 13th chapters of the 1st epistle to the Corinthians caught my attention, and in the first section I read that not everyone can be an apostle, prophet or teacher, that the Church is composed of a variety of members, and that the eye cannot be the hand. Even with such an answer revealed before me, I was not satisfied and did not find peace.
I persevered in the reading and did not let my mind wander until I found this encouraging theme: "Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will show you the way which surpasses all others." For the Apostle insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind.
When I had looked upon the mystical body of the Church, I recognised myself in none of the members which St. Paul described, and what is more, I desired to distinguish myself more favourably within the whole body. Love appeared to me to be the hinge for my vocation. Indeed I knew that the Church had a body composed of various members, but in this body the necessary and more noble member was not lacking; I knew that the Church had a heart and that such a heart appeared to be aflame with love. I knew that one love drove the members of the Church to action, that if this love were extinguished, the apostles would have proclaimed the Gospel no longer, the martyrs would have shed their blood no more. I saw and realised that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place. In one word, that love is everlasting.
Then, nearly ecstatic with the supreme joy in my soul, I proclaimed: O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my calling: my call is love. Certainly I have found my place in the Church, and you gave me that very place, my God. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and thus I will be all things, as my desire finds its direction.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Section 3 – "Union" of Christian Meditation
With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss section 3 of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Christian Mediation.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
While von Balthasar's classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God's revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.
In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.
"Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God's sight."
– Hans Urs von Balthasar
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 9
St. Therese you have said:
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Day 8
St. Therese you have said:
“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, who is my judge. Therefore I will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Episode 6-Listening For Truth– The difficult stage in moral conversion, not only leaving the sin behind, but also leaving the community of people who desire to hold on to that sin. It might mean separating from family members, friends, etc, but the hope is that that may possibly follow if we hang in there in that witness of Truth. Also, life doesn't stop in our suffering. Many will come who are attracted to the change. How we love those in need will indicate growth even in the crucifixion. The negative…we reject something, the positive…we embrace something.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Day 7
St. Therese you have said:
“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you – for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart… don’t listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love…”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Day 6
St. Therese you have said:
“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Episode 21 – John 10: The Good Shepherd part 1
In this next chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus reveals two more "I am" statements: I am the gate, and I am the good shepherd. To help us better understand this beautiful imagery, Sharon teaches us about shepherding in Biblical times. Many of the great figures of the Bible were shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. We recall the interesting story of Jacob who used his expertise in animal husbandry to breed a line of sheep that exists to this day.
Throughout scripture, we see a multitude of references to shepherds, and how a good shepherd protected his sheep, binding wounds, rescuing from danger, gathering together, seeking the lost. Psalm 23 is a wonderful example of imagery that describes the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep, a clear metaphor of our relationship with the Lord. The shepherd carried a rod to ward off predators or count sheep and a staff to draw his sheep close. As our shepherds, the Bishops carry a crosier staff, which is a visual reminder of their duty to provide the proper teaching necessary to ward off sin. The shepherd carried a horn filled with oil to soothe wounds and ward off insidious diseases. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and at the Chrism mass, the bishop breathes the Holy Spirit into the oil that will be used for anointing. Oil is also a reminder of the bishop's duty to identify the prevalent sins of current times and treat these diseases quickly, preventing infection from spreading throughout his flock.
To help us understand Jesus as "the gate" Sharon teaches us more about the nature of shepherding. At night, the shepherd guided his flock into an enclosed pen and would sleep at the entrance, acting as the gate through which no predator or thief could enter. Jesus is the singular gate to the Kingdom, through which is the sure way to salvation. The shepherd would literally lay down his life to protect his flock, unlike the hireling who would abandon the sheep at the first sign of danger. The hirelings at the time of Christ were the corrupt Jewish leaders who conspired with the worldly powers to maintain their power and influence.
Sharon concludes with a history lesson that puts this in proper context. During the Greek occupation of Israel, a civil war broke out between Jews faithful to Mosaic law and the apostates who abandoned their faith to curry favor with the Greeks. Led by the Hasmonean's, the faithful Jews were victorious over their unfaithful countrymen and also successfully drove out the Greeks. Building upon their success, the Hasmoneans forced conversion to Judaism upon the surrounding gentile nations. One of these nations was Edom, the descendants of Esau. A notable Edomite was Herod the Great, who married a Hasmonean princess, only to slaughter her remaining kinsmen, establishing a dynasty in servitude to the world power of Rome. The Sadducees, who followed only Torah and did not believe in the resurrection, came into existence during this period, and became a powerful influence at the time of Christ, only to fade into oblivion after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortatio...
Day 5
St. Therese you have said:
“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors' defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Day 4
St. Therese you have said:
“I am convinced that one should tell one's spiritual director if one has a great desire for communion, for our Lord does not come from heaven every day to stay in a golden ciborium; He comes to find another heaven, the heaven of our soul in which He loves to dwell.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Section 2 (continued) – “Making the Meditation” of Christian Meditation
With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss section 2 (continued) of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Christian Mediation.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
While von Balthasar's classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God's revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.
In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.
"Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God's sight."
– Hans Urs von Balthasar
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 3
St. Therese you have said:
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life and teachings of St. Padre Pio. He shares personal stories from his relationship with St. Pio.
St. Padre Pio Communion Prayer:
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and alway be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strenth, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.
Day 2
St. Therese you have said:
“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Visit here for the complete 9 Day St. Therese Novena
Episode 27- The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B.,
Ph.D.
"To contemplate the Holy Eucharist"
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
PROLOGUE
Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience thou hast gone away.
To thee, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up thine own will, takest up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.
In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever good thou dost begin, in order that He who hath been pleased to count us in the number of His children, need never be grieved at our evil deeds. For we ought at all times so to serve Him with the good things which He hath given us, that He may not, like an angry father, disinherit his children, nor, like a dread lord, enraged at our evil deeds, hand us over to everlasting punishment as most wicked servants, who would not follow Him to glory.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page
Day 1
St. Therese you have said:
“I understood that every flower created by him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would no longer be enamelled with lovely hues. And so it is in the world of souls, our Lord's living garden.”
Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.
Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in the loving promises of our God.
Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me,
and one day see the Face of God who you so ardently loved.
Saint Therese,
you kept your word to love God
and to trust the world to that loving providence.
Pray for us that we may be faithful to our commitment to love.
May our lives, like yours,
be able to touch the world and bring it to peace.
Amen
Visit here for the complete 9 Day St. Therese Novena
Day 9
St. Padre Pio you have said:
How fortunate we are to be slaves of this great God who submitted Himself to death for us.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever.
Day 8
St. Padre Pio you have said:
Is it possible that you are never satisfied with yourself? Jesus loves you with a loving partiality in spite of all your unworthiness. He sends down a torrent of graces upon you, and yet you complain. It is about time this ended and you convinced yourself that you are greatly in the Lord’s debt. Hence, less complaints, more gratitude, and a great deal of thanksgiving. You ought to ask Our Lord for just one thing: to love Him. All the rest should be thanksgiving.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
"What was the wage earned? Heaven!"
Reading 2 PHIL 1:20C-24, 27A
Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.
Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel MT 20:1-16A
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Episode 5 -Listening For Truth– The Reality of Our Conscience. What it is and what it isn't. The importance of proper formation…through the sacramental life, the Catechism of the Church and Sacred Scripture. "Follow the Truth" is the beginning of the conversation, not "follow your conscience" in order to make the sacred decision. Not to be passive but teachable is the goal. The Marian deposition is the the model for moral formation. Conscience is the judgement of the mind as it listens to the voice of Christ through the lives of the saints, the sacraments, the Catechism and Scripture in prayer.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Day 7
St. Padre Pio you have said:
May the Grace and peace of the Holy Spirit always be at the center of your heart. Place your heart in the open side of the Savior, and unite it with the King of your heart who is within it as on a royal throne, in order that He might receive homage and obedience from all other hearts. Keep your hearts door open, so that everyone can approach Him and gain an audience at all times. May the King of all saints also be the King of your heart!
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Day 6
St. Padre Pio you have said:
In the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, in this sacrament of Love, we have true life, a blessed life, and true sacrament of Love; we have true life, a blessed life, and true happiness. Because in it we receive not only those graces that perfect us but the very Author of those graces.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
What an extraordinary conversation we are allowed to experience! Because of the pious imagination of master philosopher/apologist Dr. Peter Kreeft, we get to eavesdrop as three Christian spiritual masters ponder together the mysteries of the Christian faith. Anyone who picks up a copy of "Symbol or Substance: A Dialogue on the Eucharist with C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham and J. R. R. Tolkien" will indeed be in the "presence" of faith-filled transcendence.
You can find the book here
"We've all wished that we could be the proverbial fly on the wall. Peter Kreeft makes it possible in this wonderful book, which allows us to listen to an imaginary conversation between C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham on the thorny topic of the Eucharist. Their imaginary presence enlightens our minds on the Real Presence."
— Joseph Pearce, Author, Catholic Literary Giants
"For one riveting evening we are invited to eavesdrop on C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham. Rarely have I learned so much while being so entertained. Perhaps this book's greatest achievements lie in Kreeft's tender analysis of what unites the different churches, his gift of charitable listening, and his singular ability to illuminate."
— Sally Read, Author, Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story
Day 5
St. Padre Pio you have said:
St Therese of the Child Jesus used to say, “I don’t want to choose either to die or to live, but let Jesus do as He likes with me.” I see clearly that this is the image of all souls who are stripped of self and filled with God… What St. Therese has said ought to be said by every soul inflamed with love of God.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Section 2 – "Making the Meditation" of Christian Meditation
With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss section 2 of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Christian Mediation.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
While von Balthasar's classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God's revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.
In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.
"Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God's sight."
– Hans Urs von Balthasar
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 4
St. Padre Pio you have said:
I often think that there is only one thing in this base world which can soothe the most acute pain which pierces the heart when we see ourselves far from God, the source and consolation of distressed souls. That one thing is solitude, for here the soul enjoys sweet rest in the One who is its true peace. I want the heavenly Father to grant you the grace of stability in all your resolutions, not least of all your resolution to grow in holiness and to be silent and reduce to silence everything around you, so that you may hear the divine voice of the Beloved and establish with Him a tranquil and everlasting dialogue.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
"In place of serving self…the community meal" – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., Ph.D.
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER XXIV
The degree of excommunication or punishment ought to be meted out according to the gravity of the offense, and to determine that is left to the judgment of the Abbot. If, however, anyone of the brethren is detected in smaller faults, let him be debarred from eating at the common table. The following shall be the practice respecting one who is excluded from the common table: that he does not intone a psalm or an antiphon nor read a lesson in the oratory until he hath made satisfaction; let him take his meal alone, after the refection of the brethren; thus: if, for instance, the brethren take their meal at the sixth hour that brother will take his at the ninth, and if the brethren take theirs at the ninth, he will take his in the evening, until by due satisfaction he obtaineth pardon.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. PodcastDiscerning Hearts page
Day 3
St. Padre Pio you have said:
I am greatly comforted and very content in Jesus’ company, and who could describe the help it is to me to have Him continually by my side? This company makes me much more careful not to do anything which would displease God. It seems to me as if Jesus is constantly watching me. If it sometimes happens that I lose the presence of God, I soon hear Our Lord calling me back to my duty. I cannot describe the voice He uses to call me back, but I know that it is very penetrating, and the soul who hears it finds it almost impossible to refuse what He asks.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Day 9
St. Hildegard you have said:
“A human being is a vessel that God has built for himself and filled with his inspiration so that his works are perfected in it.”
“Now, O son of God, set in the valley of true humility, walk in peace without pride of spirit, which, like a precipitous mountain, offers a difficult, or near-impossible, ascent or descent to those who attempt to scale it, and on its summit no building can be built. For a person who tries to climb higher than he can achieve possesses the name of sanctity without substance, because, in name alone without a structure of good works, he glories in a kind of vain joy of the mind.”
"Humility always groans, weeps and destroys all offenses, for this is its work. So let anyone who wishes to conquer the Devil arm himself with humility, since Lucifer fervently flees it and hides in its presence like a snake in a hole; for wherever it finds him, it quickly snaps him like a fragile thread."
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Episode 4 – Join Deacon Keating and Kris McGregor has they discuss encountering fear in prayer. The necessity for spiritual direction. Purification as part of the process for spiritual growth. The virtue of Obedience.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
Day 2
St. Padre Pio you have said:
I implore you to be faithful and humble and always to keep the great Mother of God before your mental gaze, she who humbled herself more profoundly the more she was exalted. Never, ever be exalted at your virtues but repeat that everything comes from God, and give Him the honor and glory.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Day 8
St. Hildegard you have said:
“People have within themselves struggles of confession and of denial… And in this struggle the question is: Is there a God or not? The answer comes from the Holy Spirit Who dwells in the person:
God is, and created you, and also redeemed you.
As long as this question and answer are in a person, the power of God will not be absent from him, for this question and answer carries with it penitence. But when this question is not in a person, neither is the answer of the Holy Spirit, for such a person drives out God’s gift from himself and without the question that leads to penitence, throws himself upon death. And the Virtues display to God the battles of these wars, for they are the seal that shows God the intention that worships or denies Him.”
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects in this podcast on "The Cross is the Sign of Love" of the feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Reading 2 PHIL 2:6-11
Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel JN 3:13-17
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
Day 1
St. Padre Pio you have said:
Jesus keeps nothing for Himself of what is done for love of Him, and He will repay us very lavishly, Don’t let us make our happiness depend on enjoying wonderful health, or else we should be just like those foolish worldly people to whom it is not given to know the secrets of heaven…. Continue to love Jesus, and make an effort to love Him more and more, without wanting to know anything else He alone will steer us to the haven of salvation.
Gracious God, you generously blessed your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.
In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his powerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people’s hearts. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of Saint Pio, we confidently beseech you to to grant us the grace of (state your petition here). Help us to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that we, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Day 7
St. Hildegard you have said:
Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Day 6
St. Hildegard you have said:
Sometimes when we hear a song we breathe deeply and sigh. This reminds the prophet that the soul arises from heavenly harmony. In thinking about this, he was aware that the soul itself has something in itself of this music…
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Day 5
St. Hildegard you have said:
Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap.
The mystery of God hugs you in its all-encompassing arms.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 10 – The foundation of the Monastery of Valladolid. (Our Lord instructs St. Teresa to have a mass said for a soul in purgatory)
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 4
St. Hildegard you have said:
Listen: there was once a king sitting on his throne. Around Him stood great and wonderfully beautiful columns ornamented with ivory, bearing the banners of the king with great honour. Then it pleased the king to raise a small feather from the ground, and he commanded it to fly. The feather flew, not because of anything in itself but because the air bore it along. Thus am I, a feather on the breath of God.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
An Introduction to the Christian Meditation and the first section entitled "The Mediating Word"
With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss the first section of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Christian Mediation.
Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.
Find the paperback book here
Find the e-book here
From the book description:
While von Balthasar's classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God's revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.
In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.
"Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God's sight."
– Hans Urs von Balthasar
For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts
Day 3
St. Hildegard you have said:
Holy Spirit, the life that gives life: You are the cause of all movement. You are the breath of all creatures. You are the salve that purifies our souls. You are the ointment that heals our wounds. You are the fire that warms our hearts. You are the light that guides our feet. Let all the world praise you.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
For the Discerning Hearts 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard von Bingen page
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
Episode 25 – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., Ph.D.
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER II
The Abbot who is worthy to be over a monastery, ought always to be mindful of what he is called, and make his works square with his name of Superior. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, when he is called by his name, according to the saying of the Apostle: "You have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry Abba (Father)" (Rom 8:15). Therefore, the Abbot should never teach, prescribe, or command (which God forbid) anything contrary to the laws of the Lord; but his commands and teaching should be instilled like a leaven of divine justice into the minds of his disciples.
Let the Abbot always bear in mind that he must give an account in the dread judgment of God of both his own teaching and of the obedience of his disciples. And let the Abbot know that whatever lack of profit the master of the house shall find in the sheep, will be laid to the blame of the shepherd. On the other hand he will be blameless, if he gave all a shepherd's care to his restless and unruly flock, and took all pains to correct their corrupt manners; so that their shepherd, acquitted at the Lord's judgment seat, may say to the Lord with the Prophet: "I have not hid Thy justice within my heart. I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation" (Ps 39[40]:11). "But they contemning have despised me" (Is 1:2; Ezek 20:27). Then at length eternal death will be the crushing doom of the rebellious sheep under his charge.
When, therefore, anyone taketh the name of Abbot he should govern his disciples by a twofold teaching; namely, he should show them all that is good and holy by his deeds more than by his words; explain the commandments of God to intelligent disciples by words, but show the divine precepts to the dull and simple by his works. And let him show by his actions, that whatever he teacheth his disciples as being contrary to the law of God must not be done, "lest perhaps when he hath preached to others, he himself should become a castaway" (1 Cor 9:27), and he himself committing sin, God one day say to him: "Why dost thou declare My justices, and take My covenant in thy mouth? But thou hast hated discipline, and hast cast My words behind thee" (Ps 49[50]:16-17). And: "Thou who sawest the mote in thy brother's eye, hast not seen the beam in thine own" (Mt 7:3).
Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience. Let not a free-born be preferred to a freedman, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Abbot deemeth it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we are all one in Christ (cf Gal 3:28; Eph 6:8), and we all bear an equal burden of servitude under one Lord, "for there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom 2:11). We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit.
For in his teaching the Abbot should always observe that principle of the Apostle in which he saith: "Reprove, entreat, rebuke" (2 Tm 4:2), that is,
Day 2
St. Hildegard you have said:
These visions which I saw were not in sleep nor in dreams, nor in my imagination nor by bodily eyes or outward ears nor in a hidden place; but in watching, aware with the pure eyes of the mind and inner ear of the heart.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 9 – The foundation of St. Joseph's Monastery of Malagon.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Episode 3 -Listening For TruthâRediscovering the soul through prayer. The interior life. Welcoming the other that lives within us and passing the through the wall of suffering
Day 1
St. Hildegard you have said:
Just as a mirror, which reflects all things, is set in its own container, so too the rational soul is placed in the fragile container of the body. In this way, the body is governed in its earthly life by the soul, and the soul contemplates heavenly things through faith.
O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught usâ¦.
God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.
O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us
Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 â 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew's Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 8 – St. Teresa offers some directions on revelations and visions.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times, and teachings of St. Robert Bellarmine
Born: October 4, 1542, Montepulciano, Italy
Died: September 17, 1621, Rome, Italy
Full name: Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino
Feast: 17 September; 13 May (General Roman Calendar, 1932–1969)
Place of burial:
Ninth Day – Holiness is Jesus Living and Acting in Me
Thought for the day:
"Charity for each other is the surest way to great holiness."
Ask for the grace to become a saint.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 7 – How the prioresses should conduct themselves towards those who are melancholy.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Eighth Day – Jesus Made Himself the Bread of Life and the Hungry One
Thought for the day: "Believe that He, Jesus, is in the appearance of Bread and that He, Jesus, is in the hungry, naked, sick, lonely, unloved, homeless, helpless and hopeless."
Ask for the grace of a deep faith to see Jesus in the Bread of Life and to serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poor.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me. St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
The Monk, the Missionary Spirit and Evangelization
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
PROLOGUE
Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience thou hast gone away.
To thee, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up thine own will, takest up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page
Seventh Day – God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Thought for the day:
"Joy is the sign of union with God, of God's presence. Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love."
Ask for the grace to find joy in loving and to share this joy with all you meet.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Sixth Day – True Love is Surrender
Thought for the day:
"Allow God to use you without consulting you."
Ask for the grace to surrender your whole life to God.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 6 – St. Teresa shows the harm that may happen to spiritual persons by their not understanding when they should resist the spirit (ie. the difference between rapture and absorption). She also treats of the desires a soul may have to communicate (receive Holy Communion), and of the deceit there may be in doing so. Other important matters are mentioned for the government of the houses.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Fifth Day – Trust Jesus Blindly
Thought for the day:
"Confidence in God can do all things. It is our emptiness and lowliness that God needs and not our plenitude'"
Ask for the grace to have an unshakeable trust in God's power and love for you and for all.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Episode 19 – John 9: The Man Born Blind part 1
As we begin our study of John 9, the man born blind, Sharon reminds us that John's Gospel contains 7 signs: water changed to wine (John 2), healing of the royal official's son (John 4), healing of the lame man (John 5), feeding of the 5000 (John 6), walking on the Sea of Galilee (John 6), healing of the man born blind (John 9) and the raising of Lazarus (John 11). Some scholars add an 8th sign, the resurrection of Jesus (John 20). Focusing then on John 9, Sharon shows how the disciples were passing moral judgment against the man born blind, asking if it was his or his parent's sin that caused his blindness.
If we are honest with ourselves, we tend to do the same: we assume lung cancer is related to smoking or cirrhosis of the liver is related to alcohol abuse. Sharon then takes us to the story of Job, who lost his possessions, his health, and his children, yet never sinned by cursing God. As with the man born blind, Job's sufferings were not without meaning but instead was an opportunity for the Lord to be magnified. As we so often see, John's Gospel is intimately connected with the book of Genesis: the pre-incarnate Jesus created, while the incarnate Jesus recreated. Recalling how Adam was created from the dust, the Church fathers believed that the man of John 9 was born without eyes and that Christ recreated this man by fashioning new eyes out of dust and spittle.
In another wonderful connection with Genesis, we recall that Gihon was one of the four rivers that flowed from Eden. A river named by the same title Gihon or "Gush Forth" supplied the pool of Siloam, where the blind man washed away the mud, completing the restoration of his sight. We also remember that after forming man from the dust of the ground, the Lord breathed His own divine breath of life into man, imparting an eternal soul into Adam. The soul and body unite in a single nature, separated only at death, but to be reunited at the resurrection of the dead. Jesus uses all things for his good, including death. The curse of death resulted from the fall, yet Jesus conquered death on the cross and now our own death becomes our only avenue back to the fullness of the Trinity through Jesus! Death used to separate us from God, but now death is our way back home. As St. Paul said: "Where, O death, is your sting now?" (1 Cor. 15:55b).
Sharon gives several examples of various types of blindness in this chapter, including the blindness of the Pharisees who failed to see the glorification of God through this healing. But blindness does not have to be a terminal condition. Saul, Pharisee of Pharisees, was spiritually blind as he persecuted the early Christians. Then the Lord rendered him physically blind for three days, resulting in the most magnificent of conversions. A blind, sinful Pharisee was recreated into one of the most powerful witnesses ever to the glory of God. Jesus came for all, the righteous and the sinners. Baptismal waters gush forth to recreate all believers and fill us with His Holy Spirit.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of "Seeking Truth." An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God's Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
"Seeking Truth" is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II's call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI's exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to
Fourth Day – Our Lady Will Help You
Thought for the day:
"How close we must keep to Our Lady who understood what depth of Divine Love was being revealed as she stood at the foot of the Cross and heard Jesus cry out: 'I thirst.'"
Ask for the grace to learn from Our Lady to quench Jesus' thirst as she did.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 5 – Some directions concerning prayer.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Third Day –
Hear Him Say to You: "I Thirst"
Thought for the day:
"Just think! God is thirsting for you and me to come forward to satiate His thirst."
Ask for the grace to understand Jesus' cry of thirst.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
These are indeed good days for book lovers because we are so blessed to have yet another Christian spiritual classic broken open for us by Dr. Peter Kreeft! In "I Burned for Your Peace: Augustine's Confessions Unpacked", Dr. Kreeft gives us a guided tour through one of the finest works in all Western literature. In our conversation, we discuss how St. Augustine, in many ways, is the everyman and why is life is so important for us today. Written in a personal dialogue with God, the saint's "Confessions" is more than an autobiography or a book of theology, it is, in the end, a living prayer. It is one man's compelling witness that is, as Dr. Kreeft will say, astonishingly contemporary. St. Augustine looks at himself, so honestly, we can't help but see ourselves in the reflection. "I Burned for Your Peace" is the must have book to accompany you on this spiritual journey, especially if your heart is a restless one. So plan your pilgrimage now! Get the Frank Sheed translation of the "Confessions" as mentioned by Dr. Kreeft in our conversation and grab this book today
You can find the book here
"Two teachers we all know and trust enter into a dialogue to bring forth a Confessions for our day."
— Fr. David Meconi, S.J., Editor, The Confessions of St. Augustine
"Kreeft is always brilliant, and in this book he is even more astonishing than ever. If I were allowed only one book on the Confessions, this would be it."
—Joseph Pearce, Author, Catholic Literary Giants
"Kreeft illustrates the truth of Augustine's comment that God is more intimate to us than we are even to ourselves. Only when we realize that we are loved into being by the Triune God, will we experience the profound peace that sustains the pilgrimage to eternal life."
Fr. Matthew Lamb, Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University
From the Confessions of St. Augustine, bishop
(Lib. 7,10,18; 10,27: CSEL 33,157-163,255)
O eternal truth, true love, and beloved eternity
Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under your guidance into the inmost depth of my soul. I was able to do so because you were my helper. On entering into myself I saw, as it were with the eye of the soul, what was beyond the eye of the soul, beyond my spirit: your immutable light. It was not the ordinary light perceptible to all flesh, nor was it merely something of greater magnitude but still essentially akin, shining more clearly and diffusing itself everywhere by its intensity. No, it was something entirely distinct, something altogether different from all these things; and it did not rest above my mind as oil on the surface of water, nor was it above me as heaven is above the earth. This light was above me because it had made me; I was below it because I was created by it. He who has come to know the truth knows this light.
O Eternal truth, true love and beloved eternity. You are my God. To you do I sigh day and night. When I first came to know you, you drew me to yourself so that I might see that there were things for me to see, but that I myself was not yet ready to see them. Meanwhile you overcame the weakness of my vision, sending forth most strongly the beams of your light, and I trembled at once with love and dread. I learned that I was in a region unlike yours and far distant from you, and I thought I heard your voice from on high: "I am the food of grown men; grow then, and you will feed on me. Nor will you change me into yourself like bodily food, but you will be changed into me."
I sought a way to gain the strength which I needed to enjoy you. But I did not find it until I embraced the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who is above all, God blessed for ever. He was calling me and saying: I am the way of truth, I am the life. He was offering the food which I lacked the strength to take, the food he had mingled with our flesh. For the Word became flesh, that your wisdom, by which you created all things, might provide milk for us children.
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Second Day – Jesus Loves You
Thought for the day:
"Do not be afraid – you are precious to Jesus. He loves you."
Ask for the grace to be convinced of Jesus' unconditional and personal love for you.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Prayer during the Night
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER 8
Of the Divine Office during the Night
Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn.
But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page
First Day – Know the Living Jesus
Thought for the day:
"Don't search for Jesus in far lands; He is not there. He is close to you; He is in you."
Ask for the grace of an intimate knowledge of Jesus.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all.
Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request).
Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me.
text © Missionaries of Charity
Visit here for the complete Novena Prayer to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Day 9
St. Augustine has written:
"Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not have their existence in you, they had no existence at all. You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours." (from the "Confessions")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Episode 1 -Listening For Truth– This episode, with Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor, serves as an introduction to the series. They discuss moral judgments: What are the boundaries? They also explore the importance of giving God time to reach us and knowing how we can be properly spiritually guided.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary, in St. Louis, MO. He previously served as the Director of Theological Formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Listening for Truth leads men and women in a search for a fuller experience of God that begins in prayer, grows in the rediscovery of our spiritual being, and grounds itself in the truth of Jesus Christ. A presentation of the Christian life as an engagement of the whole person — body, mind, and soul — in the challenge of daily living.
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 4 – On certain favors which the Lord bestowed on the nuns of these monasteries, and on the manner the prioresses should conduct themselves towards the sisters.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 8
St. Augustine has written:
"I look forward, not to what lies ahead of me in this life and will surely pass away, but to my eternal goal. I am intent upon this one purpose, not distracted by other aims, and with this goal in view I press on, eager for the prize, God's heavenly summons. Then I shall listen to the sound of Your praises and gaze at Your beauty ever present, never future, never past. But now my years are but sighs. You, O Lord, are my only solace. You, my Father, are eternal. But I am divided between time gone by and time to come, and its course is a mystery to me. My thoughts, the intimate life of my soul, are torn this way and that in the havoc of change. And so it will be until I am purified and melted by the fire of Your love and fused into one with You." (from the "Confessions")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Day 7
St. Augustine has written:
"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not one who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, and something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for study."
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 3 – By what means the founding of the monastery of St. Joseph in Medina del campo began to be negotiated (and the first meeting with St. John of the Cross)
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 6
St. Augustine has written:
"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not one who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from commandments, something from examples, and something from sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for study."
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 2 – How our Father General came to Avila, and what upon his coming.
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 5
St. Augustine has written:
"A person who is a good and true Christian should realize that truth belongs to his Lord, wherever it is found, gathering and acknowledging it even in pagan literature, but rejecting superstitious vanities and deploring and avoiding those who 'though they knew God did not glorify him as God or give thanks but became enfeebled in their own thoughts and plunged their senseless minds into darkness. Claiming to be wise they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the image of corruptible mortals and animals and reptiles' [Rom. 1:21-3]"―(from "On Christian Doctrine")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Msgr. Esseff reflects so beautifully about the Queenship of Mary…Queen of Heaven. He talks about the joys and peace of the heavenly encounter with our Blessed Mother and with the Holy Trinity. It is a very special reflection…not to be missed!
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
Chapter 1 – The Foundation of Medina del Campo
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 4
St. Augustine has written:
"You are surprised that the world is losing its grip, that the world is grown old? Think of a man: he is born, he grows up, he becomes old. Old age has its many complaints: coughing, shaking, failing eyesight, anxious, terribly tired. A man grows old; he is full of complaints. The world is old; it is full of pressing tribulations. . . . Do not hold onto the old man, the world; do not refuse to regain your youth in Christ, who says to you, 'The world is passing away, the world is losing its grip, the world is short of breath. Do not fear. Thy youth shall be renewed as an eagle"
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Fighting the Demons
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER I
an excerpt:
The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.
Special note: Fr. Mauritius speaks of a book by Evagrius of Pontus, the link is below :
Evagrius Of Pontus: Talking Back: A Monastic Handbook for Combating Demons (Cistercian Studies)
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page
The Book of the Foundations
By
St. Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa's Preface from the Book of Foundations
For all chapters of the audiobook visit: The Book of Foundations audio page
For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here
Translated by The Rev. John Dalton
Thomas Jones, London [1853]
Read by Kris McGregor
Day 3
St. Augustine has written:
"The wisdom of what a person says is in direct proportion to his progress in learning the holy scriptures–and I am not speaking of intensive reading or memorization, but real understanding and careful investigation of their meaning. Some people read them but neglect them; by their reading they profit in knowledge, by their neglect they forfeit understanding." (from "On Christian Doctrine")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
In this episode Dr. Lilles begins the discussion on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and his teachings found in "The 12 Steps to Humility and Pride".
Day 2
St. Augustine has written:
"Though good and bad men suffer alike, we must not suppose that there is no difference between the men themselves, because there is no difference in what they both suffer. For even in the likeness of the sufferings, there remains an unlikeness in the sufferers; and though exposed to the same anguish, virtue and vice are not the same thing. For as the same fire causes gold to glow brightly, and chaff to smoke; and under the same flail the straw is beaten small, while the grain is cleansed; and as the lees are not mixed with the oil, though squeezed out of the vat by the same pressure, so the same violence of affliction proves, purges, clarifies the good, but damns, ruins, exterminates the wicked." (from "The City of God")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Teresa of Avila
Born: March 28, 1515, Gotarrendura, Spain
Died: October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
For more on St. Teresa of Avila and her teachings visit her Discerning Hearts page
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Teresa of Avila
It is far from easy to sum up in a few words Teresa's profound and articulate spirituality. I would like to mention a few essential points. In the first place St Teresa proposes the evangelical virtues as the basis of all Christian and human life and in particular, detachment from possessions, that is, evangelical poverty, and this concerns all of us; love for one another as an essential element of community and social life; humility as love for the truth; determination as a fruit of Christian daring; theological hope, which she describes as the thirst for living water. Then we should not forget the human virtues: affability, truthfulness, modesty, courtesy, cheerfulness, culture.
Secondly, St Teresa proposes a profound harmony with the great biblical figures and eager listening to the word of God. She feels above all closely in tune with the Bride in the Song of Songs and with the Apostle Paul, as well as with Christ in the Passion and with Jesus in the Eucharist. The Saint then stresses how essential prayer is. Praying, she says, "means being on terms of friendship with God frequently conversing in secret with him who, we know, loves us" (Vida 8, 5). St Teresa's idea coincides with Thomas Aquinas' definition of theological charity as "amicitia quaedam hominis ad Deum", a type of human friendship with God, who offered humanity his friendship first; it is from God that the initiative comes (cf. Summa Theologiae II-II, 23, 1).
Prayer is life and develops gradually, in pace with the growth of Christian life: it begins with vocal prayer, passes through interiorization by means of meditation and recollection, until it attains the union of love with Christ and with the Holy Trinity. Obviously, in the development of prayer climbing to the highest steps does not mean abandoning the previous type of prayer. Rather, it is a gradual deepening of the relationship with God that envelops the whole of life.
Rather than a pedagogy Teresa's is a true "mystagogy" of prayer: she teaches those who read her works how to pray by praying with them. Indeed, she often interrupts her account or exposition with a prayerful outburst.
Another subject dear to the Saint is the centrality of Christ's humanity. For Teresa, in fact, Christian life is the personal relationship with Jesus that culminates in union with him through grace, love and imitation. Hence the importance she attaches to meditation on the Passion and on the Eucharist as the presence of Christ in the Church for the life of every believer, and as the heart of the Liturgy. St Teresa lives out unconditional love for the Church: she shows a lively "sensus Ecclesiae", in the face of the episodes of division and conflict in the Church of her time.
She reformed the Carmelite Order with the intention of serving and...
Day 1
St. Augustine has written:
"No one knows what he himself is made of, except his own spirit within him, yet there is still some part of him which remains hidden even from his own spirit; but you, Lord, know everything about a human being because you have made him…Let me, then, confess what I know about myself, and confess too what I do not know, because what I know of myself I know only because you shed light on me, and what I do not know I shall remain ignorant about until my darkness becomes like bright noon before your face." (from the "Confessions")
Heavenly Father,
we turn to you now with the intentions we hold in our hearts,
as pray as St. Augustine has taught:
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries
of the universe in relation to eternity.
Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision
to follow Jesus' way of love.
Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice
and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.
May we respect life
as we work to solve problems of family and nation,
economy and ecology.
Spirit of God,
spark our faith,
hope and love into new action each day.
Fill our lives with wonder and awe
in your presence which penetrates all creation.
Intercede for us, , St. Augustine
That God may favorably hear our plea
And that He may grant us the grace
To accept His will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.
Amen.
For the complete 9 Day novena visit the "Discerning Hearts St. Augustine of Hippo Novena – Mp3 audio and text page"
Day 9
St. Bernard you have said:
"Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son. There can be no doubt that whatever we say in praise of the Mother gives equal praise to the Son. O Blessed Mary, whoever loves you honors God; whoever serves you pleases God; whoever invokes your holy name with a pure heart will infallibly receive the object of his petition."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 3 part 3 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF THE SAME SUBJECT AND OF THE WAY GOD IS SOMETIMES PLEASED TO SPEAK TO THE SOUL. HOW WE SHOULD BEHAVE IN SUCH A CASE, IN WHICH WE MUST NOT FOLLOW OUR OWN OPINION. GIVES SIGNS TO SHOW HOW TO DISCOVER WHETHER THIS FAVOUR IS A DECEPTION OR NOT: THIS IS VERY NOTEWORTHY3
- Locutions. 2. Sometimes caused by melancholia. 3. Caution needed at first. 4. Locutions frequently occur during prayer. 5. Resist those containing false doctrine. 6. First sign of genuine locutions. 7. Effect of the words: 'Be not troubled.' 8. 'It is I, be not afraid.' 9. 'Be at Peace.' 10. Second sign. 11. Third sign. 12. The devil suggests doubts about true locutions. 13. Confidence of the soul rewarded. 14. Its joy at seeing God's words verified. 15. Its zeal for God's honour. 16. Locutions coining from the fancy. 17. Imaginary answers given to prayer. 18. A confessor should be consulted about locutions. 19. Interior locutions. 20. First sign of genuine interior locutions. 21. Second sign. 22. Third sign. 23. Fourth sign. 24. Fifth sign. 25. Results of true locutions. 26. They should remove alarm. 27. Answer to an objection.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 8
St. Bernard you have said:
"Many appear full of mildness and sweetness as long as everything goes their own way; but the moment any contradiction or adversity arises, they are in a flame, and begin to rage like a burning mountain. Such people as these are like red-hot coals hidden under ashes. This is not the mildness which Our Lord undertook to teach us in order to make us like unto Himself."
"If anyone makes himself his own master in the spiritual life, he makes himself scholar to a fool."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Conference 4 -Living with Hope – Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Conference talk 4 from the Discerning Hearts Seminar/Retreat held online in late spring 2020 with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Personal Spiritual Directory: If I should fall even a thousand times, I will not lose courage, I will not be troubled, but I will always say immediately with peace, Nunc coepi [Now I begin]. My God, I have acted in accord with what I am, what else could you have expected from me, nor would I have stopped here had you not held me back; act now in accordance with what you are, I do not desire to think so poorly of you, that I could think that you allow yourself to be conquered by my faults, when I know that you hold my conversion and salvation so deeply in your heart.
For a lay woman: "If I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times a day I will begin again, with new awareness of my weakness, promising God, with a peaceful heart, to amend my life. I will never think of God as if he were of our condition and grows weary of our wavering, weakness, and negligence. Rather, I will think of what is truly characteristic of him and what he prizes most highly, that is, his goodness and mercy, knowing that he is a loving Father who understands our weakness, is patient with us, and forgives us."
Letters of Spiritual Direction: "Keep constantly before you these two proposals that I urge you to renew often and with a holy persistence: first, never to offend God knowingly, and, second, if you should fall, never to persevere in this with your will, but, with humility and courage, to rise immediately and begin again, firmly convinced that God forgives you in the instant itself that with humility and trust you ask his forgiveness."
"It is very important that we understand deeply how good God is, and not measure him by our own limitations or think that he tires of our wavering, weakness, and negligence. Our God is not such. Let us think of him as he truly is, filled with goodness, mercy, and compassion, and let us know him as the loving Father he is, who raises us when we have fallen, who never tires of forgiving us, and to whom we give great joy and honor when we seek forgiveness."
"Say then with boldness, "Now I begin," and go forward constantly in God's service. Do not look back so often, because one who looks back cannot run. And do not be content to begin only for this year. Begin every day, because it is for every day, even for every hour of the day, that the Lord taught us to say in the Our Father, 'Forgive us our trespasses,' and 'Give us this day our daily bread.'"
"Be on guard against discouragement and lack of trust. Strive to do well all that you do, but do this with respect for your humanity, without striving for an impossible perfection, focusing simply on the day at hand. Remember that 'The just man falls seven times a day,' and so you will find blessing in beginning not only every day, but every hour."
"Holiness does not consist in never failing, but in rising immediately, recognizing our weakness and asking God's forgiveness, and in doing this with peace of heart, without letting ourselves be troubled."
Counsels to a married woman: I will never give in to discouragement, no matter what fault I fall into. Convinced that I will fall often, I will immediately ask forgiveness of God and will always try to correct myself. If I fall one thousand times a day, one thousand times I will-begin again. I will recognize my misery, but with equal peace of spirit I will promise God to amend my life.
I will take care not to think of the Divine Majesty as if he were of our condition, that is, that he were weary of so much instability, weakness, and forgetfulness, punishing me, therefore,
Day 7
St. Bernard you have said:
"It was love that motivated His self-emptying, that led Him to become a little lower than angels, to be subject to parents, to bow His head beneath the Baptist's hands, to endure the weakness of the flesh, and to submit to death even upon the cross"
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the source of universal hope…Jesus Christ. Our wickedness cannot beat the depth of God's great mercy. How great is your faith? Have you found the house of prayer in you?
Gospel
MT 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus' disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.
Find more talks by Msgr. John Esseff by visiting his Discerning Hearts podcast page
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders.
Day 6
St. Bernard you have said:
"Let no one believe that he has received the divine kiss, if he knows the truth without loving it or loves it without understanding it. But blessed is that kiss whereby not only is God recognized but also the Father is loved; for there is never full knowledge without perfect love."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and what death really means.
Reading 2 1 COR 15:20-27
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for "he subjected everything under his feet."
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 9
O Blessed Mother Assumed into Heaven, after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, we rejoice that you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in Heaven by the Holy Trinity.
Lift our hearts with you in the glory of your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity.
Teach us how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven. Make us realize that death is the triumphant gate through which we shall pass to your Son and that someday our bodies shall rejoin our souls in the unending bliss of heaven.
From this earth, over which we tread as pilgrims, we look to you for help.
In honor of your Assumption into Heaven we ask for this favor.
(mention your request)
When our hour of death has come, lead us safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of God for all eternity together with you.
Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Day 5
St. Bernard you have said:
"Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts, Thou fount of life, thou Light of men, From the best bliss that earth imparts We turn unfilled to Thee again. We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, And long to feast upon Thee still: We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead, And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. O Jesus, ever with us stay, Make all our moments calm and bright; Chase the dark night of sin away, Shed o'er the world Thy holy light."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Episode 18 – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today's World with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B., Ph.D.
Listening to God's Voice…Obedience
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER V
Of ObedienceThe first degree of humility is obedience without delay. This becometh those who, on account of the holy subjection which they have promised, or of the fear of hell, or the glory of life everlasting, hold nothing dearer than Christ. As soon as anything hath been commanded by the Superior they permit no delay in the execution, as if the matter had been commanded by God Himself. Of these the Lord saith: "At the hearing of the ear he hath obeyed Me" (Ps 17[18]:45). And again He saith to the teachers: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16).Such as these, therefore, instantly quitting their own work and giving up their own will, with hands disengaged, and leaving unfinished what they were doing, follow up, with the ready step of obedience, the work of command with deeds; and thus, as if in the same moment, both matters — the master's command and the disciple's finished work — are, in the swiftness of the fear of God, speedily finished together, whereunto the desire of advancing to eternal life urgeth them. They, therefore, seize upon the narrow way whereof the Lord saith: "Narrow is the way which leadeth to life" (Mt 7:14), so that, not living according to their own desires and pleasures but walking according to the judgment and will of another, they live in monasteries, and desire an Abbot to be over them. Such as these truly live up to the maxim of the Lord in which He saith: "I came not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38).
This obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men then only, if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling or complaint, because the obedience which is rendered to Superiors is rendered to God. For He Himself hath said: "He that heareth you heareth Me" (Lk 10:16). And it must be rendered by the disciples with a good will, "for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). " For if the disciple obeyeth with an ill will, and murmureth, not only with lips but also in his heart, even though he fulfil the command, yet it will not be acceptable to God, who regardeth the heart of the murmurer. And for such an action he acquireth no reward; rather he incurreth the penalty of murmurers, unless he maketh satisfactory amendment.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
For more, be sure to visit The Holy Rule of St. Benedict Rule with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. Podcast Discerning Hearts page
Episode 19 – John 9: The Man Born Blind part 1
As we begin our study of John 9, the man born blind, Sharon reminds us that John's Gospel contains 7 signs: water changed to wine (John 2), healing of the royal official's son (John 4), healing of the lame man (John 5), feeding of the 5000 (John 6), walking on the Sea of Galilee (John 6), healing of the man born blind (John 9) and the raising of Lazarus (John 11). Some scholars add an 8th sign, the resurrection of Jesus (John 20). Focusing then on John 9, Sharon shows how the disciples were passing moral judgment against the man born blind, asking if it was his or his parent's sin that caused his blindness.
If we are honest with ourselves, we tend to do the same: we assume lung cancer is related to smoking or cirrhosis of the liver is related to alcohol abuse. Sharon then takes us to the story of Job, who lost his possessions, his health, and his children, yet never sinned by cursing God. As with the man born blind, Job's sufferings were not without meaning but instead was an opportunity for the Lord to be magnified. As we so often see, John's Gospel is intimately connected with the book of Genesis: the pre-incarnate Jesus created, while the incarnate Jesus recreated. Recalling how Adam was created from the dust, the Church fathers believed that the man of John 9 was born without eyes and that Christ recreated this man by fashioning new eyes out of dust and spittle.
In another wonderful connection with Genesis, we recall that Gihon was one of the four rivers that flowed from Eden. A river named by the same title Gihon or "Gush Forth" supplied the pool of Siloam, where the blind man washed away the mud, completing the restoration of his sight. We also remember that after forming man from the dust of the ground, the Lord breathed His own divine breath of life into man, imparting an eternal soul into Adam. The soul and body unite in a single nature, separated only at death, but to be reunited at the resurrection of the dead. Jesus uses all things for his good, including death. The curse of death resulted from the fall, yet Jesus conquered death on the cross and now our own death becomes our only avenue back to the fullness of the Trinity through Jesus! Death used to separate us from God, but now death is our way back home. As St. Paul said: "Where, O death, is your sting now?" (1 Cor. 15:55b).
Sharon gives several examples of various types of blindness in this chapter, including the blindness of the Pharisees who failed to see the glorification of God through this healing. But blindness does not have to be a terminal condition. Saul, Pharisee of Pharisees, was spiritually blind as he persecuted the early Christians. Then the Lord rendered him physically blind for three days, resulting in the most magnificent of conversions. A blind, sinful Pharisee was recreated into one of the most powerful witnesses ever to the glory of God. Jesus came for all, the righteous and the sinners. Baptismal waters gush forth to recreate all believers and fill us with His Holy Spirit.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of "Seeking Truth." An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God's Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page
"Seeking Truth" is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II's call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI's exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 8
Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, we rejoice that you are the Queen of Heaven and Earth. You have given your holy fiat to God and became the Mother of our Savior.
Obtain peace and salvation for us through your prayers, for you have given birth to Christ our Lord, the Savior of all mankind.
Intercede for us and bring our petitions before the Throne of God.
(mention your request)
Through your prayers, may our souls be filled with an intense desire to be like you, a humble vessel of the Holy Spirit and a servant of the Almighty God.
Pray for us O Queen Assumed into Heaven, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Day 4
St. Bernard you have said:
"Ignorance is brutal, arrogance is devilish. Pride only, the chief of all iniquities, can make us treat gifts as if they were rightful attributes of our nature, and, while receiving benefits, rob our Benefactor of His due glory."
"Let your prayer for temporal blessings be strictly limited to things absolutely necessary."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Teresa of Avila
Born: March 28, 1515, Gotarrendura, Spain
Died: October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
For more on St. Teresa of Avila and her teachings visit her Discerning Hearts page
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Teresa of Avila
St Teresa, whose name was Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada, was born in Avila, Spain, in 1515. In her autobiography she mentions some details of her childhood: she was born into a large family, her "father and mother, who were devout and feared God", into a large family. She had three sisters and nine brothers.
While she was still a child and not yet nine years old she had the opportunity to read the lives of several Martyrs which inspired in her such a longing for martyrdom that she briefly ran away from home in order to die a Martyr's death and to go to Heaven (cf. Vida, [Life], 1, 4); "I want to see God", the little girl told her parents.
A few years later Teresa was to speak of her childhood reading and to state that she had discovered in it the way of truth which she sums up in two fundamental principles.
On the one hand was the fact that "all things of this world will pass away" while on the other God alone is "for ever, ever, ever", a topic that recurs in her best known poem: "Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices". She was about 12 years old when her mother died and she implored the Virgin Most Holy to be her mother (cf. Vida, I, 7).
If in her adolescence the reading of profane books had led to the distractions of a worldly life, her experience as a pupil of the Augustinian nuns of Santa María de las Gracias de Avila and her reading of spiritual books, especially the classics of Franciscan spirituality, introduced her to recollection and prayer.
When she was 20 she entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, also in Avila. In her religious life she took the name "Teresa of Jesus". Three years later she fell seriously ill, so ill that she remained in a coma for four days, looking as if she were dead (cf. Vida, 5, 9).
In the fight against her own illnesses too the Saint saw the combat against weaknesses and the resistance to God's call: "I wished to live", she wrote, "but I saw clearly that I was not living, but rather wrestling with the shadow of death; there was no one to give me life, and I was not able to take it. He who could have given it to me had good reasons for not coming to my aid, seeing that he had brought me back to himself so many times, and I as often had left him" (Vida, 7, 8).
In 1543 she lost the closeness of her relatives; her father died and all her siblings, one after another, emigrated to America. In Lent 1554, when she was 39 years old, Teresa reached the climax of her struggle against her own weaknesses. The fortuitous discovery of the statue of "a Christ most grievously wounded", left a deep mark on her life (cf. Vida, 9).
The Saint,
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 7
Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that we are and bind us to Jesus with the bonds of love, that we may be yours forever and may be able to say in all truth:
âI belong to Jesus through Maryâ.
Our Mother, Assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe, ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain for us what we ask for if it be for the glory of God and the good of our souls.
(mention your request)
Our Mother, assumed into Heaven, we love you. Give us a greater love for Jesus and for you.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 3
St. Bernard you have said:
"Righteousness is the natural and essential food of the soul, which can no more be satisfied by earthly treasures than the hunger of the body can be satisfied by air. If you should see a starving man standing with mouth open to the wind, inhaling draughts of air as if in hope of gratifying his hunger, you would think him lunatic. But it is no less foolish to imagine that the soul can be satisfied with worldly things which only inflate it without feeding it."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you, we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
Prayer In This Present Moment with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. part 2
Join Kris McGregor in a special conversation with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. about prayer and our spiritual life in this present moment. Learning to listen at the level of the heart is discussed and the crisis today of what Deacon Keating terms the "Triumph of the Journalistic," which can be found not only in the news media but also in theology and other spiritual arenas. In this episode, he also discusses the importance of identifying ourselves in the heart of the Eucharist.
For the first part of our discussion visit here:
Prayer In This Present Moment part 1 with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Special Podcast
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of spiritual theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary located in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
For many more of Deacon Keating's podcast series visit his Discerning Hearts Podcast Page
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 6
Mary, our dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive our poor hearts with all their freedom and desires, all the love and all the virtues and graces with which they may be adorned.
All we are and all we might be, all we have and hold in the order of nature as well as of grace, we have received from God through your loving intercession.
Help us dear Mother to surrender to God all that we have including our petitions.
(mention your request)
Our Lady and Queen, into your gentle hands, we entrust all, that it may be returned to its noble origin.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 2
St. Bernard you have said:
"The man who is wise, therefore, will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. The canal simultaneously pours out what it receives; the reservoir retains the water till it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself … Today there are many in the Church who act like canals, the reservoirs are far too rare … You too must learn to await this fullness before pouring out your gifts, do not try to be more generous than God."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
For the complete novena visit:
The Nine Day Novena to St. Bernard of Clairvaux – Mp3 audio and Text
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 3 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF THE SAME SUBJECT AND OF THE WAY GOD IS SOMETIMES PLEASED TO SPEAK TO THE SOUL. HOW WE SHOULD BEHAVE IN SUCH A CASE, IN WHICH WE MUST NOT FOLLOW OUR OWN OPINION. GIVES SIGNS TO SHOW HOW TO DISCOVER WHETHER THIS FAVOUR IS A DECEPTION OR NOT: THIS IS VERY NOTEWORTHY3
- Locutions. 2. Sometimes caused by melancholia. 3. Caution needed at first. 4. Locutions frequently occur during prayer. 5. Resist those containing false doctrine. 6. First sign of genuine locutions. 7. Effect of the words: 'Be not troubled.' 8. 'It is I, be not afraid.' 9. 'Be at Peace.' 10. Second sign. 11. Third sign. 12. The devil suggests doubts about true locutions. 13. Confidence of the soul rewarded. 14. Its joy at seeing God's words verified. 15. Its zeal for God's honour. 16. Locutions coining from the fancy. 17. Imaginary answers given to prayer. 18. A confessor should be consulted about locutions. 19. Interior locutions. 20. First sign of genuine interior locutions. 21. Second sign. 22. Third sign. 23. Fourth sign. 24. Fifth sign. 25. Results of true locutions. 26. They should remove alarm. 27. Answer to an objection.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
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The Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 1
St. Bernard you have said:
"Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire… Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives."
St. Bernard you have given us this prayer and with you we pray:
(The Memorare)
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The music chant used within this prayer is an excerpt from "Missa pro defunctis – VI. Offertorium" by Giammatteo Asola preformed by Papalin under creative common license
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Day 5
O merciful and loving Mother, may your glorious beauty fill our hearts with a distaste for earthly things and an ardent longing for the joys of Heaven.
May your merciful eyes glance down upon our struggles and our weakness in this vale of tears.
Hear then loving Mother, our request and plead to Jesus for us.
(mention your request)
Crown us with the pure robe of innocence and grace here, and with immortality and glory in Heaven.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Conference 3 – A Spiritual Program – Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Conference talk 3 from the Discerning Hearts Seminar/Retreat held online late spring 2020 with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Letters of Venerable Bruno Lanteri to his spiritual directee, Gabriella Solaro della Margarita
2. Madame,
I would like to use this opportunity of the departure [from Turin] of Monsieur your son for some profit, but I do not know of what I should speak: Should I praise you for your fidelity to God?
Ought I chide you? I do not know at all. So I will take a sure course and that is to counsel you to begin each day, abandoning the past to the Lord's mercy and the future to his divine Providence. In the meantime, reflect each day that you are entrusted with a mission by the good God. In regard to your temporal affairs, never let anything trouble you, and the same with respect to your faults, taking care to counteract them immediately by an act of love of God. Be attentive to practice the virtues of patience and gentleness; you can make a special examination concerning this in the evening and at midday.
Do not forget meditation, at least for a quarter of an hour, frequently raising up your heart to God throughout the day. Remember spiritual reading as well, if it be but a single page. Finally, do not fail to receive communion at least two or three times a week. I beg you to inform me about all these things, praying to the good God that he assist you in carrying them out.
It may be that I will come myself to learn how you are doing. It would be a great consolation for me, and I hope for it all the more since my eyes, which continually grow weaker, will not permit me to dedicate myself to other occupations that might hinder me from coming, as happened last year.
I do not have time to remain longer with you in this letter as I would desire, and so I conclude by recommending myself to your holy prayers, and blessing you, having the honor of being,
Your Servant and Father in Jesus Christ, Fr. Bruno Lanteri, Turin, July 4, 1808
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom,
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 4
O Dearest Mother Mary, Assumed into Heaven, God placed you at His right hand that you may intercede for his little ones as the Mother of God.
In the midst of all the Saints you stand as their Queen and ours – dearer to the Heart of God than any creation. You pray for your children and give to us every grace won by our loving Savior on the Cross.
Please intercede for us in our needs and ask Jesus to grant our request if it be for the good of our souls.
(mention your request)
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 9
A blessing from St. Clare:
I, Clare, a handmaid of Christ, a little plant of our holy Father Francis, a sister and mother of you and the other Poor Sisters, although unworthy, ask our Lord Jesus Christ through His mercy and through the intercession of His most holy Mother Mary, of Blessed Michael the Archangel and all the holy angels of God, and of all His men and women saints, that the heavenly Father give you and confirm for you this most holy blessing in heaven and on earth. On earth, may He increase [His] grace and virtues among His servants and handmaids of His Church Militant. In heaven, may He exalt and glorify you in His Church Triumphant among all His men and women saints.
Always be lovers of God and your souls and the souls of your Sisters, and always be eager to observe what you have promised the Lord.
May the Lord be with you always and, wherever you are, may you be with Him always. Amen
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
Join Msgr. John Esseff as he asks the question, "What does it mean to believe?" He explores the thought through several moments he shared with Mother Teresa, now known as St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Gospel
MT 14:22-33
After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
"It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 3
O Mother, Assumed into Heaven, because you shared in all the mysteries of our Redemption here below, Jesus has crowned you with glory.
With your most glorious and powerful intercession, help us O loving Mother and present to Jesus our request.
(mention your request)
O Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 8
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, you have cast aside Your garments, that is, earthly riches, so that You might not be overcome by the one fighting against You, [and] that You might enter the kingdom of heaven through the straight path and narrow gate.
What a great laudable exchange:
to leave the things of time for those of eternity,
to choose the things of heaven for the goods of earth,
to receive the hundred-fold in place of one,
and to possess a blessed and eternal life.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
The Value of Listening and Silence
From Chapter 17 of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER XLII
That No One Speak after Complin
Monks should always be given to silence, especially, however, during the hours of the night. Therefore, on every day, whether of fast or of a mid-day meal, as soon as they have risen from their evening meal, let all sit together in one place, and let one read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers, or something else that will edify the hearers; not, however, the Heptateuch or the Books of the Kings, because it would not be wholesome for weak minds to hear this part of the Scripture at that hour; they should, however, be read at other times. But if it was a fast-day, then, when Vespers have been said, and after a short interval, let them next come together for the reading of the Conferences, as we have said; and when the four or five pages have been read, or as much as the hour will permit, and all have assembled in one place during the time of the reading, let him also come who was perchance engaged in work enjoined on him. All, therefore, having assembled in one place, let them say Complin, and after going out from Complin, let there be no more permission from that time on for anyone to say anything.
If, however, anyone is found to break this rule, let him undergo heavy punishment, unless the needs of guests should arise, or the Abbot should perhaps give a command to anyone. But let even this be done with the utmost gravity and moderation.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 2
Mary, Assumed into Heaven, we venerate you as the Queen of Heaven and earth. As you tasted the bitterness of pain and sorrow with your Son on earth, you now enjoy eternal bliss with Him in Heaven.
Loving Queen, intercede for us in our needs.
(mention your request)
We praise Jesus for giving us such a loving mother.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 7
From the testament of St. Clare
In the Lord Jesus Christ, I admonish and exhort all my sisters, both those present and those to come, to strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility, and poverty and [to preserve] the integrity of [our] holy manner of life, as we were taught by our blessed Father Francis from the beginning of our conversion to Christ. Thus may they always remain in the fragrance of a good name (cf. 2 Cor 2:15), both among those who are afar off and those who are near. [This will take place] not by our own merits but solely by the mercy and grace of our Benefactor, the Father of mercies (cf. 2 Cor 1:3).
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life in body and soul.
You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body.
As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, give to us a renewed confidence in the victory of
life over death.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Day 1
Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen of Heaven and earth.
We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we honor you.
We are confident that you watch over our daily lives and we ask that you intercede for us now.
(mention your request)
We are comforted by our faith in the coming Resurrection and we look to you for prayers and comfort.
After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blest fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
O Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Amen.
Day 6
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
The kingdom of heaven is promised and given by the Lord only to the poor: for he who loves temporal things loses the fruit of love. Such a person cannot serve God and Mammon, for either the one is loved and the other is hated, or the one is served and the other despised.
You also know that one who is clothed cannot fight with another who is naked, because he is more quickly thrown who gives his adversary a chance to get hold of him; and that one who lives in the glory of earth cannot rule with Christ in heaven.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
The Final Part: on Hope and What We Can Do
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
Episode 18 – John 8: I Am the Light part 2
The Feast of Tabernacles continues as we enter John 8. Also known as Sukkot or the Feast of Booths, Tabernacles is a joyous feast of endless light. On the climatic final day of the feast, Jesus declares that he is thee light of the world. Before continuing with the story of the woman caught in adultery, Sharon gives us a fascinating look into the feast of Tabernacles and raises the intriguing question: was Jesus actually born on this feast day? Working backward from that date, Jesus' conception would have taken place at the time of Hanukah, which then leads Sharon to teach us about this feast day which celebrates the rededication of the Temple.
Around 330 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Israel along with much of the Mediterranean, and at his death, his kingdom was divided into four quadrants, one of which was the Seleucid Empire that ruled over Israel. In 167 BC as an act of retribution, Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem, inflicting 80,000 casualties and captives. Under the threat of death, the Jews were forced to adopt Greek religious practices: a statue of Zeus was placed in the temple and the altar was desecrated by pagan sacrifices. In an uprising led by Judas Maccabees, the Seleucids were expelled and the temple rededicated.
The feast of Hanukah, also known as the Feast of Lights, commemorates this event. Was Jesus, the Light of the World, conceived on the Feast of Lights? Was Jesus, the Light of the World, born during the feast of endless light of Tabernacles? What evidence might support this idea? Theologically, it would make sense: Jesus, the light of the world conceived and born on feast days that celebrate light. Chronologically, it would make sense: depending on the year, Hanukah and Tabernacles are separated by 40 weeks. Yet, the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25th, approximately two months after Tabernacles. Why? Pope Benedict XVI explains.
For the first 500 years of the Church, March 25th was celebrated as the day of the cross and Easter was an immovable feast day. In addition, ancient traditions also held that March 25th was the day of the creation of the world, and March 28th, the day of the creation of the sun. The creation of the cosmos was seen as the pre-annunciation of Christ, which led to the theological conclusion that the dates of Jesus' conception and passion were the same day: March 25th. Therefore, nine months later we celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25th. The dates of Jesus conception, birth and passion have a cosmic significance.
Sharon then returns to John 9. The morning after the final day of the feast of Tabernacles, a woman caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus. Attempting to trap Jesus, the elders are actually convicted of their own sin by failing to uphold the judicial laws that they so rigidly observed. Sharon then unveils the meaning of Jesus' writing in the dust. On the Day of Atonement, which is celebrated just prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, the High Priest reads Jeramiah 17:13: those who turn away from the Lord will be written in the dust. Convicted of their own sin and reminded of the familiar words of Jeremiah, the elders walk away in shame. Sharon goes further into the spiritual meaning of the adulterous women of John's Gospel. The Samaritan woman of John 4 symbolizes the wayward northern tribes and the woman caught in adultery in John 8 represents the southern tribes.
Jesus, the light of the world, the living water, comes to unite the separated tribes of Israel and the entire world in preparation for the final cosmic battle against Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of "Seeking Truth." An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself i...
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Day 5
From a letter to Ermentrude of Bruges
O dearest, look on heaven that invites us, and bear the cross and follow Christ who preceded us; indeed, after various and many tribulations we shall enter through him into his glory. Love with your whole heart God and Jesus, his son, crucified for our sins, and never let his memory escape your mind; make yourself mediate continually on the mysteries of the cross and the anguish of the mother standing beneath the cross.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl, you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
Prayer in the Present Moment with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. part 1
Join Kris McGregor in a special conversation with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. about prayer and our spiritual life in this present moment. Learning to listen at the level of the heart is discussed and the crisis today of what Deacon Keating terms the "Triumph of the Journalistic," which can found not only in the news media but also in theology and other spiritual arenas. He warns of the spiritual danger of following the latest spiritual "guru." He points us to those who speak out of real communion with Christ while giving us hallmarks of what true spiritual directors and spiritual leaders look like.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of spiritual theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary located in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
For many more of Deacon Keating's podcast series visit his Discerning Hearts Podcast Page
Day 4
From a letter to Ermentrude of Bruges
This labour of ours is brief, but the reward is eternal; let the noises of the fleeting world and its shadow not confound you; let the empty spectres of the deceiving world not drive you mad; shut your ears to the whispers of hell and, strong, break down its attempts [against you]; willingly bear adverse evils and let provident goods not puff you up; for the one requires faith, the other demands it; what you promised God, faithfully render, and he will repay you.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl, you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
Prayer for the Intercession of
Venerable Bruno Lanteri
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness, you gave Venerable Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your word and a witness to your mercy.
He had a tender love for Mary, and by his very life, he taught fidelity to the Church.
Father, hear the prayer of your family, and through the intercession of Father Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we askâ¦
May he be raised to the altars, that we may give You greater praise. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, pray for us.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 1 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF SEVERAL WAYS WHEREBY OUR LORD QUICKENS THE SOUL; THERE APPEARS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM IN THEM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE SIGNAL FAVOURS OF A VERY EXALTED NATURE.
- Our Lord excites the love of His spouse. 2. The wound of love. 3. The pain it causes. 4. The call of the Bridegroom. 5. Effect on the soul. 6. A spark of the fire of love. 7. The spark dies out. 8. This grace evidently divine. 9. One such wound repays many trials. 10. First reason of immunity from deception. 11. Second and third reasons. 12. The imagination not concerned in it. 13. St. Teresa never alarmed at this prayer. 14. 'The odour of Thine ointment.' 15. No reason to fear deception here.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visitThe Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF SEVERAL WAYS WHEREBY OUR LORD QUICKENS THE SOUL; THERE APPEARS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM IN THEM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE SIGNAL FAVOURS OF A VERY EXALTED NATURE.
- Our Lord excites the love of His spouse. 2. The wound of love. 3. The pain it causes. 4. The call of the Bridegroom. 5. Effect on the soul. 6. A spark of the fire of love. 7. The spark dies out. 8. This grace evidently divine. 9. One such wound repays many trials. 10. First reason of immunity from deception. 11. Second and third reasons. 12. The imagination not concerned in it. 13. St. Teresa never alarmed at this prayer. 14. 'The odour of Thine ointment.' 15. No reason to fear deception here.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visitThe Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Day 3
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
Consider also the midst of his life, his humility, or at least his blessed poverty, the countless hardships, and the punishments that he endured for the redemption of the human race. Indeed, ponder the final days of this mirrored one, contemplate the ineffable love with which he was willing to suffer on the tree of the cross and to die there a kind of death that is more shameful than any other. That mirror suspended upon the wood of the cross from there kept urging those passing by of what must be considered, saying: O all you who pass by this way, look and see if there is any suffering like my suffering. In response let us with one voice and in one spirit answer him who is crying out and lamenting: I will remember this over and over and my soul will sink within me.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 9 – Opening to the Supreme Joy: Friendship with Jesus
"[The heart of the human person] finds itself in great distress without a close union with God, because only the fullness of being, of intelligence and of love, the infinite Unity and ineffable Trinity of God, can fill and satisfy its immense capacity."
"The Church sings the solemn chant: Nobis datus, nobis natus–For us he has been given, for us he is born! Who would ever doubt this truth after so many testimonies? Jesus Christ is all for us. His Father gave him to us. He gave himself to us. There is no other acquisition better than this gift. He is therefore mine. Yes, he is mine and belongs to me. Oh Love! Oh Goodness! What is necessary on my part to gain this gift, greater than any gift, that contains in itself every other gift? Three things are necessary: faith, confidence and offering."
"They are always in Jesus' company; they are always conversing with Jesus. They strive to keep their memory gently fixed on Jesus, to accustom their intellect to always see and judge everything according to Jesus, to keep their will always tranquil and united to that of Jesus."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to become a living copy of Jesus, letting him rejoice in me.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Conference 2 – A Spiritual Program – Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Conference talk 2 from the Discerning Hearts Seminar/Retreat held online late spring 2020 with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Letters of Venerable Bruno Lanteri to his spiritual directee, Gabriella Solaro della Margarita
- My Lady and my Daughter in Jesus Christ,
Your letter just arrived; I was glad to receive it, and it gave me real joy. I am happy to hear that your trip went well, and that your whole family is in good health. I see no reason why you may not entrust your little Louise to your dear sister, the Lady Countess Vidua. She could not be in better hands, and the reasons for doing so are many. In my view, you may do this with total peace of heart.
And it gives me greater happiness still to know that Fr. Ferrero is already there with you. It is important, then, to begin immediately, to arrange with him for receiving Communion, and to do so as often as you can. You must be consistently faithful to meditation and to spiritual reading, if it be only a quarter of an hour of meditation and a single page of spiritual reading, and the same also for the examination of conscience which you can do while you are working. Do not forget to raise your heart frequently, but gently and with peace, to God, and to make acts of mortification, especially interior ones; for you, this means the effort to live each moment with a gentle and joyful spirit. For the love of God, I beg of you to wage continual warfare against negative moods, and never fail to begin again.
Do not wait until you have devotion to begin these things. Begin even without devotion since that will come with time, and this is precisely the means to attain it. Devotion must be the fruit and not the cause of the practices I have recommended. For the rest, you know that true devotion consists in readiness to be faithful to the Lord, and not in sentiment. I hope that soon you will send me consoling news in this regard
I ask you to give my greetings to Father Cesare and to tell him that I would be happy to see him here, and that I always hope to be able one day to visit with him there. For the present, tell Fr. Ferraro that, even though I have not yet had the joy of meeting him, I ask him to give you no rest in committing yourself to practicing all that I have just recommended to you and to call you strictly to account, and I will be grateful to him for this.
I bless you together with all your family, I recommend myself to your prayers, and I am, with the highest esteem and respect,
Your Servant and Father in Jesus Christ, Fr. Lanteri Turin, May 22, 1807
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Day 2
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
"…you might totally love Him who gave Himself totally out of love for you, whose beauty the sun and moon admire, and whose rewards, in both their preciousness and magnitude, are without end. I am speaking about the Son of the Most High, to whom the Virgin gave birth and, after whose birth, she remained a virgin. May you cling to his most sweet Mother, who gave birth to the kind of Son whom the heavens could not contain, and yet, she carried him in the tiny enclosure of her sacred womb."
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl, you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 8 – Overcoming Excuses for being Sad
"It is necessary to notice that many times these sufferings are products of our imagination, and a joyful spirit dispels them easily. In fact, many times they are trifles, or even without any foundation whatsoever. For example: a person forgets to greet someone because of a distraction, causing that person to presume it is out of malice or scorn. Or again, a word comes from the mouth of someone–perhaps in simplicity or jest–and it is immediately interpreted as an offense. Many times the disgust is disgust because we want to be disgusted, like spooked horses who jump backwards not because there may be an occasion for fear, but because they themselves create the fear.
…As for true and real tribulations and adversities, notice that if they are not taken with a joyful abandonment to God, they will become much heavier! They will damage the spirit and lead to impatience, lack of charity, murmuring against God, and even against one's own body. Drive sadness far away from you, for sadness brought death to many (Sirach 30:23). Thus, afflictions of soul, desolations, desperation–see how they foster more sadness!
…Yes, these things impede joy if one looks upon them with a worldly eye, if one seeks their causes in the earth, or in creatures, and does not look upon them with the eye of faith, or does not believe that all comes from God… nothing happens contrary to His will. And it is from God our father–he is a father like no other father–who permits all things for our good, so may we reflect on the grace attached to it and the reward prepared for us."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to accept with joy whatever you permit to happen, for I know that all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
BKL 306 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – Join Msgr. John Esseff as he discusses the need for us to encounter Jesus and to give him our "five loaves and two fish."
Gospel MT 14:13-21
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist,
he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
"This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves."
Jesus said to them, "There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves."
But they said to him,
"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here."
Then he said, "Bring them here to me, "
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over—
twelve wicker baskets full.
Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 7 – Acquiring Spiritual Joy
"Means for acquiring Joyfulness:
1. Ask the Lord for joyfulness. Joy or cheerfulness is the second fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22]. Blessed [John] Berchmans [1599-1621] was always so joyful that many called him Saint Leto [joy] and Saint IIario [laughter]. Joy was a grace he daily prayed for at Mass.
2. Think frequently of the Lord and thank Him for the goods that we possess and hope to possess. For example, thank him for the grace of God that we possess, and for the Paradise that we hope for. Let us go often to take from the Angels and Blessed above, an air of joyfulness, thinking that from now on we are citizens of Heaven and fortifying ourselves in Christian hope.
3. Perform good deeds with holy readiness and simplicity. Do things with good intention. Do them immediately, without reasoning too much on them, becoming over-reflective. Rather, cut off all ruminations, saying to oneself: 'I should not dwell on this, one needs only to do what is good.' Likewise, it is helpful to act with holy freedom of spirit,
despising every fear that is not founded on offending God, not waiting for tomorrow that which you can do today."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to love my life, and to approach my duties with a joyful spirit.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Day 1
From a letter to St. Agnes of Prague
Place your mind in the mirror of eternity;
Place your soul in the splendour of glory;
Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance;
And, through contemplation, transform your entire being into the image of the Divine One himself,
So that you, yourself, may also experience what his friends experience when they taste the hidden sweetness that God alone has kept from the beginning
For those who love him.
Dear St. Clare,
As a young girl you imitated your motherâs love for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.
Amen.
For the complete novena visit the St. Clare Novena Discerning Hearts Page
The remedy for fear is love
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER VI
"…Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin."
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 6 – Protecting against Sin and Vice
"Through joyfulness one avoids sins and easily triumphs over temptation. It is proper to temptations to begin to instill despondency and sadness. And in these troubled waters the devil begins to fish. The joyful man has great regard for and always enjoys the spiritual goods he hopes for and possesses. When these are compared to the apparent goods temptations offer, he quickly decides the question with the exclamation of St. Philip, "Paradise, Paradise." Therefore, he sins less and gains much more merit… With joyfulness, one drives out the sloth which impedes the practice of virtue.
With joyfulness one easily acquires holiness and perfects oneself through virtuous actions. "God loves a joyful giver" (2 Corinthians 9: 7). Joyful giving is done not as a burden, but by good grace, with love. If one thinks too much about a good action that is to be performed [and thus hesitates], the merit of that action will be diminished… So act promptly… The one who gives promptly, gives double.
Compare a sad person with a joyful one in their daily activities. The despondent one behaves like an old lazy man, who is sleepy, cold, frozen…. The joyful one behaves like a young man who carries himself well, is graceful, robust, and energetic. In fact, if one prays, if one meditates with joy, if one approaches the sacraments joyfully, if one converses with his neighbor with joy, how many sins against God and neighbor will be avoided!
With joyfulness one's perseverance in good is more easily assured, because doing things with sadness and against one's will constitutes a violent state that cannot last. In such a case, if great difficulties are encountered, how much more easily is everything abandoned. The joyful man, on the other hand, is resolute, generous, energetic, and so he easily overcomes the difficulty of perseverance."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to think often of heaven, and to be generous in love.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 5 – Honoring God by Joy
"Sometimes it may seem as though God does not react to evil, as if he is silent. And yet God has spoken. He has replied, and his answer is the cross of Christ: a word that is love, mercy, forgiveness."
With spiritual joy, one gives greater honor and glory to God, manifesting with deeds that he thinks well of God and is content in His service and with His treatment. With persistent unhappiness, by contrast, one dishonors God, slights God by one's deeds and manifests that he thinks poorly of God. …If it is such a horrible thing to demean one's neighbor, what then will it be to demean God? A sad servant dishonors his master, but a joyful and content servant honors him. For that reason we want to give to others a great idea of God our Father in order to give Him the glory that is His due. We want to serve Him with joy and delight, and not with sadness and against our will. We esteem, we appreciate, we magnify His gifts. We pray by hoping in Him, and we glorify Him again, as a God absolutely good, merciful, generous, and faithful. Let those be sad who serve tyrants, such as the world, the flesh, and the devil.
"Speak about God with all, however, in a way that is worthy of Him. It is in accordance with the counsel of the Holy Spirit: Think of God in a spirit of goodness (Wisdom 1:1)."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to think of you as you really are: merciful, compassionate, loving, and determined to bring me happiness.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
From the life of Saint Ignatius
from his own words by Luis Gonzalez
(Cap 1, 5-9: Acta Sanctorum, Julii, 7[ 1868], 647)
Put inward experiences to the test to see if they come from God
Ignatius was passionately fond of reading worldly books of fiction and tales of knight-errantry. When he felt he was getting better, he asked for some of these books to pass the time. But no book of that sort could be found in the house; instead they gave him a life of Christ and a collection of the lives of saints written in Spanish.
By constantly reading these books he began to be attracted to what he found narrated there. Sometimes in the midst of his reading he would reflect on what he had read. Yet at other times he would dwell on many of the things which he had been accustomed to dwell on previously. But at this point our Lord came to his assistance, insuring that these thoughts were followed by others which arose from his current reading.
While reading the life of Christ our Lord or the lives of the saints, he would reflect and reason with himself: "What if I should do what Saint Francis or Saint Dominic did?" In this way he let his mind dwell on many thoughts; they lasted a while until other things took their place. Then those vain and worldly images would come into his mind and remain a long time. This sequence of thoughts persisted with him for a long time.
But there was a difference. When Ignatius reflected on worldly thoughts, he felt intense pleasure; but when he gave them up out of weariness, he felt dry and depressed. Yet when he thought of living the rigorous sort of life he knew the saints had lived, he not only experienced pleasure when he actually thought about it, but even after he dismissed these thoughts, he still experienced great joy. Yet he did not pay attention to this, nor did he appreciate it until one day, in a moment of insight, he began to marvel at the difference. Then he understood his experience: thoughts of one kind left him sad, the others full of joy. And this was the first time he applied a process of reasoning to his religious experience. Later on, when he began to formulate his spiritual exercises, he used this experience as an illustration to explain the doctrine he taught his disciples on the discernment of spirits.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Day 9
St. Alphonsus you have said:
"Think of what the Saints have done for their neighbor because they loved God. But what Saint's love for God can match Mary's? She loved Him more in the first moment of her existence than all the Saints and angels ever loved Him or will love Him… Just as there is not one among all the Blessed who loves God as Mary does, so there is no one, after God, who loves us as much as this most loving Mother does. Furthermore, if we heaped together all the love that mothers have for their children, all the love of husbands and wives, all the love of all the angels and Saints for their clients, it could never equal Mary's love for even a single soul."
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
Courage, generosity, and gratuitousness.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 4 – Strengthening the Reasons to be Joyful
1. Our gratitude requires it. We have an obligation to be thankful for the spiritual goods we possess. How will we ever show enough appreciation for them unless we really enjoy them and celebrate them?
2. Our honor demands it. How can we rejoice and show gratitude [for spiritual goods] if we are sad and melancholy? One would enjoy, most certainly, being favored by a prince, receiving worldly riches and the hope for even more. Do we have any excuse for not enjoying being favored by God, receiving spiritual riches and the well-founded hope of eternal riches yet to come?
3. Sacred Scripture testifies that God's manifest desire is our joy. Here are some of the Lord's invitations:
• "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
• "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)
• "I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life." (Ecclesiastes 3:12)
• "Nothing is more delightful than joy of the heart." (Sirach 30:16)
• "Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because your works are pleasing to God." (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
• "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; exult, all you upright of heart." (Psalm 32:11)"
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to open my heart to your gifts of consolation. Even if I struggle, I will rejoice that you are with me.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Episode 17 – John 8: I Am the Light part 1
The Feast of Tabernacles continues as we enter John 8. Also known as Sukkot or the Feast of Booths, Tabernacles is a joyous feast of endless light. On the climatic final day of the feast, Jesus declares that he is thee light of the world. Before continuing with the story of the woman caught in adultery, Sharon gives us a fascinating look into the feast of Tabernacles and raises the intriguing question: was Jesus actually born on this feast day? Working backward from that date, Jesus' conception would have taken place at the time of Hanukah, which then leads Sharon to teach us about this feast day which celebrates the rededication of the Temple.
Around 330 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Israel along with much of the Mediterranean, and at his death, his kingdom was divided into four quadrants, one of which was the Seleucid Empire that ruled over Israel. In 167 BC as an act of retribution, Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Jerusalem, inflicting 80,000 casualties and captives. Under the threat of death, the Jews were forced to adopt Greek religious practices: a statue of Zeus was placed in the temple and the altar was desecrated by pagan sacrifices. In an uprising led by Judas Maccabees, the Seleucids were expelled and the temple rededicated.
The feast of Hanukah, also known as the Feast of Lights, commemorates this event. Was Jesus, the Light of the World, conceived on the Feast of Lights? Was Jesus, the Light of the World, born during the feast of endless light of Tabernacles? What evidence might support this idea? Theologically, it would make sense: Jesus, the light of the world conceived and born on feast days that celebrate light. Chronologically, it would make sense: depending on the year, Hanukah and Tabernacles are separated by 40 weeks. Yet, the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25th, approximately two months after Tabernacles. Why? Pope Benedict XVI explains.
For the first 500 years of the Church, March 25th was celebrated as the day of the cross and Easter was an immovable feast day. In addition, ancient traditions also held that March 25th was the day of the creation of the world, and March 28th, the day of the creation of the sun. The creation of the cosmos was seen as the pre-annunciation of Christ, which led to the theological conclusion that the dates of Jesus' conception and passion were the same day: March 25th. Therefore, nine months later we celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25th. The dates of Jesus conception, birth and passion have a cosmic significance.
Sharon then returns to John 9. The morning after the final day of the feast of Tabernacles, a woman caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus. Attempting to trap Jesus, the elders are actually convicted of their own sin by failing to uphold the judicial laws that they so rigidly observed. Sharon then unveils the meaning of Jesus' writing in the dust. On the Day of Atonement, which is celebrated just prior to the Feast of Tabernacles, the High Priest reads Jeramiah 17:13: those who turn away from the Lord will be written in the dust. Convicted of their own sin and reminded of the familiar words of Jeremiah, the elders walk away in shame. Sharon goes further into the spiritual meaning of the adulterous women of John's Gospel. The Samaritan woman of John 4 symbolizes the wayward northern tribes and the woman caught in adultery in John 8 represents the southern tribes.
Jesus, the light of the world, the living water, comes to unite the separated tribes of Israel and the entire world in preparation for the final cosmic battle against Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of "Seeking Truth." An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself i...
Day 8
St. Alphonsus you have said:
"Loving souls can find no greater delight than to be in the company of those whom they love. If we, then, love Jesus Christ much, behold we are now in his presence. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament sees us and hears us; shall we, then, say nothing to Him? Let us console ourselves in His company; let us rejoice in His glory, and in the love which so many enamoured souls bear Him in the Most Holy Sacrament. Let us desire that all should love Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and consecrate their hearts to Him; at least let us consecrate our affections to Him. He should be all our love and our whole desire."
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
Day 9
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
I recommend that virtue to you which includes all others, and which our Lord so greatly praised by calling it His great commandment: âThis is My commandment that you love one anotherâ (John 15:12). You are not only to maintain a union of love among yourselves, but you must extend it to every one and set your hearts on fire with the desire for your neighborâs salvation, realizing that each soul is the price of our Lordâs life and blood [Ep. 1:507].
Prefer the glory of God above everything else . . . .Let your thoughts, words, and actions be in Him. . .and let Godâs commandments take first place over everything else that is good. This is what He desires, and this is what He commands [Ep. 1:72].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
What a delight to talk once again with Michael O'Brien. His prolific novels have become modern-day classics in Catholic literature. In this episode, we discuss the transcendent nature of beauty and prayer as experienced in The Art of Michael D. O'Brien, published by Ignatius Press. During our conversation, he also reflects on the exceptional challenges we now face throughout the world. We absolutely love his work and could not recommend it more highly.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
In this book, Michael O'Brien presents many of his stunning works of art. His vibrancy, originality, and variety are on display in more than 120 full-page, full-color reproductions of his paintings and Byzantine-style icons. Also included are some of his drawings and other works in black and white. O'Brien's pieces are introduced by Dr. Clemens Cavallin of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, who analyses the artist's influences, principles, and unique style. In O'Brien's preface, he explains his development as a visual artist and his philosophy of sacred art.
"Freed from stylistic and formal fads, Michael O'Brien's images arrest viewers in the here and now before propelling them into the depths of spirituality. His story recalls that of Fra Angelico—living Truth while painting Truth."
—Elizabeth Lev, Art Historian and Author, How Catholic Art Saved the Faith
"O'Brien's time spent as a writer of Byzantine icons has influenced all his work: these pieces are indeed 'windows to heaven'."
—Sally Read, Poet and Author, Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story
"Those of us who know Michael O'Brien's fiction will delight in this volume of his art. His work is quintessentially personal, in the sense that it incarnates the extraordinary vision of this marvelous man."
—Joseph Pearce, Author, Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 3 – Turning toward Spiritual Joy
"Spiritual joy is experienced when one ponders the spiritual goods it possesses. What are these goods? Participation in the divine nature (as children of God), union with Jesus Christ, being in the bosom of the Church as her children, God's special protection, the gifts of the theological virtues, the Sacraments, the communion of saints, grace, friendship with God, the merits of our actions, the glory of heaven that is already almost ours by the firm hope we have (as a son already almost possesses the inheritance that awaits him from his father).
This is the joy that we must seek. Few possess it, because they fail to call these
goods to mind and fail to understand how valuable they are. They are like people who never stop to look at a beautiful painting, or to listen to beautiful music, and really enjoy them. They are like children who possess precious things but do not realize how valuable
they are. Such people fail to ponder and take delight in the state of grace.
Unlike worldly joy, spiritual joy is true joy; it is not based on anything false or illusory. It is to be preferred to all else, because it is good, holy, and superior to anything temporal. Spiritual joy is angelic, because the angels themselves experience it. It is real, and it strengthens."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to treasure the gifts that are mine by faith.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Day 8
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
I ask you to put forth your every effort to win honor in heaven, fame and renown before the Lord, who is to be our judge. If God has given you the worldâs goods in abundance, it is to help you gain those of heaven and to be a good example of sound teaching to your sons, servants, and relatives [Ep. 1:81].
Be generous to the poor orphans and those in need. The man to whom our Lord has been liberal ought not to be stingy. We shall one day find in heaven as much rest and joy as we ourselves have dispensed in this life [Ep. 1:81].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
Day 7
St. Alphonsus you have said:
The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone.
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 1 part 2 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
THIS CHAPTER SHOWS HOW, WHEN GOD BESTOWS GREATER FAVOURS ON THE SOUL, IT SUFFERS MORE SEVERE AFFLICTIONS. SOME OF THE LATTER ARE DESCRIBED AND DIRECTIONS HOW TO BEAR THEM GIVEN TO THE DWELLERS IN THIS MANSION. THIS CHAPTER IS USEFUL FOR THOSE SUFFERING INTERIOR TRIALS
- Love kindled by divine favours. 2. Our Lord excites the soul's longings. 3. Courage needed toreach the last mansions. 4. Trials accompanying divine favours. 5. Outcry raised against souls striving for perfection. 6. St. Teresa's personal experience of this. 7. Praise distasteful to an enlightened soul. 8. This changes to indifference. 9. Humility of such souls. 10. Their zeal for God's glory. 11. Perfect and final indifference to praise or blame. 12. Love of enemies. 13. Bodily sufferings. 14. St. Teresa's physical ills. 15. A timorous confessor. 16. Anxiety on account of past sins. 17. Fears and aridity. 18. Scruples and fears raised by the devil. 19. Bewilderment of the soul. 20. God alone relieves these troubles. 21. Human weakness. 22. Earthly consolations are of no avail. 23. Prayer gives no comfort at such a time. 24. Remedies for these interior trials. 25. Trials caused by the devil. 26. Other afflictions. 27. Preparatory to entering the seventh mansions.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visitThe Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 2 – Letting Go of Worldly Joy
"Such [worldly] joy is too shallow; it is as shallow as the thing enjoyed. This kind of childish joy, shared by the animals, soon passes away. Even if this joy lasts for a while, it can drag on and lead to boredom. This is the kind of joy sought by the worldly, since the sensible and material are all that they know. When some little struggle comes along, such as a toothache, this joy vanishes in a flash. This kind of happiness is not enough for the children of God, for they aspire to nobler and higher thoughts. They disdain the shallow, preferring deeper and more lasting joys, namely, the spiritual and eternal. Spiritual joys, therefore, should be the their happiness."
"God and creatures go different ways in search of the human soul. The Lord, by his loving kindness and bounty, sets about gaining its affection; creatures, incapable of offering it any real good, endeavor to allure it by vain and flattering appearances. If the soul, yielding to the loving invitation of the Lord, consecrates itself totally to him, it will find in God the means of self-perfection and true happiness; but if on the contrary, it turns towards creatures, it degrades itself, and finds continual disquiet, our hearts being unable to know, outside of God, any true good or sincere happiness."
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to think, speak, and act as would a saint. Give freedom to
my heart, that I may love you in all things and above all things.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Day 6
St. Alphonsus you have said:
There can be no greater Lord than God; neither can there be a more ardent lover than He. Far from despising our confidence in Him, He rejoices that we have it—confidence and familiarity and affection like that which little children show toward their mothers. …. Just as a mother finds pleasure in taking her little child on her lap, there to feed and caress him, in like manner our loving God shows His fondness for His beloved souls who have given themselves entirely to Him and have placed all their hope in His goodness.
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
Day 7
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
If the devil praises us, we must humble ourselves reflecting on our sins and wretchedness. If he abases us and keeps us down, we must then lift ourselves up in true faith and hope in our Lord, recalling to mind the benefits we have received from Him and with how much love and affection He is waiting to save us. The enemy is totally unconcerned whether he speaks the truth or tells lies; his only desire is to overcome us [Ep. 1:102].
When you find yourself being tempted by the enemy of human nature. . .you must fearlessly state and declare that you are a follower of the Lord and that you would rather die than leave His service [Ep. 1:103].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
Conference 1 – Introduction – Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Conference talk 1 from the Discerning Hearts Seminar/Retreat held online late spring 2020 with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Letters of Venerable Bruno Lanteri to his spiritual directee, Gabriella Solaro della Margarita
- My Lady and my Daughter in Jesus Christ,
Your letter just arrived; I was glad to receive it, and it gave me real joy. I am happy to hear that your trip went well, and that your whole family is in good health. I see no reason why you may not entrust your little Louise to your dear sister, the Lady Countess Vidua. She could not be in better hands, and the reasons for doing so are many. In my view, you may do this with total peace of heart.
And it gives me greater happiness still to know that Fr. Ferrero is already there with you. It is important, then, to begin immediately, to arrange with him for receiving Communion, and to do so as often as you can. You must be consistently faithful to meditation and to spiritual reading, if it be only a quarter of an hour of meditation and a single page of spiritual reading, and the same also for the examination of conscience which you can do while you are working. Do not forget to raise your heart frequently, but gently and with peace, to God, and to make acts of mortification, especially interior ones; for you, this means the effort to live each moment with a gentle and joyful spirit. For the love of God, I beg of you to wage continual warfare against negative moods, and never fail to begin again.
Do not wait until you have devotion to begin these things. Begin even without devotion since that will come with time, and this is precisely the means to attain it. Devotion must be the fruit and not the cause of the practices I have recommended. For the rest, you know that true devotion consists in readiness to be faithful to the Lord, and not in sentiment. I hope that soon you will send me consoling news in this regard
I ask you to give my greetings to Father Cesare and to tell him that I would be happy to see him here, and that I always hope to be able one day to visit with him there. For the present, tell Fr. Ferraro that, even though I have not yet had the joy of meeting him, I ask him to give you no rest in committing yourself to practicing all that I have just recommended to you and to call you strictly to account, and I will be grateful to him for this.
I bless you together with all your family, I recommend myself to your prayers, and I am, with the highest esteem and respect,
Your Servant and Father in Jesus Christ, Fr. Lanteri Turin, May 22, 1807
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
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For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Day 5
St. Alphonsus you have said:
You are not asked to apply your mind continually to the thought of God and lay aside the fulfillment of your duties and your recreations. … Your God is ever beside you—indeed, He is even within you. "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28). Not only is there no need of an intermediary through whom He would want you to speak to Him, but He finds His delight in having you treat with Him personally and in all confidence. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears—of everything that concerns you. But above all, converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him..
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
A Novena in honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri, founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Day 1 Beginning in Hope
Whatever my failings may be, I will never lose heart, aware that I will commit many such failings; but I will always ask God's forgiveness immediately, and strive to do better. And I will be persuaded that discouragement is the greatest obstacle on the way of salvation.
[If I fall many times] I will get up immediately and with humility, and not hate myself (for that would be self-love); this is true love. A child falls thousands of times, but it never just stays there on the ground. It cries, and runs to his mother. And so do we to the crucifix.
How many grades of grace, of glory, of honor [do we gain and give to] God, each and every time we do this.
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you created me in your plan of love. You created all the things on the face of the earth to help me find true happiness. Fully aware of my weakness, I resolve this day to trust in your mercy and to begin again, no matter how many times I fall.
Daily Novena Prayer
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, I come to you confident in the words of Jesus: Ask and you shall receive (Matthew 7:7). You said, "It is impossible to hope too much; the one who hopes for everything attains everything." You taught that the greatest miracles are those that change the heart. Through your intercession, may the good God, whose infinite mercy surpasses all the malice of the world, console my heart and grant my request.
By your prayers keep my poor heart in peace, protect me from discouragement, and help me to serve God with a holy joy. Amen.
O Father, fountain of all life and holiness you gave Father Bruno Lanteri great faith in Christ, your Son, a lively hope, and an active love for the salvation of his brethren. You made him a prophet of your Word and a witness to your Mercy. He had a tender love for Mary and by his very life he taught fidelity to the Church. Father, hear the prayer of your family and, through the intercession of Fr. Lanteri, grant us the grace for which we now ask…. May he be glorified on earth that we may give you greater praise.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For more teachings from Ven. Bruno Lanteri visitFr. Timothy Gallagher's "Begin Again" Discerning Hearts series
Day 6
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
If we desire to live in honor and to be esteemed by our neighbors, then we shall never be solidly rooted in God our Lord, and it will be impossible for us to remain undisturbed when insults come our way [Ep. 1:86].
If we find that we are without the patience to endure insults from others we, then, have greater reason to complain, not because of those who injure us, but because of our own sensuality and carnal inclinations, and because we are not as mortified or dead to the world as we should be. These people are offering us opportunities for gaining a treasure greater than anyone can win in this life, and riches more numerous than anyone can accumulate in this world [Ep. 1:86-87].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
Are you frustrated, angry, overwhelmed? Have you been trying to do "good things," but find yourself hitting a wall in your family, in your workplace, or in your ministry? Msgr. Esseff counsels us when to say "yes" or to say "no," when to speak and when to be silent, when to stay and when to go, and so forth. Everything hinges on listening to God and discernment. Are you operating in the "Light?"
Today, Msgr. Esseff asks that you take an hour to enter into the inner self and to listen to what God wants you to do. Write down what you hear God say in Psalm 139
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me!
2Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up;
thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
3Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue,
lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5Thou dost beset me behind and before,
and layest thy hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain it.
7Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, thou art there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
9If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10even there thy hand shall lead me,
and thy right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, "Let only darkness cover me,
and the light about me be night,"
12even the darkness is not dark to thee,
the night is bright as the day;
for darkness is as light with thee.
13For thou didst form my inward parts,
thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.
14I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful.
Wonderful are thy works!
Thou knowest me right well;
15my frame was not hidden from thee,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
16Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance;
in thy book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
When I awake, I am still with thee.
19O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God,
and that men of blood would depart from me,
20men who maliciously defy thee,
who lift themselves up against thee for evil!
21Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord?
And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee?
22I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Day 5
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
We should praise all the laws of the Church, keeping our minds ever ready to seek reasons to defend them and not to oppose them [Spir. Exer., âRules for Thinking with the Churchâ].
I must remind you to frequent the sacraments, to read spiritual books, and to pray with as much recollection as you possibly can. Every day set aside some time so that the soul will not be without its food and, thus, you will not be induced to complain like the one who said âMy heart has withered because I have forgotten to eat my breadâ (Psalm 102:4) [Ep. 6:524].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena of St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Alphonsus you have said:
If you wish to strengthen your confidence in God still more, often recall the loving way in which He has acted toward you, and how mercifully He has tried to bring you out of your sinful life, to break your attachment to the things of earth and draw you to His love. With such thoughts in your mind, now that you have resolved to love Him and please Him with all your strength, your only fear should be to fear God too much and to place too little confidence in Him.
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
In place of wanting the latestâ¦.sustainability
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER XXXI
The Kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monastery Ought to Be
Let there be chosen from the brotherhood as Cellarer of the monastery a wise man, of settled habits, temperate and frugal, not conceited, irritable, resentful, sluggish, or wasteful, but fearing God, who may be as a father to the whole brotherhood.
Let him have the charge of everything, let him do nothing without the command of the Abbot, let him do what hath been ordered him and not grieve the brethren. If a brother should perchance request anything of him unreasonably let him not sadden the brother with a cold refusal, but politely and with humility refuse him who asketh amiss. Let him be watchful of his own soul, always mindful of the saying of the Apostle: âFor they that have ministered well, shall purchase to themselves a good degreeâ (1 Tm 3:13). Let him provide for the sick, the children, the guests, and the poor, with all care, knowing that, without doubt, he will have to give an account of all these things on judgment day. Let him regard all the vessels of the monastery and all its substance, as if they were sacred vessels of the altar. Let him neglect nothing and let him not give way to avarice, nor let him be wasteful and a squanderer of the goods of the monastery; but let him do all things in due measure and according to the bidding of his Abbot.
Above all things, let him be humble; and if he hath not the things to give, let him answer with a kind word, because it is written: âA good word is above the best giftâ (Sir 18:17). Let him have under his charge everything that the Abbot hath entrusted to him, and not presume to meddle with matters forbidden him. Let him give the brethren their apportioned allowance without a ruffle or delay, that they may not be scandalized, mindful of what the Divine Word declareth that he deserveth who shall scandalize one of these little ones: âIt were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the seaâ (Mt 18:6).
If the community is large, let assistants be given him, that, with their help, he too may fulfil the office entrusted to him with an even temper. Let the things that are to be given be distributed, and the things that are to be gotten asked for at the proper times, so that nobody may be disturbed or grieved in the house of God.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at SantâAnselmo in Rome..
Day 3
St. Alphonsus you have said:
"The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone."
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
Day 4
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
I desire for you the joy and full consolation of soul that I desire for myself, and I sympathize with you in your trials. . .but I consider this a very special gift of God our Lord for He is providing you with an occasion to practice patience, as well as faith and hope in Him [Ep. 6:161].
In the life which is eternal and without end God will reward your patience with indescribable joy and glory; there will be no trials, sadness, or discomfortâfor there are none of these in heavenâbut only the fulfillment of every joy and happiness [Ep. 6:161].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Should we all fast from social media? Hear what Cardinal Sarah has to say about "the thieves of the sacred fire".
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
Day 2
St. Alphonsus you have said:
"Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears— of everything that concerns you. Converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him."
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
Msgr. Esseff shares with us the great legacy of prayer and reform left to us by St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858) powerful saints for our times.
Reading 1 JER 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13
This word of the LORD came to me:
Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!
I remember the devotion of your youth,
how you loved me as a bride,
Following me in the desert,
in a land unsown.
Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
the first fruits of his harvest;
Should any presume to partake of them,
evil would befall them, says the LORD.
When I brought you into the garden land
to eat its goodly fruits,
You entered and defiled my land,
you made my heritage loathsome.
The priests asked not,
"Where is the LORD?"
Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
the shepherds rebelled against me.
The prophets prophesied by Baal,
and went after useless idols.
Be amazed at this, O heavens,
and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
Two evils have my people done:
they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
They have dug themselves cisterns,
broken cisterns, that hold no water.
Prayers and Chaplet for St. Charbel
Saint Charbel was born on May 8, 1828, from a modest Maronite family in Bekaa Kafra, a village in North Lebanon. He entered the order of Lebanese monks in 1851 and was ordained a priest in 1859. Later he withdrew to the hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul to spend 23 years in prayer, fasting, manual labor, and penance until on Christmas Eve of the year 1898 he piously gave back his soul to God. Aged 70 years. After his death, many graces and bodily cures have been obtained through his intercession. He was canonized by His Holiness Paul VI in 1977.
For more visit his Discerning Hearts St. Charbel page
Chaplet
THE CHAPLETThe chaplet is made up of five sets of beads, three red, one white and one blue. Five black beads, divide the sets. A medal of the saint connects the beads, with a single white bead following the medal and preceding the five sets.
The red beads are for the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the virtues by which religious share in the Passion of Christ.
The white beads represent the Holy Eucharist, and the blue beads love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother.
ORDER OF RECITATIONOn the first white bead after the medal say the âFather of Truthâ prayer. On each black bead recite an âOur Fatherâ.
On the first three red beads say the âHail Maryâ in honor of Saint Charbelâs fidelity to the vow of poverty.
On the second set of red beads say the âHail Maryâ in honor of Saint Charbelâs fidelity to the vow of chastity.
On the third set of red beads say the âHail Maryâ in honor of Saint Charbelâs fidelity to the vow of obedience.
On the three white beads say the âHail Maryâ in honor of Saint Charbelâs love for the Eucharist.
On the three blue beads say the âHail Maryâ in honor of Saint Charbelâs devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Conclude with the prayer to obtain graces on the medal.
Father of Truth Prayer
Father of Truth, behold Your Son, a sacrifice pleasing to You. Accept this offering of Him who died for me; behold His blood shed on Golgotha for my salvation. It pleads for me. For His sake, accept my offering. Many are my sins, but greater is Your mercy. When placed on a scale, Your mercy prevails over the weight of the mountains known only to You. Consider the sin and consider the atonement; the atonement is greater and exceeds the sin. Your beloved Son sustained the nails and the lance because of my sins so in His sufferings You are satisfied and I live.
Prayer to Obtain Graces
Lord, infinitely holy and glorified in Your saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience might triumph in his hermitage. We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, following his example. Almighty God, who have manifested the power of Saint Charbelâs intercession through his countless miracles and favors, grant us this grace (here mention your intention) which we request from You through his intercession. Amen.
the music found in the Chaplet is from Sister Marie Keyrouzâs CD
Other Prayers
1.
Day 3
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
The peace of our Lord is something interior, and it brings with it all the other gifts and graces necessary for salvation and eternal life. This peace makes us love our neighbor for the love of our Creator and Lord, and because of this same love we observe all the commandments of the law, as St. Paul says: âHe who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the lawâ (Romans 13:8). He has fulfilled the law because he loves his Creator and Lord and loves his neighbor for his Lordâs sake [Ep. 1:162].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
Day 1
St. Alphonsus you have said:
"If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us. Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will. "
GLORIOUS Saint Alphonsus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, devoted servant of our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a Saint in heaven. I give myself to your protection that you may always be my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Give me a tender devotion to the Passion of my Redeemer.
Promoter of the truth of Christ in your preaching and writing, give me a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Divine truths.
Gentle father of the poor and sinners, help me to imitate your charity toward others in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently in imita tion of your own patience in your long and painful illness and to resign myself to the Will of God.
Good Shepherd of the flock of Christ, obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Alphonsus, I humbly implore your powerful intercession for obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I recommend to you in particular this favor: (Mention your request).
I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
Saint Alphonsus, pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer
HEAVENLY Father, You continually build up Your Church by the lives of Your Saints. Give us grace to follow Saint Alphonsus in his loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share his reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of Yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward he enjoys in Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For the entire 9 Day Novena please visit here: The Alphonsus Liguori 9 Day Novena
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Sixth Mansions Chapter 1 part 1 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
THIS CHAPTER SHOWS HOW, WHEN GOD BESTOWS GREATER FAVOURS ON THE SOUL, IT SUFFERS MORE SEVERE AFFLICTIONS. SOME OF THE LATTER ARE DESCRIBED AND DIRECTIONS HOW TO BEAR THEM GIVEN TO THE DWELLERS IN THIS MANSION. THIS CHAPTER IS USEFUL FOR THOSE SUFFERING INTERIOR TRIALS
- Love kindled by divine favours. 2. Our Lord excites the soul's longings. 3. Courage needed toreach the last mansions. 4. Trials accompanying divine favours. 5. Outcry raised against souls striving for perfection. 6. St. Teresa's personal experience of this. 7. Praise distasteful to an enlightened soul. 8. This changes to indifference. 9. Humility of such souls. 10. Their zeal for God's glory. 11. Perfect and final indifference to praise or blame. 12. Love of enemies. 13. Bodily sufferings. 14. St. Teresa's physical ills. 15. A timorous confessor. 16. Anxiety on account of past sins. 17. Fears and aridity. 18. Scruples and fears raised by the devil. 19. Bewilderment of the soul. 20. God alone relieves these troubles. 21. Human weakness. 22. Earthly consolations are of no avail. 23. Prayer gives no comfort at such a time. 24. Remedies for these interior trials. 25. Trials caused by the devil. 26. Other afflictions. 27. Preparatory to entering the seventh mansions.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visitThe Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
The private revelation which was given to St. Bridget of Sweden that day in the chapel of the church of St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome over 600 years ago is still one of the most poignant and compelling moments in all mystical experiences. The Church has deemed this worthy of belief to the extent that it can edify one's faith rather than hurt; that indeed if practiced and nurtured it could open the heart for an outpouring of grace.
The "Pieta Prayers" of St. Bridget of Sweden can be a challenging practice in today's world. To help foster a greater understanding and devotion to Our Lord's Passion, Discerning Hearts has produced an MP3 Downloadable Audio, which we hope will assist you in some way. Thank you to Bruce McGregor and Lesa Lindsey for giving voice to the prayer.
The Promises | The Text of the Prayers |
Are published under the sanction of the Decree of November 18, 1966, published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Vol. 58, No. 16 of December 29, 1966.
Prayers Approved by Pope Pius IX Magnificent Promises to Saint Bridget of Sweden
Pope Benedict XV expressed himself as follows on the Revelations of St. Bridget: "The approbation of such revelations implies nothing more than, after mature examination, it is permissible to publish them for the unit of the faithful. Though they don't merit the same credence as the truths of religion, one can, however, believe them out of human faith, conforming to the rules of prudence by which they are probable, and supported by sufficient motives that one might believe in them piously. (Les Petits Bollandistes, tome XII)
Question – Must one recite the prayers every day without interruption to obtain the privileges?
Answer – One should miss saying them as few times as possible; but if for a serious reason one is obliged to miss them, one doesn't lose the privileges attached to them, as long as one recites 5480 Prayers during the year. One must say them with devotion and concentrate on the words one pronounces.
These prayers can serve as the Way of the Cross. Visitors to the Church of St. Paul at Rome can see the crucifix, above the Tabernacle in the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel, sculptured by Pierre Cavallini, before which St. Bridge knelt when she received these 15 prayers from Our Lord.
The following inscription is placed in the church to commemorate the event: "Pendentis, Pendente Dei verba accepit aure accipit et verbum corde Brigitta Deum. Anno Jubilei MCCCL." As St. Bridget for a long time wanted to know the number of blows Our Lord received during His Passion, He one day appeared to her and said: "I received 5480 blows on My Body. If you wish to honor them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Mary's with the following Prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year. When the year is up, you will have honored each one of My Wounds."
Our Lord made the following promises to anyone who recited the 15 St. Bridget Prayers for a whole year:
Promises
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I will deliver 15 souls of his lineage from Purgatory.
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15 souls of his lineage will be confirmed and preserved in grace.
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15 sinners of his lineage will be converted.
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Whoever recites these Prayers will attain in the first degree of perfection.
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15 days before his death I will give him My Precious Body in order that he may escape eternal starvation; I will give him My Precious Blood to drink lest he thirst eternally.
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15 days before his death he will feel a deep contrition for all his sins and will have a perfect knowledge of them.
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I will place before him the sign of My Victorious Cross for his help and defense against...
Day 2
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
You are much deceived in thinking that the cause of your unrest and little progress in following the way of the Lord comes from the place where you live, or your superiors, or your brethren. This unrest comes from within you, that is, it comes from your own lack of humility, obedience, and prayer, and finally from a want of mortification and fervor in advancing in the way of perfection. You could have a change in residence, of superiors, and of brethren, but if the interior man is not changed these other changes will do you no good. Everywhere will be the same for you, unless you become humble, obedient, devout, and you mortify your self-love. This is the change you should seek and no other [Ep. 8:328-329].
Our Fatherâ¦.
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena to St. Ignatius of Loyola
Episode 18 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The final installment of the series. The challenge of living the moral life and the gift of grace from the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
An excerpt from "Mary Magdalen: Faith" from Three Women and the Lord by Adrienne Von Spey
No account is given of how Magdalen was tormented by the demons nor of how she found her way to the Lord. No mention is made of whether she came to the Lord through the mediation of others or whether he simply addressed her directly because from all eternity he had determined to do so. Nor are we told how grateful she was as a result and how liberated she felt; there is no account of how the miracle happened nor whether the demons concerned were those that, according to the Lord's word, can only be driven out by prayer and fasting. There is nothing about all this. Scripture only speaks of service as a result of liberation. And Magdalen remains in this service, although her being with the Lord was bound to mean that she was never to forget the past: she was and is marked by her erstwhile demonic possession. But that is of no concern to her. For her there is only one constant factor: she follows the Lord because he has set her free. Her life is so perfectly instrumental that we are simply presented with her current existence, not with its background nor its development.
The others who are referred to together with Mary have an easier time, in a way. Although two of them are named, their past is not exposed. All we know of the rest is that they were among those who served the Lord out of their means; their names are not revealed. Magdalen is the only one to be exposed. It was not her wish; she was singled out by grace. The stain of her past and the grace of her liberation are ineradicably associated with her name. The distance between them gives us a standard, a hallmark—for in Scripture nothing is mentioned in vain. She was possessed by devils, and now she is one of the Lord's most intimate associates. Her past history must be of service in reaching her destination: her demonic possession provides the point of departure for the subsequent manifestation of grace. The distance between these poles is a precise one: the intention here is that grace shall be manifested in such a way that its point of departure is not lost sight of. But the characteristics of this distance can be different: for one person the eternally significant factor is that he was baptized; for another, like Saul, for instance, what is fundamental is that the Lord converted him. What is decisive in the case of Magdalen is that she, formerly the victim of possession, is now privileged to be close to the pure God-man and to minister to him whose Holy Spirit has shown his sovereign power over her impure spirits.
In Saul's conversion we can trace all the various stages: his being blinded by the vision of the Lord, his prayer by night, the sending of Ananias and so forth. We see none of this in the case of Magdalen. Much remains inscrutable, hidden in the Lord by whom she is being carried. No doubt faith grows within her; she is baptized and then takes up her exhausting itinerant life with the Lord. But all this is hidden from our gaze because the Lord has taken over the entire responsibility for it. It is enough for us to know that she has been set free; the rest remains an unspoken mystery between her and the Lord. No doubt her contemporaries knew a little more about her, but what they knew died with them, and it is the Lord who determines what shall be known about her in the Church. This example shows us that even in cases where more is known, where we think we have a certain insight into the soul of a saint and can enter into his conversion process—perhaps through reading his own account of it—there is always much more that is unsaid, known only to the Lord. Between every person and the Lord there is a mystery, and everyone is entitled to privacy and silence. On the other hand it is always up to the Lord to determine and alter the boundaries.
Day 1
From the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
The moment you decided to use all your strength in praising, honoring, and serving God our Lord, that was the moment you entered battle with the world, raised your standards against it, and made yourself ready to reject all that is exalted by embracing all that is lowly. At the same time you resolved to accept with indifference positions high or low, honor or dishonor, riches or poverty, to be loved or hated, to be appreciated or scorned—in short, the world's glory or the injuries it could inflict upon you
If we desire to live in honor and to be esteemed by our neighbors, then we shall never be solidly rooted in God our Lord, and it will be impossible for us to remain undisturbed when insults come our way
Our Father….
With St. Ignatius we pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us
For the complete 9 Day Novena to St. Ignatius of Loyola
"Do not be afraid because of your small numbers. It not a matter of winning elections or influencing opinions…. Faith is like a fire. The person himself must be on fire in order to be able to transmit it. Watch over this sacred fire! May it be your heat in the depths of the winter of the West. When a fire illumines the night, people gradually gather around it. That must be your hope."
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
"The Song at the Scaffold" by Gertrude von le Forte's is one of the finest novellas ever written! Vivian Dudro, writer and editor at Ignatius Press engages in a wonderful conversation about the work of German author Gertrude von le Forte who was a writer of novels, poems, and essays. A convert to Catholicism in 1926, most of von le Forte's work came after her conversion. In 1952 she won the Gottfried-Keller Prize, an esteemed Swiss literary award.
Set during the French Revolution, this classic novella is based on the true story of the Carmelite nuns of Compiègne, who offered their lives for the preservation of the Church in France. The Song at the Scaffold was the original inspiration for the opera Dialogues of the Carmelites written by Francis Poulenc, which premiered in 1957. The opera was based on a libretto with this same title written by Georges Bernanos.
As Vivian points out in our discussion, von le Forte's work is as relevant today as it was in the last century. In the course of our conversation, we discuss the influence of the Carmelite tradition and it's influence on Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and Bl. John Paul II, as well the role of redemptive suffering in the life of the Christian.
A novella in it's truest sense, this book contains as much meaning as any tome made up 10x the pages. A NOT TO BE MISSED READ.
You can find it at Ignatius.com
One of the great Christian classics of all time. —Michael O'Brien, Author, Father Elijah
A poignant reminder that, for the Christian, fearlessness lies on the far side of Gethsemane and the Cross. —George Weigel, Author, Witness to Hope
With Fr. John Bartunek, we continue with part 2 of our discussion on "The Better Part: The Gospels." During our conversation, we discuss the importance of prayer and the scriptures, the nature of spiritual direction, and how we can develop our friendship with Christ. It's always a joy to talk with Fr. Bartunek. We couldn't recommend this 4-volume set more highly.
You can find the set here
From the book description
Every saint and renowned spiritual director through the ages has said the same thing: if we desire to become saints, we must spend time daily in meditation. With this set, Fr. John Bartunek has created an extensive, Christ-centered resource to serve as your daily meditation companion. The Better Part offers a practical explanation of Christian meditation, as well as material to draw from during your meditations, including a Bible study on the Gospels, a survey of saints writings, and a handy guide to prayer.
As you learn to read, meditate upon, absorb, and apply the Gospels to your life, you'll also find ways to personalize your times of prayer, allowing you to follow the Holy Spirit's lead along the path of holiness. Open these pages to discover the methods of meditation that best suit you, develop your friendship with Christ, and experience the true Christian joy of a deep, fruitful life of prayer.
Episode 18 – "Celebration of Holy Mass" pt. 3 – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Gallagher offers aspects of Ven. Lanteri's on how to enter into the celebration of the Holy Mass as found in Ven. Lanteri's Directory, a commentary on the Rule of the Oblates, with many teachings on the spiritual life.
…at the Elevation, those of Jesus Christ Himself, at the Pater Noster, those of a beggar, at the Agnus Dei those of a criminal; at the Communion, those of a lover; at the Ite Missa est, those of an apostle.
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom, through the hope in your merits and in your Cross, infused into the heart of your servant Bruno, and through the zeal he showed in teaching your goodness and mercy, grant us the same ardor and the grace for which we fervently ask… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Holy Spirit, fount of charity, through the love for God and neighbor that you enkindled in the heart of your servant Bruno, grant also to us that, living far from sin, in charity and justice, we may be worthy of the grace we humbly seek and gain the joy of heaven… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
And you, Virgin Mother of God and our Mother, obtain from the Lord the beatification of your servant Bruno, who all his life loved you as a loyal son and zealously sought to lead others to you, and obtain for us through his intercession the grace that with great trust we ask of you… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel,
when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel,
you gave assurance of your Motherly love
and help to those faithful to you and to your Son.
Behold us, your children.
We glory in wearing your holy habit,
which makes us members of your family of Carmel,
through which we shall have your powerful protection in life,
at death and even after death.
Look down with love,
O Gate of Heaven,
on all those now in their last agony!
Look down graciously,
O Virgin, Flower of Carmel,
on all those in need of help!
Look down mercifully,
O Mother of our Savior,
on all those who do not know
that they are numbered among your children.
Look down tenderly,
O Queen of All Saints,
on the poor souls!(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
With Fr. John Bartunek, we begin part 1 of our discussion on "The Better Part: The Gospels." During our conversation, we discuss the importance of prayer and the scriptures, the nature of spiritual direction, and how we can develop our friendship with Christ. It's always a joy to talk with Fr. Bartunek. We couldn't recommend this 4-volume set more highly.
You can find the set here
From the book description
Every saint and renowned spiritual director through the ages has said the same thing: if we desire to become saints, we must spend time daily in meditation. With this set, Fr. John Bartunek has created an extensive, Christ-centered resource to serve as your daily meditation companion. The Better Part offers a practical explanation of Christian meditation, as well as material to draw from during your meditations, including a Bible study on the Gospels, a survey of saints writings, and a handy guide to prayer.
As you learn to read, meditate upon, absorb, and apply the Gospels to your life, you'll also find ways to personalize your times of prayer, allowing you to follow the Holy Spirit's lead along the path of holiness. Open these pages to discover the methods of meditation that best suit you, develop your friendship with Christ, and experience the true Christian joy of a deep, fruitful life of prayer.
The wisdom that comes from experience is a gift that is meant to be shared, especially in times of challenge and heightened anxiety. In "The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments: A Catholic Journey of Recovery," Scott Weeman shares his recovery journey and offers a hand up to many today who find themselves in a time of darkness and struggle, especially during the circumstances arising from the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Catholic in Recovery is a nonprofit organization founded by Scott Weeman that seeks to serve those suffering from addictions and unhealthy attachments (including alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography addiction, sex and relationship addiction, compulsive overeating and food addictions, gambling addiction, codependency and the impact on family, and general fear, control, and anxiety). To learn visit: www.catholicinrecovery.com
You can find the book here
From the book description:
In The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments, Weeman candidly tackles the struggle he and other addicts have with getting to know intimately the unnamed Higher Power of recovery. He shares stories of his compulsion to find a personal relationship with God and how his tentative steps back to the Catholic Church opened new doors of healing and brought him surprising joy as he came to know Christ in the sacraments.
Catholics in recovery and those moving toward it, as well as the people who love them will recognize Weeman's story and his spiritual struggle to personally encounter God. He tells us how:Baptism helps you admit powerlessness over an unmanageable problem, face your desperate need for God, and choose to believe in and submit to God's mercy.Reconciliation affirms and strengthens the hard work of examining your life, admitting wrongs, and making amends.The Eucharist provides ongoing sustenance and draws you to the healing power of Christ.The graces of Confirmation strengthen each person to keep moving forward and to share the good news of recovery and new life in Christ.Weeman's words are boldly challenging and brimming with compassion and through them you will discover inspiration, hope, sage advice, and refreshingly practical help.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 9
St. Bonaventure you have said:
Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee,
the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super-substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.
May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee,
Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor;
may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end;
and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably.
Amen.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesusâ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
You give us hope,
O Mother of Mercy,
that through your Scapular promise
we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory
to the Kingdom of your Son.
Be our comfort and our hope.
Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that,
ever faithful to your Son and to you,
we may speedily enjoy after death
the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
With Dr. Matthew Bunson, we discuss his book "St. Kateri: Lily of the Mohawks". The humble daughter of a Mohawk chief and a Roman Catholic mother, Kateri (named after St. Catherine of Siena) Tekakwitha lived a short life (she died at the age of 24). She was a powerful witness to her Christian faith, so much so, that even the famed "black robe" Jesuit missionaries were awed "by her perfection of the virtues, her mystical prayer life, and her total love for Christ." Her last words were: "Jesus, I love you." No one tells a story like Dr. Bunson, and he doesn't fail to captivate this time when describing the life of this remarkably holy woman.
You can find the book here
From the book description:
This authoritative account of the first Native American woman to be declared a saint by the Church is sure to inspire you. Discover an extraordinary young woman who was called by Pope Blessed John Paul II, God's "bountiful gift" to His Church and a "sweet, frail yet strong figure of a young woman who died when she was only twenty-four years old: Kateri Tekakwitha, the 'Lily of the Mohawks.'"
Kateri was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Kateri Tekakwitha's faith and love for Christ in the face of overwhelming hostility and her own debilitating illnesses will encourage you as you seek God's grace to overcome challenges in your own life! She is a powerful role model for converts to the Church, young people striving for chastity, and anyone looking to deepen their own prayer life. She is also a shining example that God's call to holiness is truly universal and is heard by men and women in all walks of life and all ages.
Written by experienced and prolific authors Matthew and Margaret Bunson, St. Kateri: Lily of the Mohawks is the most definitive biography of Kateri Tekakwitha.
Experience the extraordinary stories of the French Jesuit missionaries, the famed Blackrobes," in the wilderness of North America and the heroic conversions of the Native Americans to the Catholic faith. Follow Kateri's life from when she contracted smallpox as a toddler – a disease that swept through her village – claiming her family and leaving her severely disfigured and half-blinded. Drawn to the Catholic faith by the Bible stories and teachings of the French Jesuits, Kateri amazed them by her perfection of the virtues, her mystical prayer life, and her total love for Christ.
Kateri Tekakwitha's life of faith is an inspiration to everyone!
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 8
St. Bonaventure you have said:
Love is sometimes formed by sight, sometimes by hearing, sometimes by touch, sometimes by fellowship. We love the person in whom we see the good, or from whom we hear the good, or in whom we have experienced the good, or with whom we have had good fellowship. In all these ways the Saviour reforms the charity of his disciples on the day of resurrection which had been damaged in the time of the Passion. He gave himself to the disciples so that they could know him by sight (which is why it is said that âhe stood in their midstâ and shortly afterwards, âhe showed them his hands and sideâ by hearing, when he greeted them (thus it says âPeace be with youâ); by touch, when he invited them to touch him (âTouch and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I haveâ); by fellowship, when he asked for something to eat (âDo you have something here to eat?â, Lk 24.41)
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesusâ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
O Mary, Help of Christians,
you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily
would keep us from harm.
Protect us in both body and soul
with your continual aid.
May all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you.(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Episode 17 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– Mystical experiences and consoling prayer. Prayer is earnestly desired, and prayer because something we delight in. Also, the prayer that will spontaneously occur. Another type of experience is the aspect of the sacramental encounter.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
With loving provident care,
O Mother Most Amiable,
you covered us with your Scapular
as a shield of defense against the Evil One.
Through your assistance,
may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil,
always open to your Son Jesus Christ.(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 7
St. Bonaventure you have said:
âOh, if you could feel in some way the quality and intensity of the fire sent from heaven, the refreshing coolness that accompanied it, the consolation it imparted; if you could realize the great exaltation of the Virgin Mother, the ennobling of the human race, the condescension of the divine majesty; if you could hear the Virgin singing with joy; if you could go with your Lady into the mountain region; if you could see the sweet embrace of the Virgin and the woman who had been sterile and hear the greeting in which the tiny servant recognized his Lord, the herald his Judge and the voice His Word, then I am sure you would sing in sweet tones with the Blessed Virgin that sacred hymn: My soul magnifies the Lord and with the tiny prophet you would exalt, rejoice and adore the marvelous virginal conception.â
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesusâ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
BKL 306 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – Join Msgr. John Esseff as he discusses the turbulent times we live in which chaos and confusion seem to be rampant everywhere. He offers the one person who can help us now…Jesus Christ.
Gospel MT 11:28-30
Jesus said:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
O Mother of Fair Love,
through your goodness,
as your children,
we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel.
Help us to live in charity with one another,
prayerful as Elijah of old,
and mindful of our call to minister to Godâs people.(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 6
St. Bonaventure you have said:
The Blessed Virgin brought forth that price by the holiness of Her prompt obedience. As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God in the heart of a woman.To found the Church, it was necessary to lay a foundation, namely, the commandments of God, and to place them in the heart of some person. This could be none but the Virgin…the One who was obedient. Thus, the commandments were rooted in Her heart. Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Not only is the Virgin blessed, but all who follow Her as well. And who are these? All who hear the word of God and fulfill it.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus' wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
BTP30 St. Benedict, Listening and Discernment – The Mystery of Faith in the Wisdom of the Saints. In this episode, Dr. Lilles offers a general introduction to this series, the mystical key to discernment, and teaching of St. Benedict.
Dr. Lilles offers 4 key points we should keep in mind as we move forward in this series
1. The Search for God
2. Listening to God – Lectio Divina
3. Conversion to God – Conversatio Morum
4. Living with oneself and letting God fashion one into His image
All four points can be found in the "Holy Rule of St. Benedict" paragraph #58:
CHAPTER LVIII Of the Manner of Admitting Brethren
Let easy admission not be given to one who newly cometh to change his life; but, as the Apostle saith, "Try the spirits, whether they be of God" (1 Jn 4:1). If, therefore, the newcomer keepeth on knocking, and after four or five days it is seen that he patiently beareth the harsh treatment offered him and the difficulty of admission, and that he persevereth in his request, let admission be granted him, and let him live for a few days in the apartment of the guests.
But afterward let him live in the apartment of novices, and there let him meditate, eat, and sleep. Let a senior also be appointed for him, who is qualified to win souls, who will observe him with great care and see whether he really seeketh God, whether he is eager for the Work of God, obedience and humiliations. Let him be shown all the hard and rugged things through which we pass on to God.
If he promiseth to remain steadfast, let this Rule be read to him in order after the lapse of two months, and let it be said to him: Behold the law under which thou desirest to combat. If thou canst keep it, enter; if, however, thou canst not, depart freely. If he still persevereth, then let him be taken back to the aforesaid apartment of the novices, and let him be tried again in all patience. And after the lapse of six months let the Rule be read over to him, that he may know for what purpose he entereth. And if he still remaineth firm, let the same Rule be read to him again after four months. And if, after having weighed the matter with himself he promiseth to keep everything, and to do everything that is commanded him, then let him be received into the community, knowing that he is now placed under the law of the Rule, and that from that day forward it is no longer permitted to him to wrest his neck from under the yoke of the Rule, which after so long a deliberation he was at liberty either to refuse or to accept.
Let him who is received promise in the oratory, in the presence of all, before God and His saints, stability, the conversion of morals, and obedience, in order that, if he should ever do otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by God "Whom he mocketh." Let him make a written statement of his promise in the name of the saints whose relics are there, and of the Abbot there present. Let him write this document with his own hand; or at least, if he doth not know how to write, let another write it at his request, and let the novice make his mark, and with his own hand place it on the altar. When he hath placed it there, let the novice next begin the verse: "Uphold me, O Lord, according to Thy word and I shall live; and let me not be confounded in my expectations" (Ps 118[119]:116). Then let all the brotherhood repeat this verse three times, adding the Gloria Patri.
The let that novice brother cast himself down at the feet of all, that they may pray for him; and from that day let him be counted in the brotherhood.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Pray for us.
Holy Father, Saint Benedict,
Pray for us.
Father most reverend,
Pray for us.
Father most renowned,
Pray for us.
Father most compassionate,
Pray for us.
Man of great fortitude,
Pray for us.
Man of venerable life,
Pray for us.
Man of the most holy conversation,
Pray for us.
True servant of God,
Pray for us.
Light of devotion,
Pray for us.
Light of prayer,
Pray for us.
Light of contemplation,
Pray for us.
Star of the world,
Pray for us.
Best master of an austere life,
Pray for us.
Leader of the holy warfare,
Pray for us.
Leader and chief of monks,
Pray for us.
Master of those who die to the world,
Pray for us.
Protector of those who cry to thee,
Pray for us.
Wonderful worker of miracles,
Pray for us.
Revealer of the secrets of the human heart,
Pray for us.
Master of spiritual discipline,
Pray for us.
Companion of the patriarchs,
Pray for us.
Equal of the prophets,
Pray for us.
Follower of the Apostles,
Pray for us.
Teacher of martyrs,
Pray for us.
Father of many pontiffs,
Pray for us.
Gem of abbots,
Pray for us.
Glory of confessors,
Pray for us.
Imitator of anchorites,
Pray for us.
Associate of virgins,
Pray for us.
Colleague of all the saints,
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V. Intercede for us, O holy father Saint Benedict,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who hast called us from the vanity of the world,
and Who dost incite us
to the reward of a heavenly vocation
under the guidance of our holy patriarch
and founder, Saint Benedict,
inspire and purify our hearts
and pour forth on us Thy grace,
whereby we may persevere in Thee.
Through Jesus Christ,
Our Lord.
Amen
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 5
St. Bonaventure you have said:
"Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant, and the mystery hidden from the ages. A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make with Christ a pasch, that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulcher, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside Christ: Today you will be with me in paradise."
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus' wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
When you gave us, Gracious Lady,
the Scapular as our Habit,
you called us to be not only servants,
but also your own children.
We ask you to gain for us from your Son
the grace to live as your children in joy, peace and love.(State your request here…)
Recite the following prayers…
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 9
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
As there is a harsh and evil zeal which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a virtuous zeal which separates from vice and leads to God and life everlasting.
Let the monks, therefore, practice this zeal with most ardent love; namely, that in honor they forerun one another (cf Rom 12:10). Let them bear their infirmities, whether of body or mind, with the utmost patience; let them vie with one another in obedience. Let no one follow what he thinks useful to himself, but rather to another. Let them practice fraternal charity with a chaste love.
Let them fear God and love their Abbot with sincere and humble affection; let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and my He lead us all together to life everlasting. (Holy Rule 72)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
"In the twenty-first century, totalitarianism has a more pernicious face. Its name is the idolatry of complete and absolute freedom."
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 4
St. Bonaventure you have said:
I confess before God that what made me love Saint Francis' way of life so much was that it is exactly like the origin and the perfection of the Church itself, which began first with simple fishermen and afterward developed to include the most illustrious and learned doctors. You find the same thing in the Order of Saint Francis; in this way God reveals that it did not come about through human calculations but through Christ.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus' wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
O Queen of Heaven,
you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign
by which we might be known as your faithful children.
May we always wear it with honor
by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues.
Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
In place of idealistic spiritualityâ¦acknowledging oneâs needs
From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:
CHAPTER VIII
Of the Divine Office during the Night
Making due allowance for circumstances, the brethren will rise during the winter season, that is, from the calends of November till Easter, at the eighth hour of the night; so that, having rested till a little after midnight, they may rise refreshed. The time, however, which remains over after the night office (Matins) will be employed in study by those of the brethren who still have some parts of the psalms and the lessons to learn.
But from Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebrating the night office (Matins) be so arranged, that after a very short interval, during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature, the morning office (Lauds), which is to be said at the break of day, may follow presently.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at SantâAnselmo in Rome.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 8
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
If we do not venture to approach men who are in power, except with humility and reverence, when we wish to ask a favor, how much must we beseech the Lord God of all things with all humility and purity of devotion? And let us be assured that it is not in many words, but in the purity of heart and tears of compunction that we are heard. For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. At the community exercises, however, let the prayer always be short, and the sign having been given by the Superior, let all rise together. (Holy Rule 20)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 3
St. Bonaventure you have said:
In beautiful things St. Francis saw Beauty itself, and through His vestiges imprinted on creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making from all things a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him who is utterly desirable. If you desire to know … ask grace, not instruction; desire, not understanding; the groaning of prayer, not diligent reading; the Spouse, not the teacher; God, not man; darkness not clarity; not light, but fire that totally inflames and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus' wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us
you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel,
having heard the prayers
of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock.
Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion.
May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
Episode 17 – "Celebration of Holy Mass" pt. 2 – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Gallagher offers aspects of Ven. Lanteri's teachings on how to enter into the celebration of the Holy Mass as found in the Directory, a commentary on the Rule of the Oblates, with many insights on the spiritual life.
at the Epistle and Gospel, those of a disciple; at the Creed, those of a martyr; at the Offertory, those of the priest Melchisedech; at the Preface, those of the blessed in heaven;
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom, through the hope in your merits and in your Cross, infused into the heart of your servant Bruno, and through the zeal he showed in teaching your goodness and mercy, grant us the same ardor and the grace for which we fervently ask… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Holy Spirit, fount of charity, through the love for God and neighbor that you enkindled in the heart of your servant Bruno, grant also to us that, living far from sin, in charity and justice, we may be worthy of the grace we humbly seek and gain the joy of heaven… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
And you, Virgin Mother of God and our Mother, obtain from the Lord the beatification of your servant Bruno, who all his life loved you as a loyal son and zealously sought to lead others to you, and obtain for us through his intercession the grace that with great trust we ask of you… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 7
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet says, "Serve the Lord with fear" (Ps 2:11). And again, "Sing wisely" (Ps 46[47]:8). And, "I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels" (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becomes us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice. (Holy Rule 19)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 2
St. Bonaventure you have said:
Three things are necessary to everyone regardless of status, sex, or age, i.e., truth of faith which brings understanding; love of Christ which brings compassion; endurance of hope which brings perseverance. No adult is in state of salvation unless he has faithful understanding in his mind, loving compassion in his heart, and enduring perseverance in his actions.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesusâ wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
may we who celebrate the feast of St. Bonaventure
always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
O Beautiful Flower of Carmel,
most fruitful vine,
splendor of heaven,
holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a pure virgin,
assist us in our necessity!
O Star of the Sea,
help and protect us!
Show us that you are our Mother!
(State your request hereâ¦)
Recite the following prayersâ¦
Our Fatherâ¦
Hail Maryâ¦
Glory Beâ¦
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.
St. Bonaventure Novena Day 1
St. Bonaventure you have said:
The life of God – precisely because God is triune – does not belong to God alone. God who dwells in inaccessible light and eternal glory comes to us in the face of Christ and the activity of the Holy Spirit. Because of God's outreach to the creature, God is said to be essentially relational, ecstatic, fecund, alive as passionate love. Divine life is therefore also our life. The heart of the Christian life is to be united with the God of Jesus Christ by means of communion with one another. The doctrine of the Trinity is, ultimately, therefore a teaching not about the abstract nature of God, nor about God in isolation from everything other than God, but a teaching about God's life with us and our life with each other.
Dear St. Bonaventure
Cardinal, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church,
you chose a life that embraced mortification and great humiliation.
Choosing to serve those individuals who were rejected and sick you risked illness for yourself.
You made your life a continuous prayer and spent hours meditating on the wounds of Christ.
Please pray for us that we may have a sincere and humble heart.
Pray that we may not lose sight of Jesus' wounds and thus walk on the straight path to eternal salvation.
All-powerful Father,
through the intercession of St. Bonaventure
we ask that you hear the intentions we hold in our hearts for this novena
may we always benefit from his wisdom
and follow the example of his love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
For the complete 9-Day St. Bonaventure Novena visit here
Episode 16 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– Deacon Keating and Kris McGregor discuss the internal world and the external presence of God. The importance of silence and recognizing the day of our visitations. Experiencing the love of God internally. We have lived by faith and now move to live by love.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always let it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him; … and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: "Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven" (Lk 18:13)…
Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, cast out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin. (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The second degree of humility is, when a man loves not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carries out that word of the Lord which says: "I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me" (Jn 6:38). It is likewise said: "Self-will has its punishment, but necessity wins the crown."
The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: "He became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:8).
The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up, but hold out, as the Scripture says: "He that shall persevere to the end shall be saved" (Mt 10:22). (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
BKL 305 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – "He shall proclaim peace to the nations!" Peace begins inside the hearts of each baptized Christian. Do you know who you are? Have you truly encountered Jesus?
Gospel MT 11:25-30
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes (cf Ps 35[36]:2), shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God has commanded, that he always consider in his mind how those who despise God will burn in hell for their sins, and that life everlasting is prepared for those who fear God. And while he guards himself evermore against sin and vices of thought, word, deed, and self-will, let him also hasten to cut off the desires of the flesh.
Let a man consider that God always sees him from Heaven, that the eye of God beholds his works everywhere, and that the angels report them to Him every hour. The Prophet tells us this when he shows God thus ever present in our thoughts, saying: "The searcher of hearts and reins is God" (Ps 7:10)…Therefore, in order that he may always be on his guard against evil thoughts, let the humble brother always say in his heart: "Then I shall be spotless before Him, if I shall keep myself from iniquity" (Ps 17[18]:24) . (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
Brothers, the Holy Scripture crys to us saying: "Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted" (Lk 14:11; 18:14). Since, therefore, it says this, it shows us that every exaltation is a kind of pride…
Hence, brethren, if we wish to reach the greatest height of humility, and speedily to arrive at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made in the present life by humility, then, mounting by our actions, we must erect the ladder which appeared to Jacob in his dream, by means of which angels were shown to him ascending and descending (cf Gen 28:12). Without a doubt, we understand this ascending and descending to be nothing else but that we descend by pride and ascend by humility. The erected ladder, however, is our life in the present world, which, if the heart is humble, is by the Lord lifted up to heaven. For we say that our body and our soul are the two sides of this ladder; and into these sides the divine calling has inserted various degrees of humility or discipline which we must mount. . (Holy Rule 7)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
"Speed and artificiality cannot lead us to God." Transhumanism, smartphone addiction, and insanity: how can we start living in the real world? We continue our exploration of Cardinal Robert Sarah's 2019 book "The Day Is Now Far Spent", chapter 7.
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 2
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
What, dearest brothers, can be sweeter to us than this voice of the Lord inviting us? See, in His loving kindness, the Lord shows us the way of life. Therefore, having our loins girt with faith and the performance of good works, let us walk His ways under the guidance of the Gospel, that we may be found worthy of seeing Him who has called us to His kingdom (cf 1 Thes 2:12).
If we desire to dwell in the tabernacle of His kingdom, we cannot reach it in any way, unless we run to it by good works. But let us ask the Lord with the Prophet, saying to Him: "Lord, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle, or who shall rest in Your holy hill" (Ps 14[15]:1)? . (Holy Rule 1)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
For the complete 9-day St. Benedict Holy Rule Novena visit HERE
Episode 16 – "Celebration of Holy Mass" pt. 1 – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Gallagher offers aspects of Ven. Lanteri's on how to enter into the celebration of the Holy Mass as found in Ven. Lanteri's Directory, a commentary on the Rule of the Oblates, with many teachings on the spiritual life.
in saying Mass, they shall unite themselves with Jesus Christ, having a mind to share in the designs of His Heart in instituting such a mystery, paying particular attention to the principal actions so as to stir up in themselves such dispositions as correspond to each. Thus for example at the Confiteor they should kindle in themselves the sentiments of the publican; at the Gloria, those of the Angels; at the Oremus those of an ambassador in the Church's service;
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers's various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom, through the hope in your merits and in your Cross, infused into the heart of your servant Bruno, and through the zeal he showed in teaching your goodness and mercy, grant us the same ardor and the grace for which we fervently ask… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Holy Spirit, fount of charity, through the love for God and neighbor that you enkindled in the heart of your servant Bruno, grant also to us that, living far from sin, in charity and justice, we may be worthy of the grace we humbly seek and gain the joy of heaven… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
And you, Virgin Mother of God and our Mother, obtain from the Lord the beatification of your servant Bruno, who all his life loved you as a loyal son and zealously sought to lead others to you, and obtain for us through his intercession the grace that with great trust we ask of you… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Novena to St. Benedict Day 1
In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:
Listen, O my son, to the precepts of the master, and incline the ear of your heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of your loving Father, that by the toil of obedience you may return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience you have gone away.
To You, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up your own will, take up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King. (Holy Rule – Prologue)
Glorious Saint Benedict,
sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace!
Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet.
I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God.
To you, I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.
Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor.
Inspire me to imitate you in all things.
May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.
Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries, and afflictions of life.
Your heart was always full of love, compassion, and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way.
You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you.
I, therefore, invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayers and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore.
{mention your petition}
Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.
For the complete 9-day St. Benedict Holy Rule Novena visit HERE
Letter to the faithful for the memorial of St. Junípero Serra
The following was originally published in The Angelus ,
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Recently, statues to the Apostle of California, St. Junípero Serra, were torn down in San Francisco and in the plaza outside our first church, Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles, in downtown Los Angeles. Up and down the state, there is growing debate about removing St. Junípero memorials from public lands. Ventura officials have announced that they will hold a public hearing July 7 to debate whether to take down his statue from in front of Ventura City Hall.
Faced with the possibility of vandalism, we are taking increased security precautions at the historic missions located in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, we will probably have to relocate some statues to our beloved saint or risk their desecration.
These developments sadden me. I have been thinking and writing about St. Junípero for many years now.
I understand the deep pain being expressed by some native peoples in California. But I also believe Fray Junípero is a saint for our times, the spiritual founder of Los Angeles, a champion of human rights, and this country's first Hispanic saint. I was privileged to celebrate his canonization Mass with Pope Francis in 2015. I rely on his intercession in my ministry, and I am inspired by his desire to bring God's tender mercy to every person.
The exploitation of America's first peoples, the destruction of their ancient civilizations, is a historic tragedy. Crimes committed against their ancestors continue to shape the lives and futures of native peoples today. Generations have passed and our country still has not done enough to make things right.
In the family of God here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we have worked hard to atone for past errors and wrongs and to find the path forward together. We honor the contributions that native peoples made to building the Church in Southern California and we cherish their gifts in the mission of the Church today.
Over the years, I have come to understand how the image of Father Serra and the missions evokes painful memories for some people. For that reason, I believe the protests over our history in California, and the broader protests that have started elsewhere in the country over historical monuments, are important.
Historical memory is the soul of every nation. What we remember about our past and how we remember it defines our national identity — the kind of people we want to be, the values and principles we want to live by.
Episode 15 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The journey begins into the unitive way…the beginning of falling in love with God. Combined with the entry into the sacramental life, living out the moral life becomes more than meeting a "goal" but becomes a "way" of life.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the true meanings of happiness and joy. What does it really look like? How can we live a life of happiness and joy? Msgr. Esseff discusses the beatitudes and forgiveness and the keys to a proper understanding. What is true humility? How much the Father loves you!
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.
"Modern man has amnesia. Even the darkest pages of history must not be forgotten." The panel takes on chapter 7 "Where Is the World Headed?" of Cardinal Robert Sarah's 2019 book "The Day Is Now Far Spent".
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
Episode 15 – "The Quality and Aim of Our Actions" – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Gallagher offers that a clear understanding of one's state of life and of one's specific path toward holiness—one's vocation—forms a basic point of the spiritual direction which Lanteri offers to the laity. It is in "this state…and not in another" that God "wills that I serve Him and gain my salvation." Lanteri leads men and women to understand their state in lay life as the will of God and to seek to fulfill faithfully the tasks connected with that state of life.
The state of life…in which I find myself is the condition in which I can, I ought, and I desire to become holy. And so I need to see my obligations, and the means to fulfill them. My true happiness consists in the faithful practice of these (To a Married Woman, Positio, 534).
1. My heart must belong totally to God and to my husband, not only because of natural attraction, but also because of a commitment contracted with God Himself. 2. I must make every effort to maintain harmony between all in the house, and to seek and to create a domestic peace. 3. I must strive to win the affection of all who live near to us (To a Married Woman, ibid., 534).
I will seek to understand the inclinations of all those in the house so as to provide for them, and to please them cheerfully in all that is not of offense to God, even though at times this may cost effort (To a Married Woman, ibid., 535).
God has placed me in this state of life, and in no other, so that may I serve Him and win my salvation. All the circumstances and events related to my state in life, such as the different temperaments of those with whom I deal, the matters that arise, the times and places in which these things take place, all this forms the order of providence the Lord has chosen for my salvation (To a Married Woman, ibid., 537).
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers's various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom, through the hope in your merits and in your Cross, infused into the heart of your servant Bruno,
Episode 14 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The Eucharist summons us like a beacon. Even in the face of scandal, the moral authority of the Church shines through the Eucharist and challenges us to follow Christ in moving forward and allowing our hearts to be transformed. Mortal sin, what is it and how does it affect our relationship with the Eucharist…with Christ? Being present at mass even if you shouldn't receive…not allowing yourself to be separated from worship.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
Conference 2: Healing Gifts and Transforming Moments – Yearning for Healing /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference 2: Healing Gifts and Transforming Moments
- Unity of Jesus in Heaven with the Church on Earth through
Baptism…with Mary as the one who connects/joins/links the Body on earth with Jesus, the Head.
-
Mary's love for the people of earth: encouraging, teaching, warning, appearing, interceding
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Message to Juan Diego
My dearest son, hear and let it penetrate into your heart: Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.
Let nothing trouble your heart or your mind.
Do not fear any illness or worry, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?
During these past months of pandemic – in isolation and uncertainty we have come face-to-face with our beautiful yet fragile world. We have come to realize more deeply than ever before that we are living in a world of poverty, pain, illness, grief, and death…in a world of uncertainty, division, injustice, anger, and frustration…in a world of spiritual darkness where peoples are yearning for light…where there is so much need for healing.
Now is the time to live with courage, to accept our individual brokenness, to embrace our own wounded-ness – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – and to seek healing. Only then can we put our wounded-ness at the service of others. Only then can we become
WOUNDED HEALERS.
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Transforming Moments when people encounter Jesus in their lives
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Mark 5: 1-‐20 -‐ Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac
After healing, Jesus sent him home to proclaim the power of Jesus.
Today, the power of Jesus to drive out devils resides in His exorcists.
Acts 9: 1-‐22 Conversion of Saul – powerful transformation Once he encountered Jesus, he became Paul, enflamed with Divine love
Many Saints had transforming encounters with Jesus in their lives and radiated Christ, shining forth with the Divine Power of grace. They are beautiful examples for us -‐ and powerful intercessors for our healing.
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Sources of Healing
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The power of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist
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The power of healing in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
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The power of healing prayer, novenas, Rosary, Stations of the Cross
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Sacramentals: Sign of the Cross, holy water, blessings
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Devotional prayer
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Prayer and protection of the angels
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Building a Kingdom of Love – Msgr. John A. Esseff Someday – Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.
(see quotations in Handouts)
Suggestion for personal reflection and prayer
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Can I recall some transforming moment in my life where I personally encountered Jesus' love for me?
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How has it changed me, impacted my life?
HANDOUTS: Quotes
Building a Kingdom of Love -‐ Msgr. John A. Esseff
"A war is raging. Heaven and hell are on a collision course. Because
many of Jesus' soldiers are wounded, we need healing. After the healing comes the conquest of love. Muslims are not the enemy. Sinners are not the enemy. Satan is the enemy.
At first we will be a rag-tag army. Vicious enemies will come against us but we will...
Conference 1: Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Yearning for Healing /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference 1: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Opening Prayer:
Praise of the God the Father, Creator of our world…
God the Son…Redeemer who established His Body, the Church and God the Holy Spirit who has gifted us to minister to others
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We, the baptized – in this time of need look up to heaven to Mary…and pray: Hail, Holy Queen
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We are all in need of healing…we are all wounded…
God has not left us orphans… but has given us gifts in Baptism and Confirmation, gifts for us to use to minister to others, to teach, to heal, to preach, to serve…
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1 Cor: 12: 4-‐11 -‐ Different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit
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Called to holiness in our different vocations in life – healing power of blessings and prayer
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Single life – examples of holiness
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Religious life – " " " "
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Married life
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Parents called to bless their children, throughout their lives, family prayer,
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Baptism – blessing of child by the family, community of the Church
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Blessings in the Old Testament – through all generations
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Genesis 26: 1-‐5 – Isaac's blessing of Abimelech
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Genesis 27: 26-‐29 – Isaac's blessing of Jacob
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Genesis 49: 25-‐26 – Jacob's blessing of his sons
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Exodus 20: 6 – God's blessing to Moses -‐ the 10 Commandments
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Numbers: 6:24-‐27 – Blessing of the priests
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Through the union of Baptism, we – the Church Militant in the world today -‐ are surrounded by the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering -‐ our prayers to them for their assistance are powerful
2
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Pope Francis' decree that Latin-‐rite Catholics observe the feast "Mary, Mother of the Church" on the Monday after Pentecost. John 19: 25-‐31 (see quote in handouts)
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Matthew 5: 1-‐12 The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are our challenge, our call to live the Gospel today…to LOVE everyone in the entire world
10) The Holy Spirit has given us many gifts…the Greatest Gift is LOVE– all healing is because of LOVE…healing comes through love
Paul's exhortation: 1 Cor 13: 1-‐13
Suggestions for individual reflection and prayer:
1, Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the special gifts that you have been given…make a list of them
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How can I use those gifts for others?
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Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the special gifts He has given to your spouse,,,your children…your grandchildren…your friend/neighbor
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How can I affirm them?
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Reflect on the personal challenge to you to LOVE everyone – as you are called in 1 Cor: 13: 1-‐13. Prayerfully, make a resolution.
HANDOUT: Quote
MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
Awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the first disciples were had perfectly
accepted and made fruitful the singular grace with which importantly, the grace of being the Mother of God. All of the Church's children can admire her complete docility to the action of the Holy Spirit: faultless docility in faith and transparent humility. Mary, therefore, testifies fully to the obedient and faithful reception of every gift of the Holy Spirit.
Moreover,
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Fifth Mansions Chapter 4 of the "Interior Castle" which covers:
TREATS OF HOW GOD SUSPENDS THE SOUL IN PRAYER BY A TRANCE, ECSTASY OR RAPTURE, WHICH I BELIEVE ARE ALL THE SAME THING. GREA T COURAGE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE EXTRAORDINARY FAVOURS FROM HIS MAJESTY.
- The spiritual espousals. 2. The prayer of union resembles a betrothal. 3. Before the spiritual nuptials temptations are dangerous. 4. The great good done by souls faithful to these graces. 5. Religious subject to the devil's deceptions. 6. Satan's strata-gems. 7. Why they are permitted. 8. Prayer and watchfulness our safeguards. 9. God's watchfulness over such souls. 10. Progress in virtue. 11. Insignificance of our actions compared with their reward. 12. St. Teresa's motives for writing on prayer.
For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the "Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page
For other episodes in the series visitThe Discerning Hearts "The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles"
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. John of Avila
Born: January 6, 1499, Almodóvar del Campo, Spain
Died: May 10, 1569, Montilla, Spain
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. John of Avila
Master Avila was not a university professor, although he had organized and served as the first rector of the University of Baeza. He held no chair in theology, but gave lessons in sacred Scripture to lay people, religious and clerics.
He never set forth a systematic synthesis of his theological teaching, yet his theology was prayerful and sapiential. In his Memorial II to the Council of Trent, he gives two reasons for linking theology and prayer: the holiness of theological knowledge, and the welfare and upbuilding of the Church. As befitted a true humanist endowed with a healthy sense of realism, his was a theology close to life, one which answered the questions of the moment and did so in a practical and understandable way.
The teaching of John of Avila is outstanding for its quality and precision, and its breadth and depth, which were the fruit of methodical study and contemplation together with a profound experience of supernatural realities. His abundant correspondence was soon translated into Italian, French and English.
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
DAY NINE
O adorable Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe what your holy Word teaches. I believe that you were made a priest forever by the solemn oath of your eternal Father and that you offer sacrifices forever. I believe that you offer the most sublime, holy and pure sacrifice most pleasing to God in the fire of your love, your Heart, your infinite merits, even your entire self. I believe that the most profound compassion of your priestly Heart impels you to carry on the function of your priesthood forever and ever in order to reconcile your Father with us and to offer him adoration, praise and thanksgiving for us as well to entreat him and grant us every needed grace.
Inspired by this faith I come to you, O loving Jesus. I place all my needs with great confidence in your priestly Heart and upon the altar of your Heart. The eternal Father cannot refuse anything to such a priest and his sacrifice. Remember me then in all the Masses in which you offer yourself today throughout the world. Let your petition ascend from your Sacred Heart that the eternal Father may decide, through your merits, to forgive me all my sins which I detest from the bottom of my heart and in his fatherly love to grant me the grace for which I have so ardently pleaded during this novena (mention your request). O Sacred Heart, if the heavenly Father grants this request for your sake it will redound to your own glory because it will be a testimony to your Father's love for you. Procure this honor for yourself and from the sanctuary of heaven bring to me this desired grace so that my faith in you may be strengthened and my love of you may be more enkindled, O loving and priestly Heart of Jesus. Amen.
Act of Reparation
O Heart of Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before your altar, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful, alas, that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask your pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses; but also for the sins of those who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow you, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their Baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of your law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against you; we are determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violation of Sundays and Holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against you and your Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which your Vicar on earth and your priests are subjected, for the profanation by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of your divine love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations, who resist the right and teaching authority of the Church which you have founded.
Would, O Divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of your divine honor, the satisfaction you once made to your eternal Father on the Cross and which you continue to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of your Virgin Mother and all the saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of your grace, for all neglect of your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our ability to prevent others from offending you and to bring as many as possible to follow you.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to you, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where you with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
Petition to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked you for many favors but I plead for this one (mention your request). Take it, place it in your open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father sees it covered with the mantle of your most Precious Blood, he will not refuse it. It is not my prayer, but yours. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
O Divine Heart of Jesus, grant, we beseech you, eternal rest to the souls in purgatory, the final grace to those who shall die today, true repentance to sinners, the light of faith to pagans and your blessing to me and mine. Amen.
Episode 14 – "Fixing Our Eyes on the Crucified Christ" – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, "Suffering" … no spiritual direction can be truly complete unless it offers effective counsel with regard to suffering. Ven. Lanteri guides those he directs to look toward the only fully satisfying answer to the question about suffering—the crucified Christ—and to see in such suffering the hand of God which disposes all things for our spiritual progress.
Anxieties, temptations, aridity, heaviness of heart, tribulations, injuries, unpleasant situations, offenses, ingratitude, crosses, matters which do not go well, and sorrows of various kinds: I will expect all these, even from those I love and those I have helped. But I will never consider these as evil, nor will I regard their origin in men, but rather in God. I know that nothing can take place against the will of God. I know that this is the way He Himself followed here on earth, and through which He led the saints closest to Him, even His very mother, so as to glorify her correspondingly in heaven. And so I will consider these as favors and opportunities which He gives me, so that I will need to ask His help, so that I will know my weakness, and do penance for my sins. I will try to accept them, confident that this is the road He has laid out for me, that all is ordered for my good, and that my part is to seek to benefit from these situations (To a Married Woman, Positio, 539).
Let us fix the eyes of our faith and love on the crucified Christ, and we will see that He was not satisfied only with the possibility of suffering, but that He truly suffered every kind of pain, both in body and in spirit, since it is not the possibility of suffering, but sufferings themselves that cause us to gain merit. Let us then accept from His hand every occasion of suffering and practicing virtue, and since all things are disposed for our salvation, let us try to enter into His purpose of love, to follow His plan the best we can, convinced that grace is linked to all that happens, to every cross, and that every such grace we welcome will receive an eternal recompense and reward (in Gastaldi, 473)
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers's various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
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For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith.
DAY EIGHT
My God and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I believe it to be an undeniable truth. I believe it firmly, O Jesus, that you are my good shepherd. Even if you had not said it, I would believe it because I know that you have in my behalf always manifested the heart of a good shepherd. Would that I, during my entire life, had permitted the goodness and solicitude of your Heart to lead me; would that I had never departed from your side, for then I would not have suffered so much misery and tribulation. But alas, I was untrue to you so often that in consequence I fell into the abyss of sin and was mortally wounded. Now, however, your straying lamb calls to you from the depths of its misery.
O my good Shepherd, have mercy on me; give me proof again of your compassionate Heart. After all that you have thus far done for me I cannot believe that your Heart will reject me. Consequently, I beseech this Heart, I embrace it with confidence; and conjure you by all your merits that you obtain for me from your heavenly Father the forgiveness of my sins and the grace for a complete conversion. And then I also pray for the grace of (mention your request) which I am so much in need and which I hope to receive as the fruit of this novena. O Heart of the good Shepherd, have mercy on me. Amen
What are philanthropic groups like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation doing in Africa? This week, we discuss Cardinal Sarah's take on ideological colonialism in "The Day Is Now Far Spent".
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
DAY SEVEN
O my Divine Savior, according to the words of the Holy Scriptures, you are in truth our advocate before your Father. You have freely taken this office upon yourself and unceasingly exercise it with faithful and loving zeal for all who trust in you. Your influence with the Father is so great he will not refuse you. He always hears you as you have testified at the grave of Lazarus. Filled with this faith and with confidence in your compassionate Heart I come to you to plead my cause. I have offended your Father and have called the anger of his Majesty upon myself. I am heavily indebted to his strict justice. I have nothing with which to pay the debt and therefore must fear the punishment. Besides all this, I am in the present need of (mention your request) where only the power of the Father can help me. For the salvation of my soul I sorely need this grace.
O may it come to me from the riches of your Father. O my beloved advocate, from your throne in heaven to your Father and to my Father, to your God and to my God, reconcile me with him. Repay my debts out of the infinite treasury of your merits and obtain for me assistance in my present trial and the grace that I need so much. In the "Our Father" you have composed a prayer with which I will now approach the Father. Accompany me and with the fervor and power of your most Sacred Heart as my mediator, say with me: Our Father, who are in heaven...
Episode 13 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– the spiritual life and moral living… understanding the journey through the Purgative and Illuminative Way and their role in the moral life.
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
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DAY SIX
O Jesus, my divine model and teacher, what can I do when I see you the Son of the Eternal Father, full of glory and honor, laden with the cross, walking the awful road to death, especially when thereby you show me the way to salvation without selfishness but only for my benefit? O Jesus, what can I do but have faith in you and return your love by at least bearing my trials in patience and humility. And this, particularly, my God, because I have so often experienced the great power that my passions have over me, and how seldom I can withstand the temptations of the world. How hard do I not find it to deny myself the pleasure to mortify my desires and to renounce the false splendor of the world although I know full well that all these things so easily lead me into sin.
O give me strength to resist my passions and close my eyes to the allurements and charms of the world, help me to imitate your poverty, purity and humility, and send me trials with the strength to bear them humbly. Though I fear them, they are necessary for me. But I wish to follow you and become like you. Therefore, permit me to drink all of your chalice of suffering. Heart of Jesus, burning for love of me, inflame my heart with love for you.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of Jesus found in John Chapter 6 for the great feast of Corpus Christi. He discusses the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The tragedy becomes when we look upon the Blessed Sacrament has a "something" instead of a "Someone".
DAY FIVE
O Divine Savior, the infinite love of your Sacred Heart was so inflamed for us that it brought you as a sacrifice of propitiation for our sins to the altar of the cross. You have given us the wounded Heart and kept it open not only that we might find therein a protection against the justice of the Eternal Father whom we have offended by our sins but also that this source of grace and mercy may always be open to us in our needs.
Why then do I come to you so seldom and so indifferently? Why do I not fly to this source of all grace? O dearest Jesus forgive me these insults which through want of confidence in you I have so often committed against you. Behold, I now come to you with living faith with the intention never to leave you. Here I shall seek what I need so much, first the forgiveness of my sins, the grace to do better, and then I pray for your assistance in my present need.
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. John of Avila
Born: January 6, 1499, Almodóvar del Campo, Spain
Died: May 10, 1569, Montilla, Spain
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. John of Avila
Thanks to his insight into the times and his excellent academic training, John of Avila was an outstanding theologian and a true humanist. He proposed the establishment of an international court of arbitration to avoid wars and he invented and patented a number of engineering devices. Leading a life of great poverty, he devoted himself above all to encouraging the Christian life of those who readily listened to his preaching and followed him everywhere. He was especially concerned for the education and instruction of boys and young men, especially those studying for the priesthood. He founded several minor and major colleges, which after the Council of Trent would become seminaries along the lines laid down by that Council. He also founded the University of Baeza, which was known for centuries for its work of training clerics and laity.
3. John of Avila was a contemporary, friend and counsellor of great saints, and one of the most celebrated and widely esteemed spiritual masters of his time.
Saint Ignatius Loyola, who held him in high regard, was eager for him to enter the nascent "Company" which was to become the Society of Jesus. Although he himself did not enter, the Master directed some thirty of his best students to the Society. Juan Ciudad, later Saint John of God, the founder of the Order of Hospitallers, was converted by listening to the saintly Master and thereafter relied on him as his spiritual director. The grandee Saint Francis Borgia, later the General of the Society of Jesus, was another important convert thanks to the help of Father Avila. Saint Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia, disseminated Father Avila's catechetical method in his diocese and throughout the south of Spain. Among Father Avila's friends were Saint Peter of Alcántara, Provincial of the Franciscans and reformer of the Order, and Saint John de Ribera, Bishop of Badajoz, who asked him to provide preachers to renew his diocese and later, as Archbishop of Valencia, kept a manuscript in his library containing 82 of John's sermons. Teresa of Jesus, now a Doctor of the Church, underwent great trials before she was able to send him the manuscript of her Autobiography. Saint John of the Cross, also a Doctor of the Church, was in touch with his disciples in Baeza who assisted in the Carmelite reform. Blessed Bartholomew of the Martyrs was acquainted with his life and holiness through common friends, and many others acknowledged the moral and spiritual authority of the Master.
For more visit Vatican.va
For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page
Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News....
DAY FOUR
O sweetest Heart of Jesus, to whom shall I turn in all my sorrows if not to you, the faithful friend of our souls? You have given your very life for me. How then can you refuse me your assistance during my life? It is true, indeed, and I must confess this to you, that instead of relying on you only I have too often trusted to the love and friendship of creatures although I had frequently experienced their treachery. If I have thus insulted you in the past, I promise in the future never to repeat the offense. I promise henceforth in all my doubts, afflictions and needs I will have recourse to you only to find light, help, comfort and grace. henceforth, you alone shall be my friend, upon you alone will I rely. Your friendship shall be above all others. In fact, I promise to renounce all other friendships if they are an occasion of disloyalty to you. To manifest my perfect trust in you, I now beg of you to help me in my present need. (mention your request)
O I pray you to be my "strong defense." Be to me a "medicine for immortality." By kindly granting this request, you will unite my heart more closely with yours and make me forever grateful for your love. Do not permit my trust in you to be confounded, O eternally faithful, benevolent and sweet Heart of Jesus.
Episode 13 – Spiritual Accompaniment and it's Fruits pt 2 – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the actual spiritual direction Ven. Bruno Lanteri offered to a laywoman, Gabriella Solaro della Margarita.
A further letter of Lanteri to Gabriella Solaro della Margarita, the third of the three letters conserved from this correspondence of spiritual direction. Here Lanteri has just learned of the death of Henry, the little child of Gabriella (possibly her youngest), and writes a note of both human and spiritual solace to the grieving mother and her two daughters, Guiseppina and Gabriella. Translated from Carteggio, III, 197-199.
Madame
I have learned from Madame your mother-in-law of how you have lost your little child Henry. In one way, as I think of this, I feel deep sorrow for what has happened to you, since no sacrifice could be more painful for you. He had such wonderful qualities that no one could help loving him, and how much more his own mother. And so, in this sense, you have every reason to feel pain for his loss, and to shed tears for him. Yet, in another way, I share with you a gladness that you that you have very surely gained a protector in heaven, who cannot fail to care for you from his heart, since he is your son. And because you love him so deeply, turn your thoughts to his eternal happiness, share in his glory, and do not imagine that you have lost him; that would not be true, since you have lost him only from sight, and not in reality. Consider that he is at your side like another angel, that he encourages you to dedicate yourself to the things of heaven, and to share in his joy; that he assures you of his efforts before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity on your behalf, as also for his father, for his brother, and for his dear sisters, to obtain for you all great and abundant graces for your eternal salvation. And so, remain in continual and loving conversation with him; speak to him about all that happens both within your heart and without, in the family, and about whatever is of importance to you; be on guard against thinking him uncaring toward you or powerless to help you, since such thoughts would be to misunderstand the immense love and the almost infinite power which each of the Blessed enjoys, with all the other divine perfections which God shares with him in the most abundant way possible.
And so, if before you had no reason to become discouraged in the service of God, so much the less is there reason now. I would add further that, if it were possible for your little Henry to feel any sorrow even now in heaven, it would be to see you discouraged and saddened, whether because of him or because of your own failings, or because of the difficulties you meet in the service of God.
This will be then the remedy for all your feelings of sadness and of fearfulness of heart: the thought that, with the grace of God and the protection of your little child Henry, you will be able to accomplish all things.
I beg you to share some part of these reflections with your respected and worthy daughters, to console them also in their great affliction for the loss of their beloved brother. Tell them that I too take part in their pain, and that I will hold them constantly present in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to obtain for them consolation of heart, and their spiritual growth.
I conclude this letter by blessing you all, and I am, with all the esteem and respect possible
From Bardassano, July 31, 1818
During this series, we find that the Ven. Bruno Lanteri's life and mission contain significant spiritual relevance to nurture the hearts of today's religious and lay faithful.
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers's various books and audio which are available for purchase,
DAY THREE
O beloved Jesus, my heart is deeply moved at the thought that you, Almighty God, should take upon yourself our human nature in order to enable you to become our brother and to make us children of God. But your loving Heart was not satisfied to raised us to such high dignity; you also desired to make us partakers in your inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
How greatly are we indebted to you for these favors. O how I grieve to think that until this very day I have been so ungrateful for your many gifts. Most humbly do I ask for your forgiveness and pray that you will through the merits of your Sacred Heart grant me the grace to follow you in all things so that at death your heavenly Father may find me worthy to be your brother in heaven.
Furthermore, I beg of your most merciful Heart to have pity on me in my present need and grant me the favor (mention your request) that I hope to obtain from you
Everybody seeks for himself a healthy balance in his life. Our whole life is a balancing, to inhale and exhale to the pendulum movement of wakefulness and sleep. We work and recover, we are alone and with others, we talk and listen. As long as we follow this healthy pendulum movement, we are satisfied with ourselves. We do not respond to what our body or soul actually calls.
For some reason, we do not give ourselves what we need, but something else. We avoid what we need, maybe. Here we come across the phenomenon of compensation. If we have stress – what would be good for us? Relaxation. It's slower and is an adequate answer. Instead, we choose a compensation. For example, we smoke or we eat. Instead of relaxing, we treat ourselves to a snack in between activities. And for a moment we feel better.
Another example: we are lonely. To feel better, we feel we need to spend time online or with the social media that makes us feel less alone. What would be a better response to the feeling of loneliness? Visiting the neighbor, inviting a friend, calling somebody, talking to the man. It's actually quite easy, but something prevents us from doing that, and so we resort to compensation. Hence are struggle to find a healthy balance.
Prologue (50 lines total):
1. Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is the advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.
2. The labor of obedience will bring you back to him from whom you had drifted through the sloth of disobedience.
Matthew 7:7-10
"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant'Anselmo in Rome.
DAY TWO
With the greatest confidence I come to you, the fatherly Heart of Jesus for I know that no father, were he ever so loving and solicitous, can possibly love his children as you have always loved me. To whom, therefore, shall I go if not to you the best of fathers and the author of all good? It is indeed true that I have grievously offended you, that I have neglected to honor you properly and have been guilty of ingratitude and do not deserve to be numbered among your children. But although I forgot my duty to you as your child I know that you are still my beloved Father in heaven.
Now with a contrite heart I kneel at your feet weeping over my sins and promising you that in the future I shall make every effort never to offend you again. I hope in spite of my sinfulness to be received by you who have so often sought me.
O sweetest Heart of Jesus help me with your grace so that I may carry out my resolution. Then, O Jesus, if my wishes are not contrary to your most holy will, I beg of you (mention your request) for which I pray with confidence and hope to receive from your infinite goodness.
Episode 12 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The Liturgy of the Eucharist part 4: the Communion Rite…The moment of radical surrender…can we do it? We when come forward to communion, what are doing…what are we saying? Will we allow ourselves to be transformed? The moment of silence…will we allow ourselves to be transformed within so we can go out to transform the culture for Christ?
Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives.
Check out more episodes at "The Way of Mystery" Discerning Heart podcast page
DAY ONE
My God and my Lord, Jesus Christ, in deepest humility I kneel before you and adore your Divine Heart. No one dares to doubt that you will grant all graces necessary to our salvation. Did you not say: "God alone is good," and are not you my very God? Is not your Heart the Heart of God who is all love?
Therefore, there can be no power that is able to hinder you from granting our requests. Nothing is difficult for your omnipotence and your riches are infinite and can never be exhausted.
No matter how often I may have sinned against you, I shall not despair because I know that you are God, infinite in generosity and mercy, always ready to pardon every contrite and humble sinner.
O compassionate Heart of Jesus, God of solace, grant me comfort. Pardon me, come to my assistance. Say but the word and I shall find relief in my sore trials. (mention your request)
I place my hope in you. Let me not be confounded, O Heart of my omnipotent God, have mercy on me
———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)
From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?
To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you, I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.
But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.
Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father's house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.
Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Conference 9 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference Nine
Unity in the Mystical Body of Christ
"Peace soon filled my soul, and I knew that I was loved, not only by those on earth but by those in heaven, too". St. Therese
Theologians have long taught that the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, has three states: suffering, militant and triumphant.
The Church, the Mystical Body, exists on this earth, and is called the Church militant, because its members struggle against the world, the flesh and the devil. The Church suffering means the souls in Purgatory. The Church triumphant is the Church in heaven. The unity and cooperation of the members of the Church on earth, in Purgatory, in Heaven is also called the Communion of Saints.
Angel Power
As Persons of Faith We Stand Together in HOPE…
…because God's dream and our response to the call of the Gospel in these times demand it.
The creativity of the Spirit is at work in living systems…the Spirit is deep within, making all things new.
Leading with the Spirit necessitates openness to vulnerability, ongoing self-discovery, and growth.
As strong Christian leaders, we stand as servants to the human spirit and to the guiding force of God's Spirit.
You can view all the video presentations for this retreat on the Discerning Hearts YouTube Channel by clicking this link:
The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan on YouTube
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. " She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others".
Conference 7 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference Eight
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Throughout the New Testament, there are numerous accounts of Jesus' tender love for the poor, the sinner, the crippled, the dying, the sick. The Gospel of St. Luke is filled with Jesus' healing touch:
• Healing of the centurion's slave Luke 7: 1-10
• Raising of the widow's son Luke 7: 11-15
• Healing of the Gerasene demoniac Luke 8: 40-48
• Raising of Jairus' daughter Luke 9: 40-42, 51-56
• Healing of woman with hemorrhage Luke 9: 42-50
• Healing of boy with a demon Luke 9: 37-43
Graces of the Holy Spirit are received in seed form in the Sacrament of Baptism and in fullness in the sacrament of Confirmation. – 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11
One of the gifts we have received is the gift of healing. Our world is beautiful and fragile and in need of healing… as human beings we are beautiful and fragile and in need of healing.
Among different kinds of healings are the following:
• physical…mental…emotional…spiritual…relational…
• generational…genetic…memories…imagination…
• vows…grief/loss…addiction…sexual
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. – James 5: 13-16
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. " She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others".
Dr. Vincent Ryan joins us to discuss Sven Stolpe's "The Maid of Orleans: The Life and Mysticism of Joan of Arc".
There have been many books written about this fascinating French saint, but this one is a standout because it's author sees Joan of Arc as primarily a mystic. By making this shift, from the nationalistic accomplishments of Joan the leader to Joan the woman steeped in prayer and called to respond, Stolpe provides a refreshing understanding of her motivation and legacy. Dr. Ryan, assistant professor of history at Aquinas College, Nashville, TN, who wrote the introduction to this Ignatius Press release, provides wonderful insights that help readers better appreciate the book as well as Joan of Arc the mystical saint. Marvelous.
You can find the book here
"There have been many books about Joan of Arc, but none surpass this study by a Swedish biographer in its recreation of Joan's milieu, the vividness of its narrative, and its sensitive understanding of the mystery of her life and death." —James Hitchcock, Ph. D., Author, History of the Catholic Church
"As an actress who portrayed Joan of Arc on stage, this beautiful work by Sven Stolpe made her come alive again, but in a much deeper mystical way for me. Stolpe leads us through the complex and incredible journey Heaven asked of Joan the maid. He strips away the legends about her and gets to the heart of her profound sanctity." —Mother Dolores Hart, OSB, Author, The Ear of the Heart
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY NINE
O Lord, Holy Spirit,
grant me sight to see the wondrous promise of divine love;
insight to see my own weakness;
delight in Your divine presence in my soul
which You have made Your temple through sanctifying grace.
I pray, O Holy Spirit,
that I may be not doubting;
that I be spared the pain of being alone
without trust or hope in Christ;
that my prayer may always be "My Lord and my God!"
I pray that I may acquire a sense of retreat
to prayer and recollection at various times in my daily life;
for prayer is the bond that joins us to Christ.
I pray that I may be aware of the physical needs of the poor
and that I may share what I can with them
in the charitable works of the Church.
I pray, O Holy Spirit,
that You will in Your mercy
grant me the favor I have sought in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen
Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena
Born: March 17, 1347, Siena, Italy
Died: April 29, 1380, Rome
Nationality: Italian
For more on St. Catherine of Siena and her teachings visit her Discerning Hearts page
From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI
From the General Audience on St. Catherine of Siena
A true and authentic spiritual family was built up around such a strong and genuine personality; people fascinated by the moral authority of this young woman with a most exalted lifestyle were at times also impressed by the mystical phenomena they witnessed, such as her frequent ecstasies. Many put themselves at Catherineâs service and above all considered it a privilege to receive spiritual guidance from her. They called her âmotherâ because, as her spiritual children, they drew spiritual nourishment from her. Today too the Church receives great benefit from the exercise of spiritual motherhood by so many women, lay and consecrated, who nourish souls with thoughts of God, who strengthen the peopleâs faith and direct Christian life towards ever loftier peaks. âSon, I say to you and call youâ, Catherine wrote to one of her spiritual sons, Giovanni Sabbatini, a Carthusian, âinasmuch as I give birth to you in continuous prayers and desire in the presence of God, just as a mother gives birth to a sonâ (Epistolario, Lettera n. 141: To Fr Giovanni deâ Sabbatini). She would usually address the Dominican Fr Bartolomeo de Dominici with these words: âMost beloved and very dear brother and son in Christ sweet Jesusâ.
Another trait of Catherineâs spirituality is linked to the gift of tears. They express an exquisite, profound sensitivity, a capacity for being moved and for tenderness. Many Saints have had the gift of tears, renewing the emotion of Jesus himself who did not hold back or hide his tears at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and at the grief of Mary and Martha or at the sight of Jerusalem during his last days on this earth. According to Catherine, the tears of Saints are mingled with the blood of Christ, of which she spoke in vibrant tones and with symbolic images that were very effective: âRemember Christ crucified, God and manâ¦.. Make your aim the Crucified Christ, hide in the wounds of the Crucified Christ and drown in the blood of the Crucified Christâ (Epistolario, Lettera n. 21: Ad uno il cui nome si tace [to one who remains anonymous]). Here we can understand why, despite her awareness of the human shortcomings of priests, Catherine always felt very great reverence for them: through the sacraments and the word they dispense the saving power of Christâs Blood. The Sienese Saint always invited the sacred ministers, including the Pope whom she called âsweet Christ on earthâ, to be faithful to their responsibilities, motivated always and only by her profound and constant love of the Church. She said before she died: âin leaving my body, truly I have consumed and given my life in the Church and for the Holy Church, which is for me a most unique graceâ (Raimondo da Cap...
Conference 7 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference Seven
Called to Forgiveness
2712 CCC
"Contemplative Prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven
sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who
wants to respond to it by loving even more. But he knows that the love he
is returning is poured out by the Spirit in his heart, for everything is grace
from God."
Old Testament: prophets – historical books – retribution, retaliation
New Testament: Jesus – forgiveness
…"So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart". – Matt.18: 20-35
Fruits of unforgiveness:
fracturing of persons, families, relationships, generations, nations
…led by anger and pain
…directed by negative memories
…do not act freely
…keep controlling grasp on situations and people
…pressured by lives of tension and stress
…resentment – re-sentire – to feel again
Are you called to forgive? True forgiveness:
• Is a decision
• Is unconditional
• Is showing mercy even when the act was deliberate
• Is taking the other where he/she is
• Is taking the risk of getting hurt again
• Is accepting an apology
• Is choosing to love
Having been forgiven of our sinfulness, we are called to forgive others.
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. " She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others".
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY EIGHT
O Holy Spirit,
life and light of the Church,
give us thoughts higher than our own thoughts,
and prayers better than our own prayers,
and powers beyond our own powers,
that we may love and live,
imitating Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Savior.
Come to us, Holy Spirit,
come with the Father
and the Son
and grant me the favor I so earnestly request in this novena…
State your request here…
Vouchsafe to dwell within our souls
and quickly make our hearts Your own.
Quench in us the fires of hate and strife,
the wasting fever of the heart.
From perils guard our feeble life
and to our souls Your peace impart.
Let voice and mind and heart
and strength confess
and glorify Your name
and let the fire of charity burn bright
and other hearts inflame.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Conference 6 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
[powerful]
Conference Six
The Mystery of Personal Sinfulness
2563 CCC
"The heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live; according to the Semitic or Biblical expression, the heart is the place 'to which I withdraw'. The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth where we choose life or death. It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation: it is the place of covenant".
2847 CCC
The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted and consenting to temptation. Finally, discernment unmasks the lie of temptation, whose object appears to be good, a "delight to the eyes" and desirable, when in reality its fruit is death.
James 1: 12-18 – Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation…
Temptation
God does not want to impose the good, but wants free beings…there is a certain usefulness to temptation. No one but God knows what our soul has received from him, not even ourselves. But temptation reveals it in order to teach us to know ourselves, and in this way we discover our evil inclinations and are obliged to give thanks for the goods that temptation has revealed to us.
Dealing with the Devil …
1848 CCC
As St. Paul affirms, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more". But to do its work grace must uncover sin so as to convert our hearts and bestow on us
"righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". Like a physician
who probes the wound before treating it, God, by his Word and by his Spirit, casts a living light on sin.
Conversion requires convincing of sin; it includes the interior judgment of conscience, and this, being a proof of the action of the Spirit of truth in man's inmost being, becomes at the same time the start of a new grant of grace and love: "Receive the Holy Spirit". Thus in this "convincing concerning sin" we discover a double gift: the gift of truth of conscience and the gift of certainty of redemption. The Spirit of truth is the Consoler".
Of ourselves we can do nothing… Ephesians 6: 10-17
The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that I may recognize what prevents me from being fully alive…and that I may feel sorrow for any inner lies or attitudes of heart that prevent me from receiving and staying with Your love for me, Lord
Examination of Core Wounds, Attitudes, Capital Sins
Sinfulness and the Mercy of God
"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy…Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness that never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus; let us never give up…come what will. May
nothing inspire us more than his life, which impels us forward.
– Pope Francis The Joy of the Gospel
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions,
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY SEVEN
Come, Holy Spirit,
creator of all things:
come visit our hearts with Your power.
Fill with grace, friendly guest,
the hearts which You have created.
You are called the Consoler,
gift from the hand of God,
source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good.
You are the pledge of sevenfold grace,
finger of the Father's hand,
promised us by Him,
and You make our tongues speak the truth.
Cast light on our senses,
pour love into our hearts.
Grant our weak bodies strength
that they may never grow weary of doing good
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Keep the enemy far from us,
give us peace always,
let us willingly follow in Your footsteps
that we may be far removed from sin.
Grant that through You
we may grow in knowledge of the Father and of the Son,
and that we may ever strongly believe in You,
the Spirit of both.
Praise and honor be forever to the Father on the highest throne,
in the risen Son of God,
in the Consoler.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Episode 12 – Spiritual Accompaniment and it's Fruits pt 1 – Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher
In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the actual spiritual direction Ven. Bruno Lanteri offered to a laywoman, Gabriella Solaro della Margarita, mother of Clemente Solara della Margarita, well known in Italian history as a political figure and faithful Catholic. The mother of six children, she is described as a woman "of faithful heart… with a will constantly inclined toward doing good, but somewhat impatient, almost sharp…" (Carteggio II, 234, note 3).
Fr. Gallagher speaks of this type of spiritual guidance and program and how it can aid not only our own spiritual lives, but how it can effect our families and even our surrounding community. What may same hidden to us at the time, a quiet accompaniment in the Lord, can be like a small mustard seeds that will grow in extraordinary ways and fruitfulness in God's grace.
During this series, we find that the Ven. Bruno Lanteri's life and mission contain significant spiritual relevance to nurture the hearts of today's religious and lay faithful.
For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers's various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
Visit the "Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of the Venerable Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Discerning Hearts podcast" for more episodes of this series
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series "Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
For books on the life and teachings of Ven. Bruno Lanteri:
.
For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher's "Discerning Hearts" page
Please visit the site dedicated to Ven. Bruno Lanteri for more information and prayer requests
Prayer to Obtain Graces by the intercession of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of your servant Bruno with a living and active faith. Grant that our lives be guided by that same faith, and, through his intercession, give us the grace of which we have so great need… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Jesus, uncreated Wisdom, through the hope in your merits and in your Cross, infused into the heart of your servant Bruno, and through the zeal he showed in teaching your goodness and mercy, grant us the same ardor and the grace for which we fervently ask… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Holy Spirit, fount of charity, through the love for God and neighbor that you enkindled in the heart of your servant Bruno, grant also to us that, living far from sin, in charity and justice, we may be worthy of the grace we humbly seek and gain the joy of heaven… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
And you, Virgin Mother of God and our Mother, obtain from the Lord the beatification of your servant Bruno, who all his life loved you as a loyal son and zealously sought to lead others to you, and obtain for us through his intercession the grace that with great trust we ask of you… Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
Conference 5 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference Five
Our Call to Prayer Is Essential…
2565 CCC
"In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of od with their Father who is god beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit. The grace of the Kingdom is "the union of the entire holy and royal Trinity…with the whole human spirit". The life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him. This communion of life is always possible because, through Baptism, we have already been united with Christ. Prayer is Christian insofar as it is communion with Christ and extends throughout the Church, which is his Body. Its dimensions are those of Christ's love."
"Great talent is a gift from God, but it is a gift which is by no means necessary in order to pray well. This gift is required in order to converse well with men, but it is not necessary in order to speak well with God. For that, one needs good desires and nothing more". – St. John of the Cross
"We cannot put ourselves directly in the presence of God if we do not practice internal and external silence. In silence we will find new energy and true unity.
Silence gives us a new outlook on everything. The essential thing is not what we say but what God says to us and through us. In that silence, He will listen to us; there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice.
– St. Theresa of Calcutta – In the Heart of the World
St. John Paul II recommended that we reflect on the spirit of the home of Nazareth, the spirit of Mary – remembering and embracing in a single gaze of faith, the mystery of the Word made flesh…the spirit of Joseph – in contemplative silence – listening to the word of God.
Suggested Scripture passages for personal prayer and reflection:
1 Samuel 3: 10
Luke 11: 1-13
Matthew 6: 5-15
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. " She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others".
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY SIX
O Father in Heaven,I beg You to send the Holy Spirit.
May Your Holy Spirit remind me
when I am apt to forget Your law.
Your love, Your promises.
May Your Holy Spirit strengthen my memory
to recall frequently Your sanctity,
omniscience, wisdom, and goodness,
faithfulness, and love.
May Your Holy Spirit encourage me when I am slothful;
strengthen me when I am weak;
enlighten me when I no longer can help myself.
Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit,
that I may do what is holy.
Stir me, that I may love what is holy.
Strengthen me, that I may preserve what is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit,
that I may never lose what is holy
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.
Humane economics, fair-trade coffee, respect for creation: can we really save the world? The FORMED Book Club continues its march through Cardinal Robert Sarah's "The Day Is Now Far Spent"—this week, the chapter on "The Hatred of Man".
This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio and Joseph Pearce that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!
You can find the book here
Robert Cardinal Sarah calls The Day Is Now Far Spent his most important book. He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."
A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."
While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.
Conference 4 – The Trinitarian Reality of Self-Giving Love /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat
Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM
Conference Four
The Principle and Foundation
If a person is to be helped to make good choices or to reform his/her life, the "why" and the "wherefore" of creation must be clearly understood.
The true spiritual foundation of life is the acceptance of the truth that we were made to praise, reverence, and serve God. We are to choose only what God wants us to choose…to be "unrestrictedly ready for whatever God wants for us".
As the foundation of Judeo-Christian beliefs, traditions and laws, the Bible contains a range of stories that highlight humans' relationships with each other and with God. In many instances, biblical stories depict conflicts between the expectations of God and the actions of humankind. It is often within these stories of disobedience that significant lessons regarding actions and outcomes can be found.
All things on the face of the earth are created with a view to us; they are many proofs of the Creator's esteem and care for us. All things on the face of the earth have been created to help us, to be of service to us. This brings out the sovereignty of human beings over the whole of creation.
However, because of original sin, we are fallen creatures who are by no means able to handle well all created things. The only things that were left to Adam and Eve after their disobedience were human life and free will. Whatever has been made and given to us constitutes a potential danger – even good things like health, riches, honor, a long life.
Those who desire from their hearts to be united with the will of God, so as to
gain salvation, must of necessity serve God and His only begotten Son with their
whole minds and with an entire will. "Perfection is neither more nor less than the soul's faithful co-operation with God." (Jean Pierre De Caussade)
Suggested Scripture passages for personal prayer and reflection:
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
2 Corinthians 6: 14-16
Mark 12:30
Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He is a founding member of the Pope Leo XIII Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.
Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA. " She holds several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, both from Marywood; a Master of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her multi-faceted life is in itself a masterpiece: she is a teacher, a mentor, and a consultant; she is a sculptor, a harpist, a calligrapher, and a creator of mosaics; she is a counselor, a spiritual director, and above all, she is a servant of God to others".
Begin be reciting the following prayer…
O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I offer You my whole heart,
and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.
You are the author of all supernatural gifts
and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
with all favors,
I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor
I so earnestly seek…
State your request here…
O Holy Spirit,
spirit of truth, come into our hearts:
DAY FIVE
Come, O Spirit of sanctity,
from the glory of heaven
and send forth the radiance of Your light.
Father of all the poor,
light and peace of all hearts,
come with Your countless gifts.
Consoler in desolation;
refreshment full of loveliness,
come dear friend of my soul.
In weariness send repose;
breath gently cool refreshing breeze;
console the desolate who weep alone.
Light of Beatitude,
make our hearts ready;
come enter our souls.
Without Your grace,
man stands alone;
he cannot be good or sure.
Cleanse what is soiled;
heal what is wounded;
moisten what is arid.
Bend the stubborn will;
warm the cold heart;
guide the wandering footstep.
O Holy Spirit,
we beg You to give us grace through Your sevenfold power
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…
State your request here…
Give us merit for the present,
and one day beatitude when we have finished our earthly journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.