Catholic Heritage Spirituality: Recent Episodes
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The Goals of Lent Many Catholics have observed the practice of Lent without asking themselves: What is the purpose of this season in the liturgical year? In this episode, we briefly outline some of the major goals the Church has outlined with respect to the practice of Lent. A Spiritual Journey The purpose of Lent […]
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Why do Catholics invest so much time and effort in the celebration of the Sacraments? In this episode, we briefly outline some of the differences between the Protestant and Catholic worlds with regard to beliefs and practices concerning the Sacraments. One of the things non-Catholic Christians immediately perceive in their initial impressions of the Catholic […]
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If Human Freedom Does not Exist The Question of Free Will What role does free will play in the spiritual life? The entirety of the Scriptures presuppose human freedom. From the creation of Adam to the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, the Scriptures assume that human beings have the ability to […]
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Identity in Christ as the Basis of Christianity Identity New Testament Roots The authors of the New Testament frequently tried to help the early followers of Jesus understand their new identity as the most important facet of their personal existence. Throughout the Pauline Epistles, for example, one finds the Apostle Paul addressing the various followers […]
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How do we live a life that is led by the Holy Spirit? Paul tells us in Galatians that rather than just checking off a list of moral obligations, we are to live by a new paradigm. And this paradigm has as its foundation nothing other than God, who is the source of all that […]
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The Fruits of the Spirit – An Overview What are the fruits of the Spirit? What are the fruits of the Spirit? And, why did Paul encourage the Christians of Galatia to “walk in the Spirit?” (Gal 5, 25) In this episode, we provide a brief overview of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned […]
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Beauty in Catholic Spirituality Catholics are at times told by their non-Catholic neighbors, friends and co-workers that money should never be used for building large churches or for obtaining works of art to be placed in the sanctuary. That money, some critics of the Church argue, should instead be allocated entirely to those experiencing poverty. […]
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If we had to choose just the single most important difference between Catholic and Protestant worldviews, it would have to be the understanding of the Church. The Catholic worldview is rooted in the conviction that the Church is first and foremost the body of Christ. Many other conclusions follow from this most important of conclusions. […]
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Many of our Catholic beliefs and practices can seem odd if one does not understand their historical and theological basis. Practices such as praying for the dead, the intercession of saints, penance and the liturgy make sense when one understands the Jewish context out of which they emerged. We also discuss the role the Deuterocanonical […]
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As we begin a new year again, many people are making resolutions. At this time of year, people often make various types of health and wellness resolutions from going to the gym daily to losing a certain amount of weight by the next year. The new year is a unique opportunity to start afresh. With […]
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Where is God when we suffer? In this episode we discuss the challenges one faces when they suffer, the common questions they ask, and the various ways Catholics have made sense of suffering in order to discover hope. Join us this week as we discuss the various considerations and examples Catholics can keep in mind […]
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In the Final Prayer of the Tree of Life, Bonaventure helps his audience address the question: how does one become crucified with Christ? The answer to this question is the Holy Spirit. In addition to having an acute understanding of Christ’s Paschal mystery, the Christian should pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. According […]
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In this episode, we offer reflections on the overall structure and significance of Bonaventure’s Tree of Life. Music provided by Pond5. In this episode, we offer reflections on the overall structure and significance of Bonaventure’s Tree of Life. Music provided by Pond5.
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How did Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1224-1275) study the Bible? In this episode, we provide a brief overview of the salient characteristics of Thomas Aquinas’ approach to the study of the biblical text. We note, among other things, that Aquinas read the Bible by adopting a distinctively Catholic approach, namely, a conversation with the long standing […]
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Thomas Aquinas on the Purpose of Prayer If God is omniscient and immutable (unchangeable), what then is the purpose of prayer? It would seem as if prayer would be rendered of little value, given that God knows everything and is incapable of changing in response to our prayers. In his lectures on Matthew 6:9-11, Thomas […]
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How did Thomas Aquinas investigate the Life Questions? In other words, what was Thomas’ method in finding answers. In this episode, we discuss Thomas’ approach to the study of God, formally known as theology. Aquinas was committed to the Anselmian method of fides quaerens intellectum (“faith seeking understanding”). Throughout his writings and his teaching, he […]
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Robert Bellarmine on a Catholic Christian’s Use of Money Monetary wealth, argued Bellarmine, can be a great temptation in the Christian life. In chapter five of his treatise The Art of Dying Well, Cardinal Robert Bellarmine maintains that the Christian should be especially vigilant in the use of their financial assets. The proper disposition toward […]
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Robert Bellarmine on the Need for Spiritual Vigilance Spiritual vigilance is one of the most important considerations for the Catholic Christian. Bellarmine seeks to equip Catholic Christians with an acute sense of the need for spiritual vigilance throughout the Christian life. Working from the text of Luke -37, Bellarmine seizes upon Jesus’ parable of staying […]
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Robert Bellarmine on Faith, Hope and Love To die well, Robert Bellarmine argued, one must live well. The keys to living well are twofold: the virtues and the Seven Sacraments. In this episode, we discuss Bellarmine’s understanding of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity (love). These three virtues are named theological because they […]
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Robert Bellarmine on the Purpose of Prayer Prayer is critical for the Christian life. For Bellarmine, prayer performs a multitude of purposes, especially in view of the reality facing each human being–death. From strengthening trust in God to preparing the soul for death, prayer constitutes one of the essential elements of living a well-lived […]
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