The Myth Pilgrim: Recent Episodes

Br Lawrence MGL

A Catholic podcast exploring how fairytales and myths can nourish your spiritual journey. The ultimate vision of The Myth Pilgrim is personal conversion and a deeper love for Christ, his Word and his church. Br Lawrence MGL explores theology alongside Disney, scripture alongside The Lord of the Rings, Saints alongside Star Wars … and so much more! Allow the symbols of your favourite tales inspire, challenge and nurture your faith today.

More Aslan wisdom! Spiritual maturity is as much about remembering as it is about growing. Allow this famous passage from the Silver Chair, to shed light on the forgotten significance of remembrance throughout the bible.

Excerpt from episode: "Today I feel drawn to only hone in on one feature, remembering, and the importance of remembering in the spiritual life. By remembering here I do not merely refer to the recollection of information, but rather, to make present a promise of God, or an act of God. You’ll recall that Aslan tells Jill to remember the four signs he gives her, and gets her to repeat them over and over until they’ve become part of her, precisely because, when she is leaves her literal mountain top experience and goes down to Narnia, she will become clouded by the world. The precise words Aslan uses are “say the signs to yourself when you wake in the morning, and when you lie down at night and when you wake in the middle of the night”. Keen biblical readers will recall this is very much what God commanded the Israelites to do regarding the great Shema instructions... "

This most classic of fairytales is not only profoundly Christian in it's story and symbols, it offers us a reflection on jealousy, and a way out of it.

Excerpt from episode: ... "Snow White represents a type of Eve, who is lowly and yet incredibly beautiful in the eyes of God – woman as depicted in Genesis is the pinnacle of God’s creation, and its crowning beauty. Amen! Like Eve, Snow White is the mother of all living things (which is what the name Eve means), and has a close connection with all the animals in her kingdom. Satan, however, is jealous of all this privilege, and so sets out to destroy Eve and her offspring once and for all. But he doesn’t really succeed. In the tale, this is like the queen, whose plans with the hunter and poison apple don’t really succeed in destroying Snow White. But the queen does drive her out of her original home, as Satan did with Eve where she and Adam were exiled and had to fend, toil and work off the land. This is where the symbols of the dwarves come in. These little men work in the mines, toiling and hacking away at the land through the sweat of their brow. Significantly dwarves are also small and humble and honest, living close to the earth, a detail we’ll touch on later ... "

A new 'Chinese philosophy and holiness' episode! Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon offers not only a expose of Confucian and Taoist philosophies, it also offers Christians reflection on the balance between order and chaos in our lives. Both are vital dimensions of a flourishing spirituality, but are they both welcome?

Excerpt from episode:"Dear friends, this is the fourth episode on the Myth Pilgrim that follows the theme of Chinese philosophy and holiness. Today, I present before you Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, a cultural icon not only in Asia, but also in the West. Winning the Oscar for best foreign language film in 2001, this great myth of Taiwanese cinema cannot easily be classified or categorised. The title Crouching Tiger, is a Chinese idiom that means there is much more than meets the eye. While heralded for bringing wuxia martial arts into western consciousness, the film is also a sweeping love story, socio-political commentary and an exploration of Chinese philosophy. Particularly this episode, I will explore the relationship between order and chaos, presenting in the second half of this episode why both order and chaos have their place in the Christian life. To do this with crouching Tiger, I will first be exploring the innate tension between Taoism and Confucianism, the two philosophies that have most shaped Chinese culture."

11 Oscar winner Titanic is both a mythical love story and a dire warning against hubris (arrogance towards the gods). Learn how divine love conquers hubris, and how Jack and Rose reveals Christ's love upon the cross!

Excerpt: ..."substitute Rose and Jack with us and God, and you’ll realise that an experience of divine love is akin to flying, it expands our horizons, sets us free and gives us a future full of hope. Partnering with God it’s a bit like sailing into a sunset – there’s enough light to allure us, but mystery enough to seduce us. Notice that Jack as Rose’s saviour figure lifts her hands in a way that is quite literally cruciform, like Christ on the cross. Her open arms are at once the wings of a bird as they are a gesture of surrender and an act of trust. And Jack could lead Rose to do this because he himself had done it first, before she arrived… and as she closes her eyes with arms open, he places his hands in hers and joins her arms in cruciform fashion, literally backing her up in the act of total surrender. So you get where this is going? Now you have lover and beloved, united upon the cross, where they exchange their first kiss. Isn’t this a profound way to look at the cross? Not as an instrument of condemnation, but the place of consummation …between Christ and his beloved, and the place where we the beloved most profoundly encounter the love of Christ himself. We too are inspired to offer up our lives, because Jesus himself had done so on the cross.

I’m not sure James Cameron had all this in mind consciously as he write this scene, but in some ways it doesn’t matter. We human beings absorb information on multiple levels, consciously and subconsciously, and perhaps during this scene, something of the Christ archetype was always speaking to us … perhaps with a language only the soul knows..."

The 1959 Ben Hur is epic not only in scale, but also in spiritual depth. Follow the exile and redemption of Judah Ben Hur, and feel the tension between faithfulness and idolatry, vengeance and forgiveness.

Braveheart has always captured the hearts of men, but how does it capture the heart of Christ? Br James explore how the wildly passionate heart of Wallace reflects Christ's heart for his bride, and how Jesus is the archetypal man!

Who is the greatest warrior against Sauron? Guest Danny Davis explores how two forgotten characters—Tom Bombadil and Goldberry—teaches us about the weapons of innocence and humour.

Danny's Book "Guests, Hosts and the Holy Ghost: Who Tolkien's Tom Bombadil and Goldberry are and why it really matters"
Here is an Amazon link to the book, with a foreword from Joseph Pearce!

Emotions are barely discussed within the faith context, and if they are, often negatively. Pixar's Inside Out opens up much needed discussion about how emotions are misunderstood / misused, while also providing us a map for Christian holiness.

Further Reading (practical pilgrim reflection)

Owning Your Own Shadow - Robert A. Johnson (Robert is a Catholic author who is also well versed in Jungian psychology)
Atlas of the Heart - Dr Brene Brown (Brene is a bestselling TED speaker and author The Gifts of Imperfection which is also worth reading if you want to explore vulnerability and shame)
Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self - Fr Richard Rohr (Franciscan priest and author of many books such as Falling Upward)
Sanctuary (video series) - Catholicism and Mental Health (It's a free sign up! Includes 8 well presented and researched videos, for private use, or for parish)

Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche

C.S. Lewis, the mind behind Narnia, did not have an easy life. See how God uses the crucibles of loneliness, challenging domestic life and existential crisis to forge one of the greatest authors and apologists of our times.

Short excerpt from episode: "... C.S. Lewis never had it easy at home or in the family life … right from childhood all the way to his death. After his mother’s ultimately death when he was nine, Lewis’s relationship with his father became deeply strained, as his father grew more and more distant. You could almost say he grew up with an absentee father, which we now know in some ways is even more painful than losing a father outright. And it wasn’t like Lewis wasn’t partly to blame for the estrangement: he would write later in life that the strain with his father was the greatest sin of his life. But luckily, they did get to reconcile shortly before his father died, where they could spent 6 golden weeks together. Two more significant domestic figures punctuate the decades of Lewis' adult years - his brother Warnie, and also a certain Mrs Moore, who shared a home with Lewis even throughout his years of fame. Mrs Janie Moore was a fascinating figure indeed… and also mysterious. During WWI, Lewis had made a promise to his friend Paddy, that should one of them perish, they would look after the surviving parent. True to his word, when Paddy died, Lewis took Mrs Moore into his home after the war, and lived with her until her own death, thirty years later. Moore in turn became the mother and father Lewis never had, and so, a psychologically complex sort of co-dependency developed. What was their relationship like?.."

Practical Pilgrim Reflection: Here is a YouTube link to the movie Shadowlands, which centres of C.S. Lewis' relationship with Joy Davidman. Anthony Hopkins plays a surprisingly satisfying Lewis!

How do we navigate times of misfortune and suffering? Allow the wisdom of this Chinese fable to teach us patience and detachment. Learn how "Acting without forcefulness" helps us surrender to Divine Providence.

Excerpt from episode: "After all, without the mind of God himself, can I truly judge an accident, or a missed opportunity or a broken relationship to be definitively bad? After all, if the horse hadn’t run off at the start of the story, the farmer’s son would probably be dead in the war.

Chinese wisdom would suggest that this fable is actually not about whether or not good fortune is good, or bad fortune is bad. Rather, it is about learning to have a healthy detachment from either extremes. It is about learning to hold on to seemingly good and bad fortune lightly, so as to be always ready to flow with the Tao, a word which you may remember means the Way. Taoist philosophy invites us to live in accordance with the natural flow of things, trusting in the balance of the cosmos, and therefore to avoid making forceful, premature actions. Every season has its fruits, and try as we might to cultivate mangoes in winter, we will only work against the Tao, doing violence to ourselves and others. Better to grow mangoes in summer, says the Tao, and while in winter, to cultivate oranges instead. Or Mandarins. Tao is as much about knowing when to act, as it is about acting well. In reference to the horse fable, Taoist teaching warns us from making premature judgements about events, because from premature judgements flows premature actions..."

Why is a captain obsessing after a whale considered a classical story? This episode will dive into the mythical and spiritual significance of Moby Dick, exploring our unconscious, forgotten images of God, the quest for self-knowledge, and the path to sanctity.

Practical Pilgrim Reflection: Here are some favourite praise songs of mine, to boost you in your Practical Pilgrim reflection

Your Majesty (Jarred Cooper)
King of Kings (Hillsong)
Behold Him (Paul Baloche)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Soundtrack credits: Wellerman - Sea Shanty (cover by RochaMusic), Jurassic Park theme - John Williams, Nine Years On Shore (Matthew Ward, ft Sarah Carino and Rhiannon Gill), Now We Are Free - Hans Zimmer (cover by Hauser), Zora's Domain - Zelda Breath of the Wild

Why did Tolkien make Frodo epic fail at the last moment? Today, we'll look at the 'failure' stories of St Charles de Foucauld, St Louise de Marillac and St Joseph of Cupertino. Be encouraged by the fact that "God doesn't ask us to be successful, he asks us to be faithful."

Excerpt from episode: "How I plan to structure this episode is as follows. First, I will tell you the stories of three saints who in the eyes of the world failed big time... this will make up the first half of the episode. Then, I will explain the significance of these stories for a proper understanding of holiness. And finally, in light of this, I will suggest why Tolkien is a genius for ending his story the way he did, and how his doing so sheds fresh new light on our being a saint..."

Practical Pilgrim Reflection: Movie of The Reluctant Saint (about St Joseph of Cupertino)

This is a short story I was inspired to write, very much inspired by the experience of finding God in the wilderness. Join Pirum the orphan as he sets out to find the treasures of the desert, treasures he hopes will make him wise.

Here are the first two paragraphs of the story: "Once upon a time, there was a great desert filled with many hidden treasures. At the desert’s edge stood an ancient kingdom, where tales were often told of how the desert’s treasures made their finders wise. Hearing such tales, one young orphan became filled with a great longing. “When I grow up, I will venture out of this kingdom,” Pirum said to himself. “I will find all the treasure in the desert. Maybe if I become wise, the people of this kingdom will notice me.” For no one ever paid attention to the lonely orphan.

One starlit night, Pirum came across a wise man tending a garden. Pirum could tell the man was fairly wise because his beard was fairly long, and the longer the beard, the wiser you were!

“Excuse me, fairly wise man,” Pirum said politely. “Could you please tell me where I might find treasure in the desert?”

The fairly wise man leaned thoughtfully on his shovel and smiled at Pirum. “Once you possess nothing, you will find the treasure. But, the greatest treasure will be found once you reach the desert heart...”

What did you think of the story? Let me know!

Soundtrack information: The main themes used repeatedly throughout this episode are various covers of Terra's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu), and Gerudo Town (Hajime Wakai)

The experience of grief and broken dreams is often a lonely journey, yet Pixar’s Up gives us language to share it. Journey with the heartbroken Carl, and learn Christian wisdom for our seasons of loss.

Practical Pilgrim reflection: Excellent video talk about the life of St Charles de Foucauld (Fr James Wang)

Excerpt from episode: "... Grief, especially of losing a loved one is always a paradox. It is the paradox of letting someone go in this lifetime, while at the same time, honouring their memory forever. How this works out in real life is always a mystery, and hence grief, is sacred terrain indeed. If we could use the house that Elli and Carl had built as an illustration of Carl carrying his grief, we see how much Carl is very much attached to the house (literally) for most of the film. By the end of the story however, he learns not only to empty the house of its contents, but also to let it go (quite literally) into the clouds. And not because he loved Ellie any less, but because he discovered that Ellie was so much more than the house, and her influence upon him would always be in the heart, not in the external world. There was no shortcutting this realisation though. In some ways Carl had to physically, ritually take the house all the way to Paradise falls, in order to let it go. What’s the message here?

Wisdom tell us there is something significant about the physical rituals we perform as part of our grieving process. Physical activities like cleaning up the old room of a loved one, creating an album, burning the items of your old sinful life, or even doing something to spoil yourself are all ritualised ways of celebrating and letting go of a love. As embodied spirits, grief needs to be processed physically as much as spiritually. And as Christians, who so celebrate the fleshly, incarnational dimension of our faith, we must also consider how our grief can be processed in physical ways too..."

Within C.S. Lewis' 'The Great Divorce' is a profound story about a man, a lizard and an angel. Enter the real struggle of temptation, attachment and the exhilaration of being set free!

Excerpt from episode: "...Firstly, note the sheer resistance the Ghost had to allowing God to burn the lizard off. While the lizard represents the man’s attachment to lust, I want to suggest the lizard stands for any attachment or idol or habit that has grasped and possessed us and taken away our freedom. From my pastoral experiences, we all have a Big Sin that seems to have its tentacles firmly around us. But! The stranger thing is, at least part of us is actually quite happy being trapped by it. Look at our Ghost character… how many reasons and justifications he came up with to keep his sinister companion. Most of us, I wager, are like him, and like St Augustine praying about his lust, says to the Lord “Lord, make me pure, but not yet.” But not yet. Friends, one of the greatest obstacles to being free from any sin is that we suffer from this “manana” syndrome. Manana is a Spanish word for ‘tomorrow’ , and it is something Ignatius refers to a lot… that we are somehow duped int believing that grace is only available tomorrow, and that tomorrow will be the actual start of a fresh new beginning. No. Grace can only be received today… and in fact God can only be encountered today. The flaw with tomorrow-itis that tomorrow, tomorrow-itis will strike again. The only way we can be free, is to resolve to receive the grace given today. After all, we pray for daily bread, not bread for a lifetime."

Soundtracks used this episode:
"In the Beginning" (Hans Zimmer, The Bible), and various covers of
"Schala's theme (Yasunori Mitsuda, Chrono Trigger)
"Rosa's theme (Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy IV)"

Even for a person without faith, Christianity’s influence on western civilization is undeniable. How? Here are seven ways Christianity shaped—and can save—the values we take for granted: (1) The inviolable dignity of the person (2) The pursuit of truth (3) A belief that history is linear (4) Love and family (5) The upholding of both individuals and community (6) Meaning in suffering and death (7) The eternal perspective on life.

Excerpt from episode: "... what is the significance of the belief in that God is Truth? Well, today we say things like ‘oh there’s no such things as truth, or ‘we live in a post truth society’ or ‘your truth is just as true as my truth’, or ‘there’s only personal truth, but no objective truth’ etc. Truth has been subjectivised to the individual interpretation of it – something Pope Benedict XVI called the dictatorship of relativism. Further, with digital media we now have an era filled with fake news, deep faking, and wilfully biased journalism oftentimes infatuated with leaders who are notorious for not telling the truth, and getting away with it. Surely, the west is in a truth crisis. Yet Christianity maintains truth as not only valuable, but insists that all truth ultimately is a reflection of the God who is truth. Hence, we believe that any pursuit of truth – whether it be in science, psychology, philosophy, mathematics, music, are in fact, a pursuit of God. This, incidentally, is also a reason why Christendom empowered the flourishing in all these fields – because truth cannot contradict truth and we believe there is a great harmonising between say, science and faith, medicine and meditation, psychology and spirituality, mathematics and mysticism. All truth can lead to God, and God himself inspires man’s reason to pursue that which is true..."

Being creatures of habit, when God calls there is often resistance! Allow the calling stories of Abraham, Jeremiah and others shed new light on Rey Skywalker, as the Force calls her out of desert scavenging into Jedi deliverer.

Excerpt from episode: "Biblical call narratives are fascinating to follow because they inspire and challenge us, to respond that way too! And if you ask me, one of the reasons why the Star Wars saga has been so popular for like four decades, is precisely because each of the three heroes from all three trilogies: Anakin, Luke and Rey Skywalker, all respond to a radical call from the Force. Today’s episode could well have been written for Anakin and Luke, but I’ve chosen Rey because there are some features of her call narrative which are particularly biblical...

... in terms of Rey’s narrative, I love the detail that her final destiny wasn’t defined by her Sith blood. One of the last things Luke said to her was “some things are stronger than blood”. Hence, Rey could choose to heed the call to Skywalker, and not to Palpatine. So it goes in the spiritual life. We are not defined by our past, or bound to our broken family’s legacy. Rather our true identity is in Christ, of the Spirit, who bestows an identity which is divine in origin. Like Rey on Jakku, we literally have no idea what our story could look like if we heed God’s call … but at the end of our lives, would you have it any other way?"

Soundtrack information: All background music is from the Star Wars OST (Binary Sunset, the Force Theme, Rey's Theme, Yoda's theme composed by John Williams).

Have you ever noticed the Christian themes running through Cinderella? Learn how glass slippers, fairy godmothers, ash-covered princesses and a cat named Lucifer echo the biblical story of salvation!

Excerpt from episode: "... If I were to quickly retell Cinderella through the Christian framework, it would go something like this. Cinderella symbolises fallen humanity, with our true dignity covered over by the ashes of sin. We are held captive by the vanity and vices of the world, represented by the wicked stepfamily (who have a cat named Lucifer). The prince stands in the place of Christ, who takes the initiative to reach out to us and love us back into our original dignity. If we choose to respond to the prince’s invitation, supernatural grace is given to us—symbolised by the fairy godmother. Like Cinderella and the prince at the ball, there is a fleeting connection with God in our limited time here, but we sooner flee his presence, ashamed that our true unworthy selves might be rejected. Jesus as the prince then proves that we needn’t feel unworthy, and proves this to us by lavishly clothing the part of us we are most ashamed of, symbolised by the foot and the glass slipper. Finally, Christ betroths us and marries us, taking us into his kingdom. Blessings are poured out on friend and foe alike and for eternity, all live happily ever after. Can you see how the general story arc of Perrault’s Cinderella is faithfully Christian? Not to mention the explicit detail of a godmother right? But anyway, let’s now dive into each section and explore it in more detail... "

My thesis paper: Mythology, Fairytale and the New EvangelisationMy Masters of Theology thesis can be accessed here as a PDF. The section mentioned in the episodes is on Page 21.

Soundtrack information: Music taken from covers of the OST of Disney's Cinderella (composed by Al Hoffman, Patrick Doyle). Chant for Instruments (composed Margaret Riza) was also featured.

What happens at the moment of our death? The last judgement is often a confusing and anxiety-ridden topic. Allow C.S. Lewis and his Narnia Aslan to open up a conversation about Christ the judge! Discover how this neglected doctrine can inspire within us love, life and the pursuit of truth!

Excerpt: "...but even so, what person in their right mind would want to not choose God? What Narnian creature would not want to enter the door, and instead swerve away into Aslan’s shadow? Well, this passage gives us a clue. Remember that detail that when the animals approached Aslan, some saw his face and hated it and swerved into the shadow, while other gaze on Aslan’s face and loved it, and went through the door? This is very rich in symbolism, and in it lies in an important truth. In the same way God doesn’t force anyone into heaven, he also doesn’t sentence anyone to hell. If anyone ends up in hell, they are there by their own choice. People choose hell because in this lifetime they have grown to be disgusted and repulsed by the idea of heaven."

For a summery of the Catholic position on the two judgments, here is Ascension Present's Fr Mike Schmitz - 'The Lesser Known Last Judgment'

Soundtrack used this episodes is from the OST of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (composed by Harry Gregson-Williams). I also used a cover of "Be Still for the Presence of the Lord" by Elite Artists Trio

Shame is crippling and difficult to discuss openly. Yet Quasimodo and Frollo provide an excellent platform to explore shame, its effects and the means to be free from it. Learn what this Disney classic can teach about vulnerability, and the God who became an outcast first.

Watch here the: Esmerelda encountering Quasimodo scene referenced this episode

Scripture quote for meditation:“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans‬ ‭8:1-2)‬

Excerpt from episode: "Yet without acknowledging shame, it can drive our lives, and grossly limit what’s possible for our lives, as it did for Quasimodo at the start of the film, locked up in the bell tower. But let me posit this up front: shame can be even more destructive than something that cripples us… look at the example of Minister Frollo – who compared to poor Quasimodo, is actually a far more monstrous image of shame, or more accurately, shame aversion. It is Frollo’s suppression of his sexual fantasies and own murderous past that jeopardises Quasimodo's dignity, Esmerelda's safety, the wellbeing of the gypsies and eventually, the safety of the entire Paris. Unrecognised shame is toxic for our psyche. Carl Jung called it the "swampland of the soul", and in another place a "soul eating emotion." And worse, if it remains unchecked, it can then project its sorry state onto others within its reach, as it did with Frollo. As the old maxim goes, "we are only as sick as the secrets we keep."

Soundtrack: All soundtracks used this episode are from Disney's 1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame OST (songs written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz), or covers of those tracks.

Despite many iconic superheroes in the MCU, the ‘ordinary’ Cap tops most polls as favourite. Why is this? Fr James Baptist explores the origins and inspiration of Steve Rogers, and describes his own connection with the character’s virtues. Journey with the superhero that has been dubbed by foe and friend as “God’s righteous man.”

Here are some of the clips mentioned in the podcast:

Dr Erskin's chat with Steve Rogers ((Captain America: The First Avenger)
The Grenade scene (Captain America: The First Avenger)
The Portal scene ((Avengers: Endgame)

Here also is the clip from Fr Mike Schmitz: Superheroes analysed

How does a Disney movie open up a conversation about The Baptism in the Holy Spirit? Join Bernadette MGL, myself & Encanto's cast (and mansion) as we explore our church in crisis and the incredible grace poured out for its renewal!

'Deeper' Retreat (June, 2022)
“Delve deeper in your experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, be encouraged in discipleship, activate the charismatic gifts and be equipped for mission through inputs, discussion, prayer and practical workshops.”

Target: Those who want to grow deeper in the grace of the Baptism in the Spirit
Dates: 1-5 June, 2022
Venue 1: Varroville, NSW Australia &
Venue 2: Canberra, ACT, Australia
For more information or register, click here for Canberra, and here for Varroville

'Open Wide' Retreat (Oct, 2022)

"This is a retreat for deepening in God’s love, seeking restoration, and empowerment to live your life open wide to the Holy Spirit, and an opportunity to be prayed with for Baptism in the Holy Spirit."

Target: Those who are new and open to the grace of Baptism in the Spirit
Dates: 28 - 30 Oct, 2022
Venue: Varroville, NSW Australia
For more information or register, click here!

Catholic Resources for Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Catholic and Charismatic (introduction to history and FAQ of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire | The Wild Goose
Charis International website (Charis is the international body, established by the Holy See, to coordinate the Catholic Charismatic Renewal)

Enter the mystery of Holy Week through one my FAVOURITE short stories ever! I’ve loved the Tale of the Three Trees since I was a child … and I trust the beauty and simple truth of the story will lift your gaze heavenward too!

You can read along with the text of the story here.

To listen to another great Easter Triduum story, please visit the The Lonely Little Cave episode, written by Br Lawrence and Fr Dave Tremble MGL!

Soundtrack: A special thanks to Rebecca E Tripp for allowing me to use her wonderful music covers on The Myth Pilgrim! To follow Rebecca and her work, please see the these links.(YouTube) (Facebook) (SubscribeStar)

The Soundtracks used this episode were her covers of

Eternal Recurrence (Secret of Mana)
Rosa’s theme (Final Fantasy IV)
Silent Light – Medina Village (Chrono Trigger)
Aerith’s theme (Final Fantasy VII)

Our image of healthy masculinity and femininity is as wounded today as it is diminished. Borrowing Chinese wisdom from Shang Chi, learn how the biblical vision of man and woman can be illustrated through the Taoist Yin and Yang. Learn how Ying Li embodies both the gentleness and strength of Mother Mary!

Excerpt: "... Like in the bible, this truth is echoed in Taoist wisdom. A man should still be Yang dominated – strong, intelligent, determined etc… but also, learn to be compassionate, tender and patient. Jesus himself was like this – and he is masculinity per excellence. At the same time, healthy authentic femininity is a woman who is able to integrate the masculine within herself, even while never losing anything that makes her feminine. A woman should still be Yin dominated – gentle, nurturing and humble, but also learn to be strong and firm and courageous and. Mary was like this, and I must say, the thing that most struck me about the entire Shang Chi is how Ying Li really captures the essence of what Mary would have been like, and how she continues to be like even after she is no longer physically with us..."

Practical Pilgrim reflection:

Meditation on Joseph: (Matthew chapters 1 and 2): "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son and he named him Jesus...

... Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

Meditation on Mary: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Blurb: Few realise that The Lord of the Rings author was a frontline soldier in WWI, one who knew tragedy and loss first hand. Given the looming shadow of war today, we journey with a man into his own Mordor, to allow his life, faith and creation to speak to our times.

Excerpt: "...Years later, when asked by his own son Christopher about the effect of the war on him, he writes “I took to 'escapism': or really transforming experience into another form and symbol with Morgoth and Orcs and the Eldalië (representing beauty and grace of life and artefact) and so on; and it has stood me in good stead in many hard years since, and I still draw on the conceptions then hammered out." In other words, Tolkien’s pain and trauma were able to be transfigured and take on a new form, through his writings, especially his writings about war. Transfigured is a deliberate word I use because it is not as he offloaded the horrors of the war in his creative work … like how some artists would choose to capture their experiences in bloody, dark and menacing paintings and books. There is never any hint in LOTR or the hobbit that Tolkien glorified war or bloodshed. On the contrary, he instead says something quite startling about it: “The war made me poignantly aware of the beauty of the world...”

Disney’s Encanto is a spiritual banquet … hence, we SHOULD talk about Bruno! Join guest speaker Bernadette Toohey MGL and I, as we explore the hidden spiritual gifts, our dignity, the centrality of family and what makes truly Encanto prophetic for our times!

Excerpt: "...one of our focus areas at the moment in MGL sisters particularly, is allowing people to really know and to move out really powerfully in the spiritual gifts in the gifts that were given through the Holy Spirit...

... regarding Bruno, I was thinking a little bit back to the prophets like Jeremiah, and I guess the prophet Elijah, and even say, John the Baptist, they're these kind of these weirdos that do strange things in Scripture, but they're actually really anointed with the Word of God... they were, in some way, kind of silenced and kind of ostracised from their not only their biological families, but from the church family precisely because they had a particular spiritual gift that was at that time, it seemed threatening to the norm. A bit like Bruno being prophetic of the fragmentation of the casita... and in some ways, it's like the Catholic church historically was like "Let's not talk about Francis..."

All music used in the episode were SamYungOfficial’s covers from Disney’s Encanto soundtrack (Germaine Franco, Lin-Manuel Miranda)

Don't be deceived by the sci-fi wrappings of The Matrix - it is not only profoundly mythical in structure, but also deeply Christian. Learn how how the first movie presents the theology of salvation, the Holy Trinity, the nature of evil and spiritual blindness!

"...Further, the first time in the Gospels Jesus meets John the Baptist (at least as grown ups), it was at his baptism in the Jordan river. Likewise, the first time Neo meets Morpheus, it is also at his equivalent baptism scene … with lots and lots of water present. First it is a thunder storming night with torrential rain. Then, when Neo takes the red pill, he literally gets reborn from the machine womb where you see him being detached from the artificial umbilical womb …he gets washed through a chute akin to the birth canal and is plunged into a pool of water, naked, before being raise back up into the light. And all this time, Trinity, the Spirit archetype is present by his side and over him. If this isn’t Catholic baptism symbolism I don’t know what is..."

Despite the holy grail's many appearances within pop culture, very little is actually known about how the original legend went ... and why. Be inspired by Sir Galahad's original quest, and be challenged to deepen your understanding of the sacraments!

Excerpt from episode: "... note the fact the grail is not presented as some treasure to be found that would instantly reward its finder. This makes the grail unlike something like, say the philosophers stone that promises to turn its discoverer into a wealthy person because of its ability to transmute any material into gold – like this would happen whether its finder was a tyrant or a saint. In a likewise way, the grail is also NOT like Aladdin’s lamp, that promises three wishes to anyone who finds it. Rather it is more true to say the holy grail chooses its finder, and at least demands of its finder some level of virtue in order to be found. Look at the idea of the Seat of Peril first of all … not anyone could sit in the coveted seat in Arthur’s round table, but only the one who was worthy. To try and take the honoured seat by force would prove lethal to its sitter. Then again look at the example of Lancelot, who was otherwise a good and noble knight, but nevertheless was unable to achieve the grail. He was blinded for twenty four days for his impurity with Guinevere, and before the glory of God, was driven to his knees in act of repentance ..."

You've probably heard that Santa Claus was based upon St Nicholas - but how well do you know his story? In this special episode, discover the legend behind St Nicholas and allow his story to shed fresh light upon presents this Christmas.

Excerpt from episode "... wanting to remain hidden, bishop Nicholas instead climbs onto their roof, and throws the bag of money down the chimney into the fireplace. Some accounts say that the money, or at least a few coins, landed in the stockings being dried by the fireplace, from which the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings arises. Oh, and if you ever wondered about candy canes, they can also be linked to St Nicholas because they actually represent the Bishop’s crosier … that ceremonial shepherd’s crook that bishops carry. That and the fact St Nicholas / Santa wears red is a long tradition tracing back to the early church where Eastern bishops were adorned in red and white... "

Do you ever feel beyond redemption, or that someone is undeserving of mercy? Discover what message makes Les Miserables the longest running musical of all time, and let the journey of Jean Valjean become your own!

Excerpt from episode: “…what happens next to that criminal we don’t know, but we do know that in this famous Les Miserables bishop scene, the criminal Valjean is shown mercy and is cut to the heart. He is shaken to the core by the bishop’s small act, and his life radically turns around 180 degrees. Whatever resentful worldview he had carried around as a thief and criminal melted away under grace, and Valjean spends the rest of his life repenting of his past and unfolding the implications of the mercy he had received. Where his old life had once been defined by what he took by force, his new life became defined by what he gave freely to others…”

Divine Mercy resources

Introduction to Divine Mercy (by Sr Gaudia Skass)
The beautiful chanting of the Divine Mercy chaplet

Some accuse fairytales for setting up unrealistic expectations about life, love and fulfilment. What might be the Christian position on this? This episode locates fairytale endings within Jesus' resurrection, exploring how repentance is key to unlocking happily ever after today.

Excerpt from episode: "... okay, why did I share this passage from the Silmarillion? Because it illustrates a uniquely Christian understanding of how 'happily ever after' works. If Melkor’s ugly melody could be likened to our sin, then Illuvitar's final melody can be likened to Christ’s redemption, in which he takes our sinful melody and permanently transforms it into his glorious melody. In other words, the glory of Jesus’ resurrection does not simply lie in its ability to vanquish evil… any powerful god in antiquity could do that. No, the resurrection’s true glory lies in its ability to transform evil into a far greater good, a good that wasn’t even possible before the evil was committed..."

What is your greatest fear, and how would your life be different without it? “How to Train Your Dragon” is a beautiful tale about mastering one’s fear. Journey with Hiccup, unveil biblical truths about the nature of fear, and learn how it can transform into your greatest ally.

"... There's something really important about gazing and looking at the object of one's fear in order to master it. I deliberately used the word "mastering" rather than "conquering" fear. This is what Hiccup had an opportunity to do with the trapped Night Fury, Toothless. Carl Jung says that 'the thing you most need will be found in the place you least desire to look'. This is profound."

Original soundtracks from HTTYD were used this episode: Test Drive and Romantic Flight (composed by John Powell).

Robin Hood famously ‘robbed from the rich to give to the poor’ ... but so did Jesus of Nazareth! And he still does so today. How? Journey with these two infamous outlaws, and have any ‘meek and mild’ notions of Jesus challenged!

Excerpt from episode: "Because the reality is, we dear listeners, the church-going, educated, well off ones who listen to awesome Catholic podcasts … we may well be the rich that Christ gives a message of warning. It is we from whom he may well ‘steal’ away our superficial sense of blessedness, to give to the poor. Not that there’s anything wrong of course from us attending Mass and being educated having some measure of financial stability. But if we start to think we deserve this, that God owes this sort of blessing to us, well, the Gospels and Robin Hood… have a warning to give us."

A misunderstood notion of “I can just follow my conscience” has been topical lately, even amongst the Catholic faithful. Using the timeless story of Pinocchio (and Jiminy cricket), this episode seeks to clarify what conscience is and isn’t, drawing from the rich teaching of the church. Be inspired and challenged!

Key quotes from this episode:

“Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed. In all he says and does, man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be just and right. It is by the judgment of his conscience that man perceives and recognizes the prescriptions of the divine law” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1778).

“Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1783)

“Conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (Gaudium et Spes n. 16).

Additional Resource for "What if I disagree with church teaching" (Breaking the Habit)

St Padre Pio called the rosary "the weapon of these times." Discover how the legendary Excalibur, Lightsabre and the Elder Wand have nothing on the rosary. Discover this ancient weapon again, and with the intercession of Mary, defeat the Enemy in your life!

Talk: The Rosary: Invincible Weapon - Fr. Bill Casey

Talk: The Rosary: Spiritual Sword of Our Lady - Fr Don Calloway

Intro to the Rosary: Bishop Barron on Word on Fire

“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered.” There are two stories that can rule our lives: the Me story (Ego-drama) and the God story (Theo-drama). The drama of Christianity is moving from one to the other, and this perilous! Journey with the hobbits as they leave the Shire and learn what it takes to enter the Great Story.

Excerpt from episode
"...I feel the drama of ‘entering the Great Story’ is the chief reason The Lord of the Rings speaks to our culture, and why we return to story again and again. It is really a story of how characters move away from a life centred around themselves, their own ego and will, and into a life fully given for others, surrendered for others. A life where they abandon their own will to surrender to a bigger will. Lord of the Rings is a story of moving from what Hans Ur Von Balthasar calls the Ego Drama of the self, into the Theo Drama of God’s story, pivoted around God and his purposes. We see this profoundly through the journey of the hobbits Frodo and Sam, Pippin and Merry. In the beginning, its all about the Shire, comforts, my will, the next party, the next pipe. It’s well and good as that’s where we start out life. By end of story, by end of trilogy, they are willing to give their lives for the bigger story, the bigger drama ay work that permeates all of Middle Earth and the history of Middle Earth..."

St Ignatius Prayer of Surrender (Suspice):You can download a copy of the prayer used at the end here.

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All soundtracks used this episode are from New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings OST (Composed by Howard Shore): The Shire, The Rohirrim, Rivendell, The Tales that really Matter, Arwen and Aragorn

Delight is the stuff of holiness!! And given our present circumstances, we could all do with a helping of Maria's delight and faith. Expand your horizons again, as I testify why Sound of Music is one my favourite movies of all time!

Blurb: "We need Maria’s faith, her outlook that carries us with wings to be fully alive again, and to see the problems of life in their proper light. The movie is full of hope, a sort of hope that doesn’t belittle our problems, but helps us look at them with a fresh perspective, helping us notice once again how good life actually is. I often equate watching Sound of Music to looking at a big sunflower when you’re feeling blue, where you’re just reminded of the beauty and joy and innocence that’s still in the world, and the God who’s presence is everywhere! You just can’t help watching this film without feeling uplifted, for it very much is a story that celebrates the human spirit..."

Here's the final "Climb Every Mountain" scene from the movie

All background music used this episode are covers from the Sound of Music OST (composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein).

Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle have long made their mark on Catholic theology ... but what about Confucius and Lao Tzu? Journey through Kung Fu Panda, and discover how Daoist and Confucian principles illuminate Catholic truths! (special thanks to my dad for his input for this episode too!)

Excerpt from episode: "As I begin to explore these Taoist principals, can you see how they might shed light upon Christianity? Firstly, at the heart of our faith also lies great paradoxes. After all, we profess Jesus who is both God and man, one who is both mercy and justice. We profess a kingdom that is here, but not yet. Our own symbol, the cross, professes that out of sin comes grace, and that out of death, comes life. And we profess a church that is both institutional and charismatic, both human and divine. Dear friends … have you ever considered your own faith in this way? A faith that moves away from either-or thinking, and instead embraces both/and thinking? If you haven’t, I hardly blame you, because since the Enlightenment, we’ve tried to eliminate paradox ... and instead give nice clear answers and methods and programs for everything. We have become far too ‘Yang’, for lack of a better word, in our approach to the spiritual life. We have become a church that values doing, rather than being … and tend to prefer noise rather than silence, speaking rather than listening, asking rather than receiving."

Official soundtracks used this episode:

Oogway Ascends (Hans Zimmer, from Kung Fu Panda OST)
Endless Love instrumental cover (Choi Joon Young, The Myth OST)

❄️How does my vocation journey lead to my sainthood? Relive the two Frozen films as Queen Elsa unravels the mystery of who she is, and how she is being called. Baptise your favourite songs 'Let it Go', 'Into the Unknown' and 'Show Yourself' through God's call in your own life! ❄️

Excerpt from episode: "...she then slams the palace door shut. Now, at this point, I must apologize if I’m about to break a few hearts a little … because I’m going to suggest that while the song ‘Let it Go’ has some positive elements to it, it is actually quite a sad song. This is because it actually traps Queen Elsa in an unhealthy relationship with her gifts … and locks her into an inverted understanding of her vocation. But before you all write in and complain I’ve trashed your childhood let’s first look at those positive dimensions of the song first. If Elsa’s magical abilities could be likened to the unique gifts and talents God gives us, then it should be celebrated when she finally has an avenue to use them. For it would be tragic if fear prevented us from using our spiritual gifts – or charisms – that God has given us..."

Show Yourself song from Frozen II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZxwPwmgrw

Soundtracks used in this episode

Show Yourself (Composed by and Kristen and Robert Lopez, from Frozen OST)
All is Found - cover by 캣올린CatOlin (From Frozen II OST)
Do you want to build a snowman - cover by Disney Peaceful Piano (From Frozen OST)
Let it Go (slow version) - cover by Stellatsu (From Frozen OST)
Into the Unknown - cover by Sam Yung (From Frozen II OST)
Show Yourself - cover by Sam Yung (From Frozen II OST)

If we're honest, the Beatitudes are secretly ignored! After all, how can happiness come from being persecuted, poor, mourning and meek? Allow Harry, who embodies all these traits, to shed light on these enigmatic text!

Excerpt from episode: "To recognise that poverty is the native state of every soul is the foundation of building a flourishing life. When we first meet Harry Potter in book one he already knows he has nothing, and to the world, is nothing. he possessed nothing of his own, had no family, friends, or status, and not even a place to call his own… living under a Dursley staircase. He had no idea who his parents were, what his own giftings were or the incredible destiny that awaited him in the Magical world. He was, in JK Rowling’s world, poor of spirit. While part of us feel sorry for the poor chap with his glasses held together with duct tape, I bet, there’s something deep within us that is also quite envious to be in young Harry’s position. For something in our spirit recognises…Harry is actually me"

Link to the The Chosen Season 2, Episode 8Full episode https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen/watch?vid=S2:E8
Beatitudes scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbYgmhzkJTc

Link to Moses Exile scene in Ten Commandmentshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8NpmpJt6Og

Soundtracks used in this episode

Esaoveja - composed by my friend Matthew Ward. Check out his Spotify channel!
A window to the Past - composed by John Williams (cover by Michael Last MGL)
O filii et filiae (Gregorian Chant)

Do you doubt that the 'simple' love between family can contain the cosmic love of God? Sr Katherine Stone MGL unpacks how the classic tale of Little Women reveals St Therese of Lisieux's Little Way. Journey alongside Jo March and discover truly heroic love!

Practical Pilgrim exercise:
Little Women Chapter 42, Part 2: All Alone

All background music used this episode is from the Little Women (1994) OST, by Thomas Newman.

What if life cripples you, plunges you into darkness and renders you unable to rise? Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is brilliant on this account. For not only does it follow Bruce Wayne's repeated death and rebirth, it offers profound symbolism for Christian resurrection.

Excerpt: "Let’s zoom right out and have a macro view of the pattern of Nolan's Batman trilogy. It is very much the pattern of the birth, death and resurrection or Batman - or in biblical terms, the creation, fall and redemption of Batman. The first movie in the trilogy, batman begins – is very much the genesis story of how batman comes to be, and how the ordinary figure of Bruce Wayne rises up to take on the mask. Bruce’s mission as the Batman continues smoothly right throughout the second movie – the Dark Knight… until, he meets foes and circumstances that overwhelm him and he becomes crippled. He goes into self imposed exile, and is figuratively ‘dead’ until the beginning of the third movie, Dark Knight rises. Even then, his resurrection movement isn’t a smooth one… for when he demonstrates resolve to fight for Gotham city again, he is grossly outmatched by Bane, and is thrown into “the prison Pit” … the closest thing to hell on earth. From there, he must find the spiritual means to rise out of the pit, and truly resurrect as the saviour of Gotham City.

Backing soundtrack used this episode is from the Dark Knight trilogy's OST (composed by Hans Zimmer). Tracks used were: "A watchful guardian," "Why do we Fall," & "Rise".

J.R.R. Tolkien's legacy extends beyond just the Lord of the Rings. This episode, Tolkien expert Danny Cote Davis explores Tolkien's faith, his mystical worldview and why he is considered by many today to be a model evangelist.

Here is a link to Danny's documentary "Tolkien About Faith, The Call of Beauty"

Here is a prayer for Tolkien's canonisation cause: “O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and for allowing the poetry of Your Creation, the mystery of the Passion of Your Son, and the symphony of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him and his sub-creative imagination. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Wisdom of God Incarnate, and 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 [….], hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints. Amen.”

Aladdin is a tale about being set free! Are you feeling stuck in some circumstance? Learn how the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love set each of the main characters free…

Excerpt: the main theme of Aladdin is about 'being set free'! Think about it - all three of the main characters start off feeling trapped … Princess Jasmine is trapped as a prisoner inside her own palace walls, Aladdin is trapped as a common thief in the slums, and the Genie is trapped inside a lamp which is trapped inside the cave of wonders! Yet by the end of the movie, they’re all set free from their respective prisons! And as I was reflecting on what exactly sets them free, I had a cool aha moment when I realised that between the three of them, they exercised all of the three theological virtues of faith, hope and love. For Jasmine, it was faith, for Genie, hope and for Aladdin love....

Link to the Magic Carpet "A Whole New World" scene

This is a testimony of the time the Holy Spirit suddenly called me to drive out from Darwin all the way to Uluru ... alone! Relive the life-changing graces with me, as I journey literally into the heart of the Australian desert!

I've uploaded some of the photos of my Uluru pilgrimage on the website!

Here is a list of the my favourite tracks I had playing in the car during my pilgrimage (and this episode!)

Sunlands (Octopath Traveller)
Wiyathul (Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu)
Now we are free (Gladiator)
Under the Stars (The Lion King)

The persecuted church and the Battle of Hogwarts scene have a lot in common, especially during our times. Recognise the weapons of the Enemy, and like the students, prepare to take up arms!

Excerpt from episode
"... so how does this siege of Hogwarts scene parallel the church today? In a number of ways: the first will be the fact that both Hogwarts and the church are besieged by supernatural forces that are both malicious and intelligent. Secondly, that it is those who are unprepared and un-initiated that are called upon to defend our respected institutions. And thirdly, that in the midst of all the ferocious battle, the more urgent task is to recover lost treasure, hidden somewhere within the bowels of history. For Harry, this is the lost diadem of Ravenclaw, but what is the equivalent treasure for our church? Pope Benedict might have a surprise for you…"

Links to organisations mentioned in the episode:
Open Doors Australia: https://www.opendoors.org.au/
Voice of the Martyrs: https://vom.com.au/

Aside from both having dramatic haircutting moments, what does St Catherine of Siena have to do with Mulan? Hahaha come appreciate how this ancient Chinese heroine can deepen your love for one of our favourite Saints!

Excerpt from episode:

"...the second parallel between Mulan and Catherine is their rising to the defence of their respective Empires. For Mulan, this feature is very obvious in the role she plays in defending Imperial China from the Hun invasion. Certainly she is credited for doing this by the Emperor himself, who bestows up her the late general’s sword and the imperial medallion. But, is Catherine of Siena’s influence any less significant? Well, let’s have a look, and I’ll let you decide that. Consider firstly that Catherine’s contribution wasn’t just merely in the defence of her home country Italy, but the defence of the entire church of the Holy Roman Empire..."

How does death and resurrection form the heart of the LOTR? How can self sacrifice be so desirable? This episode, I interview British Tolkien expert Danny Cote Davis, who sheds light upon Tolkien's vision of life and death through the Eucharist and Mother Mary!

Practical Pilgrim reflection:

To watch Danny's documentary: Tolkien about Faith: The Call to Beauty
A trailer for the amazing Silverion Camps

**Except from episode

"**Danny and I then went on to discuss what he felt was the quintessentially Catholic theme in the LOTR. Here, the theme of the glorious death first arises, the idea that for a Christian, death is never the enemy, nor is it something even to avoid. Rather, the full embracing of death is the authentic hallmark of a Christian, whether that death means literal bodily death, or the death of self will, or a worldly way of living. Dan now breaks open how the three main characters in LOTR, Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn, were willing to embrace the glorious death … and by doing so, embody the threefold offices of Christ as priest, prophet and king."

Br Lawrence MGL and Fr Dave Tremble MGL have tag teamed once more to write The Lonely Little Cave, an original story written during and for the Easter Triduum. Enter into the story of the Little Cave, whose emptiness, loneliness and uselessness becomes the very means of encountering our Lord! May it inspire you to enter deeper into the mystery and drama of Easter!

Excerpt:
"There was once a lonely little cave in a hillside. The cave was unhappy because it always felt empty. Nearby, a majestic Gum Tree taunted it day and night saying “Look at my branches, they house many pretty birds. But you Cave, are a useless hole!” And so, the cave believed it was a useless hole. The presence of a nearby River also taunted the cave. She seemed to gloat “I am always moving and changing, and see how many fish swim in my waters! But you Cave, cannot change. Nobody wants to be with you!” And so the cave believed that it couldn’t change, and that nobody wanted to be with it..."

Music credits:The beautiful dove's song is actually a cover of Nayru's theme from the Legend of Zelda. Used with permission from the artists. Two versions were used:

Luke Pickman (Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJB0-F02N-mL3G-FrQfb4CQ)
Christine Slagman (Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc_R2OPK8CUHOeiqm8I0x4g)

Heaven, paradise and the soul can be abstract concepts even for Christians. The Secret Garden however, offers many beautiful images that can help us explore these concepts. Join Mary Lennox and discover the sacred place within you!

Excerpt from episode: "And during those winter times of our lives, when all we see is a dead looking garden, a friend reminds us it is only dormant, and to hang on for the springtime that’s coming. As Donna Roberts reminds us: “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

Soundtrack from this episode: OST from The Secret Garden (1993), composed byZbigniew Preisner

This episode, discover why the Lion King's Mufasa is such a profound icon of God the Father. Learn how divine tenderness and wrath can both be expressions of the same love.

Practical pilgrim exercise:Here is a link to Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde

Excerpt from this episode:
"In my opinion, Mufasa is one of the most iconic celebrations of fatherhood in pop culture, precisely because he is able to capture both the strength and the tenderness of the Father’s heart. Unfortunately due to way fatherhood is modelled in western culture, one or both of these fatherhood traits ends up distorted, which in turn affects our image of Abba father. This distortion is something this episode ambitiously tries to remedy. Further … it is especially fitting on this Year of St Joseph that we explore the Father’s heart, because as Pope Francis reminds us, he paved the way for Jesus himself to know the heart of his heavenly father. So, St Joseph pray for us, that we may be delve deeply into the mysteries of fatherhood."

Lion King OST track used in this podcast:

Everything the light touches - Hans Zimmer
The elephant graveyard - Hans Zimmer
The Kings of the Past - Hans Zimmer

Feeling distracted and unfocused? Lent is the season to rediscover the ascetic life! Let the wisdom of Jedi masters help you renounce unhealthy attachments to (i) created things (ii) success (iii) and the future.

Excerpt from episode: “…For if ever a pop culture figure rises to cult status, very often it is because they are deeply resonating with an absence in our culture. What voids might the iconic Jedi knights be filling for our culture? Today, we’ll start with the idea that Jedi stir within us a desire for what Christians called the ascetic life, one that is simple, focused and detached from the many distractions of the world. For by golly, we know how attached and distracted we really are…”

Thanks to Joshua Chiu for his beautiful piano and violin cover of the Force Theme, played during the episode.

Hi friends!! 🍃🧜😄 After many requests, here's a special episode addressing questions around the suitability of Harry Potter for Christians. This episode discusses (i) how Christians relate with alleged occult and magic content in fiction (ii) debunks unhelpful rumours about Harry Potter (iii) the place of spiritual discernment when engaging with any secular content (iv) some practical considerations for parents regarding literature. Note - this episode contains spoilers!

Full transcript of this special episode is available on the website

What does yielding to the Holy Spirit look and feel like? This episode we follow Pocahontas, whose relationship with the Wind and the River provide wonderful reflections on the Spirit in our own lives! Veni Sancte Spiritus!

Download a copy of the Daily Examen here

Excerpt from episode: "What is abundantly clear from the promise of both Jesus and the witness of the Acts of the Apostles is that the Holy Spirit is central to the life of a Christian. The Holy Spirit is the way Jesus continues to be present with us, and to be baptised Christian is to be plunged into the very life of the Spirit – both within our hearts and in our actions! He leads us, teaches us, convicts us of sin, brings us into relationship with others. Indeed the Spirit enables us to do the very works of Jesus – greater works – if we have the faith to ask for it! So to begin to give us a sense of what this might look and feel like, I thought I’d borrow Pocahontas. Because, this story features her relationship with both the Wind character and the River, both of which are biblical images of the Holy Spirit. And like the Spirit, they are subtle enough to miss if you’re not looking. But from the start, P lives very attentive to the Wind, and like the Spirit being breathed into Adam’s nostrils in Genesis, she almost seems to breathe it in, drawing her life from it and allowing herself to be immersed in it."

Music acknowledgments:

Dana Piano, for piano rendition of "Colours of the Wind"
Vesislava Todorova for cello rendition of "Colours of the Wind"
Sam Yung Official for instrumental of 'If I never knew you"

Why does Tolkien cite Mary as his primary inspiration for "beauty both in majesty and simplicity"? Deepen in your own love for Mother Mary this episode! Reflect on her example, her mission and her power. Be amazed at the way Marian theology permeates the entire The Lord of the Rings.

Full Transcript of episode available on website

Piano music this episode thanks to Keys of Peace:Website
YouTube
Spotify

Excerpt from episode:"When a Jesuit friend once wrote to Tolkien regarding how Mary-like so many of his characters were, he replied: “I think I know exactly what you mean … by your references to Our Lady, upon which all my own small perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded.” Wow, that’s high praise for Mary! Now this is not at all saying that characters like Galadriel or Eowyn were meant to directly symbolise Mary, or be a caricature of her. No. Tolkien’s genius is that he is able to infuse his faith across many characters and themes, so much so that his Catholicism permeates his work, saturating it with divine grace. As philosopher Peter Kreeft once commented: it’s actually hard to name what isn’t Catholic about The Lord of the Rings. It makes up such an essence to his story that it becomes imperceptible, maybe a little like how Jesus is so much in the essence of the Eucharist, that he becomes imperceptible!"

Are fear and love compatible ways of knowing Jesus? Why is "The fear of the Lord the beginning of all wisdom" (Prov 9:10)? Allow Narnia's majestic Aslan, the king "who is not safe, but good" deepen your desire for holy fear! Let literature's greatest Christ archetype lead you to encounter the living God!

The final passage mentioned in the episode where Lucy meets Aslan in "Prince Caspian" (C.S. Lewis):

"... But for the movement of his tail he might have been a stone lion, but Lucy never thought of that. She never stopped to think whether he was a friendly lion or not. She rushed to him. She felt her heart would burst if she lost a moment. And the next thing she knew was that she was kissing him and putting her arms as far round his neck as she could and burying her face in the beautiful rich silkiness of his mane.
"Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan," sobbed Lucy. "At last."
The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face.
"Welcome, child," he said.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
For a time she was so happy that she did not want to speak. But Aslan spoke.
"Lucy," he said, "we must not lie here for long. You have work in hand, and much time has been lost to-day."
"Yes, wasn't it a shame?" said Lucy. "I saw you all right. They wouldn't believe me. They're all so——"
From somewhere deep inside Aslan's body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
"I'm sorry," said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. "I didn't mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn't my fault anyway, was it?"
The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
"Oh, Aslan," said Lucy. "You don't mean it was? How could I—I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that ... oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn't have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?"
Aslan said nothing.
"You mean," said Lucy rather faintly, "that it would have turned out all right—somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?"
"To know what would have happened, child?" said Aslan. "No. Nobody is ever told that."
"Oh dear," said Lucy.
"But anyone can find out what will happen," said Aslan. "If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you must all get up at once and follow me—what will happen? There is only one way of finding out."
"Do you mean that is what you want me to do?" gasped Lucy.
"Yes, little one," said Aslan.
"Will the others see you too?" asked Lucy.
"Certainly not at first," said Aslan. "Later on, it depends."
"But they won't believe me!" said Lucy.
"It doesn't matter," said Aslan.
"Oh dear, oh dear," said Lucy. "And I was so pleased at finding you again. And I thought you'd let me stay. And I thought you'd come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away—like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid."
"It is hard for you, little one," said Aslan. "But things never happen the same way twice. It has been hard for us all in Narnia before now."
Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up.
"I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan. "And now all Narnia will be renewed. But come. We have no time to lose."
He got up and walked with stately, noiseless paces back to the belt of dancing trees through which she had just come: and Lucy went with him, laying a rather tremulous hand on his mane. The trees parted to let them through and for one second assumed their human forms completely. Lucy had a glimpse of tall and lovely wood-gods and wood-goddesses all bowing to the Lion; next moment they were trees again, but still bowing, with such graceful sweeps of branch and trunk that their bowing was itself a kind of dance.
"Now, child," said Aslan, when they had left the trees behind them, "I will wait here. Go and wake the others and tell them to follow. If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone."

Excerpt from episode:
"...Today’s episode will have a different sort of feel, because today is very much about a personal encounter. It’s often been said that the character of Aslan – that great kingly lion - is one of the best portrayals of Jesus Christ in any work of fiction. Those of you who are familiar with the books will probably agree that every scene with Aslan is profound and moving, and depicts what a real encounter with Jesus of Nazereth would actually have been like. Over and against more popular portrayals of Jesus today as just a nice guy or moral teacher, Aslan – like the real Jesus of Nazareth- just cannot be categorised in any box. He is at once compassionate and ferocious, friendly, and yet kingly. When Susan Pevensie asks Mr Beaver whether Aslan was safe, Mr beaver replies "Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” So it goes for the real Jesus Christ, and it is for this reason that Aslan gives us plenty of material to explore a very forgotten idea in Christianity today: the fear of the Lord. ‘Fear of the Lord? – what does that even mean...?"

Isn't Christianity about a 'personal relationship' with God? Why also the Communion of Saints? Let Moana's voyage expand your spiritual horizons! As she grows to appreciate the bigger story she is part of, discover how Love flows between the barriers of life and death, time and space!

Links to the two scenes mentioned this episode:

Grandma's stingray

Moana's ancestors

Episodes excerpt: "...This scene is beautiful on so many. Firstly, it demonstrates that true love transcends the barriers of life and death, of time and space. While the story of Moana obviously doesn’t explore concepts like heaven and judgement, it does demonstrate how relationships are eternal, how love can freely move between the tiers of heaven and earth. Likewise, while our communion of saints begins here – in the church militant, it extends far beyond that, into the church triumphant. The membership of Christ’s body is truly cosmic."

This episode explores three ways Sauron's Ring is particularly active today: (i) the influence of the media (ii) division within the church and (iii) hyper-individualism. Learn to recognise how we can all fall sway to the Ring, but more importantly, how to be free of its power!

Excerpt: "In Catholic-Christian theology, evil is both an exterior reality and an interior reality, something both out there, and inside us. The genius of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is that he is able express evil in both these external and internal forms. For example, Sauron is clearly an evil that’s ‘out there’ in the world, raising up an army, seeking to dominate Middle Earth through Mordor, Isengard and beyond. On the other hand, Sauron’s Ring also seeks to bring about evil, but more from within the characters. Subtly and seductively, it corrupts it’s wearer’s noblest desires, while at the same time amplifying the evil that’s already within. It turns loyal human princes like Borimir into bickering traitors, and peace-loving hobbits like Smeagol into thieving murderers ...."

Here's a link to that Brian Holdsworth video regarding the navigation of divisive church matters.

During times of temptation and desolation, St Ignatius of Loyola's 'Discernment of Spirits' offers us some timeless principles. How well do you know them? Explore the sly techniques The Emperor uses to seduce Anakin to the Dark Side, and learn to recognise - and defend against - the Enemy working in your own life!

See website for all resources mentioned for this episode: themythpilgrim.com

Welcome to Narnia! This episode, we do philosophy with Plato and theology with St Therese of Lisieux. We will explore the ideas of truth, reality, and why Jesus insists that only children can enter the Kingdom of Heaven ... and Narnia!

Excerpt: "Today is our first venture into one of the greatest series of children’s books of all time – C.S. Lewis’ the Chronicles of Narnia. Now there could be an entire podcast series just on Narnia; so rich is it Christian symbolism, and so insightful is the mind of C.S. Lewis. So many Christian themes all the way from creation, the Fall, redemption, sin, Kingdom of God, salvation, truth, judgement etc. are all represented within the pages of this 7 part series. So what I plan to on the Myth Pilgrim is to gradually chip away at the series a theme at a time, or even a section of a theme at a time. Today we’ll explore the theme of spiritual childhood, by wrestling with one simple question: why is it that out of the four Pevensie children it was Lucy the youngest child who discovers the wardrobe into Narnia? And why does it always seem to be Lucy who first notices Aslan – the great Christ like Lion - before any of the older children? With the help of Plato and St Therese, we will illuminate the question posed in our introduction: why Jesus insists that we become like little children. Ready?"

In this special release episode, guest speaker Fr Dave Tremble MGL weaves together The Ugly Duckling, the Passion of Jesus, and his own story. Locate your own story within the Suffering Servant’s, and explore the topic of shame under a new gaze.

Recommended books by Dr Brene Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection
Daring Greatly
Dr Brene's TED talk "The power of vulnerability": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

Excerpt from episode: "In her bestselling book The Gifts of Imperfection, Dr Brene Brown describes shame as always involving a social context. Shame is not just as one of many bad feelings we have, but the feeling of being unworthy of belonging, of other people. Shame isolates us from community. Now this is bad enough when it’s just between people, but even worse when shame isolates us from God … making us feel unworthy of him. Okay so that’s the bad news! What’s the good news? Well… the good news, or the bearers of good news today will be our guest speaker, one Fr Dave Tremble ably assisted by a little duckling"

Have you ever considered how the spirit of The Lion King weaves beautifully with the spirit of the Bible? 25 years later, the story still touches us deeply and satisfies our deepest longings. Explore the themes of the Father's love, exile, baptism, identity and vocation ... and the threading together of two of the greatest stories ever told!

Excerpt from the episode: "Jesus of course is the biblical exemplar of everything I just said. Have you ever noticed that this Mufasa apparition scene looks suspiciously like the baptism of Jesus? In both scenes, the father’s presence is made manifest thundering in the heavens, both scenes take place above a significant body of water, in both scenes the son’s truest identities are affirmed by the Father, and in both scenes the sons are commissioned to reclaim the kingdom home that was rightfully theirs! Wow! And if Jesus own vocation flowed out of his being a beloved son of the Father, how much more would that same truth apply to you and I today! Dear friends, ask your Father today, who am I … who have you created me to do be… and let the rest take care of itself. Whether we are conscious of it or not, I believe this scene in particular stirs our post-Christian culture. For we have today drifted quite far from this Christian understanding of identity and vocation. No longer possessing the knowledge of a loving Father who created us, we instead tie ourselves in knots trying to discover our own identity, to forge our own identity from scratch, desperate to be both authentic and yet to be the same as everyone else. Sadly, we today have it all backwards, believing that our identity flows from our vocation, and that our self worth is tied to ‘what we do’. We forget that our identity and worth are already given to us, and that a loving Father cares more about our decisions than even we do ourselves. Perhaps it is for this reason that the Lion King stirs us and moves us and reverberates in the caverns of our culture. For the tender echo of Mufasa’s "remember" is not just an invitation for Simba … but an invitation for our culture that has forgotten who we are and the glory that awaits us."

(Note - covers of original Disney music were used in this episode: 'This Land' and 'King of Pride Rock' are covers, while a snippet of the original 'The Circle of Life' used. Original composer is Hans Zimmer)

Biblically, the wilderness seemed to be God's preferred meeting place. Why? And why are the wise men of myth and legend always found in the wilderness? Journey with Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, and explore the parallels between Yoda’s training and Catholic spirituality!

Excerpt "... You may be surprised at how many heroes in both myth and biblical stories actually (a) find themselves in some sort of wilderness (b) encounter there the wisdom they need to continue on their journey. In the great Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, king Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality takes him into the wilderness to seek out Ziusudra, the only man who can teach him the secret of immortality. In the Lion King, Simba is exiled into the wilderness, where he eventually meets the ghost of Mufasa and has his kingly identity re-invigorated. Then we have the bible stories. It was out alone in the wilderness that the runaway Moses first encounters God, the great I AM in the burning bush. Later it was in the same wilderness that the prophet Elijah hears God's call through the still small voice. Like the motifs in the great myths, wisdom always seems to be found in the wilderness - and I mean here Wisdom with a capital W – God himself. Not only is the wilderness a place where God is present, it seems biblically to be his preferred meeting place! Hosea 2:14 says “Therefore, I will now allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” Pretty intimate language.."

Rest ... we could all do with more of it! But what part does it play in the Catholic spiritual life? Explore how the spirituality of rest permeates The Lord of the Rings. Learn how even in the middle of their urgent mission, hobbits made a place for rest and celebration. If today you're feeling like "butter spread over too much bread", be replenished within the Fellowship!

Some good further reading:
Abandonment to Divine Providence (Jean-Pierre de Caussade)
Leisure, The Basis of Culture (Josef Pieper)

How well do you know the original story of the Little Mermaid? Hans Christian Anderson's tale is quite different from the Disney retelling, and has some pretty developed Christian themes. Be moved, delighted and challenged this episode, and discover why you have the soul of a mermaid!

I have found a 1975 animation of The Little Mermaid which is much closed to the original Hans Christian Anderson tale. It's quite well done! You can access it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djA3BHG6utc

Just why are we so obsessed with dragons, and stories about dragons? Guest speaker Fr Tony Schick MGL offers piercing insight into the nature of anger, and its place in the Christian spiritual life. This special episode breaks from our usual story-based episode, to present an interview on a very misunderstood and important topic.

Oh! I found out that YouTube has streamed the whole Russian movie of "I am dragon" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yi_DzmNy4
Alternatively, you can watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1PJS0HjK8

What does Christian hope look like in the era of COVID-19? Journey alongside Sam and Gandalf in the midst of their worldwide calamity. Let the divine hope that permeates J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings nourish you and sustain you.

Here are links to two of the scenes mentioned in the episode:

"I wish the ring had never come to me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrOqnZdvI6M
Sam's speech in the Two Towers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6C8SX0mWP0

Excerpt from podcast: "What separates The Lord of the Rings from other works of great fiction of a similar genre is the way it handles and presents hope … for a beautiful, courageous, and even divine hope permeates the story's darkest darkness and most hopeless circumstances. Written in the middle of 20th century, in a century that should have robbed Tolkien of any sense of hope in humanity, in technology, in faith even, it is the story’s hope, that instantly made it a timeless classic."

This episode will explore the mythic hero's journey of Luke Skywalker alongside the hero's journey of Jesus Christ. Discover how Jesus redefines the hero's journey once and for all

Excerpt from episode: "...despite its simple formula, A New Hope feels somehow fulfilling and resolved. Any storyline based around the hero’s journey tends to feel this way… and the collective wisdom of the great civilisations attest to this. But … what does someone like a Luke Skywalker today have to do with Jesus? Well, since the time of Campbell, many academics have rightly noted that the life of Jesus Christ follows the pattern of the mythic hero’s journey. As a believing Christian I agree with this, but only partially..."

How is Beauty and the Beast also a profound metaphor for human salvation? How can this fairytale transform our relationship with the 'beast' within us?

Excerpt from episode: "...Consider that once upon a time in Eden, we too were royal princes and princesses in a Kingdom, just like the prince in the tale. And like that prince, our pride exacted a terrible price upon our humanity - the curse of sin. It would ravage the human heart like a devouring beast, turning brother against brother, tribe against tribe, and most tragically, humanity against God. When fully bred, the once glorious human person made in the image of God would become barely recognizable in the gross disfigurement sin brought...."

A snappy intro as to what to expect this series!