SPO OSU Catholic: Recent Episodes
SPO OSU Catholic
Throughout this past year, we have heard from various holy women and men on how to know the person of Jesus Christ and strive for holiness. Join us in listening to how we can step into our identities as sons and daughter of God and live out our Catholic faith in the everyday moments.
The Gospel message that God loves us, sin messed up everything, and Jesus came to die for our sin and restore everything should shape our whole lives. We are not called to be one foot “involved in our faith” and one foot pursuing our own desires. We are called to be 2 feet in for Jesus who we love with our whole being. In this talk we hear practicals of the “Day in the Life of a missionary disciple” of what it looks like to live out this life in the everyday.
Episode 14 (by Kara Day) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
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What is preventing me from being “2 feet in” for Jesus? What am I straddling?
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What would it look like for me to have everything in my life radically re-oriented to Jesus? What am I afraid of?
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Do I believe that Jesus is actually the only thing that will satisfy me?
It is a noble thing to love! Laura talks about ways to think about love and ways to grow in loving others that is appropriate to the relationship and in a way that wills their good. It is worth the risk to love.
Episode 14 (by Laura Wilson) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
References to Made For Relationships (SPO) and By Love Refined: Letters to a Young Bride* (Alice von Hildebrand)
Reflection Questions:
-Take a look at current relationships--with other women, with men, dating relationships, family relationships-- Where is the Lord inviting you to grow? How can you take a step in willing their good? Are you seeking to love them in a way that helps them live in reality; are your words and actions appropriate for that relationship?
-How can I grow in receiving the live that is being offered, especially when it's not how I'd prefer to be loved?
-What's keeping you from taking a risk in loving a sister in Christ?
-How can you honor the Tabor Vision of others that has been entrusted to you?
CHASTITY IS A MATTER OF THE HEART-
“To love is to Will the good of another” CCC 1766, St. Thomas Aquinas
In its fullness: it's looking outward toward my beloved and seeking what is best for that person, not just what is good for me.” Freedom exists for the sake of love, meaning there are sacrifices we will need to make when we are in love. To live our relationships well we must often make sacrifices, surrendering our own will to serve the good of others.
Episode 13 (by Myra Gonzalez) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*References to Made For Relationships (SPO), Men, Women and the Mystery of Love (Edward Sri), and Man and Women He Created Them (Karol Wojtyla)
Reflection Questions:
*Questions you may want to ask considering the objective aspect of love—
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Am I committed to this other person for who she is or for the enjoyment I receive from the relationship?
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Does my beloved understand what is truly best for me, and does he have the faith and virtue to help me get there?
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Are we deeply united by a common aim, serving each other, and striving together toward a common good that is higher than each of us? Or are we just living side by side, sharing resources and occasional good times together while we selfishly pursue our own interests and enjoyments in life?
In this episode we are diving into discovering the proper role of emotions in our friendships and relationships
Episode 12 (by Myra Gonzalez) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
References to Made For Relationships (SPO), Men, Women and the Mystery of Love (Edward Sri), and Man and Women He Created Them* (Karol Wojtyla)
Reflection Questions:
*The question of truth about the person is crucial
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Does this person really have the qualities and virtues I’m so attracted too?
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Are we really a good a fit for one another as I feel we are?
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Is he or she truly worthy of all my trust?
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Is there a problem in our relationship that I’m overlooking?
Learning how the sacraments channel Grace from the Cross to the soul. This talk explains the “what and why” of the Sacraments with a special focus on Confession and the Eucharist, segueing into the Mass.
Episode 11 (by Genevieve Tautkus) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*Additional sharing from Olivia Samper
Reflection Questions:
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Where “am I at” with receiving the Sacraments right now? What is one goal I can make toward frequenting the Sacraments more?
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What does God’s Merciful Love mean to me? How does it make me feel, and how do I respond to it? Do I respond to it?
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Have you ever gone to Eucharistic Adoration? If you have, what has been your experience? Do you have a story of how it has touched or changed your heart?
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What has been your experience with Confession? Have you experienced God’s Mercy in a tangible way through this Sacrament? Please reflect and share.
Daily prayer will change your life. In this talk, we will hear the what, how and why behind daily personal prayer and worship, and how cultivating this lifestyle will transform our lives and the lives of those around us. We will take a look at how not only is daily prayer for ourselves, but for the greater good of those we live with, serve, and interact with in our day to day.
Episode 10 (by Anna France) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
-What does personal prayer/worship mean to me? Why do I want it to be a part of my life?
-Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight areas of your life that stand as obstacles to personal prayer and worship. It could be media, the people we spend our time with, school, work, other commitments, sleep, comfort… Ask Him in trust, and write down His response.
-Ask yourself, how do I want to grow in prayer? Maybe you’re just starting, or maybe you’ve been praying for a long time; know there’s always more for you.
-Practice hearing the Father’s voice. Sit in a quiet space, free of distraction, and ask Him what He thinks of you. Write down His response.
-In what ways is Jesus asking me to be more of a gift to others? How does He want personal prayer and worship to take a part in that?
The Gospel message is powerful and has the ability to change your life. Listen as Emily talks about the power it has had in her life as we break down the 7 main parts of the Kerygma, which is the proclamation of the Good News.
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God loves you and has a plan for your life
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Sin will destroy you
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Jesus died to save you
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Repent and believe in the Gospel
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Be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit
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Abide in Christ and His body, the Church
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Go make disciples
Episode 9 (by Emily Reinarts) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
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Have you ever heard the Gospel message spoken to you before? Have you ever shared it with anyone else?
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What part of the Gospel message do you feel you are currently living?
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What part of the Gospel message is most challenging for you?
A part of the series on virtuous friendships, we hear about what to do when there is conflict in a relationship. In Matthew chapter 18 Jesus teaches the importance of forgiveness. Learn how we can extend forgiveness to others, ask for for forgiveness, and fight for friendship.
Episode 8 (by Kelly McCabe) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*References made to the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 18.
Reflection Questions:
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How have you handled conflicts with friends in the past?
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What has your experience been like when someone has forgiven you?
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What prevents you from stepping into conversations of reconciliation?
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Is there someone in your life right now that you need to forgive or be forgiven by?
"A good friend is a sturdy shelter" is what the Bible tells us, and how beautiful this is! We are always going to have friends in our life, but we are called to live deeply in virtue with one another; to not just go through life with friends, but with sisters. Listen here and be encouraged in how to love and choose one another in our relationships.
Episode 7 (by Monica Hollcraft) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*References made to Made For Relationships (Saint Paul's Outreach, 2020), Chapter 4: Virtuous Friendships
Reflection Questions:
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How can I be a sturdy shelter to my friends?
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How can I exercise trust in my friendships?
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What lies keep me from forgetting myself and loving others?
All friendships look different and that’s okay, but the Lord is calling us into a deeper level of friendship and sisterhood with the women around us!
Episode 6 (by Anna Hamrock) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*References made to The Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 1, Verses 30-45.
Reflection Questions:
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Where have you seen these different types of friendship in your life?
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What lies, obstacles, or past wounds make it hard to enter into female friendships?
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What is your own experience with female friendship?
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What to you want for the female friendships in your own life? (How can our friendships reflect Mary & Elisabeth)
Did you know that you are worth more? The society we live in tells us that our relationships are about an exchange of goods, we are just people who use and are used by others. BUT that stops here. You are worth so much more than that! Through the knowledge and grace of Christ's love for us, each one of us has the power to this culture of use here and now. Through Him we know this truth that the more we love, the more we know we are loved.
Episode 5 (by Katherine Kebe) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
References made to Made For Relationships* (Saint Paul's Outreach, 2020), Chapter 3: Putting the Person First
Reflection Questions:
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What are relationships for?
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Do you see yourself and the way you have approached relationships through examples given?
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What are ways we can choose to give in our relationships?
Jesus sees & loves us.
We’re talking about guilt vs. shame— what’s the difference, which is from God? Jesus uses His interaction with the woman at the well to show us that He does not shame us; He knows everything about us, and embraces us. You are beloved in your struggle and sin!
Episode 4 (by Adeline Wickerham) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
*References made to The Chosen TV Series; Season 1, Episode 8.
Reflection Questions:
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What are you holding back from God?
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What is determining how you see yourself?
Whether or not you believe it in a given movement, you have an immense dignity, and it can’t be taken from you. Dignity is not about we do but who we are, God’s own beloved daughters. We have a Father who loves us unconditionally and only He can tell us what we are worth.
Episode 3 (by Nathalie Love) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
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What mess are you holding back from God that you have let condemn you?
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What is He asking you to let go of for the sake of remembering what you are worth to Him?
Identity is discovered through the voice we listen to. We have all been created to be defined by a father‘s voice. Until we each have an encounter with our father in heaven we will spend our lives broken in search of our identity.- Jonathan Helser
Episode 2 (by Olivia Samper) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
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What are the voices you are listening to?
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What voices are defining your identity?
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Is there a specific voice you remember hearing that has led you to what you believe about yourself now?
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Have you ever asked the Father what He says of you?
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What are ways you can start listening and getting to know the Father's voice?
Our identity is the core of who we are, and therefore it cannot be changed. Identity is often placed in superficial ideas or opinions of others, but our true identity is in who we have been created by and the purpose we were created for.
Episode 1 (by Katherine Harman) of the 2021-2022 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
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What are some things you put your identity in that could be given up tomorrow?
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What is at your core right now?
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What do you want to be at your core?
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How do you want to be held accountable for these goals?
Our words are powerful and they have the ability to bring light or darkness, to create or destroy, to bring life or bring death. Our Father spoke creation into being and imprinted His image on us and so, we share this same power with our words as our Father does.
Engage in practical ways to orient your speech towards building the kingdom with tools like making declarations, identifying how Jesus spoke life in Scripture, and rooting out habits that may plague our speech. We are children of the Father who has an abundance for us and we have the ability to shape, change, and enhance environments with the power of our words!
Episode 12 (by Anna France) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- In what ways could you be more intentional with your speech? What are one or two areas that you would like to focus on to improve?
- What are declarations you want to be speaking over yourself? Maybe pick a couple to say every morning when you wake up, to put on your phone lock screen, etc.
- Let's be Jesus models! How can you practice being more like Jesus in your speech?
- How can you integrate kingdom language in your everyday life? In what environments can you intentionally practice being upbuilding in your speech?
- What environments are particularly difficult places for you to practice upbuilding speech? For example, do particular groups of friends always speak degradingly about themselves or others? Is there a particular friend who gossips often? Do you find myself joining in? Do you find yourself complaining often when you're around a certain group of friends? Think about environments that you may need to revitalize or remove yourself from.
Pray!
"Father of all creation, You spoke and things came to be. As Your daughter, I ask for Your grace to help me step into my identity as a truth-speaker and upbuild myself and others by speaking the Truth You have given us. Help me to always seek and speak Your Truth."
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
First and foremost, the Lord declares that we are very good. He created us to be so, and He sees us as that. Because of His love for us, He went so far as to die on the cross that we would be redeemed. The Lord actively pursues you, romancing you, wooing you, eagerly working to win your heart. He sees you as worthy of being pursued and desires to pour out His love and mercy into you. Do you let Him pursue you? Do you see the ways He runs after you? Are you opened to it?
Episode 11 (by Natalie McFadden) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Prompts:
- Reflect on how you've noticed God pursue you individually and personally.
- How can you be more attentive to the "wooing" of the Holy Spirit?
- What are lies that you have about your sins?
- What is your experience with reconciliation/confession?
- What, if anything, is preventing you from forgiving yourself? God has already forgiven you!
- Think about the other talks... emotional chastity, purity, believing that we are good, etc... which of these talks resonated with you and could be something you bring to the Father in reconciliation?
- What part of yourself do you think stirs Jesus' heart the most? What aspect of who you are do you think the Father delights in?
- Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with Me." Take time to read and pray through this!
Pray!
"Father, thank You for loving me always and pursuing me constantly. Help me to see the ways You pursue me and to be open and receptive to them. Give me the grace to remove the obstacles that separate me from You and to seek union with You by Your mercy and unending love for me."
Emotional chastity is such a beautiful gift! Through this gift from our Father, we have a unique ability to enter into deeper joy and peace and freedom! For both women and men, honest conversations with each other can be so helpful to learn more about the beauty of our own minds, hearts, and souls. The Father has created men and women with such vastly different but equally beautiful strengths and weaknesses!
In this talk, we'll hear from two faithful brothers in our community about some practical and spiritual thoughts on emotional chastity from a man's perspective! They'll explore how emotional chastity in men and women is similar in some ways, yet different in others and they'll discuss some things to think about while we're all trying to grow closer to Jesus through our relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ!
Episode 10 (by Michael Fontana and Christopher Harman) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Pray!
"Lord, thank You for the gift of the uniqueness and complementarity of women and men. Give me the grace to build discipline and strength of will in order to control my thoughts and reorient myself upon You. Thank you for the gift of holy women and holy men. Help me to trust in You and seek Your will."
You've probably heard of physical chastity, but have you heard of emotional chastity??
Our goal on earth is to be as holy and as close to Jesus as possible in order to get to Heaven and the gift of our emotions is a tool that helps us choose that in every action. Learn about what emotional chastity is and gain practical tools to gain control of your emotions, which naturally influences your thoughts and actions.
The biggest fruit in practicing emotional chastity is freedom and by letting go of false or impossible expectations we set on the men around us, we give them freedom to be our brothers and we give ourselves freedom to set our gaze on God. True freedom is union with Jesus: mind, body, and soul.
Episode 9 (by Genevieve Thanh) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- Is Jesus your first thought and/or dominant thought on your mind?
- How do you see yourself handling emotional chastity now? Is it a real struggle for you?
- If you are not receptive to the idea of emotional chastity, why is that? What are your hesitations? Are your hesitations legitimate or are you just afraid to step out of your comfort and leisure? Is Jesus worth that sacrifice?
- Do you see the men around you as a brother first, instead of a potential? Where is the line of sharing in friendships with men?
- Do I buy into the false comfort of “Oh, it’s easier to be friends with men because they’re less drama”? Where does this stem from? What do your friendships with women look like?
- What are settings that you know are tempting for you to fall into emotional unchastity? What can you practically do to avoid these settings or situations? What people, environments movies, books, etc. should you maybe think twice before engaging with?
Pray!
"Jesus, I pray that you purify my thoughts and intentions in my friendships with my brothers. Help me to seek You first and always and to know that You are the only one who shapes my identity and worthiness. Give me the grace to practice emotional chastity and allow my friendships to reflect the sisterly and brotherly love you call us to."
You are perfectly loved by the Father and by His love, you are loving! Loving others comes from the overflow of the Father’s love for you. This talk is meant to teach and encourage you to sit with the Lord and let yourself be loved by Him. Step into learning how to love others as He loves us!
Episode 8 (by Katie Priest) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean to "will the good of a beloved"? How can you see that this is not limited to our romantic relationships, but also to your friendships and family?
- It’s important to recognize the self-care that isn’t ~face masks and pedi’s~ but knowing how to love yourself and care for others at the same time". How can you practically do both?
- Pope Paul IV says "Man...cannot find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." Luke 17:33 says that when we give ourselves away, we find ourselves. How does this idea of "self-care" work? How does it compare to your own idea of self-care?
- Knowing God's vast love for us and for others, does this change the way you see yourself and others?
- Reflect on a time you knew that you needed to say no to something/someone/a bad situation. Maybe you went into the situation thinking, “The Lord is guiding me in a different direction, I’m not supposed to be here, something just feels off...”. What is that feeling? Where does it come from?
Pray!
"Holy Spirit, I pray that you fill me with Your love and lead me in the everyday moments. Help me to love others from a place of Your abundant love and know what it means to be truly loved by You."
You were created with an inherent dignity, identity, and worth- we all were! Everyone is equally deserving of love, compassion, and joy and the Lord wants us to share that with everyone we meet, no matter the situation. Take time to reflect on selflessness and the specific ways and situations we can set ourselves aside as well as where we can improve our outpouring on others.
Episode 7 (by Grace Krier) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Prompts:
- Is selflessness easy/hard for you? Why?
- Whatever degree of selflessness you currently have, where or who do you think that came from?
- How do you see God pursuing you in selflessness? What are your thoughts on a pursuing, self-giving God?
- Pick one person who you may not regularly think of to love… Write down their name and make a resolution to do one thing out of your way to love them by the end of this week.
- Do you believe that even short conversations can be impactful? What does it cost you? Can you spare 5 minutes or less just to listen or say “hello”?
- Think of some circumstance now in which you might encounter random people- people on campus, people on the street, homeless, that stranger in biology class... Challenge yourself to show selflessness to those people even if you don’t know them.
- Think of a time when someone was selfless towards you. Really, really think: How did it make you feel? When you’re tempted to act selfishly in any given situation, try to remember these times and how impactful they are.
Pray!
"Lord, I know you are a selfless and generous Father to me. Help me to step into the truth that I can be selfless and generous, even to those I do not know or do not like. Give me the grace to love others as You love them."
God created everything good and when He created us, He called us VERY good. This is the identity we get to live out of! Because God loves us, He only gives us good things. He knows our needs and desires because He gave them to us and He is the only one who can fill them. We can have confidence in our identity because God is good and has called us good!
Episode 6 (by Emily Reinarts) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Prompts:
We live in a culture of use... of using men and women as a means to an end. Our culture emphasizes this idea of “you do you”. This follows the idea that your needs are most important and your pleasure is most important. This mindset is focused on “What can i get out of this?” St. John Paul II said, “Utilitarian emphasizes usefulness in the whole action of man. The usefulness is what brings pleasure and excludes pain, for pleasure constitutes the essential manifestation of man’s happiness.”
- How do you idolize “usefulness” in people and/or things? How can you de-idolize this concept of “usefulness”?
- How can you "be" good even if you are not "useful" as the world might define you?
- How does the idea of "you do you" influence and propagate utilitarianism?
“Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” -Pope Benedict XVI
- Which quality of Pope Benedict’s quote is the most challenging to believe?
- What is your natural response when you see someone doing something “better” than you?
- Where do you look for goodness in yourself?
- Do you believe that God is good?
- Have you ever felt abandoned by God? What made you feel this way? If so, have you been able to see the reason/good that came out of it?
Pray!
"Lord, I ask for the eyes to see how You have created me good and how You have created others good as well. Help me to always seek the good for others and to love and serve others in order to better imitate You."
We are forgiving!! God is so merciful and loving! He extends His forgiveness to us time and time again. Being made in His image and likeness, we are called to not just receive His mercy and forgiveness, but to also offer forgiveness to others, and even ourselves. Forgiveness is a choice everyday, and it can be a challenge, but seeking the Lord’s heart at all times will allow His love and mercy to flow through our own hearts to those around us.
Episode 5 (by Gigi Menkhaus) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- How often in friendship do you "put the other person first"? Is this even important?
- What might be the value of choosing to be friends with someone even if you don't always like them or get along?
- Do you have any fears or mistrusts in relationships with women? If so, what are they? How can you overcome them?
- How have you experienced Jesus' healing in friendships with women?
- How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus through your friendships?
- How can your friends and sisters speak Truth into your life? How can you do the same for others?
- How does my identity and dignity tie into friendships and forgiveness?
Pray!
"God, in Your infinite mercy and forgiveness, You still love me and chose me despite my sin. I pray that with my friends, I can recognize that they are gifts from You and to always seek their good. Please purify my relationships and help me to have good intentions when I go into friendships."
What do YOU bring to the table? Not only your gifts, but yourself. Step into the truth of your identity. The Father has made you irreplaceable, you are valued!
Episode 4 (by Katherine Kebe) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- What would you say is your purpose in life? What do you believe is God’s purpose for your life? Are they the same/different? Why?
- What are gifts that you bring to the table? How can Jesus use those gifts to fulfill His/your purpose for your life?
- How have you seen yourself grow into those gifts? Where did they come from and how did they develop?
- In what ways can you let Jesus work through you and with you to reach out to others and share your faith?
- Where have I looked for Jesus and found Him? Where have I looked and not found Him? What does “looking for Jesus” look like for you?
Pray!
"Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to us. Help me to better understand the cross of Jesus and reveal to me how I personally and uniquely fit into Your plan. Help me to trust in You and seek Your will in everything that I can glorify You through all of my actions."
True freedom comes from knowing who we are in the eyes of the one who created us. We must put our identity in our Father who is unwavering and who is the truth and not define ourselves by what we do. With this non-circumstantial foundation of who we are, we can step into the freedom and fullness of life the Lord has for us! Listen to learn how we can step away from attaching our identity to the world and to put it back in the Lord. Hear personal testimonies of how the Lord has claimed victory with freedom. Freedom is contagious! Step into freedom for yourself and then bring others with you.
Episode 3 (by Kelly McCabe) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- Do you have people in your life that encourage you to be free? On the other hand, is there anyone in your life around whom you feel trapped/not free?
- Have you experienced freedom because of someone around you being free?
- Who do you recognize as or believe to be a "free" person? What about them makes you think that?
- What can you (individually) do when you're feeling not free?
- When you think of a life of true freedom, what do you imagine?
- If you find it difficult or challenging to believe that you have freedom, why do you think that is?
Pray!
"Jesus, I recognize that true freedom is union with You. Help me to remember this and seek the freedom that comes from living a life rooted in You. Remove the things that make me feel trapped or prevent myself from living in freedom and give me the courage and humility to set my gaze upon You and always turn back to You."
Almighty God, of all infinite power and majesty, with one breath of love formed the heavens and all creation! And in His goodness, He commanded YOU into existence! We are loved by God!
Episode 2 (by Megan Rinehart) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Prompts:
- Take some time reflecting on the moment(s) when you felt an abundance of God’s love. When did that love feel the most present? When did you not doubt the love of God because it felt so real?
- Do you believe that you are created for an incredible destiny?
- Do you rejoice in God’s love for you? Or do you settle into thinking his love is mediocre?
- Who are you and why do you deserve to be loved?
- Where/from whom/in what situations do you find your worth?
- What do others think of you? What do you think of yourself? What does God think of you? If some of these answers are different, why do you think that is?
Pray!
"Lord, I pray that you reveal to me your Fatherhood and claim me as your daughter. Help me to step into my identity and worth as a daughter of the most high King. Remind me of the truth of who I am and direct me closer to You."
Identity is something that is not earned, but a gift that is given. This is not something that develops or comes to be from what we do or have done, but becomes clearer as we come to know God’s love for us. Let God’s voice define who you are— a beautiful, treasured daughter of God. This can give you peace at all times that no matter what, you belong to a Father who adores you!
Episode 1 (by Adeline Wickerham) of the 2020-2021 Women's Group talks at the Ohio State University chapter of Saint Paul's Outreach
Reflection Questions:
- Who do you look to for your identity?
- When do you feel most important or valuable? Why?
- When do you feel most worthless or stepped on? Why?
- What do you think you need to be happy? Do you actually need it? If that something went away, how would you feel? Why do you think it has that power over you?
- What sayings, phrases, quotes, etc. make you feel powerful and loved? How can you remind yourself that you are a beautiful daughter of God, our Father? Let's keep repeating those to ourselves!
- What is your main takeaway from this women's talk? How will you live differently based on what you have heard?
Pray!
"Jesus, I acknowledge that I have tried to define myself by many different points of reference. I have looked to other people and to my own insecurities to define me and give me my worth, but I turn to you now and I want to be led by you alone. Help me to see the love you have for me and come to know more deeply my identity as a daughter of God the Father."