Abiding Together S17 E3 - The Spirit Awakens Hope
In this episode, we talk about how God is at work in our lives even when sorrow feels overwhelming. This Jubilee year of hope is still a light for us, especially when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to despair. We talk about the “fatigue of living”, what happens when we isolate ourselves, and why the micromovements of our hearts are so important. God has not guaranteed us an easy life, but He abundantly offers us Himself. With Him, we can encounter Jesus deeply, allow the Spirit to help us overcome our fears, and journey through this life with more hope than we thought possible.
Heather’s One Thing - Join me on a pilgrimage to Denmark & Norway | August 3 - 12, 2026
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Into Your Hands, Father: Abandoning Ourselves to the God Who Loves Us by Father Wilfrid Stinissen
Michelle’s One Thing - I Will Come to You: A Story of Adoption and the Relentless Love of God by Jamie McAleer
Other Resources Mentioned:
Journal Questions:
- When did I last pour my heart out to the Lord?
- How have I been tempted to isolate myself?
- What distractions do I turn to in suffering?
- What heartbreaks have I been holding back from the Lord in prayer?
- Where am I feeling afraid?
Discussion Questions:
- Where in your life are you struggling to see the Lord?
- How has the Lord given you daily bread today?
- What lessons have you learned throughout the Jubilee Year of Hope?
- Where in your life are you waiting for a personal Pentecost?
- What resonated with you in Sister Miriam’s prayer?
Quote to Ponder:
“The Holy Spirit bestows understanding. The Spirit overcomes the ‘breach’ that began in Babel, the confusion of mind and heart that sets us one against the other. The Spirit opens borders... The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained. In the Church there are only free men and women, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.” (Homily for Pentecost, 15 May 2005, Pope Benedict XVI)
Scripture for Lectio:
“Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Mark 5:34)
Sponsor - The Ember Collective:
“Holistic wellness in light of eternity.”
The Ember Collective is a community of women passionate about holistic wellness through the lens of our Catholic faith. They believe that we cannot separate the physical from the spiritual, and that harmony exists among them.You can subscribe to The Ember Journal, a visually stunning quarterly print magazine that dives into nutrition, broader health & wellness topics, our Catholic faith, liturgical living, delicious and nourishing whole food recipes, and more. They just launched their first book, Feast Faith Flourish, through Sophia Institute. This book makes the perfect addition to your coffee table, as your seasonal and liturgical companion to living well and whole.
Use the code ABIDE10 to get 10% off our entire shop (subscriptions excluded).
Chapters:
00:00 The Ember Collective
00:58 Intro
01:49 Welcome
05:38 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
06:50 The Fatigue of Living
09:17 Into A Place of Isolation
11:25 Micromovements of the Heart
13:33 Bonding vs Bondage
15:48 Deeply Encountering Jesus
18:18 Will this Situation Ever Change?
20:17 The Spirit Opens Borders in Our Own Hearts
22:50 Overcoming Fear
25:45 Inviting the Holy Spirit Into Our Lives Through Prayer
31:38 One Things