Deep in Christ

JonMarc Grodi continues to discuss the Catholic perspective on the mystery of suffering with CHNetwork team member Denise Bossert. Denise looks at how our woundedness and sinfulness impacts our suffering, and how God wants His best for us, even when we don't understand what that means, or how to receive it. Because Christ has taken on our sin and our suffering, we can enter into that mystery with Him, and offer that suffering, just as Jesus did, for His body, the Church. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi continues to discuss the Catholic perspective on the mystery of suffering with CHNetwork team member Denise Bossert. Denise reflects on some of the ways she began to understand suffering, not just as an isolated experience within her own personal journey of faith, but as a way to better enter into what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ. This reflection helped to make sense of a passage from St. Paul that Denise had never really known what to do with before: "I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church." (Colossians 1:24) For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

On this episode, JonMarc Grodi introduces a special guest and new member of the CHNetwork team: Denise Bossert. A former pastor’s kid and pastor’s wife, Denise shares how difficult experiences of suffering, especially that of her father, caused her to question her theology and ultimately look to the Catholic Church for a deeper understanding of the mystery of redemptive suffering. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

On this episode, JonMarc Grodi shares some brief thoughts on Lent and the traditional penitential practice of fasting. Following Christ’s exhortations in Mathew chapter 6, we must fast in the right spirit (unlike the “hypocrites”) in order to receive the treasure of greater intimacy with our Heavenly Father. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard conclude their discussion of the cruciform shape of discipleship, focusing finally on the mystery of suffering. All suffering is the result of original and actual sin, but we have two fundamental ways to respond to the suffering of life. Will we flee the cross or follow Christ? For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard continue their discussion of cross-shaped discipleship with an exploration of the cross that is temptation. They reflect on the sources of temptation (the world, flesh, and the devil) and the shapes those temptations take — fears and desires — as a consequence of original sin, and how Christ Himself experienced temptation and conquered it. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard continue the discussion of cross-shaped discipleship, this time widening the scope to include the array of human relationships we live in. They discuss the call of the Christian to not only defer vengeance to God, but to go outside of themselves to forgive, reconcile, and do good to their “enemies” in imitation of Christ. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard continue to explore the concept of “Cruciform Discipleship,” this time digging further into family life and parenting. They look specifically at the role of the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph, and Jesus — in reversing the fall of our first parents. The Holy Family models for us what it means to follow Jesus as parents, and what it means to help our children to be prepared to carry their own crosses. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard continue their discussion of the cruciform shape of discipleship, this time focusing on marriage and how husbands and wives are called to image the relationship between Christ and His Church. Like our savior, spouses are called to enter each others’ suffering and brokenness with love, and help to bring healing and redemption. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

On this episode, JonMarc Grodi and Kenny Burchard kick off a series of discussions on the significance of the crucifix as the primary image of Christian discipleship. What does it mean to take up our cross and follow Jesus? JonMarc and Kenny look at this challenge from Our Lord in terms of what it must have sounded like to his followers in 1st century Jerusalem, and what it means for Christians living in the 21st century today. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.