Deep in Christ

JonMarc Grodi and Br. Rex Anthony Norris embark on an exploration of the spirituality of “12 Step” recovery programs popularized over the past century, examining the ways these programs reflect aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Step One is to "admit powerlessness” over one's destructive habits, and JonMarc and Brother Rex discuss how important it is to realize that it is ultimately Christ, and not our own willpower, that brings victory over sin. We are all sinners, and apart from Him we can do nothing, but He pours out grace and healing to those who come to Him in radical honesty and humility. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

On this episode, host JonMarc Grodi and fellow CHNetwork staff member Seth Paine, a convert to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestantism, take some time to dig deeper into the way that the virtues touch on our relationship with and use of money as disciples of Jesus Christ. For more episodes, visit chnetwork.org.

In this second of a two-part discussion with guest Jacob Imam of NewPolity.com, we continue to dig into the virtues, more specifically those virtues that relate to our use of money and material goods. Examining these virtues (and their opposing vices) very quickly shows us the ways in which we have all allowed the cares and values of the world creep into and divide our hearts with regards to money. But this also gives us the remedy: trusting in our Lord Jesus and specifically practicing the virtues that break down worldly attachment and build up our creative ability to use (God’s) money well. For more of Jacob Imam's work: http://ww.newpolity.com For more episodes: http://www.deepinchrist.com

In this first of a two-part discussion, JonMarc Grodi is joined by Jacob Imam, editor at New Polity, to share a bit about his conversion from Islam to Christ and the Catholic Church, as well as his journey to understanding the Virtues as a key to the New Testament worldview and the life of “putting on Christ.” (Gal 3:27) For more of Jacob Imam's work: http://www.newpolity.com For more episodes: http://www.deepinchrist.com

In this episode, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi explore the place of rest and retreat in the life of the Christian, especially the Christian living an active and busy life in the modern world in which there are so many temptations to fill the spaces between activity with either more activity or a false sort of “leisure” that only makes life more fragmented. What is the true leisure that we need and which God, in His wisdom, commands us to observe on the Sabbath? For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

On this episode, Fr. Peter Grodi shares some reflections on the Holy Eucharist and the scandal of Christ’s exhortation to “eat my body and drink my blood.” The Jews of the time were scandalized and the Romans accused the early Christians of “cannibalism”. Were they — as well as present-day non-Catholic critics — correct in this accusation? JonMarc and Fr. Peter share and discuss their own spiritual journeys in regard to understanding the Holy Eucharist. For more episodes, visit chnetwork.org/deepinchrist.

On this episode of Deep in Christ, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi discuss the spiritual battle and the power of prayer and sacrifice. Particularly with regards to how (and whether) we pray & “offer up” sacrifices, do we rely more on our own strength, or on God’s grace? What would it look like to put these in proper order, both for how we evaluate the problems and challenges we face and how we work to address them, individually and in community with others? For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

This week on Deep in Christ, coming out of a busy summer break, we’ll take a few minutes with our good sister in Christ, St. Edith Stein (feast day August 9th!) to consider contemplative prayer amidst a busy life, and how the peace and fruitfulness of the latter depends on our commitment to the former. Just as we need a Sabbath every week, we should be making and guarding a “Sabbath moment” every day, to make space for prayer and to see God present in our lives. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

As a way of previewing the next "season" of Deep in Christ, brothers JonMarc & Fr. Peter Grodi take some time to reflect on their spiritual journeys and the nature of our walk with Christ as a journey of continual conversion. They look back on their own family's story of continual conversion, including their memories of what it was like to be small children when their father, Marcus Grodi, left his role as a Presbyterian pastor to enter the Catholic Church. As JonMarc and Fr. Peter discuss, the Christian journey is “continual” on many levels: our individual need for ever greater personal surrender, growth, and transformation; our journey of receiving and passing on faith in the context of family and community, and finally, our faith as a Church, wounded by sin, weakened and ever in need of renewal, but still, mysteriously the holy “bride of Christ” that we must not abandon. For more episodes, visit deepinchrist.com.

In this episode of Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi wraps up the the study of the Cardinal Virtues, looking at how they establish a powerful framework and paradigm for understanding Our Lord ’s example. In His witness, and in the witness of the saints, we have ample testimonies of those who show us what it means to come to grips with what Jesus desires for us and is calling us to, and for more concretely translating what we believe into a plan of life and practical action. For more episodes, visit chnetwork.org/deepinchrist.