Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Fr. Josh Johnson on the Sacrament of Confession and God’s enduring delight in His children. We discuss how to uncover what might be at the root of our sin and what longings or desires we may be seeking to fulfill when we are in these situations. We finish with a healing prayer led by Fr. Josh and an encouragement to encounter Jesus in confession for greater freedom and healing this Lent! You can find the Pocket Guide to Reconciliation at AscensionPress.com or Amazon.    Fr. Josh Johnson’s one thing -  You are Welcome in This Place - Maverick City Music  Fr. Josh Johnsons’s other one thing - Through and Through - Will Reagan Sister Miriam’s one thing - The gift of the priesthood Heather’s one thing - The Metanoia Series - Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR and 4pm media Michelle’s one thing - “O Ineffable Love, although in your light you saw all the evils that your creature would commit against your infinite goodness, you acted as if you did not see; rather, you kept your eye on the beauty of your creature with whom you fell in love, as if you were crazy and drunk with love, and through love you drew her out of yourself and gave her being.” - St. Catherine of Sienna  Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? What, if anything, has kept you from the sacrament of confession?  Take some time to reflect and share about what precedes your temptations to sin. What can you do as a group to encourage one another to come back into the gaze of the Father in moments of temptation?  What are your plans for fasting, almsgiving, and prayer during Lent?  Journal Questions: Reflect on your own patterns of sin. Are there any particular situations, emotions, or interactions that often precede the sin in your life?  What is the deeper longing you are looking to fulfill when you sin? Take some time to present this unmet desire, unhealed wound, or unconfessed sin to the Lord and allow him to speak truth into this place.  Quote to Ponder:  Even if you were to commit all the sins in the world, Jesus would repeat to you: “Many of your sins are forgiven because you have loved much.” -Padre Pio Scripture for Lectio Divina: “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” - Psalm 51:6 - 7  Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast will be reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise. If you don’t have your book yet - you can buy it via Amazon in a paperback or kindle version.  This episode is sponsored by Ascension Press. New from Ascension, "The Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation" is a beautiful, prayerful book by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson. This small but powerful guide is the perfect size to slip into your pocket or purse, and will give you reflections, guidance, and an examination of conscience that you can bring with you to prepare for your sacramental encounter with God's mercy and forgiveness. Whether you have been away from Confession for a long time or you are looking for a fresh way to enliven your regular routine, The Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation will help you encounter God's merciful love and forgiveness in new and beautiful ways. Get your copy at www.AscensionPress.com/Reconciliation. The book is available for pre-order and is expected to start shipping February 19 and listeners will receive 15% off with code abide15.

In this episode we spend some time with one of our dearest friends, Fr. Josh Johnson, to discuss the invitation to God’s mercy as we prepare for the season of Lent. Fr. Josh shares his own personal stories of healing through the sacrament of confession, as well his heart behind his new book A Pocket Guide to Reconciliation. We discuss confession as a sacrament of healing and God’s heart to restore our relationship with Him rather than condemn or shame us. We will be back next week with part two of our conversation with Fr. Josh, and you can find the Pocket Guide to Reconciliation at AscensionPress.com or Amazon.  Fr. Josh Johnson’s one thing -  Make us one - Maverick City Music Come and Get your Love - Father Commercial Father Josh referenced   Sister Miriam’s one thing - The students at Hillsdale College Heather’s one thing - Helena and Serra at Franciscan University Heather’s other one thing - Fresh Wind - Hillsong Michelle’s one thing - La La Lu - Christy Nockles from the Album Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? Share your experience with the sacrament of reconciliation. Are there any experiences of healing and restoration you would like to share with your small group? Where have you felt you needed to cover or hide yourself when coming before the Lord? How does the word ‘uncovered’ shed a new light on confession as opposed to ‘exposed’? What can you do as a group to encourage one another to respond to the invitation to God’s mercy this Lent?                                                                                Journal Questions: What shame, fears, or lies about yourself or God keep you from experiencing God’s mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation?  What is God inviting you to let go of in order to receive mercy?  Take some time to pray through John 21:1-19 and imagine yourself in the place of Peter. What words can you imagine Jesus speaking to you after confession and repentance for your sins? Quote to Ponder: “Today the Lord said to me, ‘Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it.  Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul.  When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul.  Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy.  Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust.  If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls.’” -  St. Faustina , The Diary of St. Faustina, 1602 Scripture for Lectio Divina: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9  Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast will be reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise. This episode is sponsored by Ascension Press. New from Ascension, "The Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation" is a beautiful, prayerful book by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson.  This small but powerful guide is the perfect size to slip into your pocket or purse, and will give you reflections, guidance, and an examination of conscience that you can bring with you to prepare for your sacramental encounter with God's mercy and forgiveness.  Whether you have been away from Confession for a long time or you are looking for a fresh way to enliven your regular routine, The Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation will help you encounter God's merciful love and forgiveness in new and beautiful ways. Get your copy at www.AscensionPress.com/Reconciliation. The book is available for pre-order and is expected to start shipping February 19 and listeners will receive 15% off with code abide15.

In this episode, we focus on the patron of the universal Church, St Joseph. Since Pope Francis has declared this as the “Year of St Joseph”, we desire to uncover the gift of this humble and faithful adoptive father of Jesus. We discuss Joseph as a tender, loving Father who shows us that God can use our frailty and weakness to bring about great things for the Kingdom. We consider how in the face of disappointment, Joseph chose to surrender and continue to give his daily fiat. We pray that you would allow Joseph to take you into his home as he does with Mary and be open to the healing God wants to work in your heart this year. Sister Miriam’s one thing - Dear Father: A Message of Love for Priests - Catherine De Hueck Doherty  Heather’s one thing - Recipe for baked black pepper ranch chicken fingers Michelle’s one thing - Becket Wants to Be a Priest - Matt Regitz Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? How can we model St. Joseph’s love for the people dearest to us in our life - not as our possessions, but as gifts entrusted to us. Are you able to receive them with open hands and give them back to the Lord? Where is God inviting you to practice obedience, acceptance, and surrender like St. Joseph? How do you need to receive a redeemed experience of fatherhood through St. Joseph this year? Journal Questions: Joseph practiced obedience and surrender in the face of disappointment. What areas of your life is God asking you to surrender in the midst of disappointment? How is God revealing a redeemed masculinity to you through St. Joseph? Take some time to invite him into any areas of woundedness around masculinity or ways men have wounded you.  What does God want to reveal to you about His character through St. Joseph this year? Quote to Ponder:  “When God wishes to raise a soul to greater heights, he unites it to St. Joseph by giving it a strong love for the good saint” — St. Peter Julian Eymard Scripture for Lectio Divina -  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 fulfill 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. - Matthew 1:18-25 Additional Resources: Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father Paperback – Fr Donald Calloway  Consecration to Jesus through St. Joseph: An Integrated Look At the Holy Family Paperback – Dr. Gregory Bottaro The Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph Patris Corde - With a Father’s Heart - Pope Francis Redemptoris Custos - Saint Pope John Paul II Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast will be reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise. This episode is sponsored by the Given Institute Forum. Are you a woman with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership? Come to the GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum to develop your personal gifts and leadership skills and put them at the service of the Gospel! The GIVEN Forum will take place June 9th-13th at Catholic University in Washington DC and is open to emerging Catholic female leaders ages 21-30. You’ll receive faith formation, leadership development, and mentoring and leave with a concrete action plan that you’ll take back to the communities you love. The GIVEN Forum is the signature program of the GIVEN Institute, which seeks to raise up Catholic female leaders both lay and religious. The feminine genius is at the heart of the Church, and God has entrusted you with a gift only YOU can give, because of the gift that you are. Applications for the GIVEN Forum are now open! Visit www.giveninstitute.com to learn more about the Forum and apply today. Applications close on February 12th!

In this episode, we continue a mini-series on four women in scripture with the story of Deborah. We discuss the story of the prophetess Deborah who takes a posture of receptivity as she collaborates and mothers the people of Israel. We consider Deborah's magnificat and the ways we can give God praise for what he has done in our own lives. We chat about the importance of being attuned and attentive to God’s voice and where he may be inviting us to call others on to who they were meant to be. We pray that you would hear God’s invitation to rise up this week and allow the Holy Spirit full access that God may bring about his kingdom through you. Sister Miriam’s one thing - Beholding Beauty: Mary and the Song of Songs - Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV  Heather’s one thing -  My daughter Maria and the blessings of spiritual fathers like Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR at Franciscan where she is going off to University. Michelle’s one thing - Set a Fire for Kids Lent Journal - Blessed is She Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? How does God want to use us to be a voice to call others into their fullness, into their becoming, and to the glory God intends for each of us?  What do you need to repent of in order to bring God’s kingdom here and now? Who is God inviting you to link arms with, in peace, to help bring about His Kingdom here and now?  What would it mean in your life for you to arise? Where specifically is God calling you to arise in your own motherhood to mother yourself and other people after that?  Journal Questions: Take a moment to reflect on the ways you have seen God move in your life, bring about breakthroughs, heal, restore, or make a way where there was no way.  Read Judges 5 as an inspiration then write down a personal Magnificat: a song or poem of praise to God for what He has done in your life. What are the places in your life where you seek out your own glory instead of God's glory? In these moments, who are your most honest relationships with that remind you this is not the glory that you were made for? What are your idols that God is asking you to leave, repent, and turn back to him? What is the captivity that your idols keep you trapped in?  Quotes to Ponder: “Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.” - Saint Paul VI Scripture for Lectio Divina -  “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.” - Judges 5:7  Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement The Abiding Together Podcast will be reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise.

In this episode, we begin a mini-series on four women in scripture with the story of Hannah. We discuss the importance of acknowledging our desires and the ache of longing much like Hannah’s desire for a child. We chat about the temptation to compare our areas of barrenness to other people’s fruitfulness and the freedom of surrender and keeping our eyes on Christ. We acknowledge the importance of remembering that union with God is the promise, not the things we desire, and how God’s delayed response is sometimes a great mercy. Sister Miriam closes this episode with a prayer inviting the Lord to meet you in the places of fear, despair and longing.  Sister Miriam’s one thing -  Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz featuring Jeff Cavins  from Ascension Press Heather’s one thing - The 2021 Passion Conference Heather’s other one thing - Promises - Maverick City Music Michelle’s one thing - The Given Forum  Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? When have you experienced the Lord allowing you to journey through a season of physical, spiritual or emotional barrenness? Where have you allowed yourself to focus on other people’s fruitfulness and allowed yourself to believe that God has forgotten about you? Desperation and surrender can draw us closer to God that we may bear fruit. How have you experienced this in your life? Do you trust God to write a good story in your life even when things are not how you expected? Are there areas where you still need to surrender control? Journal Questions: Where have you felt that God has not answered, fulfilled, listened to or given you a desire that you longed for? What has your reaction been in these situations? What lies are you believing because of this?  What are the areas of barrenness in your life? How is the Holy Spirit asking you to acknowledge your longing and bring it to him?   What is the posture of prayer you want to place yourself in before the Lord through this season? Quotes to Ponder: “To limit your desires and your hopes is to misunderstand God’s infinite goodness.” - St. Therese  Scripture for Lectio Divina -   “Daughter, the God of Israel has granted your petition as you have asked of Him.” - 1 Samuel 1:17   “My heart exults in the Lord, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the Lord; there is no Rock like our God.” - 1 Samuel 2:1-2 This episode is sponsored by Walking With Purpose. Do you long for healing and wholeness? Would you like to be rooted and grounded in a love that will never fail you? Fearless and Free, a Catholic Bible study from Walking with Purpose, will allow you to experience healing and wholeness in Christ. In this transformational study, you'll journey through the book of Ephesians to gain a firm Biblical foundation to stand on no matter what life throws your way. The six-lesson format of Fearless and Free makes it an ideal Bible study for Lent, and a free leader's guide can be downloaded from the Walking with Purpose website. Use code abide15 for 15% off Fearless and Free, now through Ash Wednesday, February 17. We also announce our 2021 Lenten Book Study - This Present Paradise - Claire Dwyer. 

In this episode we interview our special guest and friend, Fr. Mike Schmitz and introduce you to a brand new podcast from Ascension Press, The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz featuring Jeff Cavins. We discuss the importance of developing a biblical worldview: a lens to view our relationships, circumstances and choices through how the scripture teaches us to think about ourselves and about God. We chat with one of the most recognizable priests in the modern church about humility, the scripture that speaks to him, and what we all can receive by opening the scriptures every day for a year. You can find a daily reading plan and more information about The Bible in Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz featuring Jeff Cavins at AscensionPress.com.  Father Mike’s one thing - I Celebrate the Day - Relient K Father Mike’s other one thing - simplifying and decluttering his life Sister Miriam’s one thing -  O Come Let Us Adore Him - Maverick City Music  Heather’s one thing - Holy Mass Candle from Providential Co.  Michelle’s one thing - 'Tabernacle' print from Ascension Press Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? What distracts or prevents you from reading Scripture each day? Discuss the difference between the lens you look at the world through when you listen to social media/news and the lens you look at the world through when you listen to the truth and beauty in Scripture? In this new year, how is God inviting you to experience His character more deeply through scripture? Are there any daily, weekly or monthly commitments you would like to make as a group to reading or listening to scripture? Journal Questions: Take a moment to reflect on some important scriptures that God has used in your life Take some time to reflect on how you can make space for God’s word in scripture to speak to you this year. Is there a particular verse, chapter or book that God wants you to focus on? What needs to change in your life for Scripture to really become daily bread and nourishment for you? Quote to Ponder:  “My strength returns to me with my cup of coffee and the reading of the psalms” - Dorothy Day Scripture for Lectio Divina:  “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105 Announcements: We will be announcing our Lenten book study title and where to buy your book on Monday, January 18. Subscribe to our weekly listener email to be the first to know!  

In this episode, we continue our annual tradition of the word of the year! Each year we each ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share our word for 2021 and how God has led us on a journey from year to year. After a difficult 2020, we discuss the importance of hope, not in a thing, but in the Person of Jesus. We chat about how sometimes a new yes to the Holy Spirit requires saying no to something else, to make room in our lives for something new that God is doing. We encourage you to pray, reflect and ask the Lord to reveal to you a new word of hope and renewal for this new year! Sister Miriam’s one thing -  The new year! Heather’s one thing - Sunday dinners with her family Michelle’s one thing - Rooted Skincare - Brooke Summers Michelle’s other one thing - The One Who Gave Myrrh - Kate Capato and Visual Grace Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? What is your word for the year? How do you want this word to allow God’s grace to take root in you this year? How do you want this word to allow God’s grace to bear fruit in you this year?  What do you need to say no to or release - old mindsets, agreements or beliefs about yourself or God - so you can fully receive what God has for you in this new word? Discuss how your group can share your words and keep interceding for one another throughout this year. Journal Questions: In the midst of the difficult things that happened in 2020, take some time to reflect on how God worked in your life in the past year. Identify a couple of key moments in your spiritual journey and write down your hopes for the new year. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a new word for you in this new year. Are there any specific themes, images, songs, or scriptures that have been standing out to you recently? Once you hear a word, remember that it’s okay to wait with an open heart for God to confirm this new word for you. Look at your word of the year - does this word help create conditions conducive for the spiritual growth God desires for you? Is there anything that you may need to pause or say no to, so you can say yes to God fully in this season?  Quotes to Ponder:  “A new beginning! We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through the new year always listening to a voice saying to us:  “I have a gift for you and can’t wait for you to see it! Imagine!”
 — Henri Nouwen, You Are the Beloved: Daily Meditations for Spiritual Living Scripture for Lectio Divina -  “You crown the year with your bounty,  and your carts overflow with abundance” - Psalm 65:11  This episode is sponsored by Pink Salt Riot. Pink Salt Riot is a Catholic women’s lifestyle brand that specializes in outfitting joyful hometown missionaries - the women living the joy of the gospel in their own unique life and calling. Now through January 24 Pink Salt Riot is offering custom made word of the year jewelry and keychains to help you keep your 2021 word top of mind all year long. Shop the full selection at pinksaltriot.com/collections/word-of-the-year/, including brand new beaded and chain bracelets! Abiding Together listeners can get an exclusive 15% discount on all regularly priced items in their order with the code abide15.

In this episode, we conclude our four part Advent series on the nature and character of Mary, our Mother. We chat about the nurturing. protecting motherhood that Mary wants to offer each of us this Christmas season. We discuss how Mary is the perfect model of loving excellently, even through suffering, and that love is always worth the risk of birth. We pray that our hearts would stay open like Mary to be able to see the joy of the resurrection on the other side of our crosses. Thank you for a great season 8 and we will see you in January! Sister Miriam’s one thing - Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen Sister Miriam’s other one thing - Little Women - Louisa May Alcott  Michelle’s one thing - Ascension’s Bible in a Year podcast hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz  Michelle’s other one thing - The Crown season 4  Heather’s one thing - Noel - Chris Tomlin featuring Lauren Daigle   Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? How have you received God’s grace to bring new life this advent?  How can you invite trustworthy “spiritual midwives” to be with you and help you to birth new things in your life? When Mary’s heart was pierced, she kept her heart open instead of choosing bitterness. Where are areas that God is inviting you to keep your heart open in the midst of suffering? Journal Questions: How is Jesus inviting you to receive the gift of his Mother this advent?  What is a situation where you have a choice to allow something beautiful to birth or not? Take a moment to pray for the grace to say yes to Christ this Christmas season. Where have you taken arrows in relationships for the benefit of someone else. Take some time to reflect on these situations and how Mary was with you in them.  Quotes to Ponder:   "Hear me and understand well, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my mantle? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything. ― Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego Scripture for Lectio Divina -  Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled,* Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine.* So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. - John 19:25-30 This episode is created under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Learn more about Our Lady of Guadalupe here or pray a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe here.

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series on the nature and character of Mary, our Mother. We discuss the call for women to be tender and strong, to fight for those we love with the power of the feminine genius. We chat about the tender strength required to watch Jesus suffer and die and the importance of trust, surrender and strength submitted under the will of God. Mary is offering her motherhood to us if we are willing to receive her invitation of protection. Michelle’s one thing - In Full Boom - Claire Swinarski Michelle’s other one thing - Rekindled - Mallory Smyth Sister Miriam’s one thing - Essays on Women - Edith Stein. ENDOW also created an online study on these writings that you can purchase online here. Heather’s one thing - Watching epic movies like Gladiator and Braveheart with her family  Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? How can we invite Mary into our lives as a real person, more than just a statue in our church or a figure of piety in the Bible? What does it look like for women to wield their swords? What does it look like for women to fight for those that they love using the feminine genius and avoiding bitterness and manipulation?  Where has the enemy distracted you with a small battle that has pulled your attention and intention away from what the Lord has for you? Journal Questions: How do you need Mary to fight for you? What attack from the serpent do you want her to crush? What snare do you want her to free you from? What knot do you want her to untie?  What struggle in your life have you resigned to just “tough it out” instead of opening to restoration? How is God inviting you to grow in surrender, vulnerability and strength through laying down resignation, grasping, and control?  Take some time in prayer to invite Mary’s protection and defense from the enemy.   Quote to Ponder:  One instant in a still light, He saw Our Lady then, Her dress was soft as western sky, And she was queen most womanly– But she was queen of men. Over the iron forest He saw Our Lady stand; Her eyes were sad withouten art, And seven swords were in her heart– But one was in her hand.  - G.K. Chesterton, The Ballad of the White Horse Scripture for Lectio Divina -  Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,  you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation  which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” - Luke 2: 25-35 This episode is sponsored by Project Light Ministries. Project Light Ministries resources are designed to create space and starting points for conversations where the secular can intersect with the sacred. Their resources make no assumptions and meet each person right where they are. They use the power of storytelling on film because each one of us needs to know we are not alone. The aim of creating a film is not just about getting a message out there. The process dictates that our media is raw, honest, and beautiful. For this reason, they make documentary style films, a specialty of their partner 4PM Media. They achieve captivating cinematography by appealing to truth and beauty in everything they approach.‍ Nine years ago, they dreamed of helping others create a safe space where individuals could sit and find the courage to tell their story. Where men & women, young & old, would affirm their worth by sharing bits of brokenness of their past chapters & current struggles. A space that would confront the uncomfortable, talk about the “taboo” and shine light into the darkest parts of our hearts. A place that would offer hope, grace, mercy and an invitation to rewrite the script of society. We are the ones called to speak truth over one another of a God who calls us by name who can redeem the darkest parts of our story. You can find Project Light Ministries films as a DVD or digital download at www.projectlightministries.com. Enter the code "abide10" for 10% off of the DVD Bundle which includes a copy of both "Speaking to Sparrows" and "The 4th Man". This episode is created under the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows. Learn more about the novena to our Lady of Sorrows here or the Seven Sorrows Rosary here. 

In this episode, we continue with Part 2 of our Advent series on Mary, our Mother. The garden of her womb represents safety, tenderness, being wanted, and love. We discuss the restoration of Eve’s failures that came about through Mary’s surrender and the restoration God wants to work in our lives through our surrender and trust. We chat about the importance of saying yes in the moment by moment of every day. We reflect on the idea of placing ourselves in the womb of Mary and allowing her to mother us as the Holy Spirit transforms us. We pray you allow the Holy Spirit to visit you this advent and create new life! Michelle’s one thing - Holding babies and young children Sister Miriam’s one thing - Red Lentil Curry Soup recipe Heather’s one thing - Unveiled Marriage Retreat by the John Paul II Healing Center. You can find all the retreats hosted by the John Paul II Healing Center at: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/.  Books Mentioned - Reed of God - Caryll Houselander Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? Where are the areas that you want to or need to be nurtured and mothered by Mary? Mary experienced Jesus in everyday, regular life. What is God trying to grow in what may seem ordinary in your life? How is He inviting you into gratitude, wonder, and the childlike joy of the ordinary? In the midst of our brokenness, God has created a way for us to receive His body into ours through the Eucharist. How do we receive Jesus at Mass as Mary received Jesus in her womb? Journal Questions: What is God preparing to birth or make new in you this Advent? Use your imagination to place yourself in the womb of Mary or the home at Nazareth. Imagine Mary and Joseph awaiting your arrival with joy and love. Imagine receiving everything you need from the generosity of others, being entirely protected and entirely loved. What does this experience of prayer stir up in you? Mary lived a human life fully alive. Ask the Holy Spirit what your life would look like living fully alive and ask Mary to journey with you towards a fully alive life. Quotes to Ponder:  “When the angel appeared to Mary, God was announcing this love for the new humanity. It was the beginning of a new earth, and Mary became ‘a flesh-gift Paradise to be gardened by the new Adam.’ As in the first garden, Eve brought destruction, so in the garden of her womb Mary would now bring Redemption.” - Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen  “Christ must be born from every soul, formed in every life. If we had a picture of Our Lady's personality we might be dazzled into thinking that only one sort of person could form Christ in himself, and we should miss the meaning of our own being. Nothing but things essential for us are revealed to us about the Mother of God: the fact that she was wed to the Holy Spirit and bore Christ into the world. Our crowning joy is that she did this as a lay person and through the ordinary daily life that we all live; through natural love made supernatural, as the water at Cana was, at her request, turned into wine.” ― Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God: A New Edition of a Spiritual Classic Scripture for Lectio Divina -  During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:39-45 This episode is sponsored by Leanne Bowen Fine Art. Leanne Bowen is a Catholic artist who strives to make beautiful things that radiate Christ’s love. Check out her work for images of the Sacred, Immaculate, and Most Chaste Hearts, portraits of the Saints, and images from prayer. She makes beautiful wedding and Sacrament cards, as well as Christmas Cards. She also has great stocking stuffers like vinyl stickers, magnets, and pins. If you are looking for a truly beautiful and unique gift to put beneath the tree this year, visit www.leannebowen.com. She is offering 15% off to all our listeners through January 1st with the code ABIDE15. This episode is created under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of Carmel. You can find a novena to Our Lady of Carmel here.