In this episode, we begin our four part Advent series on the book The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander. Today, we focus on part one and discuss the sections on Emptiness, Fiat, Advent, and Pastoral. We reflect on the gift of virginity, how our own life experiences can alter how we view this gift, and how Our Lady perfectly models the truth about the fruitfulness of giving our full selves in love. We also chat about the beauty of accepting our littleness and how only through the act of emptying ourselves can God truly give us what He desires.  We encourage you to go at your own pace so that the Lord can fill your heart with what you need to hear this Advent season.    Heather’s One Thing - Advent Worship playlist and the song Hungry by UPPERROOM Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Christmas Peaceful Piano playlist Michelle’s One Thing - The painting A Mother and Child looking at the Virgin and Child by Reginald Bottomley and steps to practice Visio Divina with the image.   Journal Questions: How do I allow myself to be filled by the Bridegroom? How do I view chastity – as a sour apple, or as the first fruits? What is distracting me this Advent season? What image depicted by Caryll Houselander is resonating with me most (the reed, the chalice, and the nest)?   Discussion Questions: How can I empty myself to more fully receive the Bridegroom? What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to say “yes” to? What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to say “no” to? How is the Lord continually purifying and refining you? How am I tempted to say “I’m just a…”?   Quotes to Ponder: “Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God (p. 38). Copycat. Kindle Edition.)   “It is always a love story, a culmination of love between the Spirit of Light and the Bride of the Spirit.” (Houselander, Caryll. The Reed of God (p. 19). Copycat. Kindle Edition.) Scripture for Lectio:  “Be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)   Sponsor - Bell Road Beef: Bell Road Beef is two sisters and two husbands, raising thirteen children (currently!) and more than thirteen cattle on the grasslands of Northern New Mexico.  They come from five generations of ranchers who have known, loved, and cared for the land and its animals for decades. From the beginning of new life to harvest, the animals are an extension of Britt, Rozann, and their families. They see life, loss, and everything in between. On Bell Road, these animals have a home…one in which small batches of cattle are raised to the highest standards and eventually brought straight to you. Visit shop.bellroadbeef.com to see the variety of beef that can be shipped straight to your door, and get a free pack of beef sticks while you’re at it!

In this episode, for the first time ever, we answer questions submitted by our listeners! We answer questions like: How have we healed in our identity as mother, daughter, sister, and bride? How to handle the pressure of people relying on you for spiritual improvement? How to cultivate a life that reflects beauty? How to heal from childhood sexual trauma? How has our faith evolved over the different seasons in our lives? The difference between being too nice and choosing mercy? And more!    Heather’s One Thing - Her daughter’s art and the beauty of Catholic artists building each other up and rejoicing in the talent of others.  Heather’s Other One thing - Tammy Peterson’s Rosary Testimony  Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup Michelle’s One Thing - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and the new Netflix series based on the book   Other Resources Mentioned:  Be Healed and Be Restored by Dr. Bob Schuchts The Wounded Heart by Dan Allender Restore the Glory Podcast The Forgiving Life by Dr. Robert Enright Forgiveness Meditation from Sr. Miriam Seeking Healing Through Forgiveness SEEK 2019 with Sr. Miriam and Fr. John Burns The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Curt Thompson Anatomy of a Soul by Curt Thompson The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Way of the Heart Podcast Wild at Heart Podcast   Journal Questions: What area of your identity (daughter, sister, mother, bride) has the Lord done the most healing in your life? Who do I feel unable to forgive? Who can I make myself more available to as a friend?   Discussion Questions: How can you intentionally bring beauty into your everyday life? How does God want to meet you with prayer that aligns with the rhythms of your current season? What boundaries do you sense a need to implement?

In this episode, we discuss the second half of the Varanasi Letter written by St. Teresa of Calcutta to her MC Community. We reflect on how Jesus is calling us to encounter Him daily and what we can do to open our hearts to deeper communion. We also chat about how our Blessed Mother is a perfect example of how to comfort the Sacred Heart of Jesus in love and how to remain open and vulnerable even with a heart pierced with sorrow.    Heather’s One Thing - Panel with Divine Renovation and Alpha Catholic (Click here to listen to the discussion on Tuesday November 21st) Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  Warm and Hearty Meatloaf Recipe  Michelle’s One Thing - Holy Water Spritzer from West Coast Catholic  Michelle’s Other One Thing - I Thirst,  40 days with Mother Teresa by Joseph Langford, MC    Journal Questions: What is the Lord’s theme for me in this season? What is the Lord’s theme for me throughout my life? Where has your heart been pierced? Do I see myself as a gift?   Discussion Questions: How would you depict your heart? Where are you blocking the joy of Christ from your life? How have you allowed your heart to be hardened? How is the Lord inviting you to respond to His Thirst?   Quotes to Ponder: Our Lady will help all of us in this, since she was the first person to hear Jesus’s cry, “I Thirst” with St. John, and I am sure Mary Magdalene. Because she was there on Calvary, she knows how real, how deep His longing for you and for the poor. Do we know? Do we feel as She? Ask her to teach you Before it was Our Lady pleading with Mother, now it is Mother in her name pleading with you — “Listen to Jesus’s thirst.” (Varanasi Letter, St. Teresa of Calcutta)  Scripture for Lectio:  "But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)   Sponsor - New Jerusalem Studios: New Jerusalem Studios, invites you to encounter Christ’s saving love through the beauty of sacred art by curating a collection for your home.   Artist Ruth Stricklin’s images, informed by eastern and western sacred art traditions, draws the viewer out of themselves and into the New Jerusalem. Consider a large canvas print of The Holy Family in the dining room as our local seminary did.  A Christ the King Sacred Heart image in the foyer radiantly announces to visitors whom you serve. A palm-sized Icon-Mini on a tiny easel is perfect for a bedside table or desk.  Icon Minis and the new angel Christmas ornaments slip easily into a stocking or Christmas Card. We encourage you to become a champion of beauty this Christmas by sharing with your pastor options to elevate an overflow Mass space - visit www.sacredartbanners.com by NJS. Listeners use code ABIDE15 for 15% off icons, ornaments and canvas or ABIDE25 for 25% off paper prints at www.njerusalemstudios.com thru 12/10.

In this episode, we discuss the first half of the Varanasi Letter written by St. Teresa of Calcutta to her MC Community. We talk about how Jesus thirsts for our souls and what we can do to care for His Heart. We reflect on what it means to let Jesus gaze upon our souls and receive Him in the areas we have been wounded and experience pain. It can be challenging to allow Jesus to see these broken places in our lives, but through this communion and vulnerability, He can reveal the truth about our belovedness. Jesus is a real living person with whom we can build an intimate relationship and we end the episode by sharing ways we can grow closer to Our Lord.    Heather’s One Thing - Her playlist called Battle Cry (particularly the song Sound Mind) Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  On Love: Selected Writings of Pope Benedict XVI Michelle’s One Thing - The Legatus Enclave Retreat and their visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion   Journal Questions: Am I more concerned with Jesus’ Hands than His Heart? Have I seen with the eyes of my soul how Jesus looks upon me with love? When have I heard the loving words Jesus speaks to me? Where do I fail to trust the Lord?   Discussion Questions: Have you allowed Jesus to look at you with love today? What does it mean for you to let Jesus see you in the painful and shameful places of your heart? What limitations do I experience that prevent me from entering into communion with God? Were you able to pray with a photo of you from childhood / from the past? How did you experience Jesus’ gaze in that prayer?   Quote to Ponder: “I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus — one to one — you and Jesus alone. We may spend time in chapel —but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love? Do you really know the living Jesus — not from books but from being with Him in your heart? Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you?” (Varanasi Letter, St. Teresa of Calcutta)   Scripture for Lectio:  “I thirst.”  (John 19:28)   Sponsor - Leanne Bowen: Today’s sponsor is Leanne Bowen Fine Art. Leanne is a Catholic Artist and a stay at home mom. She just released a beautiful collection of Fall and Christmas candle tins that are the perfect size for stockings and hostess gifts! Her Cypress and Bayberry candle is indescribable. It smells exactly like a Christmas tree. If you have a fake tree in your home, your guests won't believe you! She also has a Wassail candle designed off the traditional Christmas cocktail served while caroling. It is a delicious spiced cider, orange, cranberry, and currant. Her candle scents are unique and the artwork featured on the label makes them incredibly intentional gifts. Her most popular candle in November is the Cranberry Orange Spice with a Holy Family label. You'll want one in every room. Her most popular candle is a Chrism Sacred Heart candle, and smells JUST like Chrism! She is offering 15% off to all our listeners with the code ABIDE15 at www.LeanneBowen.com.

The podcast discusses the importance of cultivating silence and solitude, and how it leads to communion with God. They explore the fear of silence and practical ways to incorporate it into daily life. The hosts also recommend resources, including a justice mission, a book, and a podcast. They announce an upcoming Advent book study and end with gratitude and a request for support.

In this episode, we conclude our two part series on Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation about St. Thérèse of Lisieux entitled “C’est la Confiance: On Confidence in the Merciful Love of God”. We discuss how we are all called to a bridal relationship with Jesus and how our desire to love and be loved is a call to Heaven. We also chat about our vocation to love and the importance of growing in this discipline of love even when it is not reciprocated.    Heather’s One Thing - The song Hell or High Water by Amanda Cook  Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  The Way of Trust and Love by Fr. Jacques Philippe Michelle’s One Thing - Story of a Soul - study edition  Michelle’s Other One Thing - The song Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle Other Resources Mentioned:  Reading Recommendations about St. Therese: The Way of Trust and Love - by Fr. Jacques Philippe The Story of a Soul - by St. Therese I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux - by Jean D'Elbee 33 days to Merciful Love - Fr. Micheal Gaitley Shirts of Flame - A year with St. Therese of Lisieux - by Heather King   Announcement: We are so excited to announce our Advent book study will be:  The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander You can find it on Amazon, Ave Maria Press, and Kindle (for just $1.99!). Your local Catholic bookstore may also carry the book! Click here to subscribe to the study on our website and be the first to receive updates!   Journal Questions: What parts in me long to be right rather than loving? What hinders me from loving? What grudges and resentments am I holding today? How am I tempted to criticize instead of taking action in love and kindness?   Discussion Questions: In what ways do you notice a desire for romance and pursuit in your life? How does this speak to how God reveals Himself to us? How are you called to choose love in your daily life? How are you bringing love and light into the church? Where do I notice division in my heart? How can I invite God in for unity and healing?   Quote to Ponder: “I think that the Heart of my Spouse is mine alone, just as mine is his alone, and I speak to him then in the solitude of this delightful heart to heart, while waiting to contemplate him one day face to face.” (St. Therese)   Scripture for Lectio:  “My beloved is mine, and I am his; he browses among the lilies.” (Song of Songs 2:16)   Sponsor - The GIVEN Institute Apply NOW for the 2024 GIVEN cohort! GIVEN's year-long program of faith formation, leadership development and dedicated mentoring includes attendance at the Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum June 8-12, 2024 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and 1-on-1 mentorship with an established Catholic female leader in the Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program until May 2025. If you are a woman between the ages 21-35 and are seeking leadership training, faith formation, community and support to better understand and pursue your particular mission and vocation, the program is designed just for you!  You’ll grow in relationship with Christ and understanding of your gifts as you implement a unique Action Plan that helps you follow God’s call. GIVEN is also accepting applications for lay and consecrated mentors and event volunteers. For more info, visit www.giveninstitute.com/forum

In this episode, we begin a two part series on Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation about St. Therese of Lisieux entitled “C’est la Confiance: On Confidence in the Merciful Love of God”. We reflect on what it looks like to abandon ourselves with total confidence in God's love and how to overcome places in our lives where we feel orphaned or forgotten by God. We also chat about how a praying church is a powerful church and what it means to be childlike instead of childish. St. Therese’s “little way” can guide us in learning to pray, trust, and love.    Heather’s One Thing - Renewal Ministries (Check out this video as well) Heather’s Other One Thing - St Therese’s poem “My Wishes Before the Tabernacle”  Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  Sarah Kroger’s cover of the song What a Wonderful World  Michelle’s One Thing - One of our future sponsors: Bell Road Beef Other Resources Mentioned:  S1 E11: Striving vs Abiding Our Searching for and Maintaining Peace Book Study   Journal Questions: Where have I distorted the goodness of the Lord? How do I treat God like my personal assistant? When have I felt that God was unsafe for me to trust? In what ways do I live out of self-reliance?   Discussion Questions How often do you receive the gaze of Jesus in your life? Does childlikeness come naturally to you? When have you relied on and trusted in God in your life? What parts of your daily life can you surrender to God?   Quotes to Ponder: “It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love.” (St. Therese)   Scripture for Lectio:  “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8-16) Sponsor - The National Eucharistic Congress: LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS The 10th National Eucharistic Congress will be a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church. The bishops of the United States are calling on each community—from rural Alaska to urban New York—to come be set ablaze, bringing the holy fire back to their home parishes and neighborhoods. Jesus Christ will be there. Sr. Miriam will be there. Will you?  When: July 17-21, 2024 Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana Learn more: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/ Speakers: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/speakers Schedule: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/schedule Come as an individual/family: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/register-standard Bring a group: https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/groups/group-leaders

In this episode, they discuss the importance of living in the present moment, being mindful of distractions, and prioritizing relationships over productivity. They also share about a healing pilgrimage to France, recommend a book, and provide recipes for vegetable side dishes and fall desserts. The episode ends with gratitude to listeners and a request for financial support.

Fr. Boniface Hicks, a Benedictine monk and spiritual director, discusses the discernment of spirits and the difference between spiritual desolation and psychological depression. He also offers practical advice on how to discern God's voice versus our own thoughts. The episode explores the importance of recognizing and discerning God's voice in one's life, incorporating St. Ignatius and Internal Family Systems in discernment, and shares personal experiences with the Eucharist and St. Bernard.

Fr. Boniface Hicks, a Benedictine monk and spiritual director, discusses prayer and hearing the voice of God. Topics include recognizing God's voice, practical steps for listening to Him, common stumbling blocks, and how woundedness affects prayer. Other topics include the hosts' recommendations for books, football, and a song, as well as an upcoming episode on discernment of spirits.