Abiding Together

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.

In this episode, we discuss what happens in our lives during the summer, through the lens of the four mysteries of the rosary: joyful, sorrowful, luminous, and glorious. We chat about how each of our lives are a pilgrimage and how even when we cannot feel or see it, God is continuously working. Today, we invite you to reflect upon your recent faith journey and discover the beautiful ways God has been shaping your soul.    Heather’s One Thing - My revised prayer space Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The book: Wisdom of the Heart by Dr. Peter Kreft  Michelle’s One Thing - Two songs: Joy by Ben Rector & The Choir Room and Mannasseh by Anna Golden    Discussion Questions: Which Mystery of the Rosary has resonated with you most in this chapter of your life? Which Mystery of the Rosary has been the hardest for you to resonate with in this chapter of your life? What does it mean for your body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit? Where in your body are you experiencing healing? Where in your life are you looking for resuscitation from God when He wants to offer you resurrection?   Journal Questions: When I hear the word “pilgrimage,” what areas of my life come to mind? Where in my life am I experiencing delight? Where in my life am I experiencing sorrow? Where in my life am I experiencing God’s glory? Where in my life am I experiencing illumination? Where in my body are you experiencing healing? Where in my body am I in need of healing?   Quotes to Ponder: When we enter the desert of doubts, let us stop and pause and understand that we are on a pilgrimage. This moves our soul and our hearts ever closer to God. And that strange mystery, of believing when there is nothing to believe in, is the key to complete trust in God and the dissolution of doubt.” (Catherine Doherty)   Scripture for Lectio:  “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)   Sponsor - Ave Maria Press Erica Tighe Campbell, owner and designer of Be A Heart, has created a stunning, full-color, hardcover guide to help you celebrate the faith throughout the year. Living the Seasons is brimming with clever, doable, and beautiful crafts and activities; vivid photographs; brief introductions to the seasons and the lives of the saints; heartfelt notes of encouragement; and original Be A Heart illustrations. This gorgeous companion will become your favorite resource for living your faith at home for years to come.  LIving the Seasons will help you discover that the liturgical calendar, which follows the seasons of a year in the life of the Church, is a tool that can draw you—individually, as a family, or as a community—closer to God in the midst of a fast-paced and ever-changing world. It would make the perfect wedding, baby shower, housewarming, or Christmas gift this season!  Use code ABIDE23 at avemariapress.com to get 15% OFF your order.  Order now: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/living-the-seasons

In this episode, we conclude our five part study of Christifideles Laici. We discuss how life is a continual maturation process and in order to bear new fruit, we need to put in the effort to grow. Community is an integral part of this formation and we chat about how allowing others into our lives is necessary for this maturation and healing. We have deeply enjoyed journeying with you this summer and are excited to announce that Season 13 will begin on September 25th! God bless you friends and thank you for being a part of our community!   Heather’s One Thing - The song I Just Love You by UPPERROOM and Abbie Gamboa Heather’s Other One Thing - Jake Khym’s new course on Identity. Visit Life Restoration Ministries to find out more information and sign up for the course this fall Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Healing the Whole Person Weeklong Virtual Retreat Michelle’s One Thing - Her friends the O’Grady’s and for their generosity in letting her use their beachhouse to record this summer series.     Discussion Questions: How are you being called to grow and mature? Do you believe that Jesus desires to heal you? How can you open your life to healing? How are you letting yourself be formed?   Journal Questions: Where does the Holy Spirit long to bring fruit in my life? Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in my emotions? Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in my relationship with my spouse? With my community? With my children? Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in my home? At work? Do I have a teachable spirit?   Quotes to Ponder: The gospel image of the vine and the branches reveals to us another fundamental aspect of the lay faithful's life and mission:the call to growth and a continual process of maturation, of always bearing much fruit. (Christifideles Laici Paragraph 57) To be able to discover the actual will of the Lord in our lives always involves the following: a receptive listening to the Word of God and the Church, fervent and constant prayer, recourse to a wise and loving spiritual guide, and a faithful discernment of the gifts and talents given by God, as well as the diverse social and historic situations in which one lives. (Christifideles Laici Paragraph 58)    Scripture for Lectio:  "He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5   Sponsor - January Jane Shop: January Jane Shop is an online Catholic boutique known for their unique lifestyle products, including trending apparel, vintage stationery, mugs, folk art, tea towels, and other eclectic gifts. Each product is prayerfully made with original artwork and designs by Jana Zuniga, a Colorado based artist.  Parents, teachers, and students all over the world have purchased their best selling Heirloom Polaroid Saint Prints for their homes, offices, and classroom walls. Other well loved products include their embroidered Holy Family Floral Sweatshirt, their wooden Wildflower Press Kits, and their Fiat Floral Garden Tee.  If you’re looking for meaningful gifts, fresh home decor, or something cute to elevate your wardrobe, January Jane Shop is the place to go.  Use code ABIDE15 for 15% OFF your order at January Jane Shop. Please note that inventory is limited, so don’t wait to press purchase if you find something you like! Visit januaryjaneshop.com to start shopping! 

In this week’s episode, we continue with part four of our study on Christifideles Laici. We dive deep into the role of women and discuss how embracing the fullness of our femininity can uniquely help heal the culture. We also reflect on how the Church is like a loving mother and each one of us belongs and is deeply cherished. Whether we are young or old, a man or a woman, healthy or sick, each of us are invited to offer our gifts in God’s vineyard.    Heather’s One Thing - Ascension’s Catechism  Sister Miriam’s One Thing - The song Peace by Bethel Music Michelle’s One Thing - Word on Fire Bible Volume III (or on Amazon here)   Discussion Questions: How can women prepare Christ’s Bride, the Church, for Christ? How is God inviting you to see womanhood as a gift? What is God’s mission for your family? How do each of your family members participate in that?   Journal Questions: Do I feel like I belong in the Church? How am I being sanctified by my current season of life? How have I diminished my voice and accepted smallness disguised as littleness? What is God calling my family to?   Quote to Ponder: According to the gospel parable, the "householder" calls the labourers for his vineyard at various times during the day: some at dawn, others about nine in the morning, still others about midday and at three, the last, around five (cf. Mt 20:1 ff.). In commenting on these words of the gospel, Saint Gregory the Great makes a comparison between the various times of the call and the different stages in life: "It is possible to compare the different hours", he writes, "to the various stages in a person's life. According to our analogy the morning can certainly represent childhood. The third hour, then, can refer to adolescence; the sun has now moved to the height of heaven, that is, at this stage a person grows in strength. The sixth hour is adulthood, the sun is in the middle of the sky, indeed at this age the fullness of vitality is obvious. Old age represents the ninth hour, because the sun starts its descent from the height of heaven, thus the youthful vitality begins to decline. The eleventh hour represents those who are most advanced in years... The labourers, then, are called and sent forth into the vineyard at different hours, that is to say, one is led to a holy life during childhood, another in adolescence, another in adulthood and another in old age". (Christifideles Laici Paragraph 45)   Scripture for Lectio:  "Jesus, looking upon him, loved him" (Mk 10:21).   Sponsor - MyCatholicDoctor: MyCatholicDoctor is a nationwide organization that brings a network of faithful medical professionals to patients through video visits/telehealth, home visits, and office referrals. Our clinicians can initiate your medical care virtually, order any necessary labs or imaging, and send prescriptions to any pharmacy of your choice. We practice evidence-based scientific medicine from a Catholic perspective and integrate Catholic spirituality into our care as appropriate to the situation. We accept most major insurances. If you do not have insurance, are out of network, or use a health sharing ministry, we offer discounted self-pay rates. Our clinicians offer a wide range of services such as virtual primary care, urgent care, fertility care and more. Visit www.mycatholicdoctor.com today make an appointment or to get seen now.