Abiding Together

In this episode, we welcome Jill Simons as our guest to talk about Charisms. A charism is a grace from God we are called to use to build up His Kingdom here on earth. We acknowledge a deep lie that many people believe they don't have anything special to offer our communities or the Church, but the truth is that charisms are given to every person by God. Jill offers practical tools to help discern your charisms, the theology behind charisms, and how charisms work within our vocations. Heather's One Thing - The song Most Beautiful by Upperroom and the unity that is increasing among denominations Sister Miriam's One Thing - The St. Joseph Consecration on Hallow beginning May 1st (read by Sr. Miriam) Michelle's One Thing - A Home in Bloom: Four Enchanted Seasons with Flowers by Christie Purifoy and The Blessed is She Journaling Bible Jill's One Thing - Encounter School of Ministry Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Many Parts Ministries Pink Salt Riot Many Parts on Instagram Pink Salt Riot on Instagram Jill Simon's Instagram Discussion Questions: What gifts and charisms has God entrusted to you? Who in your life lives out their charisms in freedom, boldness and generosity? What have you learned from them? How do you experience Christ's love and intimacy through your charisms and prayer? How have you silenced or hidden the gifts you've been given or the call on your heart? Journal Questions: How do I relate to my own gifts and charisms? Do I operate out of a performance mindset? How do my charisms play a role with my vocation and the people around me? What is the story of the Kingdom of God that the Lord is telling through my life and my charisms? How is Jesus encountering me through my charisms and gifts? What have I learned about my identity as the beloved through my charisms? Quote to Ponder: Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. — St. Teresa of Ávila (attributed) Scripture for Lectio: For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. - Romans 11:29 Sponsor - Mary's Meals: Mary's Meals sets up community-run school feeding projects in some of the world's poorest communities, where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education. The idea is a simple one that works. Mary's Meals provides one daily meal in a place of learning to attract chronically poor children into the classroom, where they receive an education that can, in the future, be their ladder out of poverty. Today, Mary's Meals is providing more than 2.4 million children with a daily school meal across five continents. But the need is great! The appalling reality is that there are still 73 million children living in extreme poverty in need of school feeding. Please help to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary's Meals. To get involved or learn more visit marysmeals.ca in Canada or marysmealsusa.org in the USA.

In this episode, we discuss Pope Francis' Easter Vigil homily about the hope that comes from remembering Jesus, our first love. We reflect on his meditations about how the women in scripture are grieved to find Jesus' empty tomb, and like these women, we all too often become hopeless and see joy as belonging to the past. We discuss moments of personal encounter with the love of Jesus that has healed us and offer an invitation to a renewed hope in Jesus by remembering the great joy and power that comes through relationship with Him. Let us allow our 'sealed tombs' to be opened and restored by hope this Easter season. Heather's One Thing - The young leaders at Franciscan University Sister Miriam's One Thing - Savory ham and cheese scones Michelle's One Thing - Let Beauty Speak: The Art of Being Human in a Culture of Noise by Jimmy Mitchell (or on Amazon here) Michelle's Other One Thing - The TOR Sisters - Sr. Rita Claire and Sr. Brigid as well as the CSU at Florida State University Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Adam Young Podcast - What to do with Your Sorrow and Grief p.1 The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis Discussion Questions: What does it mean to live in Resurrection power? How is God encountering you in your life today? In your life today and in the past, how have you experienced disappointment and grief? Where in your life do you long for deeper freedom and joy? When have you experienced the faithfulness and kingship of God? Journal Questions: Where have I come into agreement with despair? What "tombs" in my life do I run to in the hopes of encountering Christ? In what ways do I ask God why I experience suffering instead of how He will bring about His Glory through it? Where am I still hiding from the Lord? What lies do I believe when I am hiding? Quote to Ponder: Yet today, brothers and sisters, the power of Easter summons you to roll away every stone of disappointment and mistrust. The Lord is an expert in rolling back the stones of sin and fear. He wants to illuminate your sacred memory, your most beautiful memory, and to make you relive your first encounter with him. - Pope Francis, Easter Vigil Homily Scripture for Lectio: "I have found the one my soul loves." (Song of Songs, 3:4) Sponsor - Into the Deep: Want your kids to know about Jesus, and also to know Him? Into the Deep creates catechetical resources that help Catholic parents build a legacy of faith in their homes. Their resources hand on the fullness of the Faith through beauty, catechizing from classic art, music, poetry, nature study, and story. Their goal is to support parents as primary catechists as they make disciples in their home. These resources are perfect for homeschooling families but are also used widely by traditional schooling families as their touch-point for faith formation at home. Find full-year curricula, unit studies, picture studies, story cards, and more at intothedeep.co. Use code ABIDE 10 for 10% off your purchase!

In this episode, we chat about helping children cultivate a deep relationship with God. In today's culture, with entertainment and distractions at our fingertips, this can seem like a difficult task. We discuss the importance of being a good witness to our children and living out daily what you want them to learn. We also share examples of what we have done well, what we need to improve upon, and the amazing power of intercessory prayer. Heather's One Thing - Letter to Families from JPII Sister Miriam's One Thing - Jason and Crystalina Evert's new book Male, Female, Other? Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Pints with Aquinas episode: Responding to Transgenderism With Truth and Mercy w/ Jason Evert Michelle's One Thing - The women's bracket of March Madness Discussion Questions: How is God inviting you to have a deeper role in the formation of children? How can we help our kids grow in their relationship with God in the culture? Do you have a rule of life? If not, what would you like to include in your rule of life? What is the current culture of your family or household? How would you like it to grow? Journal Questions: How was I formed in the Faith as a child? Who are my spiritual children? What does the Lord want for my family's rule of life? How is God inviting me to change the culture of my home? Quotes to Ponder: "As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live." - St. Pope John Paul II, November 30, 1986 Homily in Perth "…the family is the centre and the heart of the civilization of love." - St. Pope John Paul II, Letter to Families Scripture for Lectio: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." -Joshua. 24:15 Sponsor - The Augustine Institute: The Augustine Institute exists to help Catholics understand, live, and share their faith. Through initiatives like Amen, FORMED, the Graduate School of Theology, Word of Life, and others, the Augustine Institute forms Catholics for the New Evangelization to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ. The always-free prayer app, Amen, leads Catholics to deeper prayer with guided meditations, sleep stories, and more. The Graduate School of Theology equips thousands of students—including Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Leah Darrow, and other alumni—to know and live their faith. Millions of Catholics worldwide benefit from FORMED, the premier streaming service for Catholic movies, children's programming, audio dramas, and books. Word of Life makes catechesis fresh and exciting, so kids can grow up with a faith they'll keep for life. God calls you to understand, live, and share your faith. See how the Augustine Institute can support you in the New Evangelization

In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We share what stood out to us most from the book study, how the Holy Spirit has been moving in our lives this Lent, and practical tips to continue your healing transformation this Easter season. Friends, God's presence is always there, He does not leave us to fend for ourselves. As we journey through Holy Week and into Easter, we have the perfect opportunity to receive the Sacraments with a renewed and transformed heart. We are praying for you! Heather's One Thing - Easter: Hallelujah is Our Song - Spotify Playlist Heather's Other One Thing - Dr. Bob Schuchts Sister Miriam's One Thing - Prayer from Healing the Whole Person Retreat Workbook "I will let God love me in the places where I feel most vulnerable and most dependent." Michelle's One Thing - All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore Other resources mentioned in this episode: The Fear of God - talk by Francis Chan (begins at 1:31:40) Discussion Questions: What have you learned this Lent? What gifts has God given you this Lent? Which Sacraments did you encounter deeply this Lent? Where in your life are you struggling to experience joy and freedom? Journal Questions: When I judge others, where am I trying to protect my heart? Where am I afraid of my own needs and wounds? Where do I need the Lord to love me? How is the Lord inviting me to bring the healing I have experienced through this book study into Easter? Quotes to Ponder: To be sure, it was not Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday, but, the more I reflect on it, the more this seems to be fitting for the nature of our human life: we are still awaiting Easter; we are not yet standing in the full light but walking toward it full of trust. - Pope Benedict XVI Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered… God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed. – Pope Benedict XVI Scripture for Lectio: "His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion" - 2 Peter 1:3 Sponsor - The Little Catholic: Today's sponsor is The Little Catholic. Beauty has a powerful ability to draw people to the Church, whether it be the sound of prayers, the beautiful stained glass windows of a church, or the kindness of another person. With each hand-crafted item, the Little Catholic Shop seeks to empower women to cultivate a deeper faith and inspire a beauty that heals each person who sees or wears their pieces. Their impact extends beyond jewelry and empowering women. They also empower and partner with nonprofits around the globe, designing beautiful pieces unique to their cause and donating a portion of all proceeds back to their mission. Giving back is one of their fundamental values. The Little Catholic has jewelry for everyone. One of their most popular collections is the Holy Family Hearts Jewelry Collection. This Jewelry collection shows all three Sacred Hearts of the Holy Family: Jesus' Sacred Heart, The Immaculate Heart of Mary and the most chaste heart of St. Joseph. The pendant shows Jesus's Sacred Heart nestled between Mary's Immaculate Heart and Joseph's Chaste Heart, just as they were on the day Jesus was born in that simple Stable. Abiding Together listeners can receive 15% their order with the code Abide 15. Head over to their shop at thelittlecatholic.com to find a piece that inspires you.

In this episode, we continue with part six of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss how the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick heals the wound of hopelessness and share the different ways we approach these dark and sometimes scary places in life. While, in the moment, it may appear that we are alone, God never leaves us and wants to restore our hope in Him. Whenever you experience hopelessness, we invite you to surrender your sorrows to Him and courageously place your hope in our faithful God. Hey friends! We are going to continue this series with one more bonus episode next Monday, April 3rd to share further insights and conclude Be Transformed. Heather's One Thing - Matt Maher's new albums exclusively on Hallow Sister Miriam's One Thing - The wonderful people in Grand Rapids, MI from the KEPHA men's and women's conferences! Michelle's One Thing - Missionaries! Other resources mentioned in this episode: S6 E13 - The Light Shines in the Darkness with Fr. Justin Brady Why Your Story Makes It Hard to Hope - Adam Young (The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast) Discussion Questions: Is Jesus' resurrection real and important in your daily life? What prevents you from believing that Jesus is who He says He is? For which wounds or sorrows have you started to lose hope for healing? What is the truth that God is inviting you to proclaim in response to feelings of hopelessness? Journal Questions: How have you encountered the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? Where in my life do I experience hopelessness? What obstacles in my life and heart make it hard for me to experience hope? What does the Holy Spirit need to remind me of in this season of life? Quotes to Ponder: "Every temptation comes down to this one final temptation, it is the temptation to believe that the satisfaction of the deepest desires of our heart is totally up to us." - Fr. Albacete Healing and miracles often increase our hope, but they are not the basis for our hope. We have another more trustworthy, rock-solid foundation for our hope: the person, Jesus Christ, who describes himself as "the resurrection and the life." He told Martha, anyone who believes in him will never die (see Jn11:25-26). Holding firm to this hope, we are promised a share in his life. All of us who believe in the Resurrection are already "raised to life" This is our hope. - Be Transformed, pg 150 Scripture for Lectio: "Cure the sick, raise the dead." - Matthew 10:7–8 Sponsor - Leanne Bowen: Today's sponsor is Leanne Bowen Fine Art. Leanne is a Catholic Artist and stay at home mom. She just released a beautiful collection of candle tins that are the perfect size for gift giving. She offers bulk rates for Confirmation and Ordination Classes. She also has candles that are Tuscan Lemon, Orange Blossom and Magnolia, Peony, and Rose candle. They have beautiful paintings and quotes on them. Her most popular candle is Chrism scented, and smells exactly like the oil used at Baptism! Leanne also has incredible prints in her shop. One of her recent prints is of Our Lady of Guadalupe, placing her mantle gently around a priest, as he lifts the Eucharist. Leanne makes beautiful wedding and Sacrament gifts, as well as great gems for Easter. If you are looking for a truly beautiful and unique gift, please visit www.leannebowen.com. She is offering 15% off to all our listeners through May 1st with the code ABIDE15.

In this episode, we continue with part five of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss how Reconciliation heals the wound of shame. We chat about how we all have wounds that make us feel unlovable and send us into isolation, which opens the door for the enemy to attack us with doubts and lies about these tender places. When we go to Confession, these places are brought out of shame, into the light, and restored to the truth that we are deeply and tenderly loved by God. This Lent, we encourage you to allow God's mercy to restore you in the sacrament of confession. Heather's One Thing - Jordan Peterson Heather's Other One Thing - The song Communion by Maverick City (feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Brandon Lake) Sister Miriam's One Thing - Springtime! Yay! Michelle's One Thing - Holy Grit - Paul George (you can find on Amazon here) Discussion Questions: How have you experienced healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? How do you hide in your shame and sinfulness? In what ways do you desire to more deeply experience the power of the sacrament? Journal Questions: In what ways am I hiding my sinfulness when I confess my sins? Where do I experience shame that the Lord is inviting me to bring to Him for healing? Have I been hurt by the brokenness of priests in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? What does Jesus say to me in that wound? When was the last time I made a good confession? Quotes to Ponder: The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the Church's primary means of communicating this incredible and completely underserved gift of God's compassion and forgiveness. Through the sacrament, the Holy Spirit is capable of reaching the deepest areas of our heart that keep us in degradation and separation. - Be Transformed, pg 123 "The whole power of the sacrament of Penance [Reconciliation] consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship" (CCC, 1468). As such it heals the wounds of shame (dis-grace) and restores us to our true identity in Christ, as pure and undefiled children of the Father (see 1 Jn 3:1–3). - Be Transformed, pg 123 Scripture for Lectio: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore." John 8:11 Sponsor - House of Joppa: This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautifully curated Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries, and other gifts, look no further than House of Joppa. Each product is designed to draw you deeper into your faith and help you to fall more in love with Christ and His Church. Whether you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, you will love House of Joppa. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion which opens to reveal a place for prayer intentions, and their Last Supper print is so unique. Abiding Together listeners receive 15% off their purchase at checkout with discount code: ABIDE15. Visit them online at https://www.houseofjoppa.com or on Instagram @houseofjoppa.

In this episode, we continue with part four of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We begin by discussing how Holy Orders heals the wound of confusion. Through the priesthood, God is giving us His Heart and confirms our identity as His beloved adopted children. We share ways different priests have impacted our lives both positively and negatively and chat about the importance of praying for priests. Next, we discuss how Marriage heals the wound of fear. This Sacrament is a beautiful window into the mystery of Trinitarian love. We touch on how Marriage can heal those in the single state as well as those in a difficult or broken marriage. Remember, God is the only One who can give us the perfect love we crave. We need to draw our strength from Him as we journey towards healing and transformation. Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments! Heather's One Thing- Daily Mass Sister Miriam's One Thing - Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships by Sarah and Andy Swafford Michelle's One Thing - Blessed is She Burn Retreat Michelle's Other One Thing - College roommates and friends Michelle's Other Other One Thing - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett's podcast and book Daughter by Design Discussion Questions: In what ways has God brought restoration in your relationship with Him as Father? How is God inviting you to draw nearer to the fathers in your life? In what ways are you withholding yourself from Christ (and your spouse)? What fears do you bring into your relationships? How can you open yourself to the beauty of the marriages around you? Journal Questions: What is my story of fatherhood with my biological father? With my spiritual fathers? With our Heavenly Father? How am I presently choosing self-reliance as the result of a father wound? How have I experienced woundedness from my parents' marriage? From my own marriage? How have I experienced healing from my parents' marriage, other marriages, or my own marriage? Quotes to Ponder: According to St. John Paul II, our rebellion against God's fatherly authority has permeated all of history since the fall: "This is truly the key to interpreting reality. . . . Original sin, then, attempts to abolish fatherhood, destroying its rays . . . placing in doubt the truth about God, who is love." - Be Transformed, pg 88 You may ask, as I have, what can heal us collectively and individually from this primordial wound of confusion and disorder? Since the wound is rooted in distorted perceptions of the Father's authority and our rebellion against his authority, the antidote must be the opposite: restoring our understanding of his authority and humbly submitting to that authority in our lives. - Be Transformed, pg 88 Scripture for Lectio: "What God has joined together, no human being must separate." - Matthew 19:6 Books & Resources Mentioned in this episode: Intimate Allies by Dan Allender Be Devoted by Dr. Bob Schuchts Unveiled Couples Retreat Sponsor - Chews Life: At Chews Life, it is their mission to equip all Catholics with Rosaries for life. Chews Life believes that even the youngest Catholic can develop a devotion to the Rosary and come to know our Mother Mary. Their silicone Rosaries make this possible. Children discover through their senses, especially touch. Just as a baby knowingly caresses their mother's face, so too their little hands will come to know the Rosary and cherish it. Chews Life also makes Rosaries for adults! Chews Life's Rosaries are actually rosary bracelets, tha are designed to be with you all day and easily accessible. Each Rosary bracelet also features a "bookmark" crucifix charm so that if you don't have time to get through a whole Rosary at once, you can use this charm to hold your place until you can continue your prayer. These and so much more are available at www.chewslife.com!

In this episode, we continue with part three of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. First, we discuss how Holy Communion heals the wound of abandonment, ponder what it means to allow the fullness of this Sacrament take root in our lives, and reflect on the beauty that Jesus will never leave us. Then, we move into how Confirmation heals the wound of powerlessness and share ways the Holy Spirit has inspired us to do things we never could do on our own. Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments! Heather's One Thing- Restore the Glory Podcast Sister Miriam's One Thing - March Madness Michelle's One Thing - Corda Candles especially the St. Francis of Asissi scent (Poverello) Michelle's Other One Thing - Hope's Garden's resources on the Song of Songs Discussion Questions: What in my life and heart hinders the Sacrament of Holy Communion from fully transforming me? What do you believe was present in the early Church community that is missing today in our communities? When have I experienced the fruits of Confirmation in my life? Where in my life do I need the Holy Spirit to overwhelm my fear? Journal Questions: When and how have you experienced the pain of abandonment in your life? How has Christian community either reinforced or healed those wounds? What are the obstacles that prevent me from loving Him fully and receiving His Love fully? When do I resist the embrace of the Lord? Quotes to Ponder: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him" - John 6:56 "Anointing is not an act, but rather a state or mode of being and behaving and, so to say, a whole style of living." - Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Be Transformed, pg 74) Scripture for Lectio: "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me" (Phil 4:13). Sponsor - Live Liturgically: Live Liturgically helps Catholic families bring peace into their homes with products that bring order and intention. Their flagship product, the Liturgical Family Wall Planner, is a game-changer for families seeking to live with more purpose. Many families are using and LOVING the Wall Planner. Paulette, a planner user said, "An absolute must for organization in a Catholic way!" The planner includes: A memorable quote from Sunday's Gospel across the top as a focal point for the week Space for a Gratitude List, Prayer Intentions, and Meal Planning Reminder of the liturgical week and color of the current Church season Daily list of National Holidays and Catholic Feast Days Colored circle to indicate the liturgical color of the day Grocery List To-Do List Section to plan Sunday Mass time See what 3 months using this calendar will do for your family! Head over to LiveLiturgically.com and check it out. You can try your first planner for 50% off with the code AbidingTogether50.

In this episode, we continue with part two of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss the power of God's blessings and how curses block our ability to receive His blessings. We dive into the seven types of deadly wounds that distort our identity and how each Sacrament restores a specific wound. In particular, we discuss how Baptism heals the wound of rejection and share how we have allowed God to speak the truth in our own lives that we are His beloved daughters. If you find a tender place in your heart, remember, it isn't because God wants to hurt you. It is because He wants to set you free. Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments! Heather's One Thing - The Song Holy by Martin Smith Heather's Other One Thing - Her Playlist - Only Jesus Sister Miriam's One Thing - The National Eucharistic Revival and Congress. Sign up for the newsletter here. Learn more about the pilgrimage here. Register for the pilgrimage here. Get involved on social media: Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Song - Break Every Chain Michelle's One Thing - Young Moms Discussion Questions: Where in your life is the Lord inviting you to go to the roots? Where in my life am I keeping the Lord at an arm's length? How is Jesus teaching you how to love and be loved? What lies have you been identifying with in this season of my life? Journal Questions: Where is my connection broken with the Father? Where do I not trust the Lord? Where in my heart do I earnestly need and desire the Father's blessing? Where in my life, my heart, and my story do I experience the most wounds and the most spiritual attack? What do I believe about myself? What do I believe about the Lord? Quotes to Ponder: "The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith" (CCC, 1210). "From the very beginning, God blessed all living beings, especially man and woman" (CCC, 1080). This is why St. John Paul II concludes, "At the root of human sin is the lie which is a radical rejection of the truth contained in the word of the Father." - Be Transformed, Page 25 Baptism is a public blessing declaring that you and I are precious and unrepeatable gifts of the Father. By restoring our relationship with God, Baptism fundamentally heals the wounds of rejection that have plagued the human race since our fall from grace. - Be Transformed, page 37 The goal of our spiritual life is to be transformed into the image of Christ so that we share in the divine intimacy that He enjoys with the Father and the Holy Spirit. - Be Transformed, page 17 "Catholic theology can help us understand how a sacrament can be valid and legal but 'unreleased' . . . if its fruit remains bound or unused. . . . Sacraments are not magic rites that act mechanically, without people's knowledge or collaboration. . . . The fruit of the sacrament depends wholly on divine grace, however this divine grace does not act without the 'yes'—the consent and affirmation—of the person." (Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa) - Be Transformed, page 39 In the exercises, Ignatius identifies two opposing spirits that he says are always at work in our lives and in the world. He simply calls them the "good spirit" (which represents our hearts attuned to the Holy Spirit) and the "evil spirit" (which refers to our fallen human nature influenced by the father of lies and subject to the world's influences). - Be Transformed, page 46 Scripture for Lectio: "Behold, I make all things new." (Revelation 21:5) Sponsor - Word of Life: Word of Life is a religious education curriculum created in partnership by the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press to help Catholic schools and parishes meet the challenges and opportunities of proclaiming the Gospel. Word of Life uses four key themes to awaken an authentic Catholic identity and demonstrate how the truths of the faith speak to the human heart. Through activities, videos, and other digital resources, students and parents can interact with faith formation materials in the classroom and at home. The Word of Life curriculum explores who we are as human persons, what our purpose in life is, why the faith is relevant in our modern culture, and how to live a truly integrated life of virtue through the grace offered by the Church. Word of Life is proud to serve over 50,000 students in more than 700 schools and religious education programs across the United States. Learn more about Word of Life and how to bring it to your parish or school by visiting wordoflifeseries.org.

In this episode, we begin our six-part Lenten series on the book Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We welcome Dr. Bob, as our special guest, to introduce his book and set the stage for what you can expect in the following five weeks. He shares an overview of how the seven Sacraments heal our wounds, he breaks down the three-fold transformation process, and explains why the disposition of our heart is pivotal to being transformed by the Sacraments. Friends, we are excited to continue this journey of being transformed with you next week! See you then! Heather's One Thing- Lenten Playlist: Songs in the Desert Sister Miriam's One Thing - Virtual Healing of the Whole Person Retreat on March 27-31 Michelle's One Thing - White Chicken Chili (or try this Seafood Chili or White Bean and Fish Chili for Fridays in Lent) Dr. Bob Schuchts' One Thing - Rediscovering Our Lost Fullness by Andrew Comisky and the exciting news that the JPII Healing Center will have a new publishing house! Click here to check out Dr. Bob's podcast Restore the Glory! Discussion Questions: How have you been approaching the Sacraments? Have you had an experience where Christ encountered you deeply in the Sacraments? Please share. Where in my life do I observe how each of the Sacraments impact my identity and my relationships? What fears, concerns, or intrigue do you have about this upcoming season of Lent and diving into the Sacraments? Journal Questions: What am I seeking from Christ in the Sacraments this Lent? How do I currently engage in the Sacramental life of the Church? Where in my life do I need more humility? How can I create more space for communion with others in my life, my home, my church, and my community? Quotes to Ponder: Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. The Father always hears the prayer of his Son's Church which, in the epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life, whatever is subjected to his power. - CCC# 1127 "The desire and work of the Spirit in the heart of the Church is that we may live the life of the risen Christ." - CCC, 1099 The sacraments are God's chosen remedy for healing our deadly wounds and infusing our souls with Christ's resurrection life. - Be Transformed, pg xv In the words of St. John Paul II: "The Holy Spirit [working through the sacraments] . . . purifies from everything that disfigures man . . . , he heals even the deepest wounds of human existence." - Be Transformed, pg xv But when inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, our personal mission becomes a dynamic participation in Jesus' work of restoring all things to the Father. - CCC 850 Fr. Jacques Philippe expresses this common human condition of ours with great insight: "It is worth reflecting on the problem of pride. We are all born with a deep wound, experienced as a lack of being. We seek to compensate by constructing a self, different from our real self. This artificial self requires large amounts of energy to maintain it; being fragile, it needs protecting. Woe to anyone who contradicts it, threatens it, questions it, or inhibits its expansion. When the Gospel says we must 'die to ourselves,' it means this artificial ego, this constructed self, must die, so that the real self, given us by God, can emerge." - Be Transformed, pg 2 Scripture for Lectio: "All of us, gazing with unveiled faces on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 Sponsor - CORDA Candles: Draw closer to the saints and create a peaceful place of prayer with CORDA candles. Handcrafted by a husband-and-wife team, and made with clean coconut wax and a beautiful, modern design, these are saint candles like you've never seen, or smelled before! There are 23 candles and counting, including ones inspired by Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. Joan of Arc, Padre Pio, and Morning and Night Prayer, with unique scents for everyone. There's even a fragrance-free option, inspired by Mary the Immaculate Conception. And you can help SOLT, Sr. Miriam's order, by ordering the Cloistered Heart candle, inspired by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. Its contemplative notes of cherry and violet are fresh and clean, and perfect for spring. This candle was created for the Abiding Together podcast and a portion of all sales are donated to SOLT. Each candle comes beautifully packaged and ready for gifting, with the story behind the scent inspiration on the box. And the simple design of the candle leads with beauty, helping you share the faith in a lovely and meaningful way. Explore all the candles at cordacandles.com and receive 10% off your order with promo code ABIDING, now through April 15, 2023.