A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 16: “Blessed Are Those Who Trust in the Lord” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. …

Lent: St. Bernard’s Vision of Humility and Pride by Dr. Anthony Lilles We waste a lot of time thinking something is owed us. We brood over injury. We are not self-contained. Lent helps us remember the real truth about ourselves and our situation. The wisdom of the saints, like St. Bernard, helps us see our actual situation. His teachings suggest we…

Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Lent as a time of vulnerability to God’s mercy, emphasizing bringing sin into Christ’s light for liberation. They contrast morality’s true freedom with sin’s chains and highlight Christ’s presenc…

The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus, drawing connections between Mount Tabor and Calvary to illustrate the necessity of faith in both moments of glory and suffering. Jesus’ radiant presence on Tabor reveals His divine nature, yet this same…

Wilderness Within by Sr. Josephine Garrett on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Sister Josephine Garrett and Kris McGregor discuss Wilderness Within, a Lenten journal designed to guide individuals in deepening their spiritual journey. Sister Josephine explains that the book is not for the faint of heart but for those willing to reflect on their i…

St. Peter Damian – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 1007, Ravenna, Italy Died: February 23, 1072, Faenza, Italy Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses St. Peter Damian, a Doctor of the Church from the second millennium. Born into a turbulent era marked by apocalyptic fears and church reform, Damian’s suffering le…

Lent: St. Bernard’s Vision of Humility and Pride by Dr. Anthony Lilles We waste a lot of time thinking something is owed us. We brood over injury. We are not self-contained. Lent helps us remember the real truth about ourselves and our situation. The wisdom of the saints, like St. Bernard, helps us see our actual situation. His teachings suggest we…

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Who Suffer for Justice Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What does God ask me to do for those who suffer? Seek—Look for opportunities to help someone who needs it (and…

Day 5: Mary, Mother of Justice You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. (Luke I:31-32) Let us pray: Almighty Father You gave us Mary, the mother of our Savior to be our model. She inspires us to constantly reach out to one another. We are called to anticipate …

2nd Thurday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with l…

Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Lent as a time of vulnerability to God’s mercy, emphasizing bringing sin into Christ’s light for liberation. They contrast morality’s true freedom with sin’s chains and highlight Christ’s presenc…

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Liberty Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What continues to enslave me? Seek—Ask God to point out areas of slavery that still exist in your life. As you go through your d…

From a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena, priest The faithful foster-father and guardian There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to ful…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 15: “Whoever Wishes to Be Great Must Be a Servant” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 20:26-28 “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Ma…

Day 4: Mary, Queen of Peace But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you (Luke I:30) Let us pray: Loving Father, through our Mother, the Lady of the Annunciation, teach us how to be calm and serene so as to feel Your presence here today as we pray for our needs and desires. Teach us how to ask for them. Almighty Father, …

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware th…

St. Cyril of Jerusalem – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Born: 313 AD, Caesarea Maritima, Israel Died: March 18, 386 AD, Jerusalem, Israel Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses St. Cyril of Jerusalem, recognized as a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1883. St. Cyril, born around 315 AD, witnessed Jerusalem’s transformation into a Ch…

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Humility Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask——In what areas of my life do I have the most trouble with pride? Seek—Pray the Litany of Humility. What parts of the litany do …

O glorious Saint Joseph,faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favor we now request… (State your req…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 14: “The Path of Humility and True Greatness” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 23:11-12 “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Reflection: Jes…

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Divided by Sin Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Whom do I treat as an outsider in God’s kingdom? Seek—As you go about your daily activities, think about how often you…