From Dr. Anthony Lilles’ blog “Beginning to Pray” During Lent, we dedicate ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These practices are simple ways of expressing our gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for us. This in fact is the very nature of penance. Penance is love which responds to mercy – and this love is not content with words, thoug…

The Desert of Sin – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss the concept of the “Desert of Sin”: the idea that sin, while providing some form of consolation, ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and turmoil. Dcn. Keating emphasizes the importance of patienc…

The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Annunciation, which falls in the heart of Lent. He shares how personal and significant this date is to him, as it marks the wedding anniversary of his parents. Their story, including seeking a dispensation to marry during Lent and def…

It was truly a delight to once again to talk with Sally Read! This time we discuss her beautiful book “Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World”. You can find the book here From the book description: Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compel…

From Dr. Anthony Lilles’ blog “Beginning to Pray” During Lent, we dedicate ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These practices are simple ways of expressing our gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for us. This in fact is the very nature of penance. Penance is love which responds to mercy – and this love is not content with words, thoug…

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Our Lives Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Do I trust in God? Seek—Frequently call upon the Lord for his help throughout the day. Life was not intended to be a solitary…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 23: “The Battle Within” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 11:14–23 Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzeb…

3rd Thursday 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 …

The Desert of Sin – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss the concept of the “Desert of Sin”: the idea that sin, while providing some form of consolation, ultimately leads to spiritual emptiness and turmoil. Dcn. Keating emphasizes the importance of patienc…

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Law and Love Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How much do I love God? Seek—God’s love for us and his plans for us are greater than our minds can conceive. Starting toda…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 22: “The Law of Love” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And …

3rd Wednesday 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 t…

The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Annunciation, which falls in the heart of Lent. He shares how personal and significant this date is to him, as it marks the wedding anniversary of his parents. Their story, including seeking a dispensation to marry during Lent and def…

It was truly a delight to once again to talk with Sally Read! This time we discuss her beautiful book “Annunciation: A Call to Faith in a Broken World”. You can find the book here From the book description: Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compel…

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Forgive Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Do I still harbor past sins for which I have not accepted God’s forgiveness? Seek—Go to confession regularly. As part of…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 21: “Faithfulness in the Little Things” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Luke 16:10 “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” Reflection: Faithfulness in t…

The Annunciation of the Lord – 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 y…

Steps to a Deeper Prayer Life – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss how the Examen opens our spiritual eyes, helping us see God’s concrete ways of loving us, which deepens our relationship with Him. The Examen begins with gratitude, reflecting on specific mome…

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Jesus Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Am I overly familiar with Christ? Seek—Read the Gospels every day. Encounter Christ as he is presented and try to imag…

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast Day 20: “Persevering in Prayer and Trusting in God’s Mercy” Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible): Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said t…

Day 9: Mary, Woman of Faith Lord let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke I:38) Let us pray: Almighty Father, we are Your children. We call You by name and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Your Son. Give us the grace to have and live the faith of Mary so we may become worthy of the eternal life You promised. Father, let us fill our hearts with…