Discerning Hearts

The Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ArchangelsOL.jpg) The Chaplet of St. Michael mp3 audio download   For the text of the Chaplet of St. Michael (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=899) How can you not just love the holy angels of God, and in particular the Archangels:  Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael? (I'll answer that:  You just have to  love them...they're too AWESOME!) - (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ArchangelMichael1-217x300.jpg)Prayer to St. Michael St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May GOD rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou o’ prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of GOD cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. A St. Michael Website (http://www.catholic-saints.info/patron-saints/saint-michael-the-archangel.htm) . (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Gabriel-201x3001.jpg)Prayer to the Archangel St. Gabriel O God, who from among all your angels chose the Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of the Incarnation, mercifully grant that we who solemnly remember him on earth may feel the benefit of his patronage in heaven, with Jesus who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. A St. Gabriel Website (http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/gabriel.html) - .   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/raphael11.jpg)Prayer to the Archangel Raphael Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, your are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God", I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (name it) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A St. Raphael Website (http://www.straphaeloil.com/)

Is Jesus Calling? A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocation  with Fr. Paul Hoesing - episode 3: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fr.-Paul-Hoesing-245x300.jpg) The Third Spiritual Lesson: Trust God. "When the thought of your vocation comes into your mind and heart, if you keep it to yourself in your mind, dwelling on it over and over trying to figure it out or trying to control it or  trying to get rid of it, then you will be choosing not to trust." Questions: Where are the particular classrooms in the general school of dependence where you are being invited to trust in God?  What are the storms in your life that make your mind race causing confusion in you?  Jesus wants do to something for you there. Focus him. Bring it to him. Desire his love in it.       (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/st-peter-is-walking-on-the-.jpg)Based on "Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide", published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director. Fr. Paul Hoesing serves as the Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, NE. Check out "For Your Vocation.org (http://foryourvocation.org/)"    

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/reno.jpg)Episode 2- What is the relationship between religion and science? (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/St.-Thomas-Aquinas-2-150x150.jpg)Question 1 Article 2. Whether sacred doctrine is a science. (http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/FP/FP001.html#FPQ1A2THEP1) Objection 1: It seems that sacred doctrine is not a science. For every science proceeds from self-evident principles. But sacred doctrine proceeds from articles of faith which are not self-evident, since their truth is not admitted by all: "For all men have not faith" (2 Thess. 3:2 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?2+Thess++3:2)). Therefore sacred doctrine is not a science. Objection 2: Further, no science deals with individual facts. But this sacred science treats of individual facts, such as the deeds of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and such like. Therefore sacred doctrine is not a science. On the contrary, Augustine says (De Trin. xiv, 1) "to this science alone belongs that whereby saving faith is begotten, nourished, protected and strengthened." But this can be said of no science except sacred doctrine. Therefore sacred doctrine is a science. I answer that, Sacred doctrine is a science. We must bear in mind that there are two kinds of sciences. There are some which proceed from a principle known by the natural light of intelligence, such as arithmetic and geometry and the like. There are some which proceed from principles known by the light of a higher science: thus the science of perspective proceeds from principles established by geometry, and music from principles established by arithmetic. So it is that sacred doctrine is a science because it proceeds from principles established by the light of a higher science, namely, the science of God and the blessed. Hence, just as the musician accepts on authority the principles taught him by the mathematician, so sacred science is established on principles revealed by God. Reply to Objection 1: The principles of any science are either in themselves self-evident, or reducible to the conclusions of a higher science; and such, as we have said, are the principles of sacred doctrine. Reply to Objection 2: Individual facts are treated of in sacred doctrine, not because it is concerned with them principally, but they are introduced rather both as examples to be followed in our lives (as in moral sciences) and in order to establish the authority of those men through whom the divine revelation, on which this sacred scripture or doctrine is based, has come down to us. For an online version of St. Thomas Aquinas' "Summa" click here (http://books.google.com/books?id=-Rco1YlFj8EC&lpg=PP1&ots=--Eg8LE-Tt&dq=summa%20theologica&pg=PA5508#v=onepage&q&f=false) "Christian Apologetics with Dr. R. R. Reno" explores numerous facets of faith and reason in the life of the Church and the world. Grounded on the work of giants, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Bonaventure, Blessed John Newman, soon-to-be Blessed John Paul II, G. K. Chesterton, Blaise Pascal and Stephen Barr, Dr. Reno helps us to open our minds to make the journey to our hearts. R. R. Reno is the editor at First Things: A Journal of Religion, Culture, and Public Life, and Professor of Theology, currently on leave from Creighton University. His theological work has been published in many academic journals. Essays and opinion pieces on religion, public life, contemporary culture, and current events have appeared in Commentary, and the Washington Post. In Fighting the Noonday Devil Reno suggests that putting ourselves at the disposal of what is real is what trains us for true piety. His other recent books include Genesis: Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible and Sanctified Vision: An Introduction to Early Christian Interpretation of the Bible.

Episode 1 - Roots of the Faith: Witnesses to Tradition.  A grand overview of Church tradition as passed down to us by the Fathers of the (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mike-Aquilina.jpg)Church...it's scope and relevance for our lives today!  Roots of the Faith - From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of  Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Roots-of-the-Faith.jpg) Pick up a copy of Mke's book.  You'll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0867169389/ref=nosim/disceheart-20) Also visit Mike's "Discerning Hearts" page for more audio downloads and information! (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=48 )

Fr. Samir Khalil Samir is one of the world's leading experts on Islam.  Bruce and I had the blessing to be able to speak(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fr.-Samir-Samir.jpg) with him about the religious and political tensions between east and west, and in particular between Christianity and Islam.  His thoughtful insight helped us greatly to appreciate the realities that exist between us culturally and what hope there might be for peace and coexistence in the future. For more on this subject check out (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1586171550/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1586171550&adid=1R34P8YPRR9TYSWHE77V): (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/111-Questions.jpg)  From the book description: How was Islam born? What does the Koran represent for Muslims? What relationship has developed between Islam and violence, between Islamic culture and the West? How can a real integration of Islam take place in European societies? What are the conditions for a constructive encounter between Christians and Muslims?

Msgr. Esseff shares some of his insights on an article he is preparing on St. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Padre-Pio-Mass-2-257x300.jpg)Padre Pio and the Theology of the Body. There's a fascinating connection that can be made. He begins by offering a detailed sharing of his first encounters with St. Pio and then discusses how his stigmata and gifts relate to our understanding of our relationship with Christ.

Msgr. Esseff remembers his encounters with St. Padre Pio.   He also reflects on the Gospel for this particular (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff6-256x300.jpg)Sunday, which places its focus on the suffering, death and rising of Jesus.  That this world is not our "forever" destiny.   We were created for Eternal Life.  Now will it forever in Heaven or will it forever separation from God in Hell.  The central act of Jesus Christ was to suffer, die and rise.  It takes the deepest wounds that we and redeems it.  In today's world, we will suffer in the Paschal Mystery in order to witness the glory of God to the world.  He shares the compelling story of a boy named Eddie Walsh who is a tremendous witness of the Gospel Truth. From the NAB  Mk 9:30-37 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092312.cfm)  Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/be-not-afraid-1-183x300.jpg) he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."   Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA.  Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St.  Padre Pio,  who would become a spiritual father to him.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving  in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute.  He continues to  serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.      (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Building-A-Kingdom-of-Love-.jpg)   To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff's book byvisiting here (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net/?page_id=736)   Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building a Kingdom of  Love (http://msgrjohnesseff.net)"  

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Padre-pio-2-243x300.jpg)Saint Padre Pio or St. Pio of Pietrelcina (25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968) was a Capuchin priest from Italy and is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. He was popularly known as Padre Pio after his ordination to the priesthood. He became famous after receiving the “Stigmata“. On 16 June 2002, he was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II. Padre Pio is the Patron saint of Confessors, Catholic Adolescents and Civil Defense Volunteers.  offered by Msgr. John Esseff Prayer for Healing Beloved Padre Pio, Today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to thee every day by those who love and venerate thee. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of thy friendship with the Lord, He heals those thou doth ask to be healed, and forgives those thou forgiveth. Through thy visible wounds of the Cross, which thou didst bear for fifty years, thou wert chosen in our time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us to bring it back in our midst, for we acknowledge it is the only true sign of salvation. As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced thy hands, feet and side, we not only remember the blood thou didst shed in pain, but thy smile, and the invisible halo of sweet-smelling flowers that surrounded thee, the perfume of sanctity. In thy kindness, please help me with my own special request: [mention here your petition, making the Sign of the Cross] Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Prayer to Saint Pio   O God, Thou didst give Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin priest, the great privilege of participating in a unique way in the Passion of Thy Son, grant me through his intercession the grace of . .  .  [name your request] which I ardently desire; and above all grant me the grace of living in conformity with the death of Jesus, to arrive at the glory of the resurrection. Glory be to the Father . . . [three times]. (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Padre-Pio-with-Jesus.jpg) Stay With Me, Lord Prayer  by Padre Pio Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have Thee present so that I do not forget Thee. Thou knowest how easily I abandon Thee. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak, and I need Thy strength that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for Thou art my light, and without Thee I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Thy will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Thy voice and follow Thee. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love Thee very much and to be in Thy company always. Stay with me, Lord, if Thou wisheth me to be faithful to Thee. Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for Thee, a nest of love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes; death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need Thee. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need Thee, my Jesus, in this night of exile! Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all it’s dangers. I need Thee. Let me recognize Thee as Thy disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to Thee, if not by communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for Divine consolation, because I do not merit it, but the gift of Thy Presence, oh yes, I ask this of Thee! Stay with me, Lord, for it is Thou alone I look for, Thy Love,

What a delight to have the chance once again to talk with Gregory Erlandson, president and publisher of  Our Sunday Visitor (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Gregory-Erlandson-2.jpg)Publishing, one of the finest resources out there for nurturing our faith.   Greg has that wonderful "eagle-eye"  view of not only all things Catholic, but of the world as a whole and he uses it to help see how we can fit into our society and culture as faithful believers. It was great to discuss not only current events affecting the Church today, but also the greater need for interior renewal which is the true "fuel" for the New Evangelization.  Faith is ultimately about a relationship with God.  He warns us that being lukewarm in our faith can be deadly for the Church.  That we can  become such weak witnesses that we bear only the name Catholic, which unfortunately can cause disillusionment or even scandal in the hearts and minds of those around us.   Therefore, the New Evangelization needs to begin with each of us personally.  When that renewal happens, we will then be a Church that can authentically and vibrantly witness our  life-giving  faith to world badly in need of the Gospel message. Our Sunday Visitor has so many fantastic resources to nurture that relationship, whether your at home with the kids or working out in the world, a catechist/DRE or a pastor trying to reach out to your families through the internet, OSV can add in that "connection". (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/osv-300x211.jpg) Click here to find out more on their website osv.com (http://www.osv.com)    

Is Jesus Calling? A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocational Call with Fr. Paul Hoesing - episode 2: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fr.-Paul-Hoesing-245x300.jpg) The First Spiritual Lesson:  You Must Follow Christ.  "Discovering one's vocation is not a navel-gazing, self-focused, psychological exercise.   It's not about a man figuring something out.  It is not about solving a confusing puzzle." Questions: Where have you encountered Christ?  Where do you experience his loving presence now for you?   Where do you feel consciously blessed and grateful for what God has done for you? The Second Spiritual Lesson: Learn to desire what God desires for you. “All you need is to desire whatever God may desire for you. Remaining true to this desire opens your heart to receive what God wants for you. Then, God Himself will take care of you.” Questions: Do you trust that God always wants what is best for you? Where do you begin to become afraid of giving God permission to lead you? When do you begin to try to manipulate God to want what you think will make you happy? When that happens, simply say over and over again inside of yourself to the Father, ‘Father, I give you permission to lead me!’ Or ‘Father, I desire your goodness to me.’ Or, ‘Father, I trust you’” Based on "Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest: A helpful guide", published by Nati onal Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.   Fr. Paul Hoesing serves as the Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, NE. Check out "For Your Vocation.org (http://foryourvocation.org/)" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Sanzio-The_Miraculous_Draught_oh_Fishes.jpg) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Christ-Blessing-the-Children-Nicolas-Maes-1652-53-214x300.jpg)    

It was with great joy we had the opportunity to talk with Fr. Thomas Dubay.  (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fr.-Thomas-Dubay.jpg)   His work on "Fire Within" and all the programs he gave us on EWTN were instrumental in my spiritual growth.  In those early days, he was like having a distant spiritual director who guided me, as well as the rest of us, toward a deeper relationship with Christ. He told me once, "Kris, the best theology books are the lives of the saints; you study them and you won't be led astray."  Fr. Thomas Dubay, in a very real way, helped inspire the work of this blog and it's mission. Here's a host of books by Fr. Thomas Dubay

Episode 21- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Omar-Gutierrez-1.bmp) - We continue the study of the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html)"  Chapter 2 Section 1 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) CHAPTER TWO (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER TWO) THE CHURCH'S MISSION AND SOCIAL DOCTRINE I. EVANGELIZATION AND SOCIAL DOCTRINE a. The Church, God's dwelling place with men and women (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The Church, Gods dwelling place with men and women) b. Enriching and permeating society with the Gospel (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Enriching and permeating society with the Gospel) c. Social doctrine, evangelization and human promotion (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Social doctrine, evangelization and human promotion) d. The rights and duties of the Church (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The rights and duties of the Church) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Compendium-195x300.jpg) We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. - Omar G. (http://www.regnumnovum.com/socialdoctrine/)   Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

Mark breaks open The TEN COMMANDMENTS- (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Mark-Hart-with-the-Word1-199x300.jpg) The Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. You have heard that it was said to the men of old, “You shall not swear falsely....” But I say to you, Do not swear at all. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ten-Commandments1-300x221.jpg) Mark Hart is an author, speaker, director and teacher, Mark’s work both written and spoken, is known across the country and world. While he serves as the Vice President of LIFE TEEN, he is known to tens of thousands simply as the “Bible Geek ®” Mark passionately echoes the gospel to all he encounters. He is as deep as he is funny, and his love for his wife and daughters is second only to his immense love for Jesus Christ.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mark-hart-200x300.jpg) Visit Mark at www.lifeteen.com (http://www.lifeteen.com)(http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0980236223&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=disceheart-20&ServiceVersion=20070822)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=0980236223&camp=217145&creative=399373)

Episode 21 Beginning to Pray:  St. Hildegard von Bingen and "The Iron Mountain" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Anthony-Lilles-292x300.jpg) From Dr. Lilles' "Beginning to Pray (http://beginningtopray.blogspot.com/2012/09/st-hildegard-of-bingens-cry.html)" blog site: September 17 is the feast of St. Hiildegard of Bingen. She lived from 1098-1179. A Benedictine Nun, at the age of 42, she was given visions and commanded rise up and cry out what she saw. She obeyed and produced a set of writings known today as Scivias. Her first vision is of a hidden mountain, the mountain of God's throne, an iron mountain of immutable justice hidden in divine glory. A purifying Fear of the Lord contemplates this splendor. Not the kind of fear that pulls away to protect itself. Rather the kind of fear that is vigilant and sees the truth. Eyes which gaze with this holy fear can never be satisfied with the merely mediocre. They guard against every form of compromise. The glory they behold demands absolute allegiance, complete surrender, and total humility. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/St.-Hildegard-1.jpg)In this description, is St. Hildegard suggesting a way by which we might enjoy the same vision she has shared in? This is no exercise in esoteric navel gazing. Her vision demands a journey beyond our own self-pre-occupation and into real friendship with God, a friendship protected by the strength of divine justice. She sees the truth in a way that demands an ongoing conversion of life. She is well-formed in St. Benedict's conversatio morum. The mountain she sees is not a truth we scrutinize so much as the truth that scrutinizes us: a scrutinizing of all our thoughts and actions in light of the Gospel. The truth she beholds demands repentance from the lack of justice we allow ourselves to slip into. The iron mountain she contemplates renders futile every effort to conform the Gospel to our own ways and invites us to be transformed by its just demands. Today, where all kinds of cruelty are so easily excused and any form of self-indulgence so readily lifted up to the level of a fundamental human right, we need to rediscover the shadow of the iron mountain from which St. Hildegard cries out to us. Only under the glory of this mountain can we find the peace that the Lord has come to give. Only in the blinding light into which Holy Fear gazes can we find the humility to love one another the way Christ has loved us. Dr. Anthony Lilles is a Catholic husband and father of three teaching Spiritual Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. He  teaches spiritual theology and spiritual direction to transitional deacons, and the spiritual classics to the men who enter the Spirituality Year, a year of prayer in preparation for seminary formation.  He is the author of the "Beginning to Pray (http://beginningtopray.blogspot.com/)"  catholic blog spot. For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=6684) The music that is used comes from  (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000141Q/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00000141Q&adid=1NZC167H5MFZRCFFTQN3)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Heavenly-Reflections-150x150.jpg) This the text we (http://books.google.com/books?id=7SVDoDhCV3oC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA67#v=onepage&q&f=false) use  for our readings comes from:  

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Keating-22-293x300.jpg)Episode 5 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First -  Deacon Keating discusses Hell. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1057    Hell’s principal punishment consists of eternal separation from God in whom alone man can have the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Christ-300x198.jpg) Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.     (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IPF_logo-small.jpg) For more information on the "Institute of Priestly (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)Formation" and for oth (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Communion-with-Christ.bmp) Don't forget to pickup a copy of "Communion with Christ" , it is on (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks)e of the best (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) audio sets on prayer...ever! (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Heart" page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=624)