Discerning Hearts

USCCA21 Chapter 20 Holy Orders Part 1 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Archbisop-George-Lucas.jpg) Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter20: The Church adopted the term order from its use in the Roman Empire, where it referred to a governing group. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, there are three degrees or “orders”: bishop, priest, and deacon. The rite of ordination is the sacramental act that makes this possible. Ordination “confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’ ...which can come only from Christ himself through the Church” (CCC, no. 1538).   The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.  For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Luca (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=7136)s page This programs is based on: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/United-States-Catechism-for.jpg) More information can be found here (http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=5-450). We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series. Also we wish to thank Matt Willkomb for his vocal talents in this episode.

A Doctor of the Church, a distinguished Jesuit theologian, writer, and cardinal, born at Montepulciano, October 4, 1542; died 17(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Matthew-Bunson-266x300.jpg)September, 1621. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/St.-Robert-Bellarmine-2-239x300.jpg)When you look up the word "prudence" in the dictionary, you may find his picture.  Why?  Does the name "Galileo" ring a bell.  Many think they know the story...but do you?  If you've never heard St. Robert Bellarmine's role and thoughts on the matter, than you haven't heard the whole story. Take a listen to Dr. Matthew Bunson break open the "Galileo issue" from a truly Catholic perspective.  Fascinating. For more on this great saints life check out the article found on New Advent (http://)    

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of Our Lady of Sorrows. How do we connect that with the suffering of Christ?(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff3-256x300.jpg)  All the suffering we endure is united with Jesus, and the Blessed Mother guides our way.  She is our mother and the power of her love is incredible.  Ask her to come to you in your suffering as she came to her Son. She is our Our Mother of Hope and Compassion.  God conquers sorrow with hope!   Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. ℣ Pray for us O holy Mother of God, ℟ that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Carlo_Dolci_Mater_dolorosa1-241x300.jpg) 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)"  

The Seven Sorrows  of the Blessed Virgin Mary (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/olsorrows.jpg)The Virgin Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord, did not lose her faith in God when she saw her Son rejected, abused and crucified. Rather she remained beside Jesus, suffering and praying, until the end. And she saw the radiant dawn of His Resurrection. Let us learn from her to witness to our faith with a life of humble service, ready to personally pay the price of staying faithful to the Gospel of love and truth, certain that nothing that we do will be lost. — Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus – September 13, 2009 Collect: Father, as Your Son was raised on the cross, His mother Mary stood by Him, sharing His sufferings. May Your Church be united with Christ in His suffering and death and so come to share in His rising to new life, where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Devotion from the revelation to St. Bridget of Sweden: For more prayers for Our Lady of Sorrows (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=2768)

What a great read and so very timely! Author Nigel Cliff's fantastic "The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Nigel-Cliff.jpg)is now available in QP.  Nigel chronicles the clash of the Islamic East and the Christian West in a way I that I had not experienced before. Tracing the roots of the Islamic experience and it's occupation of the Iberian Peninsula helps with the needed background for this story.  Then he takes us on the thrilling adventures of the 28 year Portuguese explorer who set out for the elusive sea-based trade route to the east which would not only allow Christendom to penetrate into the heart of India, but would allow a Crusade to halt the economic grip of the East from crushing the West in Europe.  A contemporary of Christopher Columbus, it seems as though the tale and accomplishments of Vasco da Gama are mostly overshadowed today...but no longer thanks to the work of Nigel Cliff.  A terrific non-fiction historical read that illuminates the events of today. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/The-Last-Crusade-1.jpg)You can find the book here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061735132/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0061735132&adid=1CHMZYRMH7TRHFCEDAE7)   “A useful addition to a continuing lively discussion of Christianity and Islam, situated both in respect of religions and culture, as well as empires and trade.” (Kirkus )

Is Jesus Calling?  A Spiritual Guide to Discerning Your Vocational Call with Fr. Paul Hoesing - episode 1:  (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fr.-Paul-Hoesing-245x300.jpg)Introduction - Whether it's to the priesthood, religious life, married life...discerning what our vocation is can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be.  Fr. Hoesing discusses what discernment is, what the process is like, and what can help guide us along the way. Based on "Is Jesus C alling 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/Jesus-calling-the-apostles1-1024x648.jpg)    

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  He describes in detail the true horror of this means of execution (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff2-256x300.jpg)and what it meant to be crucified in the time of Jesus.  But he also talks about the great love that God has for us in (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Cross-1-300x272.jpg)embracing the Cross for our sake and what it means for us today.  A very powerful reflection. Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building A Kingdom of Love (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net)"

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/36490519_035.jpg) Prayers and Chaplet for St. Charbel Saint Charbel was born on May 8, 1828 from a modest Maronite family in Bekaa Kafra, a village in North Lebanon. He entered the order of Lebanese monks in 1851 and was ordained a priest in 1859. Later he withdrew to the hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul to spend 23 years in prayer, fasting, manual labor, and penance, until on Christmas Eve of the year 1898 he piously gave back his soul to God. Aged 70 years. After his death, many graces and bodily cures have been obtained through his intercession. He was canonized by His Holiness Paul VI in 1977. For more on visit his Discerning Hearts St. Charbel page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1979) Chaplet THE CHAPLET The chaplet is made up of five sets of beads, three red, one white and one blue. Five black beads, divide the sets. A medal of the saint connects the beads, with a single white bead following the medal and preceding the five sets. The red beads are for the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the virtues by which religious share in the Passion of Christ. The white beads represent the Holy Eucharist, and the blue beads love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother. ORDER OF RECITATION On the first white bead after the medal say the "Father of Truth" prayer. On each black bead recite an "Our Father". On the first three red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of poverty. On the second set of red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of chastity. On the third set of red beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's fidelity to the vow of obedience. On the three white beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's love for the Eucharist. On the three blue beads say the "Hail Mary" in honor of Saint Charbel's devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Conclude with the prayer to obtain graces on the medal. Father of Truth Prayer Father of Truth, behold Your Son, a sacrifice pleasing to You. Accept this offering of Him who died for me; behold His blood shed on Golgotha for my salvation. It pleads for me. For His sake, accept my offering. Many are my sins, but greater is Your mercy. When placed on a scale, Your mercy prevails over the weight of the mountains known only to You. Consider the sin and consider the atonement; the atonement is greater and exceeds the sin. Your beloved Son sustained the nails and the lance because of my sins so in His sufferings You are satisfied and I live. Prayer to Obtain Graces Lord, infinitely holy and glorified in Your saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience might triumph in his hermitage. We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, following his example. Almighty God, who have manifested the power of Saint Charbel's intercession through his countless miracles and favors, grant us this grace (here mention your intention) which we request from You through his intercession. Amen.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/maronite-chant-150x150.jpg) the music found in the Chaplet is from Sister Marie Keyrouz's CD (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012WYMFE?tag=disceheart-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0012WYMFE&adid=1YWDPPESGP1AT7QBYBFZ) Other Prayers 1.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/st.-charbel-1.jpg) Lord, infinitely Holy and Glorified in Your Saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty,

"So must the Son of Man be lifted up" an excerpt from today's reflection by Don Schwager: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/praying-over-bible-300x225.jpg) Do you know the healing power of the cross of Christ? Jesus explained to Nicodemus the necessity of his impending crucifixion and resurrection by analogy with Moses and the bronze serpent in the desert.When the people of Israel were afflicted with serpents in the wilderness because of their rebellion and sin, God instructed Moses: "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live" (Numbers 21:8). The bronze serpent points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe in Jesus and in his victory on the cross. The result of Jesus "being lifted up on the cross" and his rising and exaltation to the Father's right hand in heaven, is our "new birth in the Spirit" and adoption as sons and daughters of God. God not only redeems us, but he fills us with his own divine life and power that we might share in his glory. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Holy-Cross.jpg)There is no greater proof of God's love for his fallen creatures. "To ransom a slave God gave his Son" (an ancient prayer from the Easter vigil liturgy). God sent his Son to free us from the worst of tyrannies – slavery to sin and the curse of death. Jesus' sacrificial death was an act of total love in self-giving. Jesus gave himself completely out of love for his Father. And he willing layed down his life out of selfless love for our sake and for our salvation. His death on the cross was both a total offering to God and the perfect sacrifice of atonement for our sin and the sin of the world. John tells us that God's love has no bounds or limits (John 3:16). His love is not limited to one people or a few chosen friends. His love is limitless because it embraces the whole world and every individual created in "his image and likeness". God is a persistent loving Father who cannot rest until all of his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine says, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love and not love. Jesus shows us the paradox of love and forgiveness and judgment and condemnation. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, goodness, and mercy. If our love is guided by truth, goodness, and that which is truly beautiful, then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer. Do you love God who is the supreme good above all else? And do you seek to put him first in all your thoughts, cares, choices, and actions? "Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life for us. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in freedom and joy as a child of God and as an heir with Christ of an eternal inheritance." for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation (http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/sep14.htm)

Mike Aquilina shares with Bruce and I the life and teaches of St. John Chrysostom.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/imagesCAN61WDU.jpg) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/St.-John-Chrystostom.jpg) John Chrysostom  born in 347, his father died soon after his birth, leaving his mother,  Anthusa, a widow at the age of 20.   She never married, sticking with the teachings of St. Paul to stay unmarried; she was a devout Christian and was very committed to her son; they loved and cared for each other very much.  She would raise up a son who had a great love for Jesus Christ and who would become of the greatest preachers of all time (imagine him the Billy Graham of his day).  He would become the Archbishop of Constantinople, and an important Early Church Father. His denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders would get him in big trouble, but it didn't stop him.  After his death (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek surname chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", rendered in English as Chrysostom. Many Christian Churches love and claim St. John Chrysostom. The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint.     Spiritual Writings:   - Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2001.htm) - Homilies on Acts (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2101.htm) - Homilies on Romans (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2102.htm) - Homilies on First Corinthians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2201.htm) - Homilies on Second Corinthians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2202.htm) - Homilies on Ephesians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2301.htm) - Homilies on Philippians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2302.htm) - Homilies on Colossians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2303.htm) - Homilies on First Thessalonians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2304.htm) - Homilies on Second Thessalonians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2305.htm) - Homilies on First Timothy (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2306.htm) - Homilies on Second Timothy (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2307.htm) - Homilies on Titus (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2308.htm) - Homilies on Philemon (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2309.htm) - Commentary on Galatians (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2310.htm) - Homilies on the Gospel of John (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2401.htm) - Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2402.htm) - Homilies on the Statues (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1901.htm) - No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure Himself (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1902.htm) - Two Letters to Theodore After His Fall (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1903.htm) - Letter to a Young Widow (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1904.htm) - Homily on St. Ignatius (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1905.htm) - Homily on St. Babylas (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1906.htm) - Homily Concerning "Lowliness of Mind" (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1907.htm) - Instructions to Catechumens (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1908.htm) - Three Homilies on the Power of Satan (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1919.htm) - Homily on the Passage "Father, if it be possible . . ." (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1910.htm)

Episode 20- 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 1 Section 2-3 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) CHAPTER ONE (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER ONE) GOD'S PLAN OF LOVE FOR HUMANITY III. THE HUMAN PERSON IN GOD'S PLAN OF LOVE a. Trinitarian love, the origin and goal of the human person (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Trinitarian love, the origin and goal of the human person) b. Christian salvation: for all people and the whole person (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Christian salvation: for all people and the whole person) c. The disciple of Christ as a new creation (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The disciple of Christ as a new creation) d. The transcendence of salvation and the autonomy of earthly realities (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The transcendence of salvation and the autonomy of earthly realities) IV. GOD'S PLAN AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH a. The Church, sign and defender of the transcendence of the human person (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The Church, sign and defender of the transcendence of the human person) b. The Church, the Kingdom of God and the renewal of social relations (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The Church, the Kingdom of God and the renewal of social relations) c. New heavens and a new earth (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#New heavens and a new earth) d. Mary and her “fiat” in God's plan of love (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 First Commandment: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ten-Commandments-300x221.jpg)that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them. 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)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Pope-Benedict-225x300.jpg) An Excerpt from the original post from Vatican Radio (http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/09/09/pope:_ten_commandments_our_path_to_god/en1-619590) – On Saturday, the gathering in Piazza del Popolo centered on the theme "I am the Lord your God", and at 22:07 video message of greeting from the Holy Father was broadcast. Below we publish a Vatican Radio translation of the Holy Father’s message. Original text in Italian. Dear brothers and sisters! I am pleased to extend a cordial greeting to all of you who are taking part in this catechesis in various Italian cities on the Ten Commandments and adhere to the initiative "When Love gives meaning to your life ...". In particular I greet and thank the members of the Ecclesial Movement Renewal in the Holy Spirit, who organized this laudable initiative, with the support of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization and the Italian Episcopal Conference. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ten-Commandments-1-300x199.jpg)The Decalogue brings us back to Mount Sinai, when God enters in particular into the history of the Jewish people, and through this people, the history of all humanity, gifting them the "Ten Words" that express His will, and which are a kind of “ethical code " to build a society in which the relationship of covenant with God, Holy and Just, enlightens and guides the relationships between peoples. And Jesus comes to fulfill these words, raising them and summarizing them in the double commandment of love: " You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "(cf. Mt 22:37-40). But let us ask ourselves: what meaning do these Ten Commandments have for us, in the cultural context in which secularism and relativism risk becoming the criteria of every choice and this society of ours that seems to live as if God did not exist? We answer that God gifted us the commandments to educate us to true freedom and true love, so that we can be truly happy. They are a sign of the love of God the Father, of his desire to teach us the correct discernment of good from evil, truth from falsehood, of right from wrong. They are understandable to all, because they set fundamental values ​​in concrete rules and regulations, by putting them into practice man can walk the path of true freedom, safe on the path that leads to life and happiness. In contrast, when man lives ignoring the commandments, not only does he alienate himself from God and abandon the alliance with Him, but he also distances himself from life and lasting happiness. Man left to himself, indifferent to God, proud of his absolute autonomy, eventually ends up following the idols of selfishness, power, domination, polluting the relationship with himself and with others and taking paths that do not lead to life, but death. The sad experience of history, especially of the last century, are a warning to all humanity. "When Love gives meaning to your life ...". Jesus brings to fulfillment the path of the Commandments with his Cross and Resurrection; he radically overcomes selfishness, sin and death, with the gift of Himself for love. Only by welcoming the infinite love of God, by trusting Him, by following the path that He has laid down, can we give deeper meaning to life and open up a future of hope. Dear friends, I hope that this initiative will inspire a renewed commitment to witnessing that the path of love laid down by the Commandments and perfected by Christ is the only one that can make our lives, the lives of others and of our communities fuller, better and happier. May the Virgin Mary accompany this journey, as I impart my Blessing.

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Keating-22-293x300.jpg)Episode 4 Salvation Begins Now: Last Things First -  Deacon Keating discusses Heaven. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1024    This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity—this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed—is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.   (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)

USCCA20 Chapter 19 - The Anointing of the Sick and the Dying (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Archbisop-George-Lucas.jpg) Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter19: When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. The Holy Spirit renews our faith in God and helps us withstand the temptations of the Evil One to be discouraged and despairing in the face of suffering and death. Also, a sick person’s sins are forgiven if he or she was not able to go to Confession prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.  For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Luca (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=7136)s page This programs is based on: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/United-States-Catechism-for.jpg) More information can be found here (http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=5-450). We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series. Also we wish to thank Deacon Chuck and Susan Adams for their vocal talents in this episode.