Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

Episode 32 – John 15 – I am the True Vine part 2 “I am the true vine.”  With this seventh and final “I am” statement, Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel focuses on our need to abide in Christ, remaining in His love.  The image of a vine reminds us of the many allegories in the Bible related to wine, grapes, and vineyards. Sharon goes on to remind us that in the Old Testament, the oldest son did not always receive the blessing and birthright that was due to him.  In particular, Sharon focus on the story of Jacob and his 12 sons.  The blessing goes to Judah, the fourth-born son, and the birthright to Joseph.  Though his sons, Joseph received a double portion inheritance of the Promised Land.   The blessing given to Judah is fully fulfilled in Jesus, who was a member of the tribe of Judah.  And the birthright given to Joseph is also fully realized in Christ. God’s highly favored son Jesus, wins for us a double portion, God’s kingdom on earth (the church) as well as God’s heavenly Kingdom of heaven.   Joseph is a wonderful “type” of Christ, with numerous examples of striking parallels in their lives.  Genesis 49:22 describes Joseph as a fruitful bough or vine, which points towards Jesus, the true vine described in John 15.  In the Old Testament, the plentiful fruit of the vine would remind Israel of God’s promise for redemption, but unfortunately, Israel was often unfruitful, yielding wild or rotten grapes as described in Isaiah 5.  Jesus uses the same imagery in John 15 when he describes the blessings to those who abide in him and the destruction that occurs to those that do not.   God’s vine of Israel was meant to spread throughout the world but instead became an un-kept, disgraceful vineyard.   Israel was in need of a new and true vine, and Jesus fulfills that need. Sharon then digs deeper into the imagery of John 15, showing us how God the Father is the husbandman of the vineyard, tending to the vines, pruning away the dead branches so that the vine may grow and flourish.  If we allow, God will cut out our sinful tendencies.  This discipline, while at times painful, is necessary for us to abide with Him.  The branches closest to the trunk of the vine bear the most fruit, encouraging us to always humbly remain as close as possible to God.  We recall the story of Solomon, who early in his life stayed close to the Lord, but as he grew more rich and powerful, he fell into the sin of pride, becoming increasingly self-sufficient and separated from the Lord.  Jesus tells us that without him, we can do nothing, but if we abide in him, our joy will be complete.  If we want to remain with Christ, we much follow his commands, which serve as a blueprint for our lives, bringing us to the fullness of joy that God desires for us. He wants us to bear eternal fruit that will last, and have a sober intoxication of His Holy Spirit, the sap that flows through the vine as we climb the trestle back to the Father. Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life. For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page “Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net

Sometimes G.K. Chesterton goes too far—but here’s why. We begin our discussion of In Defense of Sanity, a book of essays by G.K. Chesterton. This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.   You can find the book here G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an encounter with timeless truths that jump off the page as fresh and powerful as the day they were written. The only problem with Chesterton’s essays is that there are too many of them. Over five thousand! For most GKC readers it is not even possible to know where to start or how to begin to approach them.  So three of the world’s leading authorities on Chesterton – Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, Aidan Mackey – have joined together to select the best Chesterton essays, a collection that will be appreciated by both the newcomer and the seasoned student of this great 20th-century man of letters. The variety of topics are astounding: barbarians, architects, mystics, ghosts, fireworks, rain, juries, gargoyles, and much more. Plus a look at Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, George MacDonald, T.S. Eliot, and the Bible. All in that inimitable, formidable but always quotable style of GKC. Even more astounding than the variety is the continuity of Chesterton’s thought that ties everything together. A veritable feast for the mind and heart. While some of the essays in this volume may be familiar, many of them are collected here for the first time, making their first appearance in over a century.  

 Episode 3 of 4 of And Mary’s ‘Yes’ Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss: 1. Responding to the Call 2. How is God Present? 3. The Need for More Teachers 4. Give God Permission 5. Letting Go of the Baggage Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description: Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture. Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org

What a delight to be joined by Kimberly Hahn to discuss Grace and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker’s Heart!  With Kimberly, we continue our journey through the wisdom found in Proverbs 31.  This time we explore the joy of creating a home for our loved ones fueled by the grace found in the sacraments. Kimberly is also the host of the Beloved and Blessed podcast.  Her voice is a much-needed source of grace in this ever-expanding media platform.  You can check it out at the link found below.  We encourage you to subscribe! You can find the book here From the book description As wives and mothers, we know that the home is the sacred space in which we live out our vocations. But many of us struggle to manage the various aspects of homemaking. Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker’s Heart draws from Proverbs 31 to give women indispensable wisdom on caring for our homes and families. In this six-part Bible study, learn * Tips for time management * How to create a pleasant environment * The secrets of food preparation * The importance of making meals a time of communion * How to cultivate a garden * And why each of the sacraments relate to homemaking Grace and Gifted is an inspiring Bible study, perfect for personal or group use, that will help you discover the noble virtues that every wife needs. Be sure to also check out Kimberly’s Beloved and Blessed Podcast!  You can find it by visiting:  BelovedandBlessed.com

Would you fill a sacred chalice with coffee? Why or why not? Sex, the sacredness of the human body, and more as we finish our discussion of chapter 5 of Real Philosophy for Real People by Robert McTeigue, S.J. This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month. You can find the book here A great philosopher once observed, “Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know.” A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can’t not know about reality, humanity and morality. In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth. You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions. But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person. Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.  

 Episode 2 of 4 of And Mary’s ‘Yes’ Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss: 1. The Maternal Nurturer 2. Where Are The Women? 3. The Call to Teach 4. The Presence of a Sister 5. The Importance of Grandparents Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description: Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture. Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org

Episode 8 – Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – The “wellsprings”  where Christ awaits us.  Responding at the moment when the subtle interior movements of the Holy Spirit calls to us.  The Word of God becomes a place of encounter. The danger of  Scripture becoming all academic. People are converted when the Word approaches them as living.  The liturgy is also a place of encounter.  The heart is an “altar” in the liturgy. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page Deacon Keating is also the author of: You can find the book here. From the book description: The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.    

Episode 1 of 4 of And Mary’s ‘Yes’ Continues Afresh with Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz one of the founders and the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Join Sr. Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz and Kris McGregor as they discuss the founding and charism of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.  We discuss: * The need for the Eucharist and how to foster a deeper relationship with God in prayer. * The Nurturing of “presence” * The role of Mary of bringing us to her son in the Eucharist. * The spousal receptivity and the sharing of maternal love the God’s children. * The beauty of community life…in religious life and in the family * The gift of self Visit here to pick up a copy of the book From the book description: Our world is constantly changing and each generation faces new challenges of faith and identity. In this increasingly post-Christian, radically secular culture, the vocation of a consecrated religious might appear outdated or, perhaps, wasteful. Even within the Church, the vocation of a Bride of Christ is a mystery to many who have never encountered it. But who is a religious Sister? She is one who hears our Lord’s call to “Come, follow me!” and answers with the resounding confidence of Mary’s Fiat! She is exactly what our world needs: a light in the darkness, a soul dedicated completely to loving and serving God and her neighbor. In this new volume, And Mary’s Yes Continues Afresh, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist present a treasure-trove of education and inspiration for young women, parents, priests, and educators alike. You’ll learn what religious life is all about; hear the inspiring vocation stories of women from all walks of life and many different nationalities; and discover—perhaps for the first time—the incredible gift of the consecrated life. You might even hear the Lord’s call in your own heart. Ultimately, you will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the life-giving vocation of religious Sisters, and their role in our world today. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, were canonically established in 1997 in response to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization. We seek to share God’s message of faith and the joy of religious life with the modern world through various outreaches including education, vocations, and culture. Read more about their charism Beginning with four foundresses, their community has now grown to over 150 Sisters with an average age of 32. Their Motherhouse is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their website can be found at sistersofmary.org

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of Jesus found in John Chapter 6 for the great feast of Corpus Christi. He discusses the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The tragedy becomes when we look upon the Blessed Sacrament has a "something" instead of a "Someone".

What makes me, me—my thoughts, my emotions, my body? How is it all connected? This week, we plumb the depths of the human person with chapter 5 of Robert McTeigue’s Real Philosophy for Real People This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month. You can find the book here A great philosopher once observed, “Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know.” A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can’t not know about reality, humanity and morality. In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth. You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions. But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person. Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.  

Episode 7 – Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – The will to pray.   To listen, to search, to see Him…to become prayer ourselves.  You know are progressing by the fruit of your life.  The parish is the “school of prayer”  and the pastor as a teacher of prayer, the spiritual father.  The disordered demands we may place on the priest.  What is the remedy? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2650and 2651 2650 Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse: in order to pray, one must have the will to pray. Nor is it enough to know what the Scriptures reveal about prayer: one must also learn how to pray. Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within “the believing and praying Church,”1 The Holy Spirit teaches the children of God how to pray. 2651 The tradition of Christian prayer is one of the ways in which the tradition of faith takes shape and grows, especially through the contemplation and study of believers who treasure in their hearts the events and words of the economy of salvation, and through their profound grasp of the spiritual realities they experience.2 Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page Deacon Keating is also the author of: You can find the book here. From the book description: The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.  

What a delight to talk with Bishop Donald Hying, bishop of the diocese of Madison, WI, about his book Love Never Fails: Living the Catholic Faith in Our Daily Lives! The book is steeped in wisdom from the heart of a contemplative bishop who is very much active in everyday life.  He guides us all with his down-to-earth teaching on prayer and helps us to respond to the universal call to holiness.  It is said that you can’t give what you don’t have, and it’s truly evident that Bishop Hying has it … a love that never fails.  We highly recommended this book and that you connect with Bishop Hying on Facebook to catch his daily video reflections! You can find the book here From the book description The spiritual fruit of much pastoral experience, this book addresses both perennial and current issues facing Catholics in the world today. Ranging from the interior life of prayer and devotion to the practicalities of evangelization and virtue, Bishop Hying offers contemporary and practical insights into the depths of the Catholic faith and how to live it with heroism and humility. He gives a particular focus on the person of Jesus Christ–his identity, mission, and presence in our lives. As a pastor of souls a good Bishop must apply theology to the lives of the people he serves. These reflections are born from the heart and mind of a pastor who has served in varied contexts of priestly and episcopal ministry, including suburban, inner city, Hispanic, seminary formation, and missionary settings. In the beauty, challenge, grace, and complexity of interacting with a wide variety of people sincerely striving to be holy, Bishop Hying has learned much about the efficacy of God’s purpose and action in human lives and events. This book seeks to feed the Christian soul, mind, and heart.  

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the first Pentecost and its meaning for us today.  The continuing call to conversion in our lives and the nature of true repentance are topics he explores in this discussion. Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.  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 St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.  

Fate versus destiny, “now” versus the present and other tricky concepts as we unpack chapter 4 of Robert McTeigue’s Real Philosophy for Real People. This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month. You can find the book here A great philosopher once observed, “Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know.” A lot of ink has been spilt in order to obscure what we really can’t not know about reality, humanity and morality. In the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, Fr. Robert McTeigue says it is more important than ever to be equipped with reliable philosophical tools that help us to see clearly the implications of our stated moral claims; that enable us to detect moral and logical error; and that keep us grounded in the love of truth. You will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions. But this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. It is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person. Most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. It offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. It is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.  

Episode 6- Communion with Christ – Practical Prayer – How we receive prayer.   The reception of grace and the great gift of memory. Through prayer, heaven begins. Prayer is a battle…it isn’t easy.  Western culture is a “culture of distraction”.  We need to receive the coming of God when it enlights upon us. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2610and 2611 2610 Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives thanks before receiving his gifts, so he teaches us filial boldness: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will.”66 Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: “all things are possible to him who believes.”67 Jesus is as saddened by the “lack of faith” of his own neighbors and the “little faith” of his own disciples68 as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.69 2611 The prayer of faith consists not only in saying “Lord, Lord,” but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father.70 Jesus calls his disciples to bring into their prayer this concern for cooperating with the divine plan.71 2612 In Jesus “the Kingdom of God is at hand.”72 He calls his hearers to conversion and faith, but also to watchfulness. In prayer the disciple keeps watch, attentive to Him Who Is and Him Who Comes, in memory of his first coming in the lowliness of the flesh, and in the hope of his second coming in glory.73 In communion with their Master, the disciples’ prayer is a battle; only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation.74 Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page Deacon Keating is also the author of: You can find the book here. From the book description: The book addresses their mutual dedication to remain with Christ in prayer even in the service of parishioners. Once prayer finds a place in the heart, compassion grows for those who look for God “like sheep without a shepherd.” Through interior prayerfulness, clerical unity in ministry can be better ensured Remain in Me is for priests and deacons to use as prayer, on retreat, or during the holy seasons of Lent and Advent.