Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary. God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed. Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself. The post “Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you” – St. Anselm from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

 Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena St. John of the Cross you have said: The road and ascent to God, then, necessarily demands a habitual effort to renounce and mortify the appetites; the sooner this mortification is achieved, the sooner the soul reaches the top. But until the appetites are ... Read more The post Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Day Six Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion. Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 - The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Ambrose, the catechumen who became a bishop, in part 1 of a 2-part conversation. The post St. Ambrose of Milan, Part 1 – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 4 - Palliative Care, Hospice, and Pain Control - The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran, M.D. In this thoughtful episode of the Discerning Hearts Podcast, Dr. Stephen Doran joins Kris McGregor to discuss the complex and often emotional journey of end-of-life care. Covering topics from palliative care to the difficult decisions surrounding hospice and pain control, Dr. Doran brings a compassionate perspective to these challenging situations. The conversation delves into the importance of preparing for end-of-life scenarios, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discussion and decision-making well in advance. They discuss the principle of double effect in medical ethics, which allows for actions that have both good and bad effects, as long as the intention is to bring about the good effect. The post FJ4 – Palliative Care, Hospice, and Pain Control – The Final Journey with Dr. Stephen Doran M.D. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe - Day 5 Day Five Virgin gentle in mercy, in Juan Diego’s anxiety, to bring a priest to his dying uncle he failed to keep his appointment with you. Yet, you rewarded his filial love by restoring his uncle to health. Your compassion allowed Juan Diego to fulfill the mission you gave him, returning to the bishop with the proof the bishop sought. Teach us, Mother, to put God’s holy will ahead of all created things, including our loved ones, and help remove the obstacles that prevent us from following God’s will. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 5 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36 The post Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Advent #3 – Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts In this third Advent reflection episode, Dr. Anthony Lilles offers a captivating exploration of St. Nicholas, known to many as Santa Claus. Dr. Lilles delves into the historical and spiritual significance of this beloved figure, ... Read more The post Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot The Three Comings of the Lord We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty. The post “The Three Comings of the Lord” – St. Bernard from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

When there is union of love, the image of the Beloved is so sketched in the will and drawn so vividly, that it is true to say that the Beloved lives in the lover and the lover in the Beloved... The post Day 2 – St. John of the Cross Contemplative Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Day 4 Virgin most wise, you chose a humble farmer to announce your motherly concern to the people of Mexico. Although Juan Diego felt unequal to the mission you gave him, you encouraged him to persevere. Faced with powerful anti-life forces today, we also feel unequal to the mission God has given us of building a culture of life and a civilization of love. Help us to persevere always in this great campaign for life, assured of your help and prayers. Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be … The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 4 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Matthew Chapter 8 versus 5-11 The post Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 13 - In this conversation, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the joy and gratitude of St. Therese and our call to become a saint. Here are some of the various texts Fr. Gallagher refers to in this episode: The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. I: 1877-1890 (Critical edition of the complete works of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux) Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux, Vol. II St. Therese to her sister Celine: "Gratitude is the thing that brings us the most grace. I have learned this from experience. Try it and you will see. I am content with whatever God gives me and I show him this in a thousand different ways" The post LST13 – Joy and Gratitude – The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The very Son of God, older than the ages, the invisible, the incomprehensible, the incorporeal, the beginning of beginning, the light of light, the fountain of life and immortality, the image of the archetype, the immovable seal, the perfect likeness, the definition and word of the Father: he it is who comes to his own image and takes our nature for the good of our nature, and unites himself to an intelligent soul for the good of my soul, to purify like by like. He takes to himself all that is human, except for sin. He was conceived by the Virgin Mary, who had been first prepared in soul and body by the Spirit; his coming to birth had to be treated with honour, virginity had to receive new honour. He comes forth as God, in the human nature he has taken, one being, made of two contrary elements, flesh and spirit. Spirit gave divinity, flesh received it. The post The Wonder of the Incarnation – St Gregory Nazianzen from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 Day Three Mother of God, your ribboned sash identified you as a pregnant woman, a woman who bore the Christ Child to a world in darkness and who through two millennia has borne the light and love of Christ to a world that has largely rejected ... Read more The post Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent - An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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 love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... From the Holy Gospel of Luke Chapter 21 versus 25-28, 34-36 The post Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Advent #2 – Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts In this episode of the Discerning Hearts podcast, Dr. Anthony Lilles focuses once again on the profound insights of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) from his work “Seeking God’s Face.” The episode explores the concept of ... Read more The post Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the life, times and teachings of St. John Damascene pt 2 Born: 676 AD, Damascus, Syria Died: December 4, 749 AD, Mar Saba, Jordan The post DC19 St. John Damascene, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

A pastoral letter by St Charles Borromeo The season of Advent Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery. In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its innermost recesses, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seeds of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of his grace, and to make us children of God and heirs of eternal life.... The post The Season of Advent – St. Charles Borromeo from the Office of Readings appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.