SD Podcast

My thoughts and prayers go out to those in Minneapolis. While we each have our own opinions about what is unfolding there, we should all agree that prayer is needed for everyone involved. Visit the link for sources https://r1217.com/prayer-and-peacemakers-thoughts-on-minneapolis/

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What is expected of a person that decides to be one? This is mentioned by Christ in the Gospel. In a way, this is part of the answer to other things such as the Church speaking to us on how to live.

We are made in God's image and likeness. Since God is completely free, we are made with the ability to be free. Yet this does not mean we are free to do whatever pleases us.

EP 014 - Who Do You Say That I Am? Live Your Answer. by Fr. John Gow

Talk given to my Carmel community, reflecting on things from Scripture on God's love for us.

Traditionally, we look toward more than just the commemoration of the birth of Christ each Christmas. We look towards His next coming. Here are some thoughts before we celebrate His birth.

This is the final talk of the retreat given. This wraps up the theme and reveals where all of us should go with the understanding of having enough light for the way.

This is the third talk of the Night in the Castle retreat. It treats of detachment from all created things and true humility, as Teresa mentioned. In addition to seeing how these help us get disposed for an interior life of prayer, I mention how these also help our friendship with Christ.

This is the second talk of the retreat, 'Night in the Castle,' which focuses on the first of three essentials that Teresa says are necessary for entering prayer, leading into the castle itself.

How often do you pray? When you do, for how long? I have some thoughts as to why I ask these questions.

The opening ceremony of the Olympics in France was offensive and blasphemous. It displayed people who did not choose God but rejected Him. To understand what I'm saying, listen to the first part of this episode on grace. The article I wrote about the evening in more detail and other embedded connections I noticed can be found here: https://sanctusdaily.com/2024/07/olympic-opening-ceremony-revolution-and-a-side-of-blasphemy/

While I don't discuss all the things we can do to face the storms life throws at us, I do offer a reflection on the readings from this past weekend. Job 38 and Mark 4:35-41 Ultimately, we should remember that there are some things we cannot control, like storms, and that we need to turn to Christ for help.

Living for God means living the way He has revealed we should. The command to love God with all things is not somehow separate from being His child; it goes together. And ... today marks 10 years since my first podcast episode, which is currently in the archive.

When the mention of the kingdoms' growth is discussed in Scripture, there is mention of the shade that the birds of the sky come to dwell in. Like us being referred to as sheep, we are referred to as these birds that come to find refuge and protection from the heat of the world. First, what is that shade? Second, what part do we play in bringing others to it?

We say the Amen often when we go to Mass. I offer a reflection on the impact those responses have, what Amen means, and some of the many things we are saying yes to when we make them. Sources referenced: St. John of the Cross. The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross (includes The Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night, The Spiritual Canticle, The Living Flame of Love, Letters, and The Minor Works) [Revised Edition] (pp. 676-677). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition. Hunt for the Fourth Cup https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/hunt-for-the-fourth-cup

Being God’s child is not some far-off thing yet to happen; it has happened. So what has been passed to us from the Apostles since Pentecost, through the multiple saints, through the Church Fathers, through countless Church teachings, and so on, are things explaining and teaching us what being a child of God is and how to live as one.

Here is an audio repeat of my homily for Pentecost, 2024. Have you ever considered that the Pentecost event never really ended? The Spirit is still at work today to help us with the mission and calling we have gotten from God. Listen to hear more on this.

What does holiness look like? Looking at what living the Beatitudes does is a good place to start looking for that answer. This was taken from a talk I gave to the group of Secular Carmelites that I belong to. * Books referenced: Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft, The Church Fathers. The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition, St. John of the Cross. The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross (includes The Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night, The Spiritual Canticle, The Living Flame of Love, Letters, and The Minor Works) [Revised Edition] (pp. 374-375). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

I'm continuing my thoughts on joy, especially the joy that only God can give. Also, what are some things we can do as Catholics to stay connected with Christ in the way He talks of in the Gospel—to abide?

There are many sources of joy that we enjoy. However, the majority of the joy we experience from those things often fades away after a while. Right after Christ explains that we are the branches and He is the vine, He says something about the joy coming from Him to us is given so that our joy can be complete. This reflection is on that joy and what some of it means for us.

Why holiness? Why have an entire podcast focus on the topic? I begin by explaining where I got the idea for it. One thing is what comes from Christ right out of Scripture: to love God with all we have all the time. Listen for more on this greatest of all commandments.

Welcome and welcome back. This is not a joke. I have actually published something. In addition to an introduction, there is a major update on the 'why' of this reset. All the other podcasts have been archived, and in this intro, I explain why. Some things will remain the same, but others are going to be new. Listen if you like to see what I am talking about.