Podcasts about Lectio Divina

Have you ever used the "Ostrich Approach" to a difficult relationship, hid from a hard conversation, and ended up winning 50 different imaginary arguments inside your own head?Welcome back to The Catholic Coaching Podcast! In Episode 301, Matt and Erin are diving deeper into our conflict resolution series. Last week, we introduced the PACE framework (Pause, Assume Goodwill, Clarify, Engage). But the big question is: What actually happens inside that very first step—the Pause? Sometimes we abuse the pause to stew in resentment, or we skip it entirely and react out of unregulated emotion. To fix this, we are introducing a powerful new tool in this episode: The FACE Framework.When anger shows up, it's easy to give it a bad rap. But drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas and Catechism #1767, we unpack how anger is actually a morally neutral, complex passion made of two hidden components: Sorrow and Hope.To process your anger cleanly before reason kicks in, you have to FACE it:F – Find the Sorrow: What is the good thing you love that you perceive is being threatened or harmed?A – Assess the Story: Is your narrative a court-of-law fact, or are you editorializing?C – Challenge the Narrative: What fruits are you getting from this story, and how could the opposite be true?E – Examine the Hope: What do you want your anger to actually accomplish? (Restoring justice vs. seeking punishment).We walk through a highly relatable "Odd Couple" college roommate scenario featuring Brian (a highly ordered Melancholic) and Andy (a carefree Sanguine) to show RAs, ministry leaders, and coaches exactly how to accompany someone through a heated moment without falling into "story fondling."Whether you're dealing with a difficult coworker, a spouse, or navigating campus ministry, learning to purify your anger will completely transform your relationships.Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

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St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) was one of the early Capuchins, the first Capuchin to be named a Doctor of the Church, and the third Franciscan so named, after St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Bonaventure. Just as the Discalced Carmelites were reformers within the Carmelite order, the Capuchins were reformers within the Franciscan order. St. Lawrence was also a popular preacher, a genius scholar, with a command of at least 10 languages, and the leading Catholic apologist of his day. Links Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. Lawrence of Brindisi (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9578&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2658399 Was the Date for Christmas Originally a Pagan Holiday? Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/fzjIsL1FGEc?si=P6Yt8WvH-BEjQ3E0 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/    

Have you ever walked away from a heated argument filled with regret, wishing you had handled things differently? Or maybe you're someone who avoids conflict entirely, hoping it will just magically disappear?Welcome back to The Catholic Coaching Podcast! In this episode, Matt and Erin kick off an intensive series on healthy, holy conflict resolution. They introduce a powerful 4-part framework called PACE:Pause: Regulate yourself spiritually and emotionally before reacting.• Assume Goodwill: Drop the victim mindset and reframe your toxic internal narratives.• Clarify: Separate the raw facts from the stories you tell yourself.• Engage Toward Unity: Move past trying to "win" the argument and instead pursue mutual communion.Pulling wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas and Catechism #1731, they explore how mastering your Internal Locus of Control allows you to claim your personal freedom, set clean boundaries, and see conflict not as a bug in relationships, but as a direct milestone toward Heaven.Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

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In this interview, we hear from Erin Popova who is the Dean of Students of EnterMission. EnterMission is a guided gap year program that seeks to help students navigate life, faith, service, and their future. They partner with domestic and international partners to help their student discover how to live missionally wherever God takes them.

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We will answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 15, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine." Often, we focus primarily on His command to "abide." We rightly understand that this passage holds a profound truth about our need to be rooted in Him as our ultimate source of rest and life. However, we sometimes overlook the fact that this text has just as much to say about what we produce. Because we are rooted in the vine, we inevitably "bear fruit" as we participate in the mission of God all around us.Ultimately, this is a message about rest and work—abiding and going. It challenges us to simultaneously dig deep into the source of life and reach out to offer that life to the world around us.

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Have you ever felt like your fitness goals are walking a tightrope between vanity on one side and neglecting your health on the other?In this episode of The Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt sits down with Chase Crouse, co-founder of HiPurO Fit, to uncover a Theology of the Body-inspired approach to fitness and nutrition. Moving past secular fitness culture's obsession with endless "optimization" and look-at-me aesthetics, Chase re-frames physical discipline through the lens of St. John Paul II: pursuing self-mastery so that we can fully live out our vocations.We discuss:• The origin of HiPurO Fit and why Chase walked away from secular gym sales tactics.• How JP2's "Law of Gift" applies to what we eat and how we train ("You cannot give what you don't have").• Balancing physical sleep and recovery with spiritual devotions (and why you shouldn't try to be a monk if you're in an active vocation!).• The Catholic approach to nutrition: avoiding diet extremes and focusing on human integration.• The hilarious (and inspiring) story of a priest who literally got "too ripped" for his vestments.• The "Mustard Seed" approach to starting your health journey when you're at zero.If you are a parent, professional, or ministry leader struggling to find the energy to serve the people you love, this episode will help you shift from shame to a beautifully ordered view of the body God gave you.Connect with Chase & HiPurO Fit:Website & Free Trial: https://www.hypurofit.org/Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

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Have you ever wondered if prayer is meant to be more than just talking to God?In this episode of the Faithful & True Podcast, Dr. Mark Laaser and Randy Evert explore the practice of praying with Scripture and the powerful role of listening in prayer. Discover how quiet reflection, meditative prayer, and Lectio Divina can help deepen your relationship with God and create space to hear His voice in your recovery journey.#Prayer #FaithAndTrue #SpiritualGrowth #RecoveryJourney #ChristianRecovery #LectioDivina #FaithAndTruePodcast Send us Fan Mail

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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 23 of the podcast!Ro and Rae start today's episode with a little update on life around Shekina Garden in Pai, as well as an invitation to our upcoming pilgrimage in Italy. If you want to skip to the meditation, it starts at 05:20.Today is the last day of Early Bird Registration for this special opportunity coming up soon! We will be guiding our second pilgrimage retreat in Northern Italy, together with La Nuvola, from August 24-30, 2026. This will be five days and six nights together in a mountain retreat, spending time in nature, meditation, creative expression, and community while exploring the ways of Christ together. We hope you join us! You can find out all about it at https://www.shekinacommunity.com/2026-italy-pilgrimage-with-la-nuvola.Today's episode is a lectio divina meditation on Isaiah 40: 3-8 with Neil. Each meditation we offer has three parts.First, Neil will offer some exercises to help you find quiet readiness for meditation.Second, he will guide you through the verses with lots of space for your own contemplation.And third, we encourage you to process your meditation by sharing your experience and thoughts— if you are meditating with others—or journaling or recording your experience in some way if you are meditating on your own. One of the ways we fund our community is through the support we receive on Patreon! If you want to join in, the link is http://patreon.com/shekinameditationpodcast or send a donation through http://shekinacommunity.com/donateWe also share about our grocery and supply deliveries to 19 families in need, here around our valley in Northern Thailand. We are looking for committed support for these monthly deliveries, which total between $400-500 USD per month. You can help out at https://donorbox.org/shekina-garden-social-projects.Follow us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/shekinagardenWe are so thankful for your support,Much love,The Shekina Garden Community

St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) What St. Thomas Aquinas did for philosophy and systematic theology, St. John of the Cross did for mysticism. He brought mystical theology to a plateau, gleaning from the mystics who came before him, and making it accessible to those who want to follow in the contemplative life. Links Check out this Catholic Culture podcast about St. John of the Cross' poetry, including readings of some of his poems in Spanish and English:  https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/166-poetry-st-john-cross-w-carla-galdo/ Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Maestro en la Fe (1990): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5724&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. John of the Cross (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9548&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross: https://www.icspublications.org/collections/homepage/products/the-collected-works-of-st-john-of-the-cross The song "Living Flame" on the album Held by Love by Songs in His Presence: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014C17NW/ SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/  

Why are 85% to 90% of Catholic kids walking away from the Church as adults—and what are the rare 15% of successful families doing differently? In this episode of The Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt sits down with Catholic psychologist, author, and EWTN radio host Dr. Greg Popcak to look at the groundbreaking research surrounding the "Liturgy of Domestic Church Life." If you've ever felt like your parenting is reduced to a "toolbox of manipulation techniques" to force external compliance, this conversation is the breath of fresh air you need. Dr. Greg breaks down how families can transition from behavior-focused parenting to a deeply relational, Trinitarian model that emphasizes warmth, mutual self-giving, and mentorship. We cover:

Pentecost Chapel Service Springfield Regional Medical Center   RICK LEE JAMES MAY 23, 2026 In this Pentecost-themed chapel service from Springfield Regional Medical Center, Chaplain Rick Lee James leads a gentle time of worship, prayer, and sacred listening through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. Reflecting on Acts 2 and the coming of the Holy Spirit, this service invites patients, families, caregivers, and listeners alike to slow down, listen deeply, and consider what word, invitation, or stirring God might be speaking into their lives today. Featuring music including “Fire” and “I Then Shall Live,” this quiet reflection centers on hope, compassion, understanding, and the Spirit's power to bring people together across every difference.   Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.com Email: RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Streaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa Audiobook Out of the Depths: A Songwriter's Journey Through the Psalms (Audible): Audiobook Link Special Offer 10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkout RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted by Rick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast

Most of us were trained to read the Bible the way we were trained to lead — move fast, cover ground, extract what's useful, and get back to work. But what if that approach, by itself, is keeping you from the very transformation you're trying to produce in others?In this episode, I want to share a practice that has shaped my life for almost thirty years. A practice I cannot live without. It's called Lectio Divina — holy reading — and I believe it may be the single most important shift a Christian leader can make in their relationship with Scripture and with God.I'll take you through the history of this practice, the ancient monastic stream of reading that treated the Bible not as a text to be mastered but as a sacrament — a place of encounter with the living God. I'll share the four movements that structure it, and exactly what it looked like in my own devotional life this past week.This isn't theory. I'll be honest with you about the years I spent reading the Bible the way I approached leadership: achieve, produce, get it done. What that approach cost me — in my prayer life, my preaching, my soul — is something I wish someone had told me at 30.Lectio Divina interrupts the cycle of leading from information rather than formation. It doesn't just inform your sermons — it transforms the person preaching them. And it begins with something shockingly simple: slowing down long enough to let the Word read you.Reserve your spot at our upcoming Global Leaders Conference.September 30 – October 1, 202614th St. Salvation Army, NYC(Live Spanish Translation available)Register Now: https://ehd.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3421612Learn more about the EH Global Leader Conference 2026: emotionallyhealthy.org/conference

In this Pentecost-themed chapel service from Springfield Regional Medical Center, Chaplain Rick Lee James leads a gentle time of worship, prayer, and sacred listening through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina. Reflecting on Acts 2 and the coming of the Holy Spirit, this service invites patients, families, caregivers, and listeners alike to slow down, listen deeply, and consider what word, invitation, or stirring God might be speaking into their lives today. Featuring music including “Fire” and “I Then Shall Live,” this quiet reflection centers on hope, compassion, understanding, and the Spirit's power to bring people together across every difference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Hear the words spoken to the disciples be spoken to you today, "Don't Be Afraid." See Jesus all around you with Matthew 17:1-8 and this Lectio Divina practice. For more on the theme Don't Be Afraid, see page 140 of With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson.Send us a text!Support the showIf you enjoy the benefits of Exploring Peace Meditations:Check out Whitney's books: With God in Every Breath, Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit and Fully Human, Fully DivineConnect with others who support the podcast at ExploringPeace.com/community Follow our host @WhitneyRSimpson and @ExploringPeaceMeditations Review the podcast, then share, like & listen! Since you always ask, here are some of Whitney's favorite yoga props. If you shop on Amazon, clicking through to our affiliate shop helps support these meditations. So, thanks!

Hi friends,Welcome to Season 3, Episode 22 of the podcast!Ro and Rae start today's episode with a little update on life around Shekina Garden in Pai, as well as an invitation to our upcoming pilgrimage in Italy. If you want to skip to the meditation, it starts at 05:30.We want tell you about a special opportunity coming up soon! We will be guiding our second pilgrimage retreat in Northern Italy, together with La Nuvola, from August 24-30, 2026. This will be five days and six nights together in a mountain retreat, spending time in nature, meditation, creative expression, and community while exploring the ways of Christ together. We hope you join us! You can find out all about it at https://www.shekinacommunity.com/2026-italy-pilgrimage-with-la-nuvola.Today's episode is a lectio divina meditation on Psalm 19: 1-4, 14 with Ro. This recording comes from a live session of guiding meditation at Shambhala, a music festival in Northern Thailand. You might notice some festival noise in the background!Each meditation we offer has three parts.First, Ro will offer some exercises to help you find quiet readiness for meditation.Second, she will guide you through the verses with lots of space for your own contemplation.And third, we encourage you to process your meditation by sharing your experience and thoughts— if you are meditating with others—or journaling or recording your experience in some way if you are meditating on your own. One of the ways we fund our community is through the support we receive on Patreon! If you want to join in, the link is http://patreon.com/shekinameditationpodcast or send a donation through http://shekinacommunity.com/donateWe also share about our grocery and supply deliveries to 19 families in need, here around our valley in Northern Thailand. We are looking for committed support for these monthly deliveries, which total between $400-500 USD per month. You can help out at https://donorbox.org/shekina-garden-social-projects.Follow us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/shekinagardenWe are so thankful for your support,Much love,The Shekina Garden Community

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a loop—doing the exact things you want to stop doing, and failing to start the habits you actually want to build?In this final episode of our Discernment Series on the Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt and Erin dive into the practical neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and Catholic theology (hello, St. Thomas Aquinas!) behind how to actually change and redirect your desires.Many of us feel stuck with our disordered attachments, but our minds are plastic and designed by God for virtue. Desire itself isn't the enemy; the secret is learning how to starve your lesser desires and intensify your desire for the highest goods.In this episode, Erin puts Matt in the hot seat for a raw, vulnerable live coaching session on overcoming his own desire for the esteem of others, shifting from a "slave mentality" to resting fully in the safety and security of God the Father's house.We break down a practical 6-step protocol to help you:• Identify and detach from disordered desires.• Interrupt the reward cycles and create distance from triggers (like social media or metrics).• Focus attention, build a new identity, and take small actions that rewrite your neural pathways.It's time to stop fighting with willpower alone and start cooperating with God's grace to rewrite your habits from the inside out!Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

This morning, we continue our weekly Lectio Divina prayers, centered around the Holy Spirit and Sunday's Day of Pentecost, and how it calls us and guides us and leads us to where and who God wants us! This 10 minute prayer will hopefully be a reset point in your day and week and give you a chance to reconnect with God!

Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast 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 ... Read more The post Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast 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 ... Read more The post Sunday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

What is striking in these homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian is not severity, though there is severity in them. Nor is it simply the exalted vision of hesychasm as the path of stillness and inner watchfulness. What pierces the heart most deeply is the tenderness hidden beneath the fierceness. Isaac speaks as one who knows the fragility of the human soul. He knows darkness. He knows instability. He knows how often the mind wanders, how quickly fervor cools, how easily discouragement enters the heart. And yet he never ceases to hold before us hope. For Isaac, the spiritual life unfolds gradually. There is the beginner, whose heart is still deeply entangled in the passions. There is the intermediate soul, divided between light and darkness, grace and temptation, longing and exhaustion. Then there is the perfect, whose heart has become transparent to God. But Isaac does not present these stages in order to discourage us. He presents them to free us from illusion. Most Christians imagine holiness as a sudden transformation. Isaac does not. He sees the greater part of human life as lived in the middle country — between bondage and freedom, between Egypt and the Promised Land. The soul experiences moments of illumination, yet also long stretches of obscurity. Thoughts from the “right hand” and the “left” move within us at once. We desire God sincerely, and yet remain painfully fragmented. This honesty is itself merciful. The great temptation in the spiritual life is despair over our instability. We imagine that because we have not become saints quickly, we are failures. But Isaac says something astonishing: even the one who dies still hoping for holiness, still longing for God, still searching from afar for the Kingdom he has never fully seen, may inherit with the righteous. This changes everything. The Christian life is not built upon spiritual achievement but upon fidelity of desire. Isaac does not glorify failure or excuse negligence. He calls for vigilance, prayer, reading of the Scriptures and the Fathers, watchfulness over thoughts, and perseverance in stillness. Hesychasm is not passivity. It is fierce labor. It is the continual turning of the heart toward God. Yet beneath all of this effort stands something greater: the mercy of God who sees the hidden inclination of the soul. A man may never attain great visions. He may never know deep spiritual consolation. He may die with weakness still within him. But if his heart remained turned toward God, if he struggled to guard the flame, if he hoped from afar and refused to surrender himself to cynicism or despair, Isaac dares to say that such a soul belongs among the righteous. This is profoundly important for our age. Many Christians today live with inward exhaustion. The noise of the modern world scatters the mind. Images flood the imagination. Anxiety fragments attention. Prayer often feels dry and impossible. And because people do not experience immediate spiritual transformation, they quietly abandon the inner life altogether. They assume contemplation belongs only to monks, or to the spiritually gifted. But Isaac refuses this conclusion. Hesychasm is not merely a monastic technique. It is the vocation of the baptized heart. Every Christian is called to interior stillness, to remembrance of God, to watchfulness over thoughts, to the guarding of the heart, to prayer within the depths of the soul. The outer form may differ according to one's state of life, but the call itself is universal. The command of Christ — “abide in Me” — is the foundation of hesychasm. Isaac especially insists that the soul must not surrender during periods of darkness. There are moments when grace seems hidden, when prayer becomes heavy, when the mind feels clouded and the heart cold. The inexperienced soul believes something has gone wrong. Isaac says otherwise. Darkness is part of the journey. And what is his counsel? Read the Scriptures. Read the Fathers. Continue praying even without consolation. Refuse despondency. Wait patiently for help from God. This is deeply beautiful because Isaac understands that grace often returns quietly and unexpectedly. Like sunlight emerging through clouds, prayer slowly scatters the passions and restores clarity to the soul. Not through violence. Not through self-hatred. But through patient endurance beneath the mercy of God. Again and again Isaac returns to humility. Mysteries are revealed to the humble because humility alone can endure reality. The proud demand experiences, certainty, attainment, visible success. The humble man simply remains before God. He knows his poverty. He knows he cannot save himself. And because he no longer trusts in himself, he begins at last to trust in divine mercy. In this sense, these homilies are not ultimately about technique, but about hope. The one who remains turned toward God, even in weakness, even amid confusion, even without having “seen the land from close at hand,” has already begun to live the hidden life of the Kingdom. And perhaps this is the deepest word Isaac offers us: God does not despise the soul that longs for Him from afar. Even longing itself can become prayer. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:07 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/post/nazareth-and-the-hidden-life 00:01:15 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 198 00:01:33 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 198 Homily 12 00:09:25 susan: did we finish homily 11? 00:16:48 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 198 Homily 12 00:31:13 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 199 paragraph 3 00:36:24 Wayne: again need to leave early today.. 00:42:44 Larry Ruggiero: Stay on the course of love for God. Continue 00:43:20 Larry Ruggiero: Continue to surrending all I am to God 00:50:30 Jessica McHale: When it comes to Scripture, I often feel pulled in two directions: I want to engage in Lectio Divina for spiritual formation, but I also have a strong desire for deep intellectual study, not "hearing" His Word" necesarily, at that time. 00:58:24 David Swiderski, WI: There is a wonderful series Ancient Christian Commentary of the Scripture which has really slowed down my reading and lots of commentaries from the early fathers which is helpful. Some passages seem to be a prism of meaning after reading the insights from the fathers. 01:07:34 Joan Chakonas: I highly recommend  St Cyril of Alexandria's Commentary on the gospel of Luke. 01:12:49 Erick Chastain: I saw a recent talk on Cassian's influence on st Thomas aquinas 01:13:59 Janine: Yes 01:14:03 Erick Chastain: heard of fr faber 01:15:26 Aaron: Thank you Father! :) 01:15:49 Joan Chakonas: How is it 8:30 already?????!!!! 01:16:08 David Swiderski, WI: Thank you Father may God bless you, your Mother and this group. 01:16:09 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! 01:16:10 Jessica McHale: So much gratitude! Praying for you!!!! 01:16:12 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:16:22 iPhone (2): Outstanding 01:16:28 iPhone (2): Thank you.

In this video Pastor Kaleb explains an ancient practice called Lectio Divina. Reading scripture slowly, prayerfully, and intentionally.

St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591) Arguably the most famous of the mystics, St. John of the Cross is well known for the concept of the "dark night of the soul." He was the "first friar" of the Discalced Carmelites, co-founder of the reform movement with St. Teresa of Avila, and one of the greatest Spanish poets of all time. Links Check out this Catholic Culture podcast about St. John of the Cross' poetry, including readings of some of his poems in Spanish and English:  https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/166-poetry-st-john-cross-w-carla-galdo/ Pope St. John Paul II Apostolic Letter, Maestro en la Fe (1990): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5724&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 Pope Benedict XVI General Address on St. John of the Cross (2011): https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9548&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2644080 The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross: https://www.icspublications.org/collections/homepage/products/the-collected-works-of-st-john-of-the-cross SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/    

How do you know if a desire is really from God?In this episode of the Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt and Erin continue their discernment series by diving into one of the most important spiritual questions: how to discern your desires.After exploring the idea that desires themselves are not bad, this episode walks through practical ways to evaluate where your desires are coming from, what emotional tone is fueling them, and whether they are leading you toward greater freedom and relationship with God.In this episode, we discuss:• How to discern whether a desire is from God• The difference between holy longing and desperation• Peaceful clarity vs anxious urgency• Ordered zeal vs chaotic striving• Why unexplored desires become dangerous• How attachment distorts discernment• The emotional “tone” behind desires• Why God is not afraid of what you want• How desires reveal deeper needs and longings• The importance of surrender in discernment• How to uncover the core desire beneath surface desiresJesus asks, “What do you seek?”That question is not meant to shame us. It is an invitation into relationship.Many of us either suppress our desires or chase them impulsively. But true discernment means bringing those desires honestly before the Lord and allowing Him to reveal what is underneath them.If you've ever struggled with confusion, emotional urgency, fear, attachment, or wondering whether your desires can be trusted, this episode will give you practical tools for discernment and deeper prayer.Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

We're joined by Dr. Cindy Ryals, superintendent of Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools. Deacon Ricky Suprean, deacon at St. John of the Cross in Lacombe, La talks about the Holy Spirit Novena. Jason Gale is the vice president of content and production for TAN Books, talks about the book Lectio Divina with the Spiritual Masters: The Book of Daniel with St. Jerome.

Can you actually change your desires?In this episode of the Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt and Erin continue their discernment series by exploring the role of desire in the spiritual life.Many Catholics feel suspicious of desire, as if wanting something automatically means it is selfish, disordered, or opposed to God's will. But desire itself is not the enemy. Unexplored desire is often what keeps us stuck.In this episode, we discuss:* What desire actually is* Why desire is morally neutral* The difference between ordered and disordered desires* Why God is not afraid of what you want* How unexplored desires can lead us away from God* Why your desires are not fixed forever* How neuroplasticity helps explain changing desire* How attention, habit, identity, and contemplation shape what we want* Why bringing desire to the Lord can lead to freedomJesus asks, “What do you seek?” That question is not meant to shame us. It is an invitation into deeper relationship, purification, and freedom.If you feel stuck, unmotivated, ashamed of what you want, or unsure how your desires fit into God's will, this episode will help you begin bringing those desires into prayer.Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We will answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 8, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world." Interestingly, this is the only "I AM" statement he also attributes to his followers (Matt. 5:14). We are called to be the light of the world as we walk alongside the ultimate Light.The interactions surrounding this claim demonstrate that light reveals what is hidden—not to destroy, but to restore; not to shame, but to heal. We can only effectively fulfill our calling to be "light" if we first step into that light ourselves, experiencing the full weight of Jesus' love and grace.

Don't be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.- John 14:1-14This Lectio Divina on John 14:1–14 is a gentle, guided prayer practice that invites you to slow down, breathe, and spend a few quiet moments with God.Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice of praying with scripture—listening, reflecting, and resting in God's presence. In this episode, we'll move through John 14 together, creating space to notice what God might be stirring in you.You don't need any prior experience with Lectio Divina or meditation—just a willingness to pause and listen for God's love within and around you.This episode is part of our ongoing Lectio Divina podcast series, offering guided Christian meditation and scripture reflection. Episodes air every other Thursday.Connect with us:Website: moveyourfaith.org Subscribe to our weekly devotional: Embody FaithInstagram: @faithinmotion.pod and @pastorkelseybSupport our ministry: moveyourfaith.org/give 

Our culture constantly pushes us to do more and try harder. Jesus offers a different invitation: remain. This guided Lectio Divina centers on John 15:1–4 and invites you into a quiet, reflective space to experience the depth of the invitation to remain.Through four movements—listen, reflect, respond, and rest—you'll engage the imagery of the vine and branches, noticing what word or phrase draws your attention. With slow readings, gentle prompts, and intentional silence, this practice helps shift your focus from striving to abiding.As you sit with this passage, you'll be reminded that fruitfulness is not something we force—it flows naturally from staying connected to Christ. Whether you feel weary, distracted, or simply in need of stillness, this guided time offers a meaningful way to reconnect, receive, and rest in the life-giving presence of Jesus. Find a quiet place to listen.Narrator: Eric DorseyTake your next step at communitychristian.org.As we move toward the IGNITE Gathering, find more resources, gathering times, and ways to engage here.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast 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 ... Read more The post Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

How do you know if something you receive in prayer is actually from God?In this episode of the Catholic Coaching Podcast, Matt and Erin continue their discernment series by walking through how to test spiritual promptings, private revelations, interior movements, and words received in prayer.Building on the previous episode about prayer language, they explain how to bring what you receive back into dialogue with God, ask for interpretation, test the spirit, and look at the fruits over time.In this episode, we discuss:• How to discern God's voice from your own thoughts• Why St. Paul tells us to “test every spirit”• How to avoid acting too quickly on strong spiritual experiences• The importance of tone, freedom, humility, and fruit• How to ask God for interpretation and application• Why good counsel matters in discernment• How to know whether a prompting leads to peace, charity, clarity, and deeper communion with GodIf you've ever wondered, “Is this God, me, or the enemy?” this episode will give you practical tools for discerning what you hear in prayer.Send us Fan MailSupport the show____________________► Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the Metanoia Catholic YouTube Channel!► Discover How God Is Speaking to You In Prayer► Find out your temperament: Take the Free Quiz► Get the Conversation Starter Guide (FREE) ► Take the Quiz: WHAT TYPE OF COACH ARE YOU?► GET THE DAILY SEVEN JOURNAL!This interactive journal will help you transform your life from the inside out by teaching you how to grow in gratitude, set healthy goals, and gain mastery over your thoughts.► JOIN THE ACADEMY!Your online resource of classes, tools, and community to ramp up your growth and really change your life. Learn from the Metanoia Catholic coaches in webinars, live coaching calls, Lectio Divina, and more with your monthly membership.____________________► SUB...

In the middle of busy, demanding days, it's easy to try to force growth in our own strength. This guided Lectio Divina invites you to slow down and rediscover a different way—the way of the Spirit. Centered on Galatians 5:22–23, this contemplative experience gently leads you through the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Through four movements—listen, reflect, respond, and rest—you'll engage Scripture not as something to master, but as a space to encounter God. With soft guidance and unhurried silence, you'll be invited to notice what word or phrase draws your attention and how the Spirit may be forming something new within you.This practice reminds us that spiritual fruit is not something we produce—it is something God grows in us as we remain open, present, and connected to Him. Find a quiet place to listen.Narrator: Sharie BehnkeTake your next step at communitychristian.org.As we move toward the IGNITE Gathering, find more resources, gathering times, and ways to engage here.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast 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 ... Read more The post Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In a world that often equates God's presence with the loud and dramatic, this guided Lectio Divina invites you to encounter Him in a different way—in the quiet whisper. Centered on 1 Kings 19:11–13, this contemplative practice walks you through an ancient rhythm of sacred reading designed to help you slow down, listen deeply, and rest in God's presence.Through four intentional movements—listen, reflect, respond, and rest—you'll hear the story of Elijah meeting God not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in stillness. With gentle guidance, spacious silence, and soft ambient music, this experience creates room for personal awareness and spiritual connection.Whether you're new to Lectio Divina or returning to a familiar practice, this guided time offers a meaningful way to quiet the noise, hear God's voice, and carry His whisper with you into your day. Find a quiet place to listen.Narrator: Eric DorseyTake your next step at communitychristian.org.As we move toward the IGNITE Gathering, find more resources, gathering times, and ways to engage here.

In this Scripture meditation on John 15:1–5 and 9–17, you’re invited to slow down and reflect on what it truly means to live a fruitful life. We often measure fruitfulness by productivity—what we accomplish, how much we produce, or how many people we reach. But in this passage, Jesus gently redefines fruitfulness. He invites us not to strive, but to abide. Not to measure, but to remain. Through the practice of Lectio Divina, this meditation creates space to listen for God’s voice and consider where He may be inviting you to let go, trust Him more deeply, and receive His definition of a fruitful life. This meditation is especially personal for me. As I’ve spent time with this passage, God has been reshaping my understanding of fruitfulness—leading me into a season of letting go and choosing to abide in Him above all else. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough… or if your life is truly bearing fruit… this meditation is an invitation to release those questions and return to the simple, steady call of Jesus: Remain in me.

St. Peter Canisius (1521 - 1597) This restorer of the Catholic faith among the Germans and Swiss was responsible for standardizing the current form of the Hail Mary prayer. A champion of Catholic education, especially seminaries, he is an example for all teachers and apologists to follow. Links The book, A Small Catechism for Catholics, by St. Peter Canisius, S.J., English translation by Ryan Grant: https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-small-catechism-for-catholics/ The Large Catechism on Google Books: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Catechism_of_St_Peter_Canisius/yTdZDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 To find out more about St. Peter Canisius: A Champion of the Church: The Life of St. Peter Canisius - https://mediatrixpress.com/product/a-champion-of-the-church-the-life-of-st-peter-canisius/ Read the General Audience Address of Pope Benedict XVI (Feb. 9, 2011) dedicated to St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=9550&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Read the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Militantis Ecclesiae (1897) on St. Peter Canisius: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4886&repos=1&subrepos=0&searchid=2626034 Get the current Catechism of the Catholic Church: https://catholicbooksdirect.com/products/catechism-of-the-catholic-church-complete-and-updated SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's Newsletter:  https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters/ DONATE at:  http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio Dr. Papandrea's Homepage:  https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ Dr. Papandrea's latest book - Praying the Wisdom: Inspired Prayers for Lectio Divina and Contemplative Prayer: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/praying-the-wisdom/ Dr. Papandrea's YouTube channel, The Original Church: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalChurch Theme Music: Gaudeamus (Introit for the Feast of All Saints), sung by Jeff Ostrowski. Courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed:  https://www.ccwatershed.org/  

Have you ever felt like God speaks to everyone… except you?In this episode of the Catholic Coaching Podcast, we break down how to actually hear God's voice in prayer — in a way that's simple, practical, and grounded in Catholic teaching.This is Part 1 of our series on discernment:

In this Scripture meditation on Psalm 37:1–7, you’re invited to slow down and reflect on what it means to trust God when life feels unfair. When others seem to prosper through wrongdoing… when injustice touches your life or the world around you… it’s easy to feel anxious, frustrated, or even envious. But Psalm 37 gently redirects our hearts—away from fretting and toward trust, surrender, and patient waiting on God. Using the practice of Lectio Divina, this meditation creates space to pause, listen, and rest in the truth that God sees, God knows, and God is at work—even when His timing feels slow. This passage has been deeply personal for me. In a season when life felt unjust, God repeatedly brought me back to these words—inviting me to trust Him, to rest in Him, and to wait for Him to move in His way and in His time. If you’re walking through something that feels unfair or unresolved, this meditation is an invitation to release what you’re carrying and place it back into God’s hands.

A Lectio Divina meditation with repetition of scripture from John 13:34-35.  After each repetitation of this passage, there are periods of meditation, prayer and contemplation, drawing the listener ever deeper into an understanding of the scripture passage, as well as a close, loving conversation with God.  "A new commandment I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so must you love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

This is the second session which focuses on Thérèse of Lisieux. In the tenor of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, James Finley reads passages from the John Clarke translation of Thérèse's Story of a Soul, reflects on core themes, and finishes with a meditative practice. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. The books we will be using this season are: Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Third Edition, translated by John Clarke, which can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. ⁠⁠St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series), edited by Mary Frolich⁠⁠ Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcasts@cac.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send us a voicemail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠cac.org/voicemail⁠⁠⁠⁠ We'll be accepting questions for our Listener Questions episode until May 15, 2026. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you!