Podcasts about Lent

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7    "We must remember that the phenomenon of internal discipline is something which. Must be achieved, not something pre-existent. Our function is that of guides upon the road of discipline.” - Maria Montessori, The Call of Education    Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!    Podcasts by Series  Level One Book Study  Level Two Book Study    Sister Maria Teresita joins us again on the podcast to explore the development of the will in children and how we can aid and hinder this development. She also speaks to us about what Montessori called the levels of Obedience.  Sister Maria Teresita is a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia. She currently serves as an upper-elementary guide at St. Philip Learning Center, a Catholic Montessori homeschool enrichment program in Franklin, TN, a catechist for Levels 2 and 3 in a parish setting, and a formation leader for CGS Levels 1 and 2. Sister holds an AMI diploma at the Elementary level, a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Aquinas College, Nashville), and a M.A. in Montessori Education (Loyola University, Maryland). She has enjoyed nearly 20 years serving children as a classroom teacher in both conventional and Montessori settings and 14 years as a catechist of the Good Shepherd in all three atria levels. Sister began her Montessori journey as a child in a Montessori school where she developed a deep love for learning. She is a convert to the Catholic faith and delights in every opportunity to “listen to God with children.”    CGSUSA Store    Spontaneous Activity in Education by Maria Montessori  The Four Planes of Development Booklet      Episodes to help you further explore Freedom and Discipline:  Episode 30 – Freedom and Discipline with Claire Paglia  Episode 133 – Freedom and Responsibility with Sr Mary Teresita  Episode 134 – Freedom and Responsibility for the First Plane Child  Episode 135 – Freedom and Responsibility for the Second Plane Child  Episode 139 – What to Try When it Seems to be Failing? With Cathy Johanni  Episode 141 – Normalization with Claire Paglia and Sr Maria Teresita  Episode 142 – Adults as Potential Obstacles in Development with Pilar Bewley        The Prepared Environment: Making Materials  with Don Martin (The Catechist's Husband) and Lynda Catalano  Tuesday, August 26, 2025  7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT  Join Don Martin, CGSUSA Vendor, The Catechist's Husband, and Lynda Catalano, CGSUSA Formation Leader, who will share her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. Don and Lynda's sessions will be followed by time for questions. All those present will be registered for a drawing for an atrium material from the Catechist's Husband.    Mark your calendars for this SPECIAL EVENT.  Registration information will come in July.  This is a free Zoom Session    BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month:  Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website.  Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website.  Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts.  Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points.  Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent.  Catechist Prayers and prayer services  and so much more!  Click Here to create your Organizational Membership!      AUDIOBOOK:    Audiobook – Now Available on Audible  CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz!  The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child's spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook.    Find out more about CGS:       Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd     Follow us on Social Media-  Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”  Instagram-  cgsusa  Twitter- @cgsusa  Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA  YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

It's natural for children to ask their parents “why"...

Terör örgütü PKK'nın askeri olarak başarısız olduğunu kaydeden ABD'li emekli diplomat Jeffrey PKK/YPG uzantılı SDG'nin Suriye yönetimi ile entegrasyon planı dışına çıkması halinde ABD'nin desteğini kaybedeceğine işaret ederek, “SDG, bu konunun herkes için barışçıl bir şekilde çözülmemesi halinde çok güçlü bir Türk ordusu ile yüzleşmek zorunda olacağını biliyor” dedi. Ahmed Şara liderliğindeki Şam yönetiminin “14 yıldır İranlılarla savaşmış, İran varlığına kökten karşı bir yönetim” olduğunu hatırlatan ABD'nin eski Suriye özel temsilcisi emekli büyükelçi James Jeffrey, İsrail›in sert askeri müdahalelerinin yeni Suriye yönetiminin bütünlüğünü tehdit ettiğini, bu durumun İsrail›in de çıkarlarına zarar verdiğini savundu. AA muhabirine Washington'da özel bir röportaj veren Jeffrey, Tel Aviv'in son 20 yıldır kendi güvenliği için Lübnan'da Hizbullah'a ve İran'a karşı takındığı tavrı anlamakla birlikte, son bir haftadır İsrail ordusunun merkezi Suriye yönetimine bağlı güçleri hedef almasının İsrail›in de çıkarlarına ters düştüğünü söyledi.

Why would they even need my prayers?...

Isaiah 45:1–13 (Listen) Cyrus, God's Instrument 45:1   Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,    whose right hand I have grasped,  to subdue nations before him    and to loose the belts of kings,  to open doors before him    that gates may not be closed:2   “I will go before you    and level the exalted places,1  I will break in pieces the doors of bronze    and cut through the bars of iron,3   I will give you the treasures of darkness    and the hoards in secret places,  that you may know that it is I, the LORD,    the God of Israel, who call you by your name.4   For the sake of my servant Jacob,    and Israel my chosen,  I call you by your name,    I name you, though you do not know me.5   I am the LORD, and there is no other,    besides me there is no God;    I equip you, though you do not know me,6   that people may know, from the rising of the sun    and from the west, that there is none besides me;    I am the LORD, and there is no other.7   I form light and create darkness;    I make well-being and create calamity;    I am the LORD, who does all these things. 8   “Shower, O heavens, from above,    and let the clouds rain down righteousness;  let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;    let the earth cause them both to sprout;    I the LORD have created it. 9   “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,    a pot among earthen pots!  Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?'    or ‘Your work has no handles'?10   Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?'    or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?'” 11   Thus says the LORD,    the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him:  “Ask me of things to come;    will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?212   I made the earth    and created man on it;  it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,    and I commanded all their host.13   I have stirred him up in righteousness,    and I will make all his ways level;  he shall build my city    and set my exiles free,  not for price or reward,”    says the LORD of hosts. Footnotes [1] 45:2 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint level the mountains

"Be nice to everyone." Everyone?...

Ankara'da evinin önünde düzenlenen suikast sonucu 18 Aralık 2002'de yaşamını yitiren akademisyen Necip Hablemitoğlu'nun ölümüne ilişkin soruşturma 20 yılını tamamlayıp zaman aşımına az bir süre kala gerçek faillerin tespit edilip derdest edilmeleriyle tamamlandı. Üzerinden yıllar geçmesine rağmen faili meçhul kalan Hablemitoğlu dosyası, 15 Temmuz 2016'daki darbe girişiminden kısa süre önce yeniden raftan indirildi. Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı, FETÖ'nün darbe girişiminden bir gün önce, 14 Temmuz 2016'da tamamladığı iddianamesinde, Hablemitoğlu suikastına da yer verdi.

God wants to hear your prayers...

durée : 01:24:02 - Les Nuits de France Culture - par : Mathias Le Gargasson - Légalisée en France en 1967, la pilule a rattrapé les diverses générations de femmes à des étapes différentes de leur histoire. Quatre générations témoignent ici de ce que la pilule a représenté dans leur parcours, de symbole de liberté à sa banalisation avant la généralisation des préservatifs. - réalisation : Emily Vallat

Our relationship with Jesus is most important...

You can rest in what Jesus has done for you...

We welcome Monsignor Charles Pope to talk about his new book, The Hell There Is. The dogma of Hell is intrinsically tied to the dignity of the human person, and to the importance of the decisions that we make. Monsignor Pope implores us to take Hell seriously, and to do the same with our worship and our practice of the Faith. Show Notes The Hell There Is: An Exploration of an Often-Rejected Doctrine of the Church Want a better Lent? Go to Hell! The justice and yes, the mercy of Hell iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald of the Gospel Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

Jesus said there are few things that we need...

Keith Nester is a former Protestant pastor who spent over 20 years in ministry before becoming Catholic in 2017. Now a full-time evangelist, author, and speaker, he helps others navigate the convert's journey through his book The Convert's Guide to Roman Catholicism and his YouTube channel and podcast Catholic Feedback. Keith leads Down to Earth Ministries and brings a bold, relatable voice to the faith—all from his home base in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Jesus has proven that you and your salvation are his greatest priority...

"Twenty percent of the people do eighty percent of the work"...

Ce mardi 22 juillet, le peloton s'attaque au terrible mont Ventoux. Une ascension redoutée, symbole de la part de risque et de dépassement dans le cyclisme. En 1967, Tom Simpson y avait trouvé la mort… un rappel brutal que ce sport peut parfois coûter la vie. Mention légales : Vos données de connexion, dont votre adresse IP, sont traités par Radio Classique, responsable de traitement, sur la base de son intérêt légitime, par l'intermédiaire de son sous-traitant Ausha, à des fins de réalisation de statistiques agréées et de lutte contre la fraude. Ces données sont supprimées en temps réel pour la finalité statistique et sous cinq mois à compter de la collecte à des fins de lutte contre la fraude. Pour plus d'informations sur les traitements réalisés par Radio Classique et exercer vos droits, consultez notre Politique de confidentialité.Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

(2:52) Bible Study: Exodus 14:5-18 Freedom is scary but God stretches us in our freedom Matthew 12:38-42 Why is it important that Jesus was dead for three days? (19:00) Break 1 (24:52) Letters: Why did Jesus wait till the end to offer the final chalice? Can you obtain a dispensation from a priest for going on vacation? Father answers these and other questions, send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (35:26) Break 2 (36:11) Word of the Day Lyrics to El Shaddai (40:08) Phones: Jamie - Question about a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic... will it be valid, should we attend the wedding? Sue – Regarding Lent: why do we observe the 40 days of Lent before Easter? Trisha - Book of Exodus in chapter 13, who are all these people?

Isaiah 42:18–43:5 (Listen) Israel's Failure to Hear and See 18   Hear, you deaf,    and look, you blind, that you may see!19   Who is blind but my servant,    or deaf as my messenger whom I send?  Who is blind as my dedicated one,1    or blind as the servant of the LORD?20   He sees many things, but does not observe them;    his ears are open, but he does not hear.21   The LORD was pleased, for his righteousness' sake,    to magnify his law and make it glorious.22   But this is a people plundered and looted;    they are all of them trapped in holes    and hidden in prisons;  they have become plunder with none to rescue,    spoil with none to say, “Restore!”23   Who among you will give ear to this,    will attend and listen for the time to come?24   Who gave up Jacob to the looter,    and Israel to the plunderers?  Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned,    in whose ways they would not walk,    and whose law they would not obey?25   So he poured on him the heat of his anger    and the might of battle;  it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand;    it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart. Israel's Only Savior 43:1   But now thus says the LORD,  he who created you, O Jacob,    he who formed you, O Israel:  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;    I have called you by name, you are mine.2   When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,    and the flame shall not consume you.3   For I am the LORD your God,    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  I give Egypt as your ransom,    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.4   Because you are precious in my eyes,    and honored, and I love you,  I give men in return for you,    peoples in exchange for your life.5   Fear not, for I am with you;    I will bring your offspring from the east,    and from the west I will gather you. Footnotes [1] 42:19 Or as the one at peace with me (ESV)

Modern life pulls us in a hundred directions...

Now, nothing, not even death, can steal our bright future...

Fill your days with the fuel of the Spirit ...

But Jesus came to set us free...

Something I try to instill in my children is a good work ethic...

Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., is the President of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC) at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He is an Ordinary Member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas, and holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, a Ph.L. from the School of Philosophy of The Catholic University of America, and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He entered the Order of Preachers in 2001, after having practiced constitutional law for several years as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. He has also taught at The Catholic University of America Law School and at Providence College. He is the author of The Trinitarian Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas (Oxford University Press, 2017).

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7    “The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will, and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit. An art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind    Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!    Podcasts by Series  Level One Book Study  Level Two Book Study    Claire Paglia and Cathy Johanni join us to discuss four tools that can be used in your atrium and in your home: modeling, scaffolding, isolation of difficulty and purposeful work.   Claire Paglia is a child of the atrium. As an adult, she is an AMI-trained guide who has been in the primary environment for 12 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education with a concentration in Montessori from Loyola University, Maryland. She worked for a year as a course assistant for the primary training center. In 2012, she received her Level I formation and has been a catechist at her church in varying capacities since then. She enjoys spending time with her family and particularly enjoys preparing Montessori-friendly spaces at home for her three children. @_athomewithmontessori_    Cathy Johanni lives in Columbus, Ohio where she has enjoyed accompanying children on their spiritual journeys for more than two decades. She is recognized as a formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at levels I, II, and III.  She has been involved in Montessori education for a decade, working with children ages 5-14.   A member of the editorial committee for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Annual Journal. Cathy has authored articles and contributed to The Roman Missal Third Edition and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Changes to Materials . She holds a Bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from Princeton University, a Master's degree from The Ohio State University and Montessori Elementary certificates. Married for 31 years, she is the mother of five.    CGSUSA Store    Five Reasons to Stop Saying “Good Job” by Alfie Kohn    Episodes to help you further explore Freedom and Discipline:  Episode 30 – Freedom and Discipline with Claire Paglia  Episode 133 – Freedom and Responsibility with Sr Mary Teresita  Episode 134 – Freedom and Responsibility for the First Plane Child  Episode 135 – Freedom and Responsibility for the Second Plane Child  Episode 139 – What to Try When it Seems to be Failing? With Cathy Johanni  Episode 141 – Normalization with Claire Paglia and Sr Maria Teresita  Episode 142 – Adults as Potential Obstacles in Development with Pilar Bewley        The Prepared Environment: Making Materials  with Don Martin (The Catechist's Husband) and Lynda Catalano  Tuesday, August 26, 2025  7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT  Join Don Martin, CGSUSA Vendor, The Catechist's Husband, and Lynda Catalano, CGSUSA Formation Leader, who will share her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. Don and Lynda's sessions will be followed by time for questions. All those present will be registered for a drawing for an atrium material from the Catechist's Husband.    Mark your calendars for this SPECIAL EVENT.  Registration information will come in July.  This is a free Zoom Session    BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month:  Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website.  Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website.  Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts.  Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points.  Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent.  Catechist Prayers and prayer services  and so much more!  Click Here to create your Organizational Membership!      AUDIOBOOK:    Audiobook – Now Available on Audible  CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz!  The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child's spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook.    Find out more about CGS:       Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd     Follow us on Social Media-  Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”  Instagram-  cgsusa  Twitter- @cgsusa  Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA  YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

Jesus showed that kind of love for us...

What's your favorite summer fruit...

For our final Talkback of the summer on July 9, we were excited to focus on a theology of worship and stewardship. Our lives are marked by the things we worship – for better or worse. One way we can assess whether we're rightly ordering our Christian life is by looking at how we steward our time, talents, and resources. For this gathering, we had a chance to hear from elders, pastors, and lay members about what it means to keep Christ at the center of it all. ABOUT TALKBACKSOur Talkbacks are great opportunities to see how our faith engages with the world around us. This summer, we're excited to have four evenings that discuss how the gospel changes how we think about race, politics, the world, and our stories.Each Talkback, we get a chance to hear from a speaker for about 45 minutes before spending about 45 minutes in a Q&A. We encourage you to come with questions! MORE INFOFor more info, visit rccbirmingham.com/talkbacks

Ruth's faithful love reflected God's faithful love...

Isaiah 42:5–17 (Listen) 5   Thus says God, the LORD,    who created the heavens and stretched them out,    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,  who gives breath to the people on it    and spirit to those who walk in it:6   “I am the LORD; I have called you1 in righteousness;    I will take you by the hand and keep you;  I will give you as a covenant for the people,    a light for the nations,7     to open the eyes that are blind,  to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,    from the prison those who sit in darkness.8   I am the LORD; that is my name;    my glory I give to no other,    nor my praise to carved idols.9   Behold, the former things have come to pass,    and new things I now declare;  before they spring forth    I tell you of them.” Sing to the Lord a New Song 10   Sing to the LORD a new song,    his praise from the end of the earth,  you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,    the coastlands and their inhabitants.11   Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,    the villages that Kedar inhabits;  let the habitants of Sela sing for joy,    let them shout from the top of the mountains.12   Let them give glory to the LORD,    and declare his praise in the coastlands.13   The LORD goes out like a mighty man,    like a man of war he stirs up his zeal;  he cries out, he shouts aloud,    he shows himself mighty against his foes. 14   For a long time I have held my peace;    I have kept still and restrained myself;  now I will cry out like a woman in labor;    I will gasp and pant.15   I will lay waste mountains and hills,    and dry up all their vegetation;  I will turn the rivers into islands,2    and dry up the pools.16   And I will lead the blind    in a way that they do not know,  in paths that they have not known    I will guide them.  I will turn the darkness before them into light,    the rough places into level ground.  These are the things I do,    and I do not forsake them.17   They are turned back and utterly put to shame,    who trust in carved idols,  who say to metal images,    “You are our gods.” Footnotes [1] 42:6 The Hebrew for you is singular; four times in this verse [2] 42:15 Or

Are you feeling free today?...

Celebrate your freedom as you live for Christ...

What kind of sheep are you?...

Babies need to learn to eat food with unfamiliar tastes...

Rod Dreher is a bestselling author and cultural critic known for his incisive commentary on faith, politics, and modern society. His landmark books The Benedict Option and Live Not By Lies have shaped conversations on Christian resilience in an age of decline, while his newest work, Living in Wonder, turns inward, exploring beauty, suffering, and the search for meaning. Dreher's voice is unapologetically countercultural, drawing on Orthodox Christianity and a deep skepticism of modern ideological conformity.

We rejoice in the authority we have as believers...

Most often, when I hear the word "peace," I think of war...

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few...

Discipline Yourselves 1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance.  Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”I really like the first line of the verse.  It says to prepare our minds for action.  This can be hard for some of us.  We can have a lot of ideas, but then we get stuck wanting them to be perfect, and so we spend a lot of time thinking about them and how we should do them, but then we don't do them because we aren't quite sure how.  Does this sound familiar?  I know I can't be the only person who does this.  I can't be the only one who wants to do things perfectly, and so I get stuck and don't end up doing as much as I know I could be doing.I want to follow the Lord's will and I want to follow His commandments, and yet sometimes I don't do something because I am not sure exactly how He wants me to do it.  The thing is, most of the time, I don't think He cares how we do it, as long as we are doing it with the right frame of mind and with our heart.  If we let the Holy Spirit guide us, then we can't go wrong.  Why do we worry so much, then?  I think it is because we love the Lord so much that we want to be perfect for Him.  I think it is because we struggle to believe that He truly loves us just as we are.  We are used to human love, which is fallible and conditional at times.  We feel as though we must earn the Lord's love, and so we want to do things perfectly for Him.  I don't think we even realize we are doing this.  I know I wasn't aware.  I was talking to my spiritual advisor about how I felt like I needed to do all these things, and she pointed out that I was feeling like I needed to earn God's love. We don't need to earn God's love!  He loves us more than anything, and He has loved us long before we were born, and He will love us long after we die.  I know I have probably said this a lot, and I will keep saying it because we struggle to believe it.  We do not have to earn God's love; He gives it freely and abundantly.The next two words are words that we don't always like: discipline yourselves.  This is not easy.  This is one thing that we get to work on during Lent.  We get a chance to discipline ourselves by fasting from things that are important to us, or doing things that we don't normally do.  During Lent, we get to step outside of our comfort zone and stretch ourselves in the area of discipline.  I remember watching a YouTube video of Father Mike talking about why we fast during Lent.  He explained it in a way that made me enjoy fasting a little more.  He discussed how fasting is a way of demonstrating our love for.  Fasting is an act of love.  It's kind of like that question, what do you get the guy that has everything?  Well, God has everything; He doesn't need anything.  He loves us completely, and one way to show Him our love is to fast, or give something up, or start doing something we normally don't do.  The thing is, it isn't really an act of love if we complain and grumble the whole time.  If we go through the motions and we do it just because we have to, then that is showing obedience, but it is not showing love.  How can you show God your love?  What can you fast from? What can you start doing?    The next line says, “set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.” To be honest, I almost skipped over this line.  I was not really sure what it meant or how to explain it.  Then I figured if I didn't know, maybe you don't either.  Also, the point of this podcast is for us to grow on the journey and for us to understand scripture a little more and figure out how we can apply it to our lives, so I looked up the meaning of this line to see if anyone else had already explained it.  The consensus seems to be that we are to hope in the grace that Jesus will bring us, instead of hoping in things of this world, like money, material objects, or even people.  I think we have a tendency to hope in the things of this world instead of looking towards Jesus.  I found an article titled, Two Ways to Fix Your Hope on Future Grace by Jen Wilkin. (Click Here for Article)   It is definitely worth reading.  She talks about how we need to place our hope in the day that Christ is coming because the days we are currently in may be filled with trial and sorrow.  The two ways she talks about in the article to fix our hope on future grace are to prepare our minds and be sober-minded.  It is a very good article, and I would do it a disservice to try to summarize it for you in a few short lines.  I recommend you take a look at the article if you wish to get a better understanding of this verse and how you can put it into practice in your own life.The next line says, “Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance.”  This is an interesting line.  God is often telling us to be like children, or to have a childlike faith.  It doesn't just say to not give in to your desires.  It says not to conform to the desires you formerly had in ignorance.  If you are listening to this podcast, then you are trying to grow in your faith.  You are trying to learn more about the Lord and His Word.  As you grow, you will gain a better understanding of what the Lord is calling us to.  What His commandments are and what He expects from us.  As you grow, you may learn that some things you are doing are not in alignment with what God expects from you or how he is calling you to live.  This part of the verse is telling us that it is not ok to continue to do these things because now we know they are wrong.  Once you know, if you continue to do that, then you are choosing that thing over the Lord.  One of the conditions of something being a sin is that you have to know it was wrong.  You have to have freely chosen to do it.  Once you know something is wrong, God is calling us to no longer do it.  Being completely honest with you, I have hesitated on my journey to grow before because of this very reason.  In the past, I have stopped to think, “Maybe I don't want to learn more, because when we learn more, we are held to a higher standard.”  If I don't know something is wrong and I am doing it, God is not holding it against me.  However, once I know it is wrong, then He is.  Maybe you have never thought about this, but in case you have, I have two things to share.  First, growing closer to the Lord is worth any hardship you may perceive by learning what He expects from us.  As you grow closer to the Lord, you find you don't want to do anything that might get in the way of your relationship.  You find yourself wanting to please Him more than you want to do those things you used to do. Second, God is calling us to all grow closer to Him.  The very next line in this verse is “ Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  We have a responsibility to learn about God's Word and what He is calling us to do.  We are all called to Holiness.  God is not ok with us just living in ignorance of His ways and continuing to do whatever we like.  He is calling us to read His Word, study His Word, and live in a way that is in alignment with this Word.  If we purposely refuse to learn because we don't want to have to live as He is calling us to live, then that is not ok, and I don't think we can claim ignorance.  We all have a choice to make.  God is calling us all to holiness.  That may mean something different to each of us.  I think if you want to know what God is calling you to, then all you need to do is ask Him.  He will tell you.  I think the one thing that is the same for all of us is that He is calling us to read and study His Word, and also to love Him and love our neighbors.  Will you accept His call? Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this podcast today.  Lord, we love you and we want to live in alignment with you.  Help us, show us how.  Lord, help us to set our hopes in Jesus and the graces He will bring when He is revealed.  Lord, I ask that you give us a better understanding of the verse.  Please speak to us this week and help us understand it better.  Help us to set our minds towards action and help us to discipline ourselves.  Lord, we love you so very much.  You are amazing, and we are grateful for all you do for us each and every day.  Help us to show you that gratitude with our actions.  We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.   www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Isaiah 41:21–42:5 (Listen) The Futility of Idols 21   Set forth your case, says the LORD;    bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.22   Let them bring them, and tell us    what is to happen.  Tell us the former things, what they are,    that we may consider them,  that we may know their outcome;    or declare to us the things to come.23   Tell us what is to come hereafter,    that we may know that you are gods;  do good, or do harm,    that we may be dismayed and terrified.124   Behold, you are nothing,    and your work is less than nothing;    an abomination is he who chooses you. 25   I stirred up one from the north, and he has come,    from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name;  he shall trample on rulers as on mortar,    as the potter treads clay.26   Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know,    and beforehand, that we might say, “He is right”?  There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed,    none who heard your words.27   I was the first to say2 to Zion, “Behold, here they are!”    and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.28   But when I look, there is no one;    among these there is no counselor    who, when I ask, gives an answer.29   Behold, they are all a delusion;    their works are nothing;    their metal images are empty wind. The Lord's Chosen Servant 42:1   Behold my servant, whom I uphold,    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;  I have put my Spirit upon him;    he will bring forth justice to the nations.2   He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,    or make it heard in the street;3   a bruised reed he will not break,    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;    he will faithfully bring forth justice.4   He will not grow faint or be discouraged3    till he has established justice in the earth;    and the coastlands wait for his law. 5   Thus says God, the LORD,    who created the heavens and stretched them out,    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,  who gives breath to the people on it    and spirit to those who walk in it: Footnotes [1] 41:23 Or that we may both be dismayed and see [2] 41:27 Or Formerly I said [3]

I think my game is coming around...

Our joy as Christians is changeless...

Tammy Peterson, wife of clinical psychologist and cultural commentator Jordan Peterson, is a Canadian podcast host and speaker known for her inspiring personal journey. After surviving a rare and fatal cancer diagnosis, Tammy experienced a profound spiritual transformation, ultimately converting to Catholicism in 2023. Her story of faith, resilience, and renewal has resonated with audiences around the world.

“Let the children come to me and hinder them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God” Matthew 19:14    "A creature can be led astray by something that is in itself quite small. It is something that creeps in unnoticed under the guise of love and assistance but which is actually due to blindness of an adult whose unconscious egoism can have a truly diabolical influence upon a child. And yet children are constantly being born anew, bearing within themselves unspoiled the plan according to which they should normally develop." Maria Montessori    Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!    Podcasts by Series  Level One Book Study  Level Two Book Study    Maggie speaks to us about Montessori's philosophy of Psychic Deviations, how they come about, different types of deviations as well as how they can be healed through Normalization and work.  Maggie Radzik has been working in Montessori for over 35 years and has been a Level I formation leader for more than 10 years. She has served both the Montessori classroom and the atrium at all levels, Toddlers through Adolescents. She is a certified Montessorian at all levels as well. I am currently the Director of Our Lady of Guadalupe Family Life Center in Ave Maria, FL    Read Maggie's Article “The First-Plane Child and Obstacles to Normalization” Online Here    Five Reasons to Stop Saying “Good Job” by Alfie Kohn  Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents  Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori    Episodes to help you further explore Freedom and Discipline:  Episode 30 – Freedom and Discipline with Claire Paglia  Episode 133 – Freedom and Responsibility with Sr Mary Teresita  Episode 134 – Freedom and Responsibility for the First Plane Child  Episode 135 – Freedom and Responsibility for the Second Plane Child  Episode 139 – What to Try When it Seems to be Failing? With Cathy Johanni  Episode 141 – Normalization with Claire Paglia and Sr Maria Teresita  Episode 142 – Adults as Potential Obstacles in Development with Pilar Bewley      Purchase the book Discovery of the Child to learn more.     The Prepared Environment: Making Materials  with Don Martin (The Catechist's Husband) and Lynda Catalano  Tuesday, August 26, 2025  7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT  Join Don Martin, CGSUSA Vendor, The Catechist's Husband, and Lynda Catalano, CGSUSA Formation Leader, who will share her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. Don and Lynda's sessions will be followed by time for questions. All those present will be registered for a drawing for an atrium material from the Catechist's Husband.    Mark your calendars for this SPECIAL EVENT.  Registration information will come in July.  This is a free Zoom Session    BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month:  Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website.  Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website.  Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts.  Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points.  Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent.  Catechist Prayers and prayer services  and so much more!  Click Here to create your Organizational Membership!      AUDIOBOOK:    Audiobook – Now Available on Audible  CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz!  The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child's spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook.    Find out more about CGS:       Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd     Follow us on Social Media-  Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”  Instagram-  cgsusa  Twitter- @cgsusa  Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA  YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.louiseperry.co.ukIn this bonus episode, I spoke with Rob Henderson about expensive weddings, the unexpected consequences of abortion decriminalisation, whether or not hunter gatherers are happier than modern Westerners, and why we should all consider giving up mirrors next Lent.

Following the series of post-Paschal feasts that are intended to be consoling, Holy Mother Church steps forth to remind us that salvation is not automatic. This warning is intended to keep us vigilant even outside of the penitential season of Lent. Moreover, the Church desires us to know that the Catholic Faith is not just about consolations and that we must not make excuses for putting off the work of our salvation when we do not receive them.

Isaiah 40:27–31 (Listen) 27   Why do you say, O Jacob,    and speak, O Israel,  “My way is hidden from the LORD,    and my right is disregarded by my God”?28   Have you not known? Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God,    the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary;    his understanding is unsearchable.29   He gives power to the faint,    and to him who has no might he increases strength.30   Even youths shall faint and be weary,    and young men shall fall exhausted;31   but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;  they shall run and not be weary;    they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Ridvan Aydemir, known online as Apostate Prophet, is a Turkish-born former Muslim who grew up in a devout Sunni household and later became a prominent critic of Islam. After a period of intense religious study and ideological shifts—including atheism, secular communism, and Judaism—he became an Orthodox Christian catechumen. Ridvan launched his YouTube channel in 2017 to document his deconversion and critique Islamic teachings, gaining notoriety for controversial videos and public debates with Muslim apologists. A staunch advocate of free speech, he has been critical of both Islamic doctrine and Western institutions that, in his view, suppress legitimate criticism of Islam. Ridvan regularly collaborates with both atheist and Christian thinkers and has debated numerous Muslim figures on theology, human rights, and religious history.

Alex Jurado, known online as Voice of Reason, is a Catholic apologist and content creator with one of the most recognizable voices in the space. A former teenage catechist and seminarian, he began creating videos in 2023 and quickly gained a global audience. In 2024, he debated Dr. James White in his first public debate and later appeared on The George Janko Show, sparking major conversations around Catholicism. Alex now creates content, leads pilgrimages, and continues his work in apologetics and dialogue.