The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives

WOL3 – Hobbes, Locke and the Culture of Death – Reflections on the teachings of Pope John Paul II w/ Dr. Carson Holloway – Discerning Hearts

WOL3 – Episode 3 -The influence of Thomas Hobbes and his role as the father of modern-day liberalism. Absolute monarchy and the tyranny of “unlimited” government. The difference between Divine-right monarchy and Absolute monarchy, and the legitimacy thought behind “dictatorship”. How this affects ruling systems in history, and it’s influence on the “Culture of Death”. Who was John Locke? The Law of Nature and it’s obligations according to Locke’s thought. The fundamental rule to preserve oneself. Bl. John Paul’s response to that thought…to respect the moral law and give of oneself.

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The Way of Life, Carson Holloway examines the fundamental philosophers of modernity-from Hobbes to Toqueville-to suggest that John Paul II’s critique of modernity is intended not to reject, but to improve. Thus, claims Holloway, it is appropriate for liberal modernity to attend to the Pope’s thought, receiving it not as the attack of an enemy but as the criticism of a candid friend.

For other episodes in the series visit Dr. Holloway’s Discerning Hearts page

This series is based on Dr. Holloway’s book “The Way of Life”

IP#249 Simcha Fisher – The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

What a delight to talk with Simcha Fisher! She is one of the most intriguing, engaging, and truly authentic Catholic writers out there today. Her blogging for the National Catholic Register is a stand out for their online features, and her Patheos blog “I Have to Sit Down” is one of my all-time favorites (I highly encourage bookmarking it). It’s a joy to be able to heartily recommend “The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning“! Far from being just a critical examination of the topic, this book reads more like a conversation with a good friend at a coffee house. All issues on are the table and thoughtfully discussed. Wherever you find yourself on the subject, respect and encouragement is the order of the day. Challenges are acknowledged and addressed by Simcha, who delivers time tested wisdom that is only garnered from a lived faith and years of experience. Everyone should be reading this book, not just young married couples, but also priest, deacons, religious, and couples engaged in the conversations that shape our culture today.

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You can find the book here

Simcha speaks … with honesty along with the wit and wisdom that always make her teachings so memorable and helpful. She summons all of us to trust, mutual patience and kindness, and to a joyful honesty about NFP. —Msgr. Charles Pope, Pastor of Holy Comforter – St. Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC

Before The Sinner s Guide to NFP, the only way you could get this kind of candor on the subject of Natural Family Planning was in private conversations with your best friend. Simcha has taken all the things we think about NFP but feel like we can t say, brought them into the light, and addressed them with insight and razor-sharp wit. You ll laugh, you ll nod your head in recognition, and you ll ultimately walk away inspired by the kind of encouragement that only someone else in the trenches can offer. —Jennifer Fulwiler of Conversion Diary

Faith Check 23 – Eucharistic Miracles

Eucharistic Miracles

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For 2,000 years, Catholics have believed that the Holy Eucharist more than a mere symbolic reminder, but the actual Body and Blood of Christ. Of course, the Eucharist still looks and tastes like bread and wine, but a miraculous change takes place that our eyes cannot perceive.

Throughout history, however, God has sometimes worked Eucharistic Miracles, in which the Eucharist physically appears as flesh and blood.

One of the most famous such events occurred in the year 700 A.D. at Lanciano, Italy. During Mass one day, a monk who had been doubting his Faith was shocked as the bread and wine suddenly changed into flesh and blood before his very eyes. News of the miracle spread rapidly, and the miraculous flesh and blood have been preserved to this day in the church.

In the 1970s, this same flesh and blood were submitted to a rigorous scientific examination. The study determined that there they contained no preservatives; that the flesh was of human heart tissue; while the blood was human blood, type AB. It was also noted that the receptacle that contained them for centuries had not been hermetically sealed, meaning that they had been exposed to the elements and otherwise would have decayed or spoiled within days. The study concluded that there was no scientific possibility of fraud, confirming the belief of the faithful that Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano was authentic.

DPD3 – Gratitude and Petition – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: Examen Prayer w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts

Episode 3 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher.
The conversation continues on the subject of the first step in the Examen – GRATITUDE. Why? Because first, above all things, God is love. So at the start of the prayer, we should recall the gift of love God has blessed us with that day and give Him thanks and praise….and be concrete. Fr. Gallagher offers examples of what that could look like. Then the conversation begins on the next step – PETITION. Asking God to show you what see clearly the spiritual realities of that day.

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As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)

METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.

First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.

OUR FATHER.

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on books and audio available for purchase from Fr. Timothy Gallagher check out his website: www.frtimothygallagher.org

For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

St. Teresa of Avila Quotes

God, deliver me from sullen saints. – Saint Teresa of Avila

Oh my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its value. – Saint Teresa of Avila

There is no such thing as bad weather. All weather is good because it is God’s. – Saint Teresa of Avila

There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world. – Saint Teresa of Avila

We need no wings to go in search of Him, but have only to look upon Him present within us. – Saint Teresa of Avila

Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things pass away. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough. – Saint Teresa of Avila

Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end. – Saint Teresa of Avila

Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. – Saint Teresa of Avila

You ought to make every effort to free yourselves even from venial sin, and to do what is most perfect. – Saint Teresa of Avila

If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend. And I clearly see that is we expect to please him and receive an abundance of his graces, God desires that these graces must come to us from the hands of Christ, through his most sacred humanity, in which God takes delight. All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding his life we find that he is the best example. What more do we desire from such a good friend at our side? Unlike our friends in the world, he will never abandon us when we are troubled or distressed. Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near. Whenever we think of Christ we should recall the love that led him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of his love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love him. For is at some time the Lord should grant us the grace of impressing his love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall accomplish great things quickly and without effort. – Saint Teresa of Avila

“I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can – namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for, beholding His greatness, we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found – not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state! It longs to be all one tongue with which to praise the Lord. It utters a thousand pious follies, in a continuous endeavor to please Him who thus possesses it.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

“Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds. “– Saint Teresa of Avila

“The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.”– Saint Teresa of Avila

POC#6 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 6 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 6 – The Cross of Christ restores… – Fifth Week

In “The Power of the Cross”, Michael Dubruiel penned a truly exceptional meditation on the Cross of Christ which serves beautifully as a source for reflection any time of the year, but it is particularly poignant and compelling during the weeks of Lent. Several years ago Bruce and I had the chance to have a series of conversations with Michael during Lent using his book for reflection…it was a big hit with the audience. Those discussions have been remastered and made available once again here. Michael died unexpectedly in February of 2009, but his gifts continue to be shared through his books and many other venues, and hopefully through this humble portal. The sentiments and teachings Michael offers is truly timeless.

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Episode 6 – The Cross of Christ restores… – Michael discusses:

Day 22 – Life
Day 29 – Forgiveness
Day 30 – The Image of God
Day 31 – Our Freedom
Day 32 – Obedience
Day 33 – The Dignity of Work
Day 34 – Justice

Michael’s wife, author Amy Welborn, has made “The Power of the Cross” available as a free e-book available over the internet ! I HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work…there also plans to make it once again available as a paperback book.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

IP#247 Devin Rose – The Protestant’s Dilemma on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

In “The Protestant’s Dilemma: How the Reformation’s Shocking Consequences Point to the Truth of Catholicism”, author/apologist Devin Rose carefully reflects on various Protestant claims and carries them to their logical conclusion. By incorporating, at times, his own intellectual journey from Protestantism to Catholicism, he simply presents a strong case for the authority of Catholic Church teaching. The format of the book is excellent for apologetic study. Addressing the basics of the faith, as well as the particulars of Catholic Social Teaching, he gently, but meticulously offers a sound manual of instruction that should be in the library of every one of us called to the “New Evangelization”.

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You can find the book here

From the book description:

What if Protestantism were true? What if the Reformers really were heroes, the Bible the sole rule of faith, and Christ s Church just an invisible collection of loosely united believers? As an Evangelical, Devin Rose used to believe all of it. Then one day the nagging questions began. He noticed things about Protestant belief and practice that didn t add up. He began following the logic of Protestant claims to places he never expected it to go -leading to conclusions no Christians would ever admit to holding. In The Protestant s Dilemma, Rose examines over thirty of those conclusions, showing with solid evidence, compelling reason, and gentle humor how the major tenets of Protestantism – if honestly pursued to their furthest extent – wind up in dead ends. The only escape? Catholic truth. Rose patiently unpacks each instance, and shows how Catholicism solves the Protestant s dilemma through the witness of Scripture, Christian history, and the authority with which Christ himself undeniably vested his Church. The Protestant s Dilemma is the perfect book for non-Catholics trying to work through their own nagging doubts, or for Catholics looking for a fresh way to deepen their understanding of the Faith

POC#5 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 5 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 5 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Fourth Week

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Episode 5 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 22 – Blindness
Day 23 – Lagtime
Day 24 – Weakness
Day 25 – Death
Day 26 – Our Choices
Day 27 – Truth
Day 28 – The Way to True Unity

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

DPD2 – The First Point – The Daily Prayer of Discernment: Examen Prayer w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts

Episode 2 The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Ignatian Wisdom of the Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher.

The First Step in the Examen Prayer: Gratitude. Taking time out of the day when our hearts are free to receive the Lord’s presence. Prayer always takes two persons in relationship…ourselves and God. Then together with the Lord, we see what the gifts of love God has poured out upon us. The key in this first step, is not to look for our missteps (that may come later), but to look for the gifts and give thanks.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:46 — 25.4MB) | Embed

As outlined from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
(translated from the autograph by Fr. E. Mullan, S.J. 1909 in the public domain)

METHOD FOR MAKING THE GENERAL EXAMEN
It contains in it five Points.

First Point. The first Point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the benefits received.
Second Point. The second, to ask grace to know our sins and cast them out.
Third Point. The third, to ask account of our soul from the hour that we rose up to the present Examen, hour by hour, or period by period: and first as to thoughts, and then as to words, and then as to acts, in the same order as was mentioned in the Particular Examen.
Fourth Point. The fourth, to ask pardon of God our Lord for the faults.
Fifth Point. The fifth, to purpose amendment with His grace.

OUR FATHER.

For the other episodes in this series check out
Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

POC#4 The Power of the Cross with Michael Dubruiel episode 4 – Discerning Hearts

Episode 4 – The Cross of Christ teaches us… – Third Week

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Episode 4 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 15 – How We Worship
Day 16 – How We See Jesus
Day 17 – How We Forgive
Day 18 – Law and Love
Day 19 – Our Lives
Day 20 – Our Priorities
Day 21 – How We See Ourselves

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

Eucharistic Miracles

Episode 6 – The Cross of Christ restores… – Michael discusses:

Day 22 – Life Day 29 – Forgiveness Day 30 – The Image of God Day 31 – Our Freedom Day 32 – Obedience Day 33 – The Dignity of Work Day 34 – Justice

Episode 5 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 22 – Blindness Day 23 – Lagtime Day 24 – Weakness Day 25 – Death Day 26 – Our Choices Day 27 – Truth Day 28 – The Way to True Unity

Episode 4 – The Cross of Christ unites… – Michael discusses:

Day 15 – How We Worship Day 16 – How We See Jesus Day 17 – How We Forgive Day 18 – Law and Love Day 19 – Our Lives Day 20 – Our Priorities Day 21 – How We See Ourselves

Day 22 – Life
Day 29 – Forgiveness
Day 30 – The Image of God
Day 31 – Our Freedom
Day 32 – Obedience
Day 33 – The Dignity of Work
Day 34 – Justice

Day 22 – Blindness
Day 23 – Lagtime
Day 24 – Weakness
Day 25 – Death
Day 26 – Our Choices
Day 27 – Truth
Day 28 – The Way to True Unity

Day 15 – How We Worship
Day 16 – How We See Jesus
Day 17 – How We Forgive
Day 18 – Law and Love
Day 19 – Our Lives
Day 20 – Our Priorities
Day 21 – How We See Ourselves