Series Archives

BTP#20 Heaven In Faith Day 10 Prayer 2 St. Elizabeth of the Trinity w/Dr. Anthony Lilles

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From “Heaven in Faith: Day 10 Prayer 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

18. ….”The first sign of love is this: that Jesus has given us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink.” “The property of love is to be always giving and always receiving. Now this love ” of Christ is “generous. All that He has, all that He is, He gives; all that we have , all that we are, He takes away. He asks for more than we of our ourselves are capable of giving.”

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

We would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for providing for us “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.

USCCA7 – The Good News: God Has Sent His Son – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 7:

We ponder Christ’s person and his earthly words and deeds in terms of mystery. His earthly life reveals his hidden divine Sonship and plan for our salvation. His parables, miracles, sermons, and wisdom sayings help us “to see our God made visible, and so we are caught up in love of the God we cannot see” (First Preface for Christmas).

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Chuck Adams and Miriam Gutierrez for their vocal talents in this episode.

The Importance of a Spiritual Program – Begin Again /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Ep. 4

The Importance of a Spiritual Program – Begin Again /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Ep. 4 from Discerning Hearts on Vimeo.

In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the importance of a “spiritual program” in the life Ven. Lanteri and how we can benefit from one as well. Venerable Bruno Lanteri was also a gifted confessor, beloved by the people of the area for his spiritual guidance and availability. Fr. Gallagher reflects on the tremendous gift of grace that is found in the reception of this sacrament.

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

You can obtain just the audio podcast if you would prefer

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For a copy of the Spiritual Counsels of Ven. Lanteri visit here:

ST-V13 – Acts 17 & Thessalonians– Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Video Podcast

“Acts 17 And Thessalonians” – Seeking Truth Bible Study from Discerning Hearts on Vimeo.

This study examines Acts chapter 17 in conjunction with Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians, the earliest New Testament letters. Beginning with a historical overview of the city of Thessalonica, Sharon examines Daniel 9, demonstrating the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy delivered to Daniel by the angel Gabriel to come in 490 years. The same angel Gabriel announced the conception of John the Baptist to his old father Zechariah as the one who would herald the way of the long awaited Messiah. The Angel Gabriel is the same angel who declared to Mary that she would bear the anointed one, the Messiah, a 490 day time period from conception to presentation in the temple. By outlining the true Messianic kingship of Jesus, Sharon goes on to show how Paul could not ignore the lordship of Jesus Christ. He felt an incredible urgency to spread the message of the Christ, willing to endure incredible sufferings for the sake of the Gospel. Paul and his fellow disciples, “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) as they traveled from city to city, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The life of the Church recapitulates the life of Christ, who through His death and resurrection had all ready turned the world upside down. Paul is up against a tough crowd of Jews in Thessalonica. While many of the Thessalonians do not accept the gospel message, some of them do, along with Greek Gentiles and several leading women. The Beroean Jews are more receptive to Paul’s message, testing his preaching daily against the Old Testament scriptures and holding fast to what they find to be true. The jealous Jews from Thessalonica pursue Paul to diminish his ministry in Beroea, and to avoid death he swiftly left by sea to Athens, the intellectual Mecca of Greece. In Athens, many philosophers are curious about his message but most find Jesus to be nothing more than a curiosity. Sharon exhorts us to action, emphasizing that the Word of God must transform us, making that longest journey: the 18 inches from head to heart, provoking us to internalize Christ, propelling us to evangelize and transform the world around us.

For the audio-only version of this podcast

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Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

BTP#19 Heaven In Faith Day 10 Prayer 1 – St. Elizabeth of the Trinity w/Dr. Anthony Lilles

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From “Heaven in Faith: Day 10 Prayer 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

40. “It seems to me that the attitude of the Virgin during the months that elapsed between the Annunciation and the Nativity is the model for interior souls, those whom God has chosen to live within, in the depths of the bottomless abyss. In what peace, in what recollection Mary lent herself to everything she did! How even the most trivial things were divinized by her! For through it all the Virgin remained the adorer of the gift of God! This did not prevent her from spending herself outwardly when it was a matter of charity”

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

We would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for providing for us “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

BTP#18 Heaven In Faith Day 9 Prayer 2 – St. Elizabeth of the Trinity w/Dr. Anthony Lilles

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From “Heaven in Faith: Day 9 Prayer 2” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

37. “If anyone should affirm to me that to find the bottom of the abyss is to be immersed in humility, I would not contradict him. However, it seems to me that to be plunged into humility is to be plunged into God, for God is the bottom of the abyss. This is why humility, like charity, is always capable of increasing.”

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

We would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Miriam Gutierrez for providing for us “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

USCCA36 – The Fifth Commandment: Promote the Culture of Life Part 2 – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 29:

Intentional euthanasia, sometimes called mercy killing, is murder. Regardless of the motives or means, euthanasia consists of putting to death those who are sick, are disabled, or are dying. It is morally unacceptable. The emergence of physician-assisted suicide, popularized by the right-to-die movement, seeks to legalize what is an immoral act. Its advocates plan to achieve this on a state-by-state basis.

Suicide is gravely sinful whether committed alone or aided by a doctor. Serious psychological disturbances, anxiety, fear of suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. The question is often asked whether persons who have committed suicide receive eternal salvation. Although suicide is always objectively sinful, one “should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives” (CCC, no. 2283). The pastoral care of family and friends of those who have taken their own lives is an important focus for the Church’s healing and compassionate ministry.

Catholic moral tradition has always taught that we can discontinue medical procedures that are burdensome, extraordinary, and disproportionate to the outcome. However, respect for every human being demands the ordinary treatment of the dying by the provision of food, water, warmth, and hygiene. Ordinary treatment is always a moral requirement.

There is also extraordinary treatment. The Church recognizes that some medical treatment may not provide benefits commensurate with the risks of certain medical procedures. Extraordinary medical treatment may not be morally required and can even cease in certain cases, depending on the benefits to the sick person and the burdens it will or may impose. For example, in instances when a person has been declared brain-dead, the patient can be disconnected from mechanical devices that sustain breathing and the heart since there is little hope of the person’s recovery.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.

USCCA37 – The Fifth Commandment: Promote the Culture of Life Part 3 – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 29:

The Death Penalty

Following the lead of Pope John Paul II’s The Gospel of Life, the Catechism teaches that governmental authority has the right and duty to assure the safety of society, and to punish criminals by means of suitable penalties. This includes imposition of the death penalty if there is no other way to protect society (cf. CCC, no. 2267). But this principle has a very restrictive application:

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm—without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself—the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (CCC, no. 2267, citing EV, no. 56)

When dwelling on legal and moral arguments concerning the death penalty, we should do so not with vengeance and anger in our hearts, but with the compassion and mercy of our Lord in mind. It is also important to remember that penalties imposed on criminals always need to allow for the possibility of the criminal to show regret for the evil committed and to change his or her life for the better.

The imposition of the death penalty does not always allow for one or both of the purposes of criminal punishment to be achieved. “Our nation’s increasing reliance on the death penalty cannot be justified. We do not teach that killing is wrong by killing those who kill others. Pope John Paul II has said the penalty of death is ‘both cruel and unnecessary’ (Homily in St. Louis, January 27, 1999). The antidote to violence is not more violence” (USCCB, Faithful Citizenship [Washington, DC: USCCB, 2003], 19).

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.

ST12 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Blessed Virgin Mary, “The Head-Crushing” Immaculately Conceived Handmaid of the Lord

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Episode 12 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran, hosted by Bruce McGregor. Ep 12 – The Blessed Virgin Mary, “The Head-Crushing” Immaculately Conceived Handmaid of the Lord

Episode 12 – Sharon and Bruce discuss the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the new Eve! The sin-free woman who will crush the head of the serpent. Sharon breaks open Genesis chapter 2, the Gospel of Luke, Revelation 12 and the Old Testament teachings on the two other woman who are “blessed” and how this shines a light on our understanding of Mary!

RC#8 The Conversion of the New World- The Resilient Church /w Mike Aquilina

RC-V8 The Conversion of the New World – The Resilient Church /w Mike Aquilina from Discerning Hearts on Vimeo.

Episode 8 – The Conversion of the New World

In 1531—hardly a decade after the Spanish conquest—an enthusiastic convert, who had taken the Christian name Juan Diego, was hurrying down the hill to hear Mass in Mexico City. Suddenly the Blessed Virgin appeared to him. She gave him a message for the bishop: “Go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico. Tell him it is my great desire to have a temple built to me here. Tell him everything you’ve seen and heard. You can be sure that I will be very grateful and will reward you.” Bishop Zumárraga didn’t believe Juan Diego at first. As he was returning home, the Blessed Virgin met him again. “Obviously he thinks I made up my story,” Juan Diego told her. “So I beg you, my Lady, send someone more worthy, someone well respected, so that they’ll believe him. I’m nobody, just a little rope, the very end, a leaf.” “Listen, my dear little son,” Mary replied, “I have many messengers I might send, but it is important that you yourself carry this message.” She commanded him to go again to the bishop, and Juan Diego promised that he would.

For the audio podcast: