A great conversation with Dr. Timothy O’Malley, Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy and author of “Off the Hook: God, Love, Dating and Marriage in a Hook-up World. ” He had me at “nuptial mystagogy.” I love a theologian who deeply appreciates the font of grace present in our liturgical expression and sacramental … Read more
The Sixth Spiritual Lesson: Your fear is from the spirit against Christ. “God does not reveal himself through fear, pressure or confusion. This where the spirit against Christ reveals himself.”
Questions: What are your ideas and images of god the Father and how do they differ from what Jesus teaches us about the Father? Do you see the Father as someone who pressures you to do things? Where does fear drive your relationship with the Father? Recall your latest experience of peace, stillness, clarity and gratitude in God and believe that that is how the Father draws you?
The Seventh Spiritual Lesson: God’s will is found in your will when you are in Christ. “God’s will, His desire for you, is not out there somwhere! It is found in your own desire when you are in Christ! That is the will of God for you!”
Questions: Does the thought of the priesthood come into your thoughts, feelings and desires when you are experiencing the peaceful presence of God?
Whether it’s to the priesthood, religious life, married life…discerning what our vocation is can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Fr. Hoesing discusses what discernment is, what the process is like, and what can help guide us along the way.
This is THE book! Dr. Peter Kleponis has given us incredible insights on the damage addictions, and in particular those in the area of pornography can do not only to ourselves but also to the relationships we find ourselves in. But there is hope! Take a listen to our conversation, share the information below AND … Read more
What a joy to speak with Terry Polakovic about “Life and Love: Opening Your Heart To God’s Design.” Personally, it was an honor and a blessing to talk with the co-founder of “Endow” (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) which is an organization I have greatly admired for many years. This is her first book and she approaches her subject with joy, fascination, and love, especially for the teachings of inspiring pontiffs of the Church like Pope Leo XIII, Bl. Pope Paul VI, and St. John Paul II. This is a must-have book for anyone who wishes to be touched by wisdom and encouraged in “life and love.”
This episode offers Fr. Gallagher discusses the call to the marriage vocation and the call to the religious life. What are the differences found in each and how do we begin to discern our call. For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “Discerning the Will of God” page Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., … Read more
Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 20:
A bishop is given the grace to teach in the name of Christ; to sanctify the Church through the celebration of the Sacraments; to guide, govern, and defend the Church; and to be a sign of the unity of the Church.
A priest is given the grace to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to celebrate the Sacraments (except Holy Orders), and to shepherd the people entrusted to him.
A deacon in the Latin Church is ordained to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to baptize, to assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages, to preside at funerals, and to serve the community through works of charity.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 30:
The Catechism states that sexuality involves the whole person. “Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul. It especially concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate, and in a more general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others” (CCC, no. 2332).
The Sixth Commandment summons spouses to practice permanent and exclusive fidelity to one another. Emotional and sexual fidelity are essential to the commitment made in the marriage covenant. God established marriage as a reflection of his fidelity to us. The vows made by the spouses at their wedding to be faithful to one another forever should witness the very covenant God has made with us.
Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 30:
THREATS TO MARRIAGE The Catechism lists the following behaviors as acts that undermine the purpose and dignity of marriage.
Adultery is gravely sinful because it violates God’s call to a loving covenant of fidelity between a married man and woman. The act of adultery is an injustice to the wounded spouse. It weakens the institution of marriage and the stability of the family.
Divorce is contrary to the natural law for it breaks the promise “to which the spouses freely consented to live with each other till death” (CCC, no. 2384). Jesus clearly taught that God’s original plan for marriage excluded divorce (cf. Mt 5:31-32, 9:3-9; Mk 10:9; Lk 16:18; 1 Cor 7:10-11). Marriage is an indissoluble union. Jesus removed the accommodations for divorce that had been tolerated under the Old Law.
The couple may be allowed a separation in certain cases, such as when adultery is occurring or some type of abuse is present. A separation can be, at times, a prudent action to take. “If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense” (CCC, no. 2383). In such cases, a Catholic can still receive the Sacraments.
Cohabitation (an unmarried couple living together) involves the serious sin of fornication. It does not conform to God’s plan for marriage and is always wrong and objectively sinful. Cohabitation does not guarantee successful married life, as has been revealed in the painful experience of many, and is detrimental to future commitment.
Polygamy (having more than one spouse at a time) violates the understanding of the equal dignity that a man and woman bring to marriage and contradicts the unitive purpose of marriage.
Attempts to justify same-sex unions or relationships or to give them matrimonial status also contradict God’s plan—as revealed from the beginning both in nature and in Revelation—for marriage to be a lifelong union of a man and a woman.
Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 33:
MODESTY Modesty is a virtue necessary for purity. It flows out of the virtues of temperance, chastity, and self-control. A modest person dresses, speaks, and acts in a manner that supports and encourages purity and chastity, and not in as manner that would tempt or encourage sinful sexual behavior. Modesty protects the mystery of the person in order to avoid exploiting the other. This attitude instills in us the patience and reserve we need for avoiding unbecoming behavior. Modest relationships reflect the connection between the marital state and sexual behavior. Modest behavior respects the boundaries of intimacy that are imbedded in our natures by the natural law and the principles of sexual behavior laid out in Divine Revelation. Modesty ensures and supports purity of heart, a gift that enables us to see God’s plan for personal relationships, sexuality, and marriage.
