Chapter 30: The Impossible Made Possible – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 30 – The Impossible Made Possible

“With love you may bring your heart to do whatsoever you may please. The hardest things become easy and pleasant, but without love you will find anything not only difficult but also impossible.” – John of Bonilla, OFM

We can achieve nothing in the spiritual life without creating quality space and time in our daily lives, for the prayer that gives us access to the same love that filled Jesus Christ and inspired everything he said and did.

You can find the book here.

This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

“There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours.”⁠

This is not your standard “prayer book” – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.⁠

Endorsement

“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”

Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese 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.

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

The author of the popular Peter Calvay series, his books include Wisdom from the Western Isles, Wisdom from Franciscan Italy, Wisdom from the Christian Mystics, Prayer Made Simple (CTS), and How to Pray by Our Sunday Visitor. His books have been translated into 13 different languages.

How can we possibly love as God expects? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast

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“Building a Kingdom of Love” – “How can we possibly love as God expects? Only “through Him, with Him, in Him!”

Gospel MT 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

BWPM 7 – Bread, Wine, and the Gift of Self – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 7 – Bread, Wine, and the Gift of Self – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Presentation of the Gifts (also known as the Offertory)

Take a moment and pray:

God, my loving Father, when the priest and servers prepare the altar and place the sacred vessels upon it, grant me the Heart of Jesus, our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Help me prepare to offer my life with all its joys and struggles to you as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing” in your sight.

Father, when the gifts are brought in procession, help me to present, with them, my life, my desire to grow closer to you, my family, my hopes, my fears, my concerns of health, the financial issues I face, and help me to offer all of this with Jesus in this Mass.

Father, when the priest says over the bread and wine, “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you . . . the wine we offer you . . . ,” grant me a heart like that of Jesus, who offers himself in the form of bread and wine. I join the offering of my life with that of Jesus on the altar, and by your grace, I make this offering from my heart.

Father, when the priest washes his hands, I ask that you wash and cleanse me too. I ask for a heart made pure, a heart prepared to pray the Eucharistic Prayer, to live the Consecration, and to receive the Communion that will follow.

Father, when the priest says, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty

Father,” help me to respond from my heart, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his holy Church.” Make my sacrifice, too, the offering of my life, acceptable to you.

Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 57). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here

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 how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio, which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP29 – Episode 29 – Three Data on Which Delight Finally Depends – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 29 – Three Data on Which Delight Finally Depends

Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin. Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.

For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar’s Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.

Chapter 29: True Humility – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 29 – True Humility

“When you stop falling you are in heaven, but when you stop getting up you are in hell.” – Peter Calvay, “The Hermit”

The measure of spiritual advancement can always be determined by the speed with which we turn back to God from the distractions, the temptations, or the sins that try to turn us away from him. However, this speed can only be maintained with help and strength from God.

You can find the book here.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

Endorsement

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

BWPM 6 – The Courage of the Martyrs – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 6 – The Courage of the Martyrs – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Ask the Lord for a heart like Saint Justin’s and that of other martyrs, past and present, who professed their faith with similar courage. Then, slowly pray the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed that we say at Mass. As you pray, pause briefly at each truth you express. Let its meaning fill your heart. Renew your faith in it.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty (I believe in you, God the Father, God my father),

maker of heaven and earth (I believe in you as Creator),

of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ (I believe in you, Jesus, the Christ, and my Lord),

the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God (I believe that you, Jesus, are true God),

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation (I believe that you are my Savior)

he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate (I believe in your Incarnation)

of the Virgin Mary (I believe that you took flesh through Mary),

and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried (I believe that you died for our salvation),

and rose again on the third day (I believe in your Resurrection from the dead in power and glory)

in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father (I believe in your Ascension, that you were taken up to heaven).

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (I believe in your Second Coming at the end of time)

and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life (I believe in you, God the Holy Spirit, “Paraclete, Gift of God, living Fountain, Fire, Love, spiritual Anointing” [Veni Creator Spiritus]),

who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church (I believe that you founded the Catholic Church, the Spouse of the Lamb, our Mother).

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins (I believe in the grace and power of Baptism, of my Baptism)

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. (I believe in eternal life).

Pray the Profession of Faith like this at Mass.

Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 51-53). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP28 – Episode 28 – Life: So Startling There is No Time for Anything Else – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 28 – Life: So Startling There is No Time for Anything Else

Chapter 28: The Prayer Without Ceasing – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 28 – The Prayer Without Ceasing

“He ‘prays without ceasing’ who unites prayer to works and good works to prayer. Only in this way can we consider as realizable the principle of praying without ceasing.” – Origen

We can only hope to receive the ‘prayer without ceasing’ when we begin to realize that every moment is a time for repentance , for turning to receive the love of God that continually surges out of the risen Christ.

You can find the book here.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

Endorsement

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

BWPM 5 – A Disciple’s Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 5 – A Disciple’s Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Be there on the mountainside. Take your place close to Jesus. See the great crowd around you, eager to listen. Slowly read the words, and hear Jesus say them personally to you. Pause after each beatitude to consider it briefly: What does it mean? What is Jesus saying to you?

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him (you are seated there among them).

He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit (poor in spirit: humble, knowing our need for God, trusting in him), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn (mourn over sin and evil), for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (meek: gentle, not quick to take offense, patient), for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness (hunger and thirst for holiness, for new closeness to God), for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful (the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy), for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart (interiorly clean, pure, without duplicity), for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (those who reconcile people with each other and with God), for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (those who suffer for their fidelity to Christ), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

If you listen to the readings at Mass in this way, with a disciple’s heart, then Jesus’s Word will become for you, as the Second Vatican Council affirms, a “strength of faith,” a “food of the soul,” and a “pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.”40

Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 47-48). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.