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St Philip Neri in the 16th century would gather those each day who were desirous of seeking Christian perfection. He would read from a spiritual book and then discourse on the meaning of what was read. This podcast (and the nightly prayer group from which it springs) seeks to carry on St Philip’s method of helping people become holy, even saints, in their own homes.
Episodes
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Friday Jan 06, 2023
Thursday Jan 05, 2023
Wednesday Jan 04, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
What is the basis for spiritual peace and joy?
A pure heart. A pure heart is one that seeks God's will alone. A pure heart alone desires that all things be loved and desired in relation to God. Where can we find this pure heart, this heart set purely on God's will? In Bethlehem, from the Christ child. He offers us a pure heart, His own heart!
Saturday Dec 24, 2022
Friday Dec 23, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
What troubles our faith in this state of abandonment?
Our five senses. As we try to live by pure faith, our eyes and ears, our sense of touch, and our taste all seem to point in another direction. We seem to be missing certain satisfactions. What we believe does not seem to match what we are are seeing around us. But faith is of things unseen! Have courage!
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
What makes abandonment to divine Providence possible?
The theological virtues. From our side, we are able to surrender to God because he has infused these powers, these virtues, into our souls. Faith allows us to recognize God's presence and action. Hope allows us to rely on Him, to want Him, beyond all feeling. Love allows us to be One with Him. Love allows us to have His will as our will.
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
Saturday Dec 17, 2022
Does the state of passive abandonment to the divine action lead to sadness or joy?
Joy. I came, Christ said, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. Saints like Mother Teresa of Calcutta show us that even the highest forms of abandonment to divine providence lead to joy. Joy comes from resting in God. While the Lord strips us of all reliance on creatures. He gives Himself to us more and more. In Him we find joy amidst the darkness. He is there. He is guiding us. We rejoice.
Friday Dec 16, 2022
Friday Dec 16, 2022
Does the life of God in our souls, the life of following His inspirations, bear fruit for others?
Yes. Like Christ, those who live in humility and submission to the Father's will bring forth much fruit. There is a hidden and unseen power in those who have been led to this state of having God living in our souls.
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Does the state of abandonment help us?
Yes. God is leading us to a perfect reliance on Himself. He is taking away from us all that cannot really sustain us. God wants to be All in all. He leads us by a dark path in which we can no longer rely on ourselves to guide us. We cannot really rely on anyone else, but God alone. In this state God fills us with all kinds of understanding and wisdom and love.
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Does God always lead us by the same path?
No. De Caussade distinguishes two states of soul. There is the state in which the soul lives in God, for God, in relation to God. The soul regulates everything as it seeks divine union. There is also the state that we are led to at times in which God lives in the soul. Instead of our directing ourselves to Him, he begins to direct every step we take. The way into this state can be dark and difficult.
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
What is necessary for our being conformed to God's plan for us?
Docility. Abandonment. Living in the present moment. Each of us is meant to be a unique artistic production produced by God the Father. He has in mind His Son, His Word, through whom we were created. He is making us like unto Him by all He allows to happen to us.
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Do we have to be learned and eloquent to become saints?
No. Holiness is not in the intellect as much as in the will. God's love is at work. Our task to be willing to follow His lead.
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Sunday Dec 11, 2022
Do I have to lean on creatures to become holy?
No created being can make us holy. God alone can. Gradually God teaches us that He alone can bring about our sanctification. He uses creatures as His instruments. But what He wants is for us to accept everything as from His hands.
Saturday Dec 10, 2022
Saturday Dec 10, 2022
What does God especially want from us?
Being content with his will. He does not ask of us great deeds that cause wonder in others. He does not even ask us to be martyrs (necessarily). We wants us to say yes to His will in each of our lives.
Friday Dec 09, 2022
Friday Dec 09, 2022
Is every event in our lives holy?
In a way, yes. All that happens involves God's creative activity. All that happens is allowed and directed by God. Thus, every moment has a kind of sacredness to it. This is why we can always be in union with God's will at every moment as we say yes to His will.
Thursday Dec 08, 2022