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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
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Why is Br Lawrence so important?
His great example. We begin the short biography of Br Lawrence that was written in 1692. In the opening note, the author sets Br Lawrence before us as a model of how to combine action and contemplation.
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
How does one arrive at the practice of the presence of God?
Three means are crucial. In chapter 6, Br Lawrence lays out the main ways to arrive at the loving awareness of God's presence. The first is purity of life, that is, chastity and being sincere. The second is the actual practice of the presence of God. We must strive to remember God, however briefly, before we do things. But we also must turn our minds to him during our actions. Finally, we must turn to him at the completion. This practice is hard and should not discourage us. It will bear fruit. The third means is the mortification of the senses. We must not allow ourselves to satisfy all our desires for seeing and touching and eating and hearing. We must deny ourselves in things when God asks us to do so. We must be faithful to God in trying to practice self-denial if we want Him to be generous with us in prayer.
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
How can we truly live in God's presence?
When he gives us a gentle loving awareness of himself. In chapter 5 of the Spiritual Maxims, Br Lawrence gives various descriptions of what this being in the presence of God is like. But the most fundamental aspect of these descriptions is that our living in the presence of God is a gift. This awareness of his presence must be asked for from God.
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Sunday Oct 09, 2022
Are there different ways to be in union with God?
Yes, in chapter four, Br Lawrence lays out three meaning of union with God: habitual, virtual, and actual. Habitual union depends on being in a state of grace. If we are in a state of grace, we are always in union with God! But this union can become more intense when we begin an action in union with God. Even as this action continues, we remain in virtual union with God by virtue of the good beginning. Virtual union does not require our constant awareness of God. Finally there is the perfect actual union that arises as God gives Himself to us in a dark and gentle knowledge of himself. This leaves us with a love for Him that embraces God even as we struggle to understand what He is in Himself. We love Him in this cloud of unknowing.
Saturday Oct 08, 2022
Saturday Oct 08, 2022
How do we adore God in this life?
By recognizing Him for what He is and recognizing what we are. He is seeking those who adore Him in spirit and in truth. He dwells in our inmost heart, in our soul, in our spirit, the high point of the soul. To adore Him within also requires that we recognize the truth about God.
Friday Oct 07, 2022
Friday Oct 07, 2022
What is the most important aspect of the spiritual life?
In the second chapter on Spiritual Maxims, Br Lawrence stresses the need to turn to God within our souls at various points in the day. Nothing is as valuable as turning in adoration to the God who dwells in our souls. We do not have to spend much time with Him; but every time we withdraw from all creatures to be with Him, we give Him great joy.
Thursday Oct 06, 2022
Thursday Oct 06, 2022
What is the first spiritual maxim?
Seek to accept all that God sends. Do not be surprised when he allows trials and difficulties. Christ, the Son of God, faced obstacles and trials. These are no sign of a lack of love from God our Father. God is trying to perfect our faith, hope, and love. He wants to make us depend on Him alone.
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
Wednesday Oct 05, 2022
How do we cling to God in this life?
Faith, Hope, and Charity. Nothing is more important in this life than knowing God by faith, relying on Him by hope, and being one with Him in divine love. These theological virtues have God (Theos in Greek) as their object and source. God is the one we believe, trust, and love. He infuses these virtues, these excellences, these readinesses, into our soul. But to grow in these virtues, we need humility. We need to rely on God"s grace. Tonight Br Lawrence tells us how God purifies us and makes our faith, hope, and love stronger.
Last episode, we read about the need to speak to God in all the perplexing moments of life. The practice of the presence of God is not something disconnected from the rest of our life. We live as we pray. We pray as we live. Prayer arises from the present moment. Prayer arises from everyday life. The present is where time meets eternity, where humanity meets God.
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
We read about the need to seek the union with God in the ordinary events of life. By doing his will through a loving obedience, we find ourselves close to Him. Union with God depends on love. Love involves doing the will of the one we love. The more we live with God, the more we seek His grace, the more we can do His will.
Sunday Oct 02, 2022
Saturday Oct 01, 2022
Friday Sep 30, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
What is the true foundation of our search for God?
Faith, Hope, and Charity. In letter 12, Br Lawrence highlights some graces he was given before he realized the importance of the practice of the presence of God. If we are searching for God, we must know that He is already searching for us. We want God by his own gifts, especially the gifts of faith and hope. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, St Paul writes. By faith we know how great and powerful God is. By hope, we want to be in a relationship of love with God. By love, we prefer that love to all other things. The practice of the presence of God is built on faith in God"s presence, hope in his help, and love for the one who dwells in our heart.
Saturday Sep 10, 2022
Saturday Sep 10, 2022
Should we always pray to have a trial taken away?
No. In letter 11, Br Lawrence distinguishes between a trial and the way we endure the trial. Br Lawrence does not always ask for the trial to be taken away but rather for the strength to bear this trial for as long as God wills. Br Lawrence has some very special trials, trials that he shares with other saints. The greater the holiness, the greater the trials God allows his servants to endure. But he never allows us to be tested beyond the strength He gives us.