March 2021

Ep 7 – Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:47 — 19.2MB) | Embed

David Torkington, author and narrator of this work

Episode 7 – A Blueprint for Prayer: FATHER

When Peter arrives from Calvay for their next meeting, James immediately asks him to continue explaining his blueprint for prayer, using the second part, FATHER. Peter starts with the letter F explaining that our Faith is not firstly a belief in a body of truths, but in a body full of love that was filled to overflowing on the first Easter Day. He continues to use each letter of Father to explain our need for total abandonment to God and again incorporates the Mass, and introduces James to ancient prayers used by the Desert Fathers

You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.

You can find the book here.

David Torkington, the author of Wisdom from the Western Isles has re-edited and abridged the work for broadcast; he is also the narrator. The book was published originally as three separate spiritual novels: Peter Calvay – Hermit, Peter Calvay – Prophet and Peter Calvay – Mystic. We begin with the first part, The Hermit but including some passages from Peter Calvay – Mystic so as to give an overall view of the spiritual journey for listeners.

David Torkington is an English Spiritual Theologian, author, and speaker, specializing in Prayer, Christian Spirituality, and Mystical Theology. Educated at the Franciscan Study Centre, England, he served as Dean of Studies at the National Catholic Radio and Television Centre, London. He was an extra-mural lecturer in Mystical Theology at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, and has received invitations to speak to Religious, Monks, Diocesan Priests, and laypeople from all over the world, including Equatorial Africa, where he gave three prolonged lecture tours speaking on Christian prayer.

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.

SJ7 – Joseph and His Work – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:41 — 24.6MB) | Embed

Episode 7 – Joseph and His Work

In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and his family’s trade as a carpenter and the holiness found in “work.”

An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:

He was a silent man. And one of his titles in modern devotion draws further attention to his silence: St. Joseph the Worker. The Catholic Church remembers St. John of Antioch as “Golden Mouth” (Chrysostom) and St. Peter of Ravenna for his “Golden Words” (Chrysologus). But we remember Joseph for getting things done. Among all who have labored, in all of human history, he is the one known as “the Worker.”

In the Gospels, Joseph’s identity is bound up with his relationships and his labor. He is the son of Jacob. He is the husband of Mary. He is the earthly father of Jesus. He is the companion of angels.

He is a son, a husband, a father. And he is a tekton—a craftsman, an artisan. An ancient tradition tells us more specifically that his craft was carpentry, a trade in which he apprenticed his son Jesus. When people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching, they asked: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” (Mt 13:55).

Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 59). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in this series visit – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina page

You can find the book on which this series is based here.

Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.^[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.

Mike Aquilina’s website is found at fathersofthechurch.com

Other Mike Aquilina series’ found on Discerning Hearts:

Roots the Faith

The Resilient Church

Villains of the Early Church

Episode 4 – Chance or the Dance – Fr. Joseph Fessio S.J., Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce FBC Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:42 — 26.8MB) | Embed

This week, author Thomas Howard tells us about freedom, dancing, love, and sex. We break down chapters 6 and 7 of Chance or the Dance.

You can find the book here

Contrasting the Christian and secular worldviews, Dr. Thomas Howard refreshes our minds with the illuminated view of Christianity as it imbued the world in times pastshowing that we cannot live meaningful lives without this Christian understanding of things. An inspiring apology for Christianity, and a stirring critique of secularism.

ST-John Ep 31 – John 15 – I am the True Vine part 1 – The Gospel of St. John – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:27 — 20.9MB) | Embed

Episode 31 – John 15 – I am the True Vine part 1

“I am the true vine.” With this seventh and final “I am” statement, Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel focuses on our need to abide in Christ, remaining in His love. The image of a vine reminds us of the many allegories in the Bible related to wine, grapes, and vineyards.

Sharon goes on to remind us that in the Old Testament, the oldest son did not always receive the blessing and birthright that was due to him. In particular, Sharon focus on the story of Jacob and his 12 sons. The blessing goes to Judah, the fourth-born son, and the birthright to Joseph. Though his sons, Joseph received a double portion inheritance of the Promised Land. The blessing given to Judah is fully fulfilled in Jesus, who was a member of the tribe of Judah. And the birthright given to Joseph is also fully realized in Christ. God’s highly favored son Jesus, wins for us a double portion, God’s kingdom on earth (the church) as well as God’s heavenly Kingdom of heaven. Joseph is a wonderful “type” of Christ, with numerous examples of striking parallels in their lives. Genesis 49:22 describes Joseph as a fruitful bough or vine, which points towards Jesus, the true vine described in John 15. In the Old Testament, the plentiful fruit of the vine would remind Israel of God’s promise for redemption, but unfortunately, Israel was often unfruitful, yielding wild or rotten grapes as described in Isaiah 5. Jesus uses the same imagery in John 15 when he describes the blessings to those who abide in him and the destruction that occurs to those that do not. God’s vine of Israel was meant to spread throughout the world but instead became an un-kept, disgraceful vineyard. Israel was in need of a new and true vine, and Jesus fulfills that need.

Sharon then digs deeper into the imagery of John 15, showing us how God the Father is the husbandman of the vineyard, tending to the vines, pruning away the dead branches so that the vine may grow and flourish. If we allow, God will cut out our sinful tendencies. This discipline, while at times painful, is necessary for us to abide with Him. The branches closest to the trunk of the vine bear the most fruit, encouraging us to always humbly remain as close as possible to God. We recall the story of Solomon, who early in his life stayed close to the Lord, but as he grew more rich and powerful, he fell into the sin of pride, becoming increasingly self-sufficient and separated from the Lord. Jesus tells us that without him, we can do nothing, but if we abide in him, our joy will be complete. If we want to remain with Christ, we much follow his commands, which serve as a blueprint for our lives, bringing us to the fullness of joy that God desires for us. He wants us to bear eternal fruit that will last, and have a sober intoxication of His Holy Spirit, the sap that flows through the vine as we climb the trestle back to the Father.

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.

For more in this series visit the Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran Discerning Hearts page

“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

CTD3 – Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:29 — 18.3MB) | Embed

Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating

In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Lent as a time of vulnerability to God’s mercy, emphasizing bringing sin into Christ’s light for liberation. They contrast morality’s true freedom with sin’s chains and highlight Christ’s presence in our struggles.

Deacon Keating gives us of a message of hope, reassuring listeners that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and mercy.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Lenten Focus: How does Deacon Keating suggest shifting focus during Lent from a mere “to-do list” approach to one of vulnerability and openness to God’s mercy?
Recognizing Sin: According to the podcast, what is the significance of bringing hidden truths and sins into the light of Christ during Lent?
Morality and Freedom: Describe the relationship between morality and true freedom, as discussed in the episode.
Christ’s Presence: How does Deacon Keating emphasize Christ’s accompaniment through the Lenten journey, drawing parallels with Jesus’ experience in the desert?
Message of Hope: Summarize the final message of hope conveyed by Deacon Keating in the conclusion of the episode.

An excerpt from “Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion”:

“The ancient image of Lent as a time of withdrawal is relevant to the formation of conscience if we perceive that our consciences have been inordinately attached to anemic sources of influence. Christians are called to transform the world of culture, work, and politics according to the truths learned through Christ in the Church. It is a powerful and dignified calling. Lent affords us a good opportunity to repent of those habits, attitudes, or behaviors that reflect a preoccupation with the secular. Thus devoid of the religious, we are then called to eagerly respond to our faith and imbue the secular with religious and ethical meaning. To do less than this is to render our baptisms impotent and meaningless.”

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

Ep 6 – Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:14 — 20.2MB) | Embed

Episode 6 – A Blueprint for Prayer: OUR

Peter describes the Lord’s Prayer as the pattern of all Christian prayer and that this prayer is itself summed up in the first two words, Our Father. Peter gives James a Blueprint for Prayer which can be used as a memory jog to start praying in earnest. In the blueprint he has used each letter of the OUR FATHER as a reminder of nine indispensable ingredients that should feature in our daily prayer. In the first part, OUR, Peter emphasizes the very essence of Christian prayer and introduces James to the Morning Offering, the meaning of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.

You can find more episodes of the series here: Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Hermit w/ David Torkington page.

You can find the book here.

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

SJ6 – Flight from Herod – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:55 — 20.0MB) | Embed

Episode 6 – Flight from Herod

In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss St. Joseph and the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt.

An excerpt from St. Joseph and His World:

The warning came in a dream: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Mt 2:13). Joseph had been asleep. It was late in the night, and even the roads in town were barely navigable for the darkness. Beyond the town, there was not a glimmer of light.

They had no time to prepare. Packing for maximum speed, they could carry few possessions with them. They would have to make the journey with little more than the clothes they wore and the divine baby in their arms.

This could not be delayed till morning. Mary and Joseph had spent the whole of their lives in a land ruled by Herod. They knew no other world. They had never seen another world. They knew that Herod would act swiftly, decisively, and effectively. Every despot in the Mediterranean region was capable of murderous cruelty. The Persians were notorious for it; and the Romans were every bit their equal. History showed that the Hasmoneans, too, had been inclined to slaughter and exemplary public torture. But Herod was efficient, and he did not allow himself or his forces to fail.

Aqualina, Mike. St. Joseph and His World (p. 53). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.