April 2022

Sunday of the Third Week of Easter – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:45 — 13.1MB) | Embed

Sunday of the Third Week of Easter – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

ST-Luke Ep 20- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:40 — 21.8MB) | Embed

Episode 20 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 2

Luke 9: “Son of God Transfigured”

Luke chapter 9 begins with the mission of the twelve Apostles, whom Jesus gave power to cure disease and authority over all demons. They were instructed to take nothing for their journey and to “shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against” anyone who did not welcome them. To “shake off the dust” was a Hebrew idiom for Jews to separate themselves from the Gentiles. So in this context, Jesus was telling the Apostles to separate themselves from the Jews who rejected the Gospel. In a similar passage, Matthew took things a step further, warning “that it shall be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town (Mt 10:15).” Knowing that Jesus gave the Apostles power over all demons helps us understand why Jesus chastised the disciples for their lack of faith when they could not drive out a demon from a boy (Luke 9:40-41).

The chapter continues with Herod’s perplexity. Herod knew that John the Baptist was dead, yet he heard some thought that John had been raised from the dead or that Elijah had returned. These stories led to Herod’s desire to meet Jesus, which finally occurs during the Passion. We learn from Josephus that John was imprisoned for two years prior to his execution at Machaerus, a Herodian fortress on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. John was imprisoned for criticizing Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Phillip. Just as the evil Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah the prophet, so too did Herodias want to kill John the Baptist, the new Elijah.

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle (other than the Resurrection) that is found in all four Gospels. Luke was the only Gospel writer who specified that Bethsaida was the location of this miracle. Bethsaida was located at the inflow of the Jordan River into the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida was the home town of Peter, Andrew and Philip and was the location of many miracles, including the successive healing of the blind man as told in Mark 8. The city of Bethsaida was later renamed after Livia Drusilla, (aka Julia Augusta) the wife of Caesar Augustus, who was emperor at the time Jesus’s birth. Caesar Augustus had no male heir of his own, so at his death, he bequeathed 2/3 of his empire to Tiberius, Livia’s son by another man, and 1/3 to Julia herself. Julia was very popular among the people of the empire and was at odds with her son, Tiberius. She was declared a priestess and then later a goddess, and many temples were built in her honor throughout the empire. One of these temples was built in Bethsaida and the ancient Jewish fishing town was renamed Julias in her honor.

During the feeding of the 5000, Jesus told the people to sit together in companies of 50. This recalls the encampment of the Israelites in the Sinai desert. Moses divided the people into companies that surrounded the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the true presence of God. The companies were led by four of the twelve tribes as represented on banners with images of a lion (representing Judah), the face of a man (representing Ruben), an ox (representing Ephraim) and an eagle (representing Dan). Just as the companies in Sinai surrounded the true presence of God in the Tabernacle, so too did the companies of 50 surround Jesus, the true presence of God and Word made flesh, at the feeding of the 5000. The images on the Sinai banners were later seen in the description of the four living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision of heaven (EZEK 1) as well as in John the Evangelist’s vision of heaven in Revelation 4: the four living creatures surround the true presence of God in heaven. The four living creatures also symbolize the Gospel writers: Matthew the man, Mark the lion, Luke the ox and John the eagle. In many churches, images of the Gospel writers in the form of the four living creatures surround the tabernacle, which contains the true presence of God in the Eucharist. The feeding of the 5000 prefigures the Eucharist: the words take, blessed, broke and gave said by Jesus are the same words spoken by the priest during the Eucharistic prayer. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples recognized Jesus after he first opened the Word and then took, blessed, broke and gave bread to the disciples. At mass, both the Word and the Eucharist are equally venerated as both are Jesus. Through Moses, the Lord fed manna to the Israelites; through Jesus the new Moses, the Lord fed bread to the 5000; through the priesthood in persona Christi, the Lord feeds us the bread of life in the Eucharist.

Finally, we learn about the Transfiguration, which most ancient historians believed took place on Mount Tabor. Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to the mountain top, where they saw Elijah and Moses visit with the transfigured Jesus about his coming exodus. The fear the Apostles felt when they saw the radiant face of Jesus reminds us of the fear of the Israelites when they saw the radiant face of Moses after he received the tablets of the law from the Lord. They were all overshadowed by a cloud, which brings to mind the Lord’s appearance to Moses on Mount Sinai as well as the annunciation to Mary, who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. The apostles were heavy with sleep, which reminds us of Gethsemane when the apostles fell asleep while Jesus prayed. Jesus’ human nature was highlighted in his baptism, while his divine nature was transmitted through the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration marked the turning point in the ministry of Jesus, when he set his face towards Jerusalem and his passion, death and resurrection.

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

SCS1 – Introduction & Childhood – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:14 — 19.5MB) | Embed

Introduction & Childhood – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

In this introductory episode, Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena. Fr. McDermott shares his personal journey of discovering and studying St. Catherine, highlighting her significant impact despite initial challenges in understanding her work, particularly her major work, “The Dialogue” and how St. Catherine’s reputation spread through Raymond of Capua’s biography of her, despite some differences due to historical context.

Delving into St. Catherine’s mystical encounters, particularly a vision of Christ at a young age, which ignited her lifelong thirst for a personal relationship with Jesus; Fr. McDermott reminds us of the importance of desire in spirituality and reflects on how families and communities can foster an environment for spiritual growth, using the example of St. Catherine’s influence on others and her voluntary community of followers known as the “Caterinati“, providing insights into St. Catherine’s life, spirituality, and enduring impact.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Discovering St. Catherine: How does Fr. McDermott describe his initial encounter with St. Catherine’s writings? What were the challenges he faced, and how did he eventually come to appreciate her teachings?
Influence of Raymond of Capua: Discuss the significance of Raymond of Capua’s biography of St. Catherine. How did this biography contribute to her reputation, despite potential differences due to historical context?
Mystical Encounters: Reflect on St. Catherine’s mystical encounters, particularly her vision of Christ as a young child. How did this experience shape her spiritual journey and ignite her thirst for a deeper relationship with Jesus?
The Importance of Desire: Fr. McDermott emphasizes the theme of desire in spirituality. How does he explain the concept of desire in the context of St. Catherine’s life and teachings? How can modern Catholics cultivate a similar desire for God?
Influence on Others: Explore St. Catherine’s influence on others, particularly her voluntary community of followers known as the “Caterinati.” How did she impact the lives of those around her, and what lessons can Catholics today draw from her example of spiritual leadership?
Fostering Spiritual Growth: Reflect on the role of families and communities in fostering environments conducive to spiritual growth, as discussed in the episode. How can Catholic families and communities today create spaces where individuals can deepen their relationship with God?

St.-Catherine-of-Siena-book-200x300 — This series is based on ‘Catherine of Siena’ by Fr. Thomas McDermott

For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here

Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.

SCS2 – The Fundamental Maxim and The Dark Night of Self-Knowldege – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:30 — 21.7MB) | Embed

The Fundamental Maxim and The Dark Night of Self-Knowldege – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Sienna, focusing on pivotal moments in her spiritual development. They explore St. Catherine’s experiences in prayer, her periods of solitude, and her relationship with her family. St. Catherine’s choice to join the Dominican third order is highlighted, as well as her struggle with temptation and the “dark night of the soul.” Fr. McDermott dispels misconceptions about her attitude towards the papacy by way of her deep love for God and the Church.

St. Catherine’s teachings, particularly her fundamental maxim on self-knowledge and humility tell listeners of the relevance of her spiritual journey for contemporary believers and the importance of maintaining a personal “cell” of self-knowledge and recollection amidst the chaos of the world.

Fr. Thomas McDermott - Prayer and the Dominican Tradition 2

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Exploring Solitude and Isolation: How can we distinguish between solitude, as experienced by St. Catherine of Sienna, and isolation? Reflect on the significance of solitude in nurturing one’s spiritual life.
Family Dynamics and Vocation: Consider St. Catherine’s family’s reaction to her desire for solitude and her chosen vocation. How can we reconcile familial concerns with personal vocations and aspirations?
Understanding Third Orders: Reflect on the concept of third orders in religious life, such as the Dominican third order to which St. Catherine belonged. How might third orders provide avenues for laypeople to deepen their spiritual lives while living in the world?
Discerning Religious Experiences: St. Catherine’s experiences of visions and dreams played a significant role in her spiritual journey. How can individuals discern whether their religious experiences are genuine messages from God or products of their own psyche?
The Dark Night of the Soul: Reflect on St. Catherine’s “dark night” experience and her perseverance through spiritual struggles. How can we maintain faith and love for God during times of spiritual dryness or perceived abandonment?
The Cell of Self-Knowledge: Explore the concept of the “cell of self-knowledge” as discussed by St. Catherine. How might we cultivate inner recollection and self-awareness amidst the distractions of daily life?
Love for God and Others: St. Catherine emphasized the connection between one’s love for God and the quality of relationships with others. Reflect on how our interactions with others reflect our love for God, and vice versa.
Misconceptions and Authentic Spirituality: Consider misconceptions about St. Catherine’s relationship with the Church, particularly regarding her interactions with the papacy. How can we discern authentic spirituality within the context of the Church’s teachings and authority?

For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here

SCS3 – The Mystical Experiences – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:07 — 22.2MB) | Embed

The Mystical Experiences – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott - Prayer and the Dominican Tradition 1

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Siena, focusing on her mystical experiences and their significance: he mystical spousals with Christ, her understanding of virtues and their role in Christian life, and her practical approach to serving others, exemplified by her care for the sick and difficult; her willingness to endure suffering for the salvation of others, culminating in her experience of the stigmata.

Fr. Thomas McDermott - Prayer and the Dominican Tradition 2

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Mystical Spousals and Divine Union: How does St. Catherine of Sienna’s experience of mystical spousals with Christ reflect her deep union with God? What insights can we gain from her understanding of this mystical experience?
Virtues and Christian Life: In what ways did St. Catherine emphasize the importance of virtues in Christian life, particularly in contrast to merely following the commandments? How can we apply her emphasis on virtues in our own spiritual journey?
Practical Love and Service: Reflect on St. Catherine’s practical approach to serving others, such as her care for the sick and difficult, like Andrea. How does her example challenge us to overcome our own limitations and extend love and service to those around us?
Union with God and Suffering: Discuss St. Catherine’s deep union with God and her willingness to endure suffering for the salvation of others, as seen in her experience of the stigmata. How does her example inspire us to embrace suffering as a means of drawing closer to Christ and participating in His redemptive work?
Gospel-Centered Reflection: Consider how St. Catherine’s teachings and experiences remain closely aligned with the Gospel. How can we strive to center our own spiritual reflections and practices on the teachings of Christ as she did?

For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here

SCS4 – The Avignon and Rome Years – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:03 — 20.1MB) | Embed

The Avignon and Rome Years – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott - Prayer and the Dominican Tradition 1

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Siena and her role in persuading the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon after a 70-year absence. They shine a light on St. Catherine’s remarkable transformation from a seemingly shy recluse to a prominent figure advising the Pope. Her directness and authority, rooted in her divine revelations and visions, were instrumental in influencing the Pope’s decision.

Fr. McDermott also shares his personal connection to St. Catherine, describing how studying her teachings profoundly impacted his spiritual journey, leading to a deep admiration and engagement with her life.

Fr. Thomas McDermott - Prayer and the Dominican Tradition 2

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

St. Catherine’s Influence: How does St. Catherine’s transformation from a shy recluse to a prominent advisor to the Pope reflect her deep spiritual journey and divine calling?
Access to the Papal Court: What do you think allowed St. Catherine, a woman, to have such unprecedented access to the papal court during her time, and what significance does this hold for understanding the medieval Church’s attitude towards women?
St. Catherine’s Authority: In what ways did St. Catherine demonstrate her prophetic voice and authority, particularly in her directness and fearlessness in confronting the Pope and addressing the issues within the Church?
St. Catherine’s Personal Sacrifice: Reflect on St. Catherine’s physical and spiritual suffering, such as her struggles with food and her tireless devotion to prayer for the Church. How does her perseverance in the face of suffering inspire you in your own spiritual journey?
St. Catherine’s Legacy: Discuss the enduring impact of St. Catherine’s life and teachings on the Catholic Church. How can her example of love for the Church coupled with constructive criticism guide us in our efforts for spiritual renewal and reform today?

For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here

SCS5 – “The Supreme Truth” and other topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:25 — 21.6MB) | Embed

The Supreme Truth and other topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

In this enlightening episode, Father Thomas McDermott O.P. delves into St. Catherine of Siena’s spiritual legacy, exploring her status as a Doctor of the Church and the profound depth of her teachings as presented in her principal work, The Dialogue, and her extensive letters. Father McDermott elucidates St. Catherine’s mystical experiences, particularly during her communion, where she received divine locutions that formed the basis of her writings.

The episode highlights the core themes of St. Catherine’s teachings, including the importance of truth and self-knowledge, the practical application of theology in everyday Christian life, and virtues like humility, obedience, and patience. A significant focus is also placed on the concept of divinization, a key aspect of her theology, which illustrates how humans are invited to share in God’s divinity through grace. This discussion sheds light on St. Catherine’s theological contributions. It underscores her timeless impact on Christian spirituality and ecclesiastical teachings, offering valuable insights into living a virtuous Christian life rooted in contemplative practice and practical action.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Self-Knowledge and Truth: St. Catherine emphasized the importance of self-knowledge and understanding the truth about God and ourselves. Reflect on your own journey of self-knowledge. How has your understanding of yourself influenced your relationship with God?
Divine Communication: Father McDermott describes St. Catherine’s mystical experiences and her communion with God. How do you perceive divine communication in your own life? In what ways do you feel God communicates with you, and how do you respond?
Practical Virtues: St. Catherine’s teachings highlight virtues like humility, obedience, and patience. Choose one of these virtues and reflect on its role in your life. Can you identify a recent situation where you successfully or unsuccessfully embodied this virtue?
Role of Mystical Experiences: According to St. Catherine, mystical experiences should lead to an increase in virtuous living. Reflect on any personal experiences that you consider mystical or profoundly spiritual. How have these experiences impacted your daily actions and spiritual growth?
Concept of Divinization: The idea of sharing in God’s divinity is a profound aspect of St. Catherine’s theology. Reflect on what divinization means to you. How does the concept that we are made to share in the divine life influence your understanding of your purpose and actions?
The Impact of Sin and Grace: Discuss how St. Catherine views the effects of original sin and grace on human nature. How does recognizing your own sinfulness and God’s grace change the way you approach life and relationships?
Teachings Applied to Contemporary Issues: St. Catherine was practical and addressed the needs of her time. How can her teachings be applied to contemporary issues in the Church or society today? Are there specific teachings that resonate with you in addressing current challenges?
Contemplative Prayer: St. Catherine strongly advocated contemplative prayer as a means to truth and a deeper relationship with God. How does contemplative prayer fit into your spiritual practice? What steps can you take to deepen or incorporate contemplative prayer into your routine?

For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here

SCS6 – “The Precious Blood”, “The Christ Bridge” and other topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:30 — 22.3MB) | Embed

Episode 6 St. Catherine of Siena: Her Life and Teachings with Fr. Thomas McDermott

In this episode, Fr. McDermott aids in our understanding of St. Catherine’s teachings on the “Blood of Christ” and its context from Sacred Scripture and Medieval sensibilities. He discusses “The Christ Bridge” as a central image in St. Catherine’s writings and one’s spiritual journey. The flowering of baptismal grace is exemplified in this teaching.

Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He currently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.

St.-Catherine-of-Siena-book — Our series is based on “Catherine of Siena”
by Fr. McDermott

SCS7 – “Stages” in the Spiritual LIfe – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Episode 7 St. Catherine of Siena: Her Life and Teachings with Fr. Thomas McDermott

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:04 — 20.1MB) | Embed

In this episode, Fr. McDermott aids in our understanding of St. Catherine’s teachings on the “stages” of our spiritual life.

What is the proper understanding of grace and sharing in the Divine Life. Good feelings, consolations, joy are experiences during the second step on the “Christ-Bridge”. The concern of “falling in love more with the gifts rather than with the Giver” is discussed. The danger of spiritual gluttony and pride, as well as the need to care for one’s neighbor are essential elements in St. Catherine’s teachings. Fr. McDermott also reflects on her teachings about the Divine Fire and gift of Tears.

SCS8 – Perfect Love and Perfect Union – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Episode 8 St. Catherine of Siena: Her Life and Teachings with Fr. Thomas McDermott

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:37 — 21.1MB) | Embed

In this final episode, Fr. McDermott discuss the final step of the spiritual life which is actually comprised of two stages: “perfect love” and “perfect union”. On the “Christ-Bridge” we find ourselves with St. Catherine at the “mouth” of Christ which corresponds to the first chapter of the “Song of Songs”. Fr. McDermott expands on St. Catherine’s teachings on the role we have as sons and daughters of the Father.

Fr. McDermott then offers a summation of St. Catherine’s teachings as a conclusion for our discussions.