ST-John Ep 3 – In the Beginning – The Gospel of St. John – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 3 – John 1: In the Beginning pt.1

What is your deepest identity? As we begin our study of John, Sharon poses this fundamental question: Who are you? What is your identity? The answer can be found in scripture: you are a beloved son or daughter of God. This powerful theme runs deep in this lecture. Beginning at the beginning, Sharon focuses on John 1 and Genesis 1, illuminating the nature of Jesus, the Word, who was with God, was in God, and was God before the beginning of time. Central to the nature of Christ is his humanity, and specifically his identity as a man. Jesus’ maleness is inherent to his personhood. Sadly, Satan attempts to distort the reality of who we are as male or female, and our current culture has been bombarded with so-called “gender identity ideology”, which Pope Francis describes as a negative trend, a profound falsehood, ideological colonization by wealthy countries, and demonic. Gender used to be a binary choice: male or female. Now gender is used to describe social and cultural differences as opposed to biological. With the fall, confusion entered the world and we lost our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God and the fatal wound of sin entered the world. But, thanks be to God, with the Incarnation of Christ, we now have a way back to the Father. Jesus has given us the power to be children of God and reclaim our truest identity. Sharon then goes on to talk about John the Baptist, whose purpose was to bear witness to Christ. The Jewish leaders venture into the desert and question John about his identity: Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet? Are you the Messiah? John explains that he is the voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord as prophesied by Isaiah. While not Elijah returned, John indeed is the new Elijah as predicted by the prophet Malachi, who the Lord will send before the anointed one. Sharon focuses on typology: John, the new Elijah and Jesus, the new Moses. She concludes her lecture with the first of several examples of bridegroom imagery found in John’s Gospel. John states he is unworthy to unfasten the ties of Jesus’ sandals. More than a statement of humility, John is reaffirming his role. He is not the bridegroom of redeemed Israel. He is the witness, the best man of the marriage between Jesus, the groom, and the Church, his bride.

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

PHL5 – The Sea of Galilee, Mount of the Beatitudes, and Bethlehem – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor

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In this episode, we discuss Day 7 – 8 and the significance of the Sea of Galilee and the Mount of the Beatitudes. Then we are on the beauty of Bethlehem.

Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed – your footsteps will become His. Celebrate votive Masses in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!

Places we will visit:

Holy Land · The Negev · Ein Gedi · Jordan · Jericho · Nazareth · Mount Carmel · Stella Maris · Muhraka ·Carmelites · Tabor · Cana · Capharnahum · Mount of Beatitudes · Tabgha · Jerusalem · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Mt. of Olives · Gallicantu · Via Dolorosa · Mt. Zion · Emmaus

In this episode:

Friday, May 29 | Boat ride – Capharnahum – Mount of Beatitudes – Tabgha

After breakfast, we will embark for a Boat ride to Capernaum. Capernaum is now in ruins but was once a thriving town where Peter lived and hosted Jesus (Mt 4:13). In this Synagogue Jesus gave the discourse on the Bread of Life (Jn 6:35-70). Drive to the Mount of the Beatitudes. Visit the Church that commemorates where Christ taught the Eight Beatitudes to his Disciples (Mt 5). Walk down the Mount to the altar of the Beatitude grotto. Celebrate Mass in open air. Go to lunch. After lunch, the bus will drive us to the Primacy of Peter and after to Tabgha the site of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish (Mt14). Visit the Church and its famous mosaics. Afterward, we will have a time of adoration on the seashore (called Dalmanoutha). Back to the Hotel. Dinner. Free evening.

Day8

Saturday, May 30 | Ascent to Jerusalem – Panorama – Bethlehem

After breakfast, we depart from Tiberias directly to Jerusalem. While ascending the mountains, we will shift from ‘the Son to the Holy Spirit’ in our Trinitarian journey. Make the ascent to Jerusalem while reading the Psalms of Ascent. Enter in Jerusalem and drive directly to Bethlehem. Visit the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the site of the birthplace of Jesus, born amongst the Jewish people. Visit the Cave where Christ was born and the cave of St. Jerome, who lived here for many years translating the Bible into Latin. Celebrate Mass Go to Bet Sahour for lunch. at the Shepherds field, recalling the “great throng of the heavenly hosts” that appeared to the Shepherds announcing to them of the birth of the Savior (Lk2:8). After lunch, we will have time for shopping. While driving home if time permits, stop at the panorama view of the Tayelet above the Gehenna and Kidron Valleys. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Teaching on the Holy Sepulcher in the evening.

A Trinitarian

Holy Land Pilgrimage

In the Company of Elijah

Walk Where Jesus Walked!

May 23 – June 02, 2020

Our pilgrimage organized by:

Click here to find out more about the DH Trinitarian Holy Land Pilgrimage

A few words:
Dear Pilgrim, I invite you prayerfully to discern joining me in undertaking a once in a lifetime journey with a remarkable woman of faith, Sr. Magdalit of the Community of the Beatitudes. Her years of lived experience in Israel and leading pilgrimages throughout the Holy Land will avail us of unique opportunities for prayer, spiritual teaching, and fellowship. Together, we hope to lead you into a new encounter with the great mysteries of our faith and a renewal of your devotion to the Lord. Our eyes will see and our hands will touch the great marvels that live among the people and in the sacred geography on which God was born, walked, died and rose. I hope that the Lord calls you to join us.
In Christ,
Dr. Anthony Lilles

BKL267 – “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He describes in detail the true horror of this means of execution and what it meant to be crucified in the time of Jesus. But he also talks about the great love that God has for us in embracing the Cross for our sake and what it means for us today. A very powerful reflection.

ST-John Ep 2 – Overview Part 2 – The Gospel of St. John – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 2 – The Gospel of John Overview – part 2

We begin our study of the beautiful Gospel of John with an overview lecture. John the Evangelist wrote this powerful book for a specific purpose: “So that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name (Jn 20:31).” Sharon starts off with some background information about John, son of Zebedee, who with his brother James, are surnamed by Jesus as the Sons of Thunder. Salome, their mother, petitions the Lord on behalf of her sons that they be granted a seat beside him in heaven. Salome is also one of the myrrh bearing women who prepare the crucified Lord’s body for burial. John, the youngest of the Apostles, refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved, illuminating the intimate relationship they shared. John was an eye witness to the defining events of Christ’s ministry, including the Transfiguration as well as the resurrections of Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and, most importantly, Jesus himself. John, the only Apostle present at the foot of the cross, was entrusted with the care of Mary, bringing her to safety in Ephesus where she lived until her assumption. John’s Gospel differs from the synoptic Gospels, presenting a highly theological perspective of the life of Christ. Unlike the synoptic writers who begin with historical facts surrounding the life of Christ, John begins at the beginning, drawing us back to Genesis and the creation of the world. His Gospel is rich with imagery, irony, symbolic themes. It contains the seven signs and the seven “I am” statements. John’s Gospel contains unique stories not found elsewhere: the Samaritan woman at the well, the wedding feast at Cana, the raising of Lazarus, the woman caught in adultery, the doubt of Thomas. His bread of life discourse lays the foundation for our understanding of the Eucharist. Highly sacramental, the Gospel of John reveals the nature of baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony and Holy Orders.

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

PHL4 – Ascending Mt. Tabor and the Wedding Feast at Cana – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor

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In this episode, we discuss Day 6 and how we are ascending Mt. Tabor the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus and his encounter with Elijah and Moses in the presence of Peter, James, and John. And then we journey to Cana!

Places we will visit:

In this episode:

Day6

Thursday, May 28 | Tabor – Cana

In the morning, we will proceed to Mt. Tabor in the Jezreel Valley (Zc12:11), 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. According to Origen, St Jerome and St Cyril of Jerusalem, this is the site of the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) where Jesus appeared in his Glory between Elijah and Moses. Also, the site in the first covenant, in the mid – 12th century BCE of the battle between Barak and Sisera, under the leadership of Deborah the Israelite Judge of that time (Jg4:5). We will ascend the Mount Tabor by foot in silence (1,886 feet). After praying and contemplating the Moso-Arab Church, a jewel of art, We will celebrate the Eucharist in this magnificent place, ponder on the person of Elijah in Judaism and his presence in the New Testament. Lunch. Descent of Mount Tabor by foot. Cana, where Christ performed his first miracle at the request of his mother is on our way to the Lake. In Cana (Jn2:1-11) we will take time to read and pray. If doable, the couples who wish too can perform the renewal of their wedding vows. After Cana, en-route for the Lake of Galilee called also the Sea of Kinnereth (Nb34:1). The next three days we will ponder on the Public life of Jesus. Dinner and overnight on the Sea shore of the Lake. Free evening.

A Trinitarian

Holy Land Pilgrimage

In the Company of Elijah

Walk Where Jesus Walked!

May 23 – June 02, 2020

Our pilgrimage organized by:

Click here to find out more about the DH Trinitarian Holy Land Pilgrimage

PHL3 – The Journey to Nazareth and the Encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor

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In this episode, we discuss Day 4 and Elijah’s confrontation and defeat of Queen Jezebel’s 450 prophets of Baal. Then we transition to Nazareth! We discuss the Virgin Mary and the significance of the Annunciation.

Places we will visit:

In this episode:

Wednesday, May 27 | Mount Carmel – Stella Maris – Muhraka – Carmelites. Nazareth

In the morning we will visit the grotto of Elijah in Stella Maris. The emplacement (ruins) where the first monk started to live modeling their lives on Elijah. From there we will go up to Muhraka were Elijah confronted the 450 Baal of Queen Jezebel (1kg 18:20-40). Mass. Time of Lectio. Lunch. Transition with Mary: she is the one who will protect the order of Carmelite. In the afternoon, head towards Nazareth. Visit the Greek Church the Fountain of St Gabriel and the Basilica of the Annunciation which is built over the remains of the House where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she was to become the Mother of God (Lk 1:26). Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. Free evening.

A Trinitarian

Holy Land Pilgrimage

In the Company of Elijah

Walk Where Jesus Walked!

May 23 – June 02, 2020

Our pilgrimage organized by:

Click here to find out more about the DH Trinitarian Holy Land Pilgrimage

BTP-IC11 – Fourth Mansions Chapter 3 part 2 – The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles Podcast

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In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Fourth Mansions Chapter 3 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:

1. The Prayer of recollection compared to the inhabitants of the castle. 2. The Shepherd recalls His flock into the castle. 3. This recollection supernatural. 4. It prepares us for higher favours. 5. The mind must act until God calls it to recollection by love. 6. The soul should here abandon itself 8. into God’s hands. 7. The prayer of recollection, and distractions in Prayer. 8. Liberty of spirit gained by consolations. 9. The soul must be watchful. 10. The devil specially tempts such souls. 11. False trances and raptures. 12. How to treat those deluded in this way. 13. Risks of delusion in this mansion.

For the Discerning Hearts audio recording of the “Interior Castle” by St. Teresa of Avila you can visit here

For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page

For other episodes in the series visit
The Discerning Hearts “The Interior Castle with Dr. Anthony Lilles”

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese 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. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.

PHL2- The significance of Jericho for Elijah and Qumran for John the Baptist – Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor

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In this episode, we discuss Day 3 and the significance of the Jericho for Elijah. We discuss Qumran and the Essenes in relation to John the Baptist.

Places we will visit:

In this episode:

Tuesday, May 26 | Jordan – Jericho – Nazareth

After breakfast, we will pass in front of Qumran (Jr32:14), the site where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and go towards Jericho to the Baptismal site (Jn1:29) on the Jordan River. We will renew our baptismal vows, feet in the water, or totally immersed. There will be the shift from ‘the Father to the Son’ in our Trinitarian journey. From the Jordan banks, drive to Jericho where Elijah ascended in a chariot of fire (2kg 2:5-15) and were Jesus healed the blind man. We will celebrate the Eucharist at Jericho’s Parish. Enjoy lunch in a beautiful restaurant nearby. After lunch, see a sycamore tree like the one of Zacchaeus the tax collector (Lk19:1-10), and continue along the Jordan Valley to Mount Carmel to our lodging. Dinner and overnight in Stella Maris. In the evening, fraternal time.