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The Joyful Mysteries – Scriptural Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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The Scriptural Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Three Hail Mary’s:

  1. I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. (Galatians 2:20)
  2. I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
  3. 3. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

 

For the entire Discerning Hearts Scriptural Rosary visit here

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

  1. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, (Luke 1:26)
  2. To a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:27)
  3. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ (Luke 1:28)
  4. She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, (Luke 1:29)
  5. The angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favor (Luke 1:30)
  6. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. (Luke 1:31)
  7. Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?’ (Luke 1:34)
  8. ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
  9. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God’ (Luke 1:36-37)
  10. ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)

The Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

  1. Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-40)
  2. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41)
  3. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Luke 1:42)
  4. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. (Luke 1:43-44)
  5. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ (Luke 1:45)
  6. And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my savior; (Luke 1:46-47)
  7. Because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, (Luke 1-48)
  8. For the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. (Luke 1:49-50)
  9. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. (Luke 1:51-52)
  10. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy -according to the promise he made to our ancestors-of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’ (Luke 1:53-55)

The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

  1. The time came for her to have her childand she gave birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)
  2. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, (Luke 2:8-9)
  3. But the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. (Luke 2:10)
  4. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ (Luke 2:11-12)
  5. And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour'(Luke 2:13-14)
  6. Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us’. (Luke 2:15)
  7. So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,(Luke 2:16-17)
  8. and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.(Luke 2:18-19)
  9. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
  10. When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception. (Luke 2:21)

The Presentation at the Temple

  1. And when the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord-(Luke 2:22)
  2. observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons(Luke 2:23-24)
  3. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him.(Luke 2:25)
  4. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord(Luke 2:26)
  5. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required,he took him into his arms and blessed God; (Luke 2:27-28)
  6. He said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see. (Luke 2:29-31)
  7.  A light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel’. (Luke 2:32)
  8. As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him,Simeon blessed them (Luke 2:33-34a)
  9. And said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-(Luke 2:34b)
  10. and a sword will pierce your own soul too-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare’.(Luke 2:35)

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

 

  1. Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. (Luke 2:41-42)
  2. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it.(Luke 2:43)
  3. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. (Luke 2:44-45)
  4. Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions;(Luke 2:46)
  5. and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.(Luke 2:47)
  6. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ (Luke 2:48)
  7. ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?'(Luke 2:49)
  8. But they did not understand what he meant.(Luke 2:50)
  9. He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart.(Luke 2:51)
  10. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.(Luke 2:52)

 

 

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.

 

The Luminous Mysteries – Scriptural Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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First Three Hail Mary’s:

    1. I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. (Galatians 2:20)
    2. I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
    3. 3. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

The Luminous Mysteries

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan

  1. There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him’. (John 3:1-2)
  2. Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:5-6)
  3. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:7-8)
  4. ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. (John 3:9-10)
  5. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? (John 3:11-12)
  6. No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, (John 3:13-14)
  7. so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. (John 3:15)
  8. Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands’. At this, John gave in to him.  (Matthew 3:13-15)
  9. As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him’. (Matthew 3:16-17)
  10. As John stood there again with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God’. (John 1:35-36)

The Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana

  1. Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. (John 2:1-2)
  2. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’. (John 2:3)
  3. Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ (John 2:4)
  4. His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you’ (John 2:5)
  5. ‘There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. (John 2:6)
  6. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. (John 2:7)
  7. ‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ (John 2:8)
  8. They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the steward called the bridegroom. (John 2:9)
  9. (The Steward) said; ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now’. (John 2:10)
  10. This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11)

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

  1. The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’. (Matthew 4:16-17)
  2. He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
  3. And (Jesus) said to the pigeon-sellers, ‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market’. Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture: Zeal for your house will devour me. (John 2:16-17)
  4. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.’ (John 3:36)
  5. But the hour will come – in fact it is here already – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.’ (John 4:23-24)
  6. Those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation. (John 5:29)
  7. ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:3-5)
  8. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. (John 5:6-8)
  9. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:9-10)
  10. ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

The Transfiguration of Jesus

  1. Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)
  2. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.(Luke 9:29)
  3. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah(Luke 9:30)
  4. Appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31)
  5. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him.(Luke 9:32)
  6. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’. – He did not know what he was saying. (Luke 9:33)
  7. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid.(Luke 9:34)
  8. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.'(Luke 9:35)
  9. As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:9)
  10. It was not any cleverly invented myths that we were repeating when we brought you the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; we had seen his majesty for ourselves.  He was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour’. (2 Peter 1:16-17)

The Institution of the Holy Eucharist

  1.  Your fathers ate the manna in the desert and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. (John 6:49-50)
  2. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’ Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said.(John 6:51-52)
  3. Jesus replied: I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. (John 6:53)
  4. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. (John 6:54)
  5. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. (John 6:55)
  6. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. (John 6:56)
  7. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. (John 6:57)
  8. This is the bread come down from heaven; not like the bread our ancestors ate: they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live forever.’ (John 6:58)
  9. Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. ‘Take it and eat;’ he said ‘this is my body.’ (Matthew 26:26)
  10. Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them. ‘Drink all of you from this,’ he said ‘for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28)

 

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 19- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 1 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 19 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 9 Part 1

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.

©2019 Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study

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

The Sorrowful Mysteries – Scriptural Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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First Three Hail Mary’s:

    1. I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. (Galatians 2:20)
    2. I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
    3. 3. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

For the entire Discerning Hearts Scriptural Rosary visit here

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

  1. Then Jesus came with them to a small estate called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Stay here while I go over there to pray’.(Matthew 26:36)
  2. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And sadness came over him, and great distress.(Matthew 26:37)
  3. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and keep awake with me.’ And going on a little further he fell on his face and prayed. ‘My Father,’ he said ‘if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.'(Matthew 26:38-39)
  4. He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘So you had not the strength to keep awake with me one hour? You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'(Matthew 26:40-41)
  5. Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: ‘My Father,’ he said ‘If this cup cannot pass by without my drinking it, your will be done!’ And he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy.(Matthew 26:42-43)
  6. Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words.Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, ‘You can sleep on now and take your rest. Now the hour has come when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Matthew 26:44-45)
  7. Get up! Let us go! My betrayer is already close at hand.’ He was still speaking when Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a large number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 26:46-47)
  8. Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them. ‘The one I kiss,’ he had said ‘he is the man. Take him in charge.’ So he went straight up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi’, and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘My friend, do what you are here for’. Then they came forward, seized Jesus and took him in charge. (Matthew 26:48-50)
  9. At that, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus then said, ‘Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:51-52)
  10. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defense? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?'(Matthew 26:53-54)

The Scourging at the Pillar

  1. The high priest then stood up and said to him, ‘Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, ‘I put you on oath by the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God’.(Matthew 26:62-63)
  2. ‘The words are your own’ answered Jesus. ‘Moreover, I tell you that from this time onward you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'(Matthew 26:64)
  3. At this, the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed. What need of witnesses have we now? There! You have just heard the blasphemy.(Matthew 26:65)
  4. What is your opinion?’ They answered, ‘He deserves to die’. Then they spat in his face and hit him with their fists; others said as they struck him, ‘Play the prophet, Christ! Who hit you then?'(Matthew 26:66-68)
  5. Then Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern.’ And the people, to a man, shouted back, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ (Matthew 27:24-25)
  6. Then he released Barabbas for them. He ordered Jesus to be first scourged and then handed over to be crucified.(Matthew 27:26)
  7. Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty (we saw him), no looks to attract our eyes;(Isaiah 53:2)
  8. a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; he was despised and we took no account of him.(Isaiah 53:3)
  9. And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. (Matthew 53:4)
  10. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed.(Matthew 53:5)

The Crowning with Thorns

  1. the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him and saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’; and they slapped him in the face. (John 19:2-3)
  2. Pilate came outside again and said to them, ‘Look, I am going to bring him out to you to let you see that I find no case’. Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, ‘Here is the man’. (John 19:4-5)
  3. When they saw him the chief priests and the guards shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pilate said, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him: I can find no case against him’.(John 19:6)
  4. ‘We have a Law,’ the Jews replied ‘and according to that Law he ought to die, because he has claimed to be the Son of God.’ When Pilate heard them say this his fears increased. (John 19:7-8)
  5. Re-entering the Praetorium, he said to Jesus, ‘Where do you come from?’ But Jesus made no answer. Pilate then said to him, ‘Are you refusing to speak to me? Surely you know I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?’ (John 19:9-10)
  6. ‘You would have no power over me’ replied Jesus ‘if it had not been given you from above; that is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater guilt.'(John 19:11)
  7. From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, ‘If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar’s; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar’.(John 19:12)
  8. Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated himself on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha.It was Passover Preparation Day, about the sixth hour. ‘Here is your king’ said Pilate to the Jews.(John 19:13-14)
  9. ‘Take him away, take him away!’ they said. ‘Crucify him!’ ‘Do you want me to crucify your king?’ said Pilate. The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king except Caesar’.(John 19:15)
  10. So in the end Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.(John 19:16)

The Carrying of the Cross

  1. And when they had finished making fun of him, they took off the purple and dressed him in his own clothes. They led him out to crucify him.They enlisted a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:20-21)
  2. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:27:28)
  3. For the days will surely come when people will say, “Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!”(Luke 23:29)
  4. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”; to the hills, “Cover us”. For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?’ (Luke 23:30-31)
  5. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh burdened him with the sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. (Isaiah 53:6-7)
  6. By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. (Isaiah 53:8)
  7. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)
  8. Yahweh has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what Yahweh wishes will be done.(Isaiah 53:10)
  9. His soul’s anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. (Isaiah 53:11)
  10. Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners. (Isaiah 53:12)

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

  1. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he refused it. (Mark 15:22-23)
  2. Then they crucified him, and shared out his clothing, casting lots to decide what each should get. It was the third hour when they crucified him(Mark 15:24-25)
  3. The inscription giving the charge against him read: ‘The King of the Jews’.And they crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.(Mark 15:26-28)
  4. One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. (Luke 23:39-41)
  5. Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.'(Luke 23:42-43)
  6. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother’. And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.(John 19:25-27)
  7. After this, Jesus knew that everything had now been completed, and to fulfil the scripture perfectly he said: ‘I am thirsty’. (John 19:28)
  8. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me? (Matthew 27:46)
  9. But Jesus, again crying out in a loud voice, yielded up his spirit. At that, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked; the rocks were split; (Matthew 27:50-51)
  10. Meanwhile the centurion, together with the others guarding Jesus, had seen the earthquake and all that was taking place, and they were terrified and said, ‘In truth this was a son of God.’ (Matthew 27:54)

 

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.

 

SP 33 – Episode 33 – Giving Christ His Due – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast


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Episode 33 – Giving Christ His Due

Dr. Regis Martin

Discerning Hearts is honored to host the reflections of Dr. Regis Martin.  Filled with profound insights, wisdom, and joy, he is one of the most trustworthy guides one can have on the spiritual journey.

For years Regis Martin, STD, has been regaling audiences about the mysteries of God and Church, most especially his students at Franciscan University of Steubenville where he teaches theology. Author of half-dozen or more books, including The Suffering of Love (Ignatius, 2006), The Last Things (Ignatius Press, 2011), Still Point (Ave Maria, 2012), The Beggar’s Banquet (Emmaus Road, 2012), Witness to Wonder (Emmaus Road, 2017) his work frequently appears in Crises and The Catholic Thing.

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The Glorious Mysteries – Scriptural Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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First Three Hail Mary’s:

  1. I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in this body I live in faith: faith in the Son of God who loved me and who sacrificed himself for my sake. (Galatians 2:20)
  2. I know the plans I have in mind for you – it is Yahweh who speaks – plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me, and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart; I will let you find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
  3. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

For the entire Discerning Hearts Scriptural Rosary visit here

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

  1. Meanwhile, Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. (John 20:11-12)
  2. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. (John 20:13-14)
  3. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him’.(John 20:15)
  4. Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master.(John 20:16)
  5. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'(John 20:17)
  6. So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.(John 20:18)
  7. In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’,(John 20:19)
  8. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ (John 20:20b-21)
  9. After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
  10. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'(John 20:23)

The Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven

  1. Meanwhile, the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. (Matthew 28:16-17)
  2. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:19)
  3. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit(Matthew 28:19)
  4. and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.'(Matthew 28:20)
  5. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. (Mark 16:15)
  6. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, (John 14:2)
  7. Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven.  (Luke 25:50-51)
  8. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. (Acts 1:9)
  9. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’ (Acts 1:10-11)
  10. He is the radiant light of God’s glory and the perfect copy of his nature, sustaining the universe by his powerful command; and now that he has destroyed the defilement of sin, he has gone to take his place in heaven at the right hand of divine Majesty. (Hebrews 1:3)

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

  1. When they reached the city they went to the upper room where they were staying; there were Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude son of James. All these joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:13-14)
  2. When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; (Acts 2:1-2)
  3. and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. (Acts 2:3-4)
  4. and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. ‘Surely’ they said ‘all these men speaking are Galileans? (Acts 2:6-7)
  5. Everyone was amazed and unable to explain it; they asked one another what it all meant. Some, however, laughed it off. ‘They have been drinking too much new wine’ they said.(Acts 2:12-13)
  6. Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice: ‘Men of Judaea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, make no mistake about this, but listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you imagine; why, it is only the third hour of the day. (Acts 2:14-15)
  7. ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered ‘and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
  8. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.’ He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation’. (Acts 2:39-40)
  9. They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number. These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. (Acts 2:41-42)
  10. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone. The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; (Acts 2:43-44)

 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

  1. I will make you enemies of each other: you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. It will crush your head and you will strike its heel’. (Genesis 3:15)
  2. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. (John 14:2-3)
  3. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)
  4. And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; (Luke 1:46-47)
  5. because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, (Luke 1:48)
  6. for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, (Luke 1:49)
  7. So my heart exults, my very soul rejoices, my body, too, will rest securely, for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor allow the one you love to see the Pit; (Psalms 16:9-10)
  8. My Beloved lifts up his voice, he says to me, ‘Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land. (Song of Songs 2:10-12)
  9. You are wholly beautiful, my love, and without a blemish. (Song of Songs 4:7)
  10. Who is this arising like the dawn, fair as the moon, resplendent as the sun, terrible as an army with banners?’ (Song of Songs 6:10)

The Coronation of Mary Queen of Heaven

 

  1. Those who prove victorious I will allow to share my throne, just as I was victorious myself and took my place with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
  2. Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown. (Revelation 12:1)
  3. The woman brought a male child into the world, the son who was to rule all the nations with an iron scepter, and the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne, (Revelation 12:5)
  4. Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, that is, all who obey God’s commandments and bear witness for Jesus (Revelation 12:17)
  5. Daughters of kings are among your maids of honour; on your right stands the queen, in gold from Ophir. (Psalm 45:10)
  6. On coming to her house they blessed her with one accord, saying: ‘You are the glory of Jerusalem! You are the great pride of Israel! You are the highest honour of our race! (Judith 15:9)
  7. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.’ (Luke 1:32-33)
  8. The king rose to meet her and bowed before her; he then sat down on his throne; a seat was brought for the mother of the king, and she sat down at his right hand. (1 King 2:19)
  9. She opens her mouth in the assembly of the Most High, she glories in herself in the presence of the Mighty One; (Sirach 24:2)
  10. Even if you have to die, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life for your prize. (Revelation 2:10)

 

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

 

Chapter 34: From Meditation to Contemplation – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast


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Episode 34 – From Meditation to Contemplation

“He does not know what is the matter, all at once God has retired to a distance. It is absolutely impossible to move the heart. He remains cold, frozen.” – Père Gabriel de Ste Marie-Madeleine

Success in using all the inner resources to raise the heart to God has enabled God to accept the believers’ offering and has begun to draw their love towards his own. Any attempt to return to the prayer of first fervour will impede the prayer which will lead them into the mystic way.

You can find the book here.

This little book How to Pray – A Practical Guide to the Spiritual life by David Torkington, was published by Our Sunday Visitor. It was written for those prepared to restructure their daily lives to make time for the prayer where they can be transformed by the love that only God can give.

In the foreword to this new book from OSV, “How to Pray: A Practical Guide to the Spiritual Life,” Sister Wendy Beckett wrote,

“There are no hideaways here, no excuses, but no alarming demands, either. Instead, Torkington seeks only to show us the truth, that truth that sets us free and convinces us that the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden light. All we need is to understand and to choose. This book offers us the help we need to understand, and then the choice is ours.”⁠

This is not your standard “prayer book” – it is not a compilation of Catholic prayers for you to just read. Rather, this is a series of 40 reflections on prayer intended to open you up to the transformation that is possible through prayer, through the love that God can give us through prayer.⁠

Endorsement

“From here to eternity! For those drawn to contemplative prayer, David Torkington offers compelling clarity and common sense. Gentle kindness guides his practical counsel, and he is careful to help us see the solid principles in which he roots his insights. An authentic and reliable guard against counterfeits, his wisdom points to the heights and grounded-ness of the Catholic mystical tradition at a time when it is most needed.”

Dr. Anthony Lilles, STD: Associate Professor and Academic Dean of St John’s Seminary in Camarillo, as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the diocese 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.

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.

 

4th Sunday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast


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4th Sunday of Lent – 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 of Luke 15:1-3,11-32

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.
‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”
‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

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:

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.
‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”
‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

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:

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.
‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”
‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

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 18- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 18 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 2

Luke 8:  “Daughters of Israel”

This chapter begins with a list of women who accompanied Jesus and his apostles and provided for their needs:  Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.   Mary Magdalene, who had 7 demons driven out of her, is often erroneously thought to be a prostitute.  The Church Fathers saw these demons as a metaphor for the 7 deadly sins.   Scripture never calls her by this title, but beginning with Pope Gregory the Great, some have assumed this was the case.  However, much like the Eastern Church, many of the great saints of the early church did not apply this label to her.  Mary was from Magdala, a thriving fishing village on the Sea of Galilee.  Mary has been called “the apostle to the Apostles” as Jesus entrusts her with the mission of bringing the good news of the resurrection to the disciples locked away in the upper room (John 20).

Luke 8 marks a transition from Jesus’ direct approach to teaching (as seen in Luke 6 with the Sermon on the Plain) to the use of parables.  These simple memorable stories are rich in spiritual meanings and are often directed to the common people, as opposed to the Jewish aristocracy who seem unable to comprehend their meaning.  While used extensively by Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels, parables can also be found in the Old Testament.  In 2 Samuel 11-12, we read of the story of King David and Bathsheba.  King David lusted after Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a soldier in David’s army.  After Bathsheba became pregnant with David’s child, David attempted to cover his sin by encouraging Uriah to sleep with his wife.  When Uriah refused, David had him sent to the front lines to be killed, instructing Joab to draw back the other soldiers in the heat of battle, leaving Uriah exposed to the enemy.   Nathan the prophet then told David the parable of a poor man whose only lamb was taken by a wealthy neighbor who slaughters it to host a party for a guest.  When David heard the story, he declared that the wealthy man deserved to die.  When Nathan told David, “You are the man!” David repented of his sin, composing the Psalm 51 where he acknowledged his sin and begged the Lord’s forgiveness.

Much like Nathan, Jesus used parables to speak truth to those in power. Full understanding of these stories will come at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit brought the gifts of wisdom and understanding.  Beginning with the parable of the sower, Jesus taught the crowds about the importance of one’s receptivity to the Word of God.  The seed is the Word of God, and the ones on the path are those who have hear the Word, yet the devil takes it away from their hearts.  The ones on rocky ground are those who hear the Word with joy but have no root and then fall away in a time of testing.  The ones among the thorns hear the Word, but they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.  Finally, the ones in good soil hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. The mini-parable of the lampstand follows and is a warning to all that what is hidden will ultimately be revealed.  All secrets will eventually come to light.

When Jesus entered a boat, he was leaving the western Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee and was traveling to the eastern pagan side.  When a storm arose, the disciples panicked and begged for the Lord’s help.  After calming the storm, Jesus asked them a rhetorical question, “Where is your faith?”   This story recalls the story of Jonah, who was thrown overboard in a storm.  As Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the fish, so too did Jesus spend 3 days in the tomb.  As Jonah was expelled by the fish onto the shore, so too did Jesus break forth from the tomb.

Upon arriving on the pagan side of the lake (to the region of the Decapolis), Jesus encountered the Gerasene demoniac, who wandered naked amongst the tombs.  Jesus restored the man’s dignity, asking for his name and driving the legion of demons into a heard of swine, who promptly threw themselves off a cliff into the sea, which is symbolic of the abyss from which the demons came.  The healed man begged to follow Jesus, but instead Jesus instructed him to tell others what God had done for him.  This evangelization set the stage for the miraculous feeding of 4000 that occurred at a later date when Jesus returns to the Decapolis (Matthew 15, Mark 8).

When Jesus returned to the Jewish side of the lake, he was greeted by the news that the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus was near death, so he set off to see her.  Along the way, a woman afflicted with a hemorrhage for 12 years reached out to touch Jesus’ garment, in the hopes that her suffering would be put to an end.  This beautiful miracle within a miracle is steeped with spiritual significance.  Because of her bleeding, this woman would have been ritually unclean for 12 years as prescribed Leviticus 15.  Through her faith in Jesus, the woman was immediately healed by touching the fringe of Jesus’ clothes.  Because the healing was instantaneous, Jesus remained ritually clean and was not subject to the prohibitions outlined in Leviticus 15.  Upon arriving to Jairus’ house, Jesus was told that he was too late, and the child had already died.  Jesus replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.”  Taking Peter, James and John with him into the parents’ house, Jesus commanded the child to get up.  Her spirit returned and she immediately got up.

These two miracles have a deep spiritual meaning beyond the physical healing of the woman hemorrhaging for 12 years and the raising of the 12-year-old girl.  Recall that the number 12 is symbolic for “governance”:  the twelve tribes of Israel; the 12 apostles.   The woman represents old daughter Zion, who is no longer bearing fruit and the young girl represents new daughter Zion.  Before Jesus, Israel was subject to the laws of the Old Covenant.  Jesus brings healing to the hemorrhaging woman, just as he brings healing to Israel.  Jesus brings life to the young girl, just as he brings life to Israel, ushering in a new governance and a New Covenant.

©2019 Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study

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

Day 9 – A Novena for the Annunciation – Mp3 audio and text podcast

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Day 9: Mary, Woman of Faith

Lord let it be done to me as you have said” (Luke I:38)
Let us pray:
Almighty Father, we are Your children. We call You by name and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Your Son. Give us the grace to have and live the faith of Mary so we may become worthy of the eternal life You promised. Father, let us fill our hearts with faith to be able to accept Your will for us without reservations.
Help us remove the doubts and perplexities that plague our minds to face the difficulties and uncertainties of life. Let us not waver in our faith. Father, call us Your children. Comfort us and give us mercy. As we proclaim the Virgin Mary, to be the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church, may our communion with her Son bring us to salvation. All praise and glory ever be Yours.

Jesus, for our salvation You willingly humbled Yourself, becoming Man in the womb of the Virgin Mother, grant me through the mystery of Your holy Incarnation the virtue of humility that I may ever please God as Your Mother did, by meekness and lowliness in this world, and be exalted by You in eternity.

Mary, dear Mother of my Savior, I greet you and I thank you for having received the message of the Archangel Gabriel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke I:28) and for having answered with your assent, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Intercede for me that God the Father, who accepted you as His Daughter and the Mother of His Son because of your humility at the Annunciation, may accept me as humble child. Amen