Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts Archives

SJC6 – Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:33 — 23.2MB) | Embed

Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty

Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor use the works of St. John of the Cross to discuss the importance of aligning the human will with God’s will, as true spiritual union is found in this conformity. St. John’s focus is not on extraordinary mystical experiences but on living a life of love and charity through small, intentional acts, as exemplified by saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux. These daily acts of love deepen one’s union with God and cultivate sensitivity to His presence in prayer and life.

The need for discernment in spiritual experiences, cautioning against becoming overly attached to consolations or mystical aspirations, is true spiritual maturity: it involves perseverance through the “seasons” of prayer, including times of dryness and challenge. Drawing on scripture and sacramental life, St. John of the Cross tells us to focus on God Himself rather than seeking personal emotional experiences, allowing love and a desire to please God to guide their actions and deepen their contemplative journey.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Role of Love in Spiritual Growth: How do you ensure that your daily actions and spiritual practices are rooted in love and charity?
Aligning Your Will with God’s Will: What steps can you take to conform your desires and decisions more fully to God’s will?
Embracing Small Acts of Holiness: How can you incorporate small, intentional acts of love into your daily life to deepen your spiritual union with God?
Discerning Spiritual Experiences: How do you discern whether a spiritual experience or inspiration is truly from God?
Perseverance in Prayer: How do you remain faithful in prayer through times of dryness or spiritual challenge?
Avoiding Attachment to Consolations: What practices help you focus on God Himself rather than seeking personal emotional or mystical experiences?
Scripture and Sacraments as Foundations: How can you use scripture and the sacraments to enrich your prayer life and relationship with God?
The Call to Serve Others: How are you responding to God’s call to care for the poor, lonely, or suffering in your life?
Balancing Interior and Exterior Devotion: How do you balance personal prayer and contemplation with active love and service to others?
Living a Life of Trust and Surrender: How can you grow in trust, allowing God to guide your life even when His plans are unclear?

An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation

“The initial insecurity of a darkened experience in faith, advancing by unknowing, surely requires some adjustment and an assimilation. However, the insecurity need not continue interminably. The deliberate refusal of satisfaction for the intellect in prayer may be for a certain period of purification a radical austerity for the intellect. But the result in time can be to sense a door opening into a purer encounter with God himself. He who is infinite mystery in his being must be approached in the unknown truth of his infinitude as Someone known and loved. Intensity of faith accompanies the more intense love that unites us personally to God. As heard earlier in this chapter and worth repeating: “Only by means of faith, in divine light exceeding all understanding, does God manifest himself to the soul. The greater one’s faith, the closer is one’s union with God” (AMC 2.9.1). A pure, naked faith will come to know the presence of God in a more intense certitude of love. Every other sense of understanding God must be subjugated in prayer to the truth of God as the exceedingly Almighty One who is loved. In the following passage, Saint John of the Cross insists on the vigor of an intense desire needed for the pursuit of God precisely when our intellect in faith is submerged in an incomprehension of God’s ultimate mystery. This longer quotation conveys how narrow and serious is the road into the night of contemplation where a blessed contact with God awaits the depths of a soul in its prayer.”

Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 78-79). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in this series visit Fr. Haggerty’s Discerning Hearts page here

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

Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 9 – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:09 — 2.0MB) | Embed

Day 9 – Surrender Prayer Novena

Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take care of it”. Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this:

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.

Amen

For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena

To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE

(Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com)

The Tenth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:23 — 1.1MB) | Embed

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten Lords A Leaping …” the lords or rulers of our lives establish the law. The lords stand for the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which are holy and good, by which we should live and by which we are all judged. (Gal 3:10-28)

Prayer: Heavenly Father we strive to live by your commandments, help us oh Lord. We pray for those who have been called to rule, give them good judgment, discernment, and humbleness. Lord, help us to honor those who have been called to lead and pray for them and their families. Amen.

Text gratefully found at
Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
Copyright © 2005-2006

Most Holy Name of Jesus – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:02 — 6.3MB) | Embed

Most Holy Name of Jesus – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 St. John 1:29-34

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

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:

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

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:

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

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.

May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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.

Día 8 – Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Podcasts De Corazones Discernientes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:46 — 1.3MB) | Embed

Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios – Día 8

Jesús Nos Dice

Cerrad los ojos y dejaos llevar por la fluida corriente de mi gracia; cerrad los ojos y no pensad en el presente, alejando, del futuro, los pensamientos, igual que lo haríais de la tentación. Reposad en mí, confiad en mi bondad y os prometo por mi amor que si decís “Jesús, ocúpate tu” que yo me ocuparé de todo; yo os consolaré, os liberaré y os guiaré.

O Jesús, yo me entrego a Ti, ¡ocúpate de todo! (Repítelo 10 veces)

Madre, soy tuyo ahora y siempre.
A través de ti y contigo siempre quiero pertenecer completamente a Jesús.
Amén

Para la versión completa en audio de 9 días de la Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios visite aquí

Esta Novena fue compuesta por el Padre Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) un sacerdote de Nápoles, Italia, para ayudar a quienes la rezan a entender que el Señor quiere que confiemos en Él sin importar cuál sea nuestro problema. Solo podemos elevarnos a este nivel de confianza a través de la gracia de Dios y la ayuda del Espíritu Santo. Debemos dejar de lado nuestros problemas, dejar de preocuparnos y tratar de resolverlos nosotros mismos. Debemos creer, confiar y permitir que nuestro Señor nos rescate de nosotros mismos y suplir nuestros deseos, necesidades y resolver nuestros problemas como solo Él puede. “Jesús, cuídalo tú”, deben ser las primeras palabras que nos vienen a la mente y brotan de nuestros labios.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:54 — 22.0MB) | Embed

St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 329 AD
Died: January 1, 390 AD

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Nazianzen), a doctor of the Church. St. Gregory faced the Arian heresy and a tension between solitude and serving as a priest. His theological contributions include emphasizing “consubstantial” and defending the Trinity. Dr. Bunson highlights his views on Christ’s full humanity, theosis, and the connection between theology and prayer, making special note of Pope Benedict XVI’s insights on St. Gregory as well.

St. Gregory’s teachings provide timeless prescriptions for addressing heresy, offering valuable lessons for today’s challenges in defending the faith.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How does St. Gregory of Nazianzus’ struggle between solitude and active service resonate with your own spiritual journey and the challenges of balancing personal prayer with engagement in the world?
In what ways can St. Gregory’s response to the Arian heresy inspire you to actively defend and uphold the Church’s teachings in your community or personal life?
Reflect on the significance of the term “consubstantial” in describing the relationship within the Trinity. How does this theological concept deepen your understanding of God?
Consider St. Gregory’s emphasis on theosis. How can you strive to become more like Christ in your daily life?
How can you integrate prayer into your study of theology to enhance your relationship with God and the Church?

For more on St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his teachings:

Gregory Nazianzen
– Orations
– Letters

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

St. Basil the Great – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:57 — 19.9MB) | Embed

St. Basil the Great – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 330 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Died: January 1, 379 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Siblings: Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina the Younger, Theosebia

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Basil the Great. St. Basil defended Christ’s divinity during the Arian controversy, contributed significantly to understanding the Holy Trinity and pneumatology. Pope St. Pius V declared him a doctor of the Church in 1568 amid the Council of Trent. St. Basil’s commitment to social teachings, exemplified as bishop of Caesarea, reflects his deep concern for the dignity of every person.

The significance of his family, including siblings like St. Gregory of Nyssa, is acknowledged. St. Basil’s emphasis on eternal life and indifference to worldly achievements serves as a key aspect of his legacy.

Dr. Bunson provides insights into the multifaceted contributions of St. Basil as a defender of faith, social advocate, and influential figure in the development of monastic traditions.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How does St. Basil’s defense of Christ’s divinity during the Arian controversy inspire your understanding of the importance of precise theological language in discussions about faith?
In what ways can we, like St. Basil, actively engage in social teachings and demonstrate a deep concern for the dignity of every person in our communities?
Reflect on St. Basil’s contributions to monasticism, particularly his emphasis on communal living, care for the poor, and humility. How can these principles be applied to your own spiritual journey?
Consider the significance of St. Basil’s family, including St. Gregory of Nyssa. How does the family dynamic contribute to their collective impact on the Church, and how might our own families reflect and support our faith?
St. Basil placed great importance on eternal life over earthly achievements. How can we adopt a similar perspective in our daily lives, focusing on spiritual growth and the pursuit of the divine rather than worldly success?

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Surrender Prayer Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:55 — 1.8MB) | Embed

Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say “You take care of it” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.

Amen

For the entire audio 9-day version visit of Surrender to the Will of God Novena

To download a PDF version of this novena click HERE

(Thanks to www.Surrenderprayer.com)

The Ninth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:13 — 981.3KB) | Embed

“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Nine Ladies Dancing …”
symbolizing the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Prayer: Holy Spirit abide in me, let my life be abundant with Your fruit that I may bring peace and love to a hurting world. I pray that during this season of excess that the greatest of all will be the harvest of Your fruits in my life, for without an abundant harvest of Your fruits, I have nothing to give. Amen.

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:23 — 7.4MB) | Embed

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 St. John 1:19-28

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

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:

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

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:

This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

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.

May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.