WM26 – Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes part 3 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 26 Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes pt. 3 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode with Archbishop Lucas, we continue our conversation on the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

Gaudium et spes (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈɡau̯di.um et ˈspes], “Joy and Hope”), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, is one of the four constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It was the last and longest published document from the council and is the first constitution published by an ecumenical council to address the entire world.

Approved by a vote of 2,307 to 75 of the bishops assembled at the council, it was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 7 December 1965, the day the council ended.

An excerpt from Gaudium et Spes:

47. The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family. Hence Christians and all men who hold this community in high esteem sincerely rejoice in the various ways by which men today find help in fostering this community of love and perfecting its life, and by which parents are assisted in their lofty calling. Those who rejoice in such aids look for additional benefits from them and labor to bring them about.

Yet the excellence of this institution is not everywhere reflected with equal brilliance, since polygamy, the plague of divorce, so-called free love and other disfigurements have an obscuring effect. In addition, married love is too often profaned by excessive self-love, the worship of pleasure and illicit practices against human generation. Moreover, serious disturbances are caused in families by modern economic conditions, by influences at once social and psychological, and by the demands of civil society. Finally, in certain parts of the world problems resulting from population growth are generating concern.

All these situations have produced anxiety of consciences. Yet, the power and strength of the institution of marriage and family can also be seen in the fact that time and again, despite the difficulties produced, the profound changes in modern society reveal the true character of this institution in one way or another.

Therefore, by presenting certain key points of Church doctrine in a clearer light, this sacred synod wishes to offer guidance and support to those Christians and other men who are trying to preserve the holiness and to foster the natural dignity of the married state and its superlative value.

For the documents of Vatican II visit here

For more episodes in this series visit the

Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

BWPM 9 – Jesus’ Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 9 – Jesus’ Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

We continue our conversation with Fr. Gallagher discussing the encouragements given by Venerable Bruno Lanteri in regards to a biblical way of praying the Mass. In this episode, Fr. Gallagher reflects on the Consecration.

Take a moment and pray:

“This is my body. . . . This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:26–28): a Heart that offers everything, even his Body, even his Blood — all that he is — that our sins may be forgiven and the door to eternal life opened.

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11): again, a Heart that offers itself without limit, laying down his life for his sheep — for us.

“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (John 13:1): a Heart that loves without measure, to the end — that is, to the last moment of his life and to the utmost bounds of love.

“He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil. 2:7): a Heart that gives its whole being, totally available to the Father in our service and for our liberation.

“Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39): a Heart in agony, a human Heart that struggles to say yes to the Father and that offers itself without reserve.

Gallagher, Timothy M.. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (p. 63). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

On the day before he was to suffer (Holy Thursday evening, in the upper room),

he took bread in his holy and venerable hands (in your mind’s eye, contemplate Jesus as he does this and the following actions),

and with eyes raised to heaven, to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it (“take,” “eat”: the Law of the Gift),

for this is my Body, which will be given up for you (“my Body,” “given up for you”).

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands (again, contemplate Jesus as he does this and the following actions),

and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many (“my Blood,” “poured out for you”: the Law of the Gift)

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me (in the Consecration of the Mass, the Church fulfills this blessed command; in it we find the model and the grace to live by it).

Gallagher, Timothy M.. A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 67-68). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio, which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP 32 – Episode 32 – Happy Feast Day, St. Joseph! – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 32 – Happy Feast Day, St. Joseph!

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.

Chapter 32: Asceticism for All – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 32 – Asceticism for All

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” -Matthew 6:33

Asceticism for the beginner is simple. Do not give up anything you like or enjoy, except when it prevents you from giving quality space and time to God in prayer each day.

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.

ST-Luke Ep 17- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 1 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 17 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 1

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.

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

BWPM 8 – Before the Throne of God – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V. Podcast

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Episode 8 – Before the Throne of God – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Take a moment and pray:

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts (yes, lift up your heart in praise).

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God (thanks for so many blessings received).

It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation (to give thanks to God is truly right, truly just, a duty, and a means of salvation),

always and everywhere to give you thanks (always, everywhere),

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

For through his Paschal Mystery (his death and Resurrection),

he accomplished the marvelous deed, by which he has freed us from the yoke of sin and death (free, in him, to live without sin, free for life beyond death),

summoning us to the glory of being now called a chosen race, a royal priesthood (we are this race and this priesthood),

holy nation, a people for your own possession (and a holy nation, belonging to the One who loves us),

(proclaim these by our lives, our witness, our words),

for you have called us out of darkness into your own wonderful light (you have given us as our light and guide in this life).

And so, with Angels and Archangels,

with Thrones and Dominions,

and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven (united with the Heavenly Court),

we sing the hymn of your glory,

as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory (the vision of Isaiah: “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” [Isa. 6:3]).

Hosanna in the highest (hosanna: a cry of praise and adoration).

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (the crowds call to Jesus on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [Mark 11:9]).

Hosanna in the highest.

Gallagher, Fr. Timothy; Gallagher, Fr Timothy . A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri (pp. 57). EWTN Publishing Inc.. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

You can find A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass here

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

SP 31 – Episode 31 – Having a Lovely Lent, Are We? – In Search of the Still Point with Dr. Regis Martin – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 31 – Having a Lovely Lent, Are We?

ST-Luke Ep 16- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 2 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 16 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 2

“Resurrection at Nain”

In Luke 7, we read that John the Baptist sent word to Jesus, asking if Jesus was the one “who is to come”. We know from Matthew 14 that John was imprisoned for chastising Herod about his unlawful marriage to Herodias. In his desolation, John wanted to know if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Having just performed many miracles, Jesus responded by saying “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them” thus fulfilling the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 35. Going further, Jesus told the crowd that John was not a “reed shaken by the wind.” That is, John was a man of serious conviction, the messenger sent to prepare the way for Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of Malachi 3 and Isaiah 40. Jesus also said that “among those born of women no one is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Who is the “least in the kingdom of God”? We read in Philippians 2 that Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Jesus, the most humble in the kingdom of heaven, was baptized by John, the greatest born of women.

Going further, we then look at the somewhat mysterious verses about the analogy of children in the marketplace, who played a dirge yet no one wept and played the flute, yet no one danced. This passage alludes to two major life events: weddings and funerals. John played the “funeral dirge” of repentance, while Jesus played the “wedding march” of salvation. Yet the Pharisees refused to listen to either.

Returning to the beginning of Luke 7, we read of the healing of the Centurion’s servant. We repeat the powerful words of the Centurion just before receiving communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Centurion understood the nature of authority, and willingly submitted to the healing power of Jesus’ Word. Reading about the Centurion reminds us that Israel was under Roman rule at the time of Jesus. Prior to his assassination in 44 BC, Julius Caesar appointed his nephew and adopted son, Octavius, to succeed him at his death. At the time of Julius’ death, a great comet appeared and was seen as a sign in favor of the deification of Julius, who was ultimately declared a god. Augustus reigned for 40 years, ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth as described in Luke 2. After expanding his empire, Augustus was able to maintain a period of political stability known as Pax Romana. Thus Augustus was not only titled the “son of god” but also the “prince of peace” at the time of Jesus’ birth and childhood. At the time of Jesus’ adult ministry, Tiberius Caesar was the Roman emperor and Herod the Edomite was the puppet king of Israel who collaborated with the occupying Romans. The Roman army was made up of legions of 6000 soldiers and a centurion was a veteran soldier in command of over 100 men. Commensurate with their position, centurions were paid well which explains why the centurion mentioned in Luke 7 would have the resources to build the synagogue at Capernaum.

The story of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain is found only in Luke. This recalls the resurrection stories of Elijah, who raised the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and Elisha, who with a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, performed double the Old Testament resurrection miracles. Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4). Also, a dead man was brought back to life when his body touched the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13). The city of Nain was in close proximity to Nazareth, the hometown of Mary and Jesus. We can imagine that at Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary may have recalled the raising of the widow of Nain’s son, giving her hope for the resurrection of her own son.

The lecture draws to a close with the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus as he dined at the house of Simon, the Pharisee. Jesus was able to read the harsh heart of Simon and teach him a valuable lesson: he who is forgiven much loves much. Redeemed sinners have the grace to love lavishly.

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

Chapter 31: Childlike Simplicity – How to Pray with David Torkington – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 31 – Childlike Simplicity

“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:3)

The spiritual life is so simple that you need the simplicity of a little child to see it. There is only one thing that is necessary, and that is love. Not our love of God, but his love of us.

You can find the book here.

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

Endorsement

Visit his website: www.davidtorkington.com.

ST-Luke Ep 15- The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 1 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 26 Vatican II – Gaudium et Spes pt. 3 – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

For the documents of Vatican II visit here

Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

Episode 9 – Jesus’ Heart – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

Episode 32 – Happy Feast Day, St. Joseph!

Episode 17 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 8 Part 1

Luke 8: “Daughters of Israel”

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

Episode 8 – Before the Throne of God – A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

For more episodes in the A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass with Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcast series, visit here

For other Discerning Hearts Fr. Timothy Gallagher Podcasts visit here

Episode 31 – Having a Lovely Lent, Are We?

Episode 16 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 2

“Resurrection at Nain”

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

Episode 15 – The Gospel of Luke – Chapter 7 Part 1

“Resurrection at Nain”

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