Day 37: Before Abraham Was, I Am – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 37: Before Abraham Was, I Am

Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

John 8:51–59

Jesus said to the Jews: “I tell you solemnly, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” The Jews said, “Now we know that You are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he will never know the taste of death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are You claiming to be?”

Jesus answered: “If I were to seek My own glory that would be no glory at all; My glory is conferred by the Father, by the One of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ although you do not know Him. But I know Him, and if I were to say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I should be a liar, as you are. But I do know Him, and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see My Day; he saw it and was glad.”

The Jews then said, “You are not fifty yet, and You have seen Abraham!” Jesus replied: “I tell you solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.” At this they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and left the Temple.

Reflection:

This Gospel reaches a dramatic and profound turning point: Jesus reveals not only His mission, but His identity. “Before Abraham ever was, I Am.” It is a name that echoes the voice of God from the burning bush—a claim that leaves no room for ambiguity. Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher. He is the Eternal One. The Word made flesh.

But what does this mean for us, especially in these final days of Lent?

It means that in Christ, we are not following a distant ideal—we are being invited into communion with the Living God. Lent is not just about moral effort. It is about relationship. To keep His word, as Jesus says, is to remain in that relationship—faithful, trusting, open.

And yet, we know how hard that can be. There are days we feel distant. Times when questions cloud our faith. Moments when silence feels louder than the presence of God. Like those in today’s Gospel, we can be tempted to react with skepticism or resistance—especially when Jesus asks for deeper surrender.

But Lent teaches us to stay in the conversation. To ask—not with cynicism, but with longing—“Who are You claiming to be?” And to listen for His answer. Jesus does not force belief; He reveals, patiently and truthfully, again and again.

St. Teresa of Calcutta once said:

“When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”
(Jesus, the Word to Be Spoken: Prayers and Meditations by Mother Teresa, edited by Brother Angelo Devananda, 1996)

And from Evagrius Ponticus, one of the great voices of early Christian wisdom:

“If you are a theologian, you will pray truly; and if you pray truly, you are a theologian.”
(Chapters on Prayer, 61)

To stay close to Jesus, we need prayer—not just as obligation, but as encounter. We need silence to listen. Scripture to anchor us. And people who can walk with us when the path feels unclear. God has not left us alone. And Jesus, the Great I Am, does not abandon His own.

Reflection Questions:

What does Jesus’ identity as “I Am” mean for your life today?
Are there places of resistance or fear in your heart where Christ is inviting deeper trust?
How can prayer help you remain in relationship with the Living God today?

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, You are the Eternal Word, the Living God who calls me to communion. Help me to keep Your word not only with my lips but with my life. Teach me to stay with You in prayer, even when I do not understand. Open my heart to the mystery of who You are, and let that truth lead me into deeper love, deeper freedom, and deeper faith.

Amen.

This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 9

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Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Oh most lovable St Gemma, we ask you to be our patroness and special friend today and always. Assist us in our daily spiritual and material needs and teach us to know love and serve the Lord our God with all our hearts. Accompany us, along with our Guardian Angel, in all our ways, and guide us lovingly to Heaven. Assist us at the time of our death along with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and plead our cause before God, and trusting in His great mercy and the Passion of Jesus thy Spouse, obtain for us the salvation of our souls, and also the favor that we now humbly request (mention request)…

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…

Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant Saint Gemma into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For the complete 9 day, novena Mp3 audio visit the Discerning Hearts St. Gemma Galgani Novena

Original resource for this novena: “St. Gemma Galgani”

5th Thursday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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5th Thursday 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 John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

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

Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

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

Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father,
by the one of whom you say, “He is our God”
although you do not know him.
But I know him,
and if I were to say: I do not know him,
I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day;
he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
before Abraham ever was,
I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

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.

CTD6 – The Oasis of Lent – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Oasis of Lent – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss various aspects of marriage, spirituality, and the role of Christ in relationships. Life is a continuous response to God’s love, with the ultimate fulfillment found in heaven.

While perfection may not be attainable, continual growth in yielding to Christ leads to spiritual improvement over time.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Continuous Growth: How does Deacon Keating describe the concept of life as a continual response to God’s love? What does he emphasize regarding the attainment of perfection?
Perfectionism in Relationships: What are the dangers associated with perfectionism in relationships, according to Deacon Keating? How does he suggest overcoming these challenges through spirituality and prayer?
Importance of Intercessory Prayer: Why does Deacon Keating underscore the significance of intercessory prayer within marriage? How does he envision spouses supporting each other’s spiritual development?
Sacramental Marriage as a Vocation: What parallels does Deacon Keating draw between sacramental marriage and Christ’s sacrificial love on the cross? How does he advocate for thorough spiritual preparation for marriage?
Prioritizing Relationship with God: According to Deacon Keating, why is it essential for couples to prioritize their relationship with God in marriage? How does he emphasize the transformative potential of Christ’s love in relationships?

An excerpt from “Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion”:

“Moral conversion occurs in ordinary experience when we hit a wall or break through one. In other words, moral conversion can be ignited when we reach our limits and experience failure or finitude, or it can be ushered in when we transcend our limits and go beyond the self. We transcend the self by falling in love and/ or following the prompting of conscience at the cost of our own ego.

The traditional disciplines of Lent— prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as well as communal worship— aim at fostering or preparing a person to welcome such limiting or breakthrough experiences. Most importantly, we are prepared to receive the truths known in these experiences, since we can rarely, if ever, orchestrate them. More than likely, we are taken up into such experiences, and our preparation beforehand can enhance our acceptance of the truths they carry.

(In regards to communal worship) …We usually imagine worship as a break in our secular lives, or sometimes even an obstacle to achieving other goals. With this attitude, worship is sometimes simply seen as “time out” from what is really important. Without denying the importance of secular realities for the laity, could we look at worship in another way? Worship is not an obstacle to daily living; it is not time off from more vital realities. Worship is, in fact, the great doorway into all that is both secular and holy. It is our way into real living. In worship, we find the great integration of the simple, ordinary, and plain (people, bread, wine, words) with the holy and transcendent (paschal mystery, incarnation, grace, transformation, salvation). The call of the laity is to carry into each day of work and domestic commitment the truth that the ordinary and the holy are not opposed. Only sin and the holy are opposed. Lenten worship services help us bring this truth to the world.

The more we come to see the presence of Christ in worship as a presence that permeates our being in the world, the more we will hunger to participate in worship as the source of our moral witness in everyday life. The Eucharist primarily is our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, which is his self-offering to the Father, both in his life and upon the cross, and is also the Father’s response in raising him from the dead. Christ came to us; he came to dwell upon Earth and take on created goodness so that all in creation that is not good (sin) may be transformed by his presence, by grace. We too, in communion with him through the grace of the sacramental life, fill the ordinary world with his presence and become witnesses to this salvation through virtue and grace cooperating in moral activity.”

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

PoC-36 5th Wednesday of Lent: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

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The Cross of Christ Restores. . .Our Freedom

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila - Audio Mp3 Audio 3 Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Are there areas of my life where I am still enslaved?

Seek—Persevere in the teaching of Jesus. Experience the joy of the small victories when standing your ground against the enemy, especially when he seeks to seduce you back into the slavery of sin.

Knock—Meditate on Romans 6:22–23.

Now, however, you have been set free from sin, you have been made slaves of God, and you get a reward leading to your sanctification and ending in eternal life. For the wage paid by sin is death; the present given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What does it mean to be a slave of God? Are you a free person? If not, what still enslaves you? If so, from what has God freed you?

Transform Your Life—St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that we should make use of created things inasmuch as they aid us in praising, reverencing, and serving God, for that is the purpose of our existence. Spend your life seeing all of creation in these terms, remaining in the teaching of Jesus, and witness how your life is totally transformed.

The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

Day 36: The Truth Will Set You Free – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 36: The Truth Will Set You Free

Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

John 8:31–42

To the Jews who believed in Him, Jesus said: “If you make My word your home you will indeed be My disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.”

They answered, “We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, ‘You will be made free’?”

Jesus replied: “I tell you most solemnly, everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured, but the son’s place is assured. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descended from Abraham; but in spite of that you want to kill Me because nothing I say has penetrated into you. What I, for My part, speak of is what I have seen with My Father; but you, you put into action the lessons learnt from your father.”

They repeated, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them: “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do as Abraham did. As it is, you want to kill Me when I tell you the truth as I have learnt it from God; that is not what Abraham did. What you are doing is what your father does.”

“We were not born of prostitution,” they went on, “we have one father: God.”

Jesus answered: “If God were your father, you would love Me, since I have come here from God; yes, I have come from Him; not that I came because I chose, no, I was sent, and by Him.”

⸻

Reflection:

At the heart of this Gospel is a promise and a challenge: “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” We live in a world that talks often about freedom—but Jesus speaks of a different kind. This is not merely the freedom to choose—it is the freedom to choose what is good, what is true, what leads to life in God. This is the freedom that comes from being fully His.

Jesus speaks directly to those who believed in Him—and yet still resisted the full implications of His word. “If you make My word your home… you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.” Truth is not just abstract. It is relational. It is Christ Himself. This kind of freedom is not the absence of struggle but the presence of Christ. It is found in surrendering to the Father’s will, as Jesus did—in letting go of control and abiding in love.

The people in the Gospel claim, “We’ve never been slaves.” But Jesus reveals a deeper slavery: sin. Sin limits our sight. It distorts our desires. It binds our hearts to what cannot save us. To be free in Christ is to be unbound from all that keeps us from love—and to live in the transforming truth of His word.

But often, we hold back. Maybe it’s fear—of what we’ll lose. Maybe it’s anxiety—of surrendering what we’ve clung to. Maybe it’s old wounds that whisper, “You’re not worthy.” These don’t disqualify us. They invite honesty.

This is where the spiritual practice of ARRR prayer can be helpful:

Acknowledge what you’re experiencing.
Relate it to Jesus in heartfelt honesty.
Receive what He offers you in that place.
Respond with trust and love.

St. Catherine of Siena reminds us that this freedom is not about willpower, but about intimacy with God:

“You have been made by God and re-made in the blood of His Son, and you are being continually made new by the fire of His love.”
(Letter T82)

The Desert Father Abba Poemen once said:

“Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy. Let love be your measure in all things.”
(Apophthegmata Patrum, Poemen 18)

Freedom in Christ is not license to do as we please—it is grace to become who we truly are. It’s not about escaping suffering, but allowing God to transform it. So today, let us ask: Are we willing to let the truth dwell in us—to trust Jesus with the parts of our lives still bound by fear or falsehood?

Reflection Questions:

What still binds your heart and holds you back from full freedom in Christ?
Are there fears, anxieties, or false securities that Jesus is asking you to surrender?
How might ARRR prayer guide your steps today toward healing and trust?

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Truth that sets us free. We bring You our fears, our pride, and our false securities. Help us to surrender them to You. Let Your word dwell in us, reshape us, and lead us into the freedom of love. Root us in Your truth, and help us to trust the Father as You do.

Amen.

St. Gemma Galgani Novena – Day 8

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Oh most fervent St Gemma, so many times you shed countless tears over your sins, and sought constantly to do penance and to make reparation for them. We who are so inclined to pamper ourselves, always seeking to gratify our senses and excuse ourselves from every penance, help us to recognize the infinite sufferings that Jesus endured for our sins, and all the pains we caused Him, and with the Passion of Jesus in mind, obtain for us a great sorrow and desire to never commit such sins again …

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…

Pray for us, Saint Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

For the complete 9 day novena Mp3 audio visit the Discerning Hearts St. Gemma Galgani Novena

Original resource for this novena: “St. Gemma Galgani”

5th Wednesday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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5th Wednesday 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 John 8:31-42

To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.’
They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
everyone who commits sin is a slave.
Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured,
but the son’s place is assured.
So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.
I know that you are descended from Abraham;
but in spite of that you want to kill me
because nothing I say has penetrated into you.
What I, for my part, speak of
is what I have seen with my Father;
but you, you put into action
the lessons learnt from your father.’
They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them:
‘If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.’
‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered:
‘If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.’

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:

To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.’
They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
everyone who commits sin is a slave.
Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured,
but the son’s place is assured.
So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.
I know that you are descended from Abraham;
but in spite of that you want to kill me
because nothing I say has penetrated into you.
What I, for my part, speak of
is what I have seen with my Father;
but you, you put into action
the lessons learnt from your father.’
They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them:
‘If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.’
‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered:
‘If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.’

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:

To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said:
‘If you make my word your home
you will indeed be my disciples,
you will learn the truth
and the truth will make you free.’
They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
everyone who commits sin is a slave.
Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured,
but the son’s place is assured.
So if the Son makes you free,
you will be free indeed.
I know that you are descended from Abraham;
but in spite of that you want to kill me
because nothing I say has penetrated into you.
What I, for my part, speak of
is what I have seen with my Father;
but you, you put into action
the lessons learnt from your father.’
They repeated, ‘Our father is Abraham.’ Jesus said to them:
‘If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do as Abraham did.
As it is, you want to kill me
when I tell you the truth
as I have learnt it from God;
that is not what Abraham did.
What you are doing is what your father does.’
‘We were not born of prostitution,’ they went on ‘we have one father: God.’ Jesus answered:
‘If God were your father, you would love me,
since I have come here from God;
yes, I have come from him;
not that I came because I chose,
no, I was sent, and by him.’

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.

BTP-LR6 – Day 6 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Day 6 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor delve into the sixth day of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat. Reflecting on Revelation’s vision of the Lamb and the 144,000, they explore Elizabeth’s interpretation of those marked by the Lamb’s and the Father’s name. These souls are described as conformed to Christ through suffering, contemplation, and purity of heart, reflecting divine attributes like justice, mercy, and truth. St. Elizabeth sees contemplatives—especially religious—as deeply united to the Lamb, living out a hidden, sacrificial love that vibrates like strings playing a new heavenly song. Their lives teach the Church how to praise from the depths of the soul, not just outwardly but in total interior surrender.

Dr. Lilles expands on St. Elizabeth’s teaching about dying to self. This spiritual death, expressed through detachment and suffering, frees a person to follow Christ completely and live by His indwelling presence. Drawing from Galatians 2:20, the conversation highlights how Elizabeth, like St. Paul, lived from this radical faith—a faith that trusts God’s purifying trials and seeks nothing less than full union with Him. The soul that lives this hidden life in God reflects His perfections and becomes a living sacrifice of love. Her words invite others to stop trying to live in two worlds and instead surrender fully, trusting that such a life leads to deep, abiding joy.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How am I being invited to bear the name of the Lamb through conformity to Christ in my daily life?
In what ways can I open my heart more fully to the Father’s divine attributes—justice, mercy, and truth?
What attachments might I need to surrender to follow Christ more freely and deeply?
How does the image of singing a “new song” speak to my personal prayer and relationship with God?
Am I willing to embrace trials as a path to inner freedom and deeper union with Christ?
How can I grow in the practice of mental prayer to allow Christ’s sacrifice to shape my soul?
What does “dying to self” look like in the concrete circumstances of my life right now?
How might the hidden life of contemplatives inspire my own spiritual journey?
Do I truly believe, like St. Paul, that Christ lives in me, and how does that shape my actions?
What prevents me from fully trusting God’s will, and how can I let go of that resistance?

Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity — St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

From “Last Retreat Day 6” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

16. What a going out from self that implies! What a death! Let us say with St. Paul, “Quotidie morior.” 95 The great saint wrote to the Colossians, “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” 96

That is the condition: we must be dead! Without that we may be hidden in God at certain moments; but we do not LIVE habitually in this divine Being because all our emotions, self-seekings and the rest, come to draw us out of Him.

The soul that gazes steadfastly on its Master with this “single eye which fills the whole body with light” 97 is kept “from the depths of iniquity within it 98 of which the prophet complains. “The Lord has brought it into “this spacious place” 99 which is nothing else than Himself; there everything is pure, everything is holy! O blessed death in God! O sweet and gentle loss of self in the beloved Being which permits the creature to cry out: “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in this body of death, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .

PoC-35 5th Tuesday of Lent: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

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The Cross of Christ Restores. . .The Image of God

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila - Audio Mp3 Audio 3 Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—What can make me more like Christ in his humility?

Seek—Ask God to reveal to you his purpose for your life. When you do not feel accepted by others, look to the rejection that Jesus endured on the cross and unite your suffering to his.

Knock—Meditate on Numbers 21:8–9.

The Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.’ So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.

Imagine the people being bitten by serpents, then being healed by staring at the serpent on the pole (which is still the symbol for the medical profession). What do you think healed the people?

Transform Your Life—Learn the acceptance of God. Confess your sins and anything that you think makes you unacceptable to God. Learn to love your physical imperfections and to help others accept theirs and yours.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page