[powerpress]

DAY TWO

With the greatest confidence I come to you, the fatherly Heart of Jesus for I know that no father, were he ever so loving and solicitous, can possibly love his children as you have always loved me. To whom, therefore, shall I go if not to you the best of fathers and the author of all good? It is indeed true that I have grievously offended you, that I have neglected to honor you properly and have been guilty of ingratitude and do not deserve to be numbered among your children. But although I forgot my duty to you as your child I know that you are still my beloved Father in heaven.

Now with a contrite heart I kneel at your feet weeping over my sins and promising you that in the future I shall make every effort never to offend you again. I hope in spite of my sinfulness to be received by you who have so often sought me.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus help me with your grace so that I may carry out my resolution. Then, O Jesus, if my wishes are not contrary to your most holy will, I beg of you (mention your request) for which I pray with confidence and hope to receive from your infinite goodness.

———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?

To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.

But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.

Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.

[powerpress]

DAY ONE

My God and my Lord, Jesus Christ, in deepest humility I kneel before you and adore your Divine Heart. No one dares to doubt that you will grant all graces necessary to our salvation. Did you not say: “God alone is good,” and are not you my very God? Is not your Heart the Heart of God who is all love?

Therefore, there can be no power that is able to hinder you from granting our requests. Nothing is difficult for your omnipotence and your riches are infinite and can never be exhausted.

No matter how often I may have sinned against you, I shall not despair because I know that you are God, infinite in generosity and mercy, always ready to pardon every contrite and humble sinner.

O compassionate Heart of Jesus, God of solace, grant me comfort. Pardon me, come to my assistance. Say but the word and I shall find relief in my sore trials. (mention your request)

I place my hope in you. Let me not be confounded, O Heart of my omnipotent God, have mercy on me

———————
O Divine Jesus who has said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” behold me prostrate at your feet. Animated with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by your Sacred Heart and pronounced by your adorable lips. I come to ask your aid. (mention your request)

From whom shall I ask, O sweet Jesus, if not from you whose heart is an inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where shall I seek if not from the treasure which contains all the riches of your clemency and bounty? Where shall I knock if it be not at the door of your Sacred Heart through which God himself comes to us and through which we go to God?

To you then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In you I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials and light in doubt and darkness. I firmly believe you can bestow on me the grace I implore even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I know I am most unworthy of your favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast upon me a look of pity, I conjure you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a pressing motive for granting my petition.

But, O Sacred Heart, whatever may be your decision with regard to my request I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve you. Deign, O Jesus, to accept my act of perfect submission to the decrees of your adorable Heart which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all your creatures forever and ever. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race look down upon us humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be but to be more surely united with you behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you, many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your Sacred Heart.

Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you. Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be you King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd.

Grant O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm. Give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever. Amen.

Primacy of Peter

[powerpress “faith-check-with-greg-youell”]

On this faith check let’s talk about our first pope, St. Peter.  I remember well a conversation I once had with a Protestant pastor who told me that if Peter were truly the first pope, he thought he’d see him exercising his papacy more in the Bible.

Peter was no ordinary apostle.  Peter’s name appears more than all of the other apostles combined and in every list of the apostles’ names, Peter comes first, while Judas Iscariot is last.  Peter pays the temple tax on behalf of Jesus and the apostles in Matthew 17.¹

In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is the one chosen by God to take the Gospel first to the Jews in Acts 2,² to the Samaritans in Acts 8 ³ and to the Gentiles in Acts 10.⁴ Peter performs the first miracle in Acts 3,⁵ pronounces judgment on Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 ⁶ and gives the decisive teaching at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15. ⁷

Every team needs a coach and every company needs a CEO.  Yes, Jesus is our King, but he also left Peter to be the head pastor of his flock on earth.

1 – vv. 24-27

2 – 2:14-40

3 – 8:14-24

4 – 10:1ff

5 – 3:1-10

6 – 5:1-6

7 – 15:7ff

 

Mark answers –

The Gospel of Matthew…it’s time, context, importance and relevance for today.  Who was Matthew?  Who were the people he was addressing?  What makes it unique?

[powerpress]

Mark Hart is an author, speaker, director and teacher, Mark’s work both written and spoken, is known across the country and world. While he serves as the Vice President of LIFE TEEN, he is known to tens of thousands simply as the “Bible Geek ®” Mark passionately echoes the gospel to all he encounters. He is as deep as he is funny, and his love for his wife and daughters is second only to his immense love for Jesus Christ.

Visit Mark at www.lifeteen.com

 

 

Keys of the Kingdom

[powerpress “faith-check-with-greg-youell”]

Many of our separated brothers and sisters ask where we find a “pope” in the Bible.  One example is in St. Matthew 16, where Jesus says to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”¹

In the ancient world, kingdoms would have a leader underneath the king who was responsible for the administration of the government—we might call them the prime ministers.  We find an example of this in Isaiah 22,² when God declares that Shebna, the Prime Minister of Israel, will be deposed for his sins and replaced by Eliakim, whom God says will be a father to Israel and will carry the key of the house of David—“what he opens none shall shut; and what he shuts none shall open.”

When Jesus gave Peter the keys in Matthew 16, the apostles already understood their significance.  Peter was to be their leader, the prime minister that will shepherd Christ’s Church.  “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”³

What a gift we have in Pope Benedict, who still carries the keys today.

1 -  Mt. 16:19

2 -  see Is. 22: 20-25

3 -  Mt. 16:19

 

Episode 4 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

[powerpress]

In this episode, Deacon Keating continues to reflect on the Sacrament of Marriage and the liturgy of the Church in which it is celebrated.  Where the wedding occurs says much about how the couple perceives the gravitas of the marriage commitment.  He then discusses the questions that are asked of the couple at the beginnings of the liturgy.  Can they answer the questions with integrity.  He also addresses the question of cohabitation and sex outside of marriage.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

USCCA12- Episode 12-  Mary:  The Church’s First and Most Perfect Member

[powerpress]

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 12:

The Second Vatican Council remains us that Mary is a member of the Church who “occupies a place in the Church which is the highest after Christ and also closest to us” (LG, no. 54).  She is the first and the greatest of all the disciples of Christ.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Fr. Ryan Lewis   for his vocal talents in this episode.

Mark Shea once again gives us an outstanding resource to grow in our Catholic faith!  This time its with “The Heart of Catholic Prayer:  Rediscovering the Our Father and the Hail Mary”.  Mark takes great care and time with varied sections of each prayer and helps us to deeply reflect on the mystery contained within them.  Both meditative and catechetical, what we will find is a treasure house of grace, which if pondered deeply, will unite us closer to the heart of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Outstanding!

[powerpress]

You can find Mark’s book here

To learn and understand the Our Father and Hail Mary is to learn the deepest contours of the Church’s interior life, for both are prayers that come from the Holy Spirit, who is the soul of the Church. 

Experience the ordinary truths of the Faith that the Church has always taught, but in ways which will generate a spark of recognition in the contemporary mind. Upon completion of this book, you will never recite either of these prayers in the same way again.

Episode 15 Beginning to Pray:  “Heaven in Faith”  Day 8 Prayer 1- “Those whom God has foreknown, He has aldo predestined to become confomed to the image of His divine Son…“

[powerpress]

Dr. Anthony Lilles is a Catholic husband and father of three teaching Spiritual Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. He  teaches spiritual theology and spiritual direction to transitional deacons, and the spiritual classics to the men who enter the Spirituality Year, a year of prayer in preparation for seminary formation.  He is the author of the “Beginning to Pray”  catholic blog spot.

From “Heaven in Faith: Day 8 Prayer 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

26.  This is how the mystery of predestination, the mystery of divine election appeared to the enlightened gaze of the Apostle.  “Those whom He has foreknown”  Are not we of that number?  Cannot God say to our soul what he once said through the voice of His prophet:  “I passed by you and saw you.  I saw that the time had come for you to be loved.  I spread my garment over you.  I swore to you to protect you, and I made a covenant with you, and you became mine.”

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

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 offer heartfelt thanks to
Miriam Gutierrez for providing for us “the voice” of Blessed Elizabeth for this series

[powerpress] Deacon Keating reflects on what intimacy with Jesus really means as realized in our experience of prayer and how that relationship can heal our fears.   The writings of St. Peter Eymard are used by Deacon Keating to explore these areas.

A Simple Blueprint for Prayer
“In your prayer, seek to nourish yourself on God, rather than…humbling yourself. To do this: nourish your mind with the truth personified in God’s goodness towards you…his personal love; here is the secret of true prayer. See the action and mind of God IN HIS LOVE FOR YOU! Then, in wonder, your soul will cry out… ‘How good you are my God. What can I do for you? What will please you?’ There is the fire of the furnace.”

It was with great joy to be able to speak with Mary Ann Glendon about  “The Forum and the Tower: How Scholars and Politicians Have Imagined the World, from Plato to Eleanor Roosevelt”.  A fascinating book that chronicles not only the thoughts, but also the lives of  12 notable philosophers and/or statesmen throughout history.  The “and/or” is important, because not all can can successfully combine both.  In fact, only  two in this particular work, are found to be that complete “Philosopher Statesman”.   Why is that so?  Why is difficult for one who develops a theory to put it into practice?  And on personal level on my part, that this is one of the most enjoyable and engaging converstations I’ve been blessed to have in this particular “forum”.  We also discuss Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and their influence in today’s world.

Mary Ann Glendon is Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and is a former United States Ambassador to the Vatican. She holds A.B., J.D., and M.C.L. degrees from the University of Chicago. In 2004, Pope John Paul II named her as the first woman to serve as President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

[powerpress]

You can find the book here
About the Book:

As Aristotle noted long ago, two very different and sometimes incompatible ways of life—the political and the philosophical—exert a powerful pull on the ambitious and talented members of any society. Mary Ann Glendon, who teaches at Harvard Law School, says that she sees this double attraction in her students. Some go into politics, but many turn away, fearful of the compromises and corruptions of power. Such students may go on to become teachers and scholars, but they never quite give up on the idea of “making a difference” in the wider, public world, even if they aren’t quite sure how to do it. Ms. Glendon’s The Forum and the Tower profiles 12 figures in Western history who struggled—not always successfully—with the conflict between an active life and a contemplative one, between ‘life in the public forum and life in the ivory tower.’… The Forum and the Tower is a wise exploration of the eternal tension between action and thought.
— Brian C. Anderson, The Wall Street Journal

Episode 3 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

[powerpress]

In this episode, Deacon Keating reflects on the Sacrament of Marriage and the liturgy of the Church in which it is celebrated.  Where the wedding occurs says much about how the couple perceives the gravitas of the marriage commitment.  He then discusses the questions that are asked of the couple at the beginnings of the liturgy.  Can they answer the questions with integrity.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

USCCA11- Episode 11- The Four Marks of the Church

[powerpress]

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 11:

“In the earliest professions of faith, the Catholic Church identified herself as “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.”  We find these words in the Nicene Creed professed at Sunday Mass.  Traditionally, they refer to what are known as the four marks of the Church, traits that identify the Church before the world.”

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Omar Gutierrez his vocal talents in this episode.

[powerpress]Msgr. Esseff reflects on the “hellos” and the “good-byes” of life.  I can’t really be where I am if I don’t say good-bye to where I’ve been, especially if I leave it jagged.  What do you do if you don’t want to leave a place?  You are not ready to let go?  He shares the pain of having to leave Lebanon and how his mother helped him to detach and allow God’s will move him to acceptance. How do you deal with the anger that can arise?  Letting go of not only a place, but also of things and people may be asked of us in order to respond to the Father’s will.  The joy comes ultimately in heaven where there are no more good-byes.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website  Building a Kingdom of Love

Episode 14 Beginning to Pray:  “Heaven in Faith”  Day 7 Prayer 2- “Be holy for I am holy“

[powerpress]

Dr. Anthony Lilles is a Catholic husband and father of three teaching Spiritual Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. He  teaches spiritual theology and spiritual direction to transitional deacons, and the spiritual classics to the men who enter the Spirituality Year, a year of prayer in preparation for seminary formation.  He is the author of the “Beginning to Pray”  catholic blog spot.

From “Heaven in Faith: Day 7 Prayer 2” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

24…”When God sees that we are prepared to receive His grace, His generous goodness is ready to give us the gift that will give us His likeness.  Our aptitude for receiving His grace depends on the inner integrity with which we move towards Him.” And then God, “bringing us His gifts,” can “give Himself, imprint on us His likeness, forgive, and free us.”

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

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 offer heartfelt thanks to
Miriam Gutierrez for providing for us “the voice” of Blessed Elizabeth for this series