Abiding Together

In this episode, we chat about helping children cultivate a deep relationship with God. In today's culture, with entertainment and distractions at our fingertips, this can seem like a difficult task. We discuss the importance of being a good witness to our children and living out daily what you want them to learn. We also share examples of what we have done well, what we need to improve upon, and the amazing power of intercessory prayer.

Heather's One Thing - Letter to Families from JPII

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Jason and Crystalina Evert's new book Male, Female, Other?

Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Pints with Aquinas episode: Responding to Transgenderism With Truth and Mercy w/ Jason Evert

Michelle's One Thing - The women's bracket of March Madness

Discussion Questions:

• How is God inviting you to have a deeper role in the formation of children?
• How can we help our kids grow in their relationship with God in the culture?
• Do you have a rule of life? If not, what would you like to include in your rule of life?
• What is the current culture of your family or household? How would you like it to grow?

Journal Questions:

• How was I formed in the Faith as a child?
• Who are my spiritual children?
• What does the Lord want for my family's rule of life?
• How is God inviting me to change the culture of my home?

Quotes to Ponder:

"As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live." - St. Pope John Paul II, November 30, 1986 Homily in Perth

"…the family is the centre and the heart of the civilization of love." - St. Pope John Paul II, Letter to Families

Scripture for Lectio:

"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." -Joshua. 24:15

Sponsor - The Augustine Institute:

The Augustine Institute exists to help Catholics understand, live, and share their faith. Through initiatives like Amen, FORMED, the Graduate School of Theology, Word of Life, and others, the Augustine Institute forms Catholics for the New Evangelization to renew the Church and transform the world for Christ.

The always-free prayer app, Amen, leads Catholics to deeper prayer with guided meditations, sleep stories, and more. The Graduate School of Theology equips thousands of students—including Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Leah Darrow, and other alumni—to know and live their faith. Millions of Catholics worldwide benefit from FORMED, the premier streaming service for Catholic movies, children's programming, audio dramas, and books. Word of Life makes catechesis fresh and exciting, so kids can grow up with a faith they'll keep for life.

God calls you to understand, live, and share your faith. See how the Augustine Institute can support you in the New Evangelization

In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We share what stood out to us most from the book study, how the Holy Spirit has been moving in our lives this Lent, and practical tips to continue your healing transformation this Easter season. Friends, God's presence is always there, He does not leave us to fend for ourselves. As we journey through Holy Week and into Easter, we have the perfect opportunity to receive the Sacraments with a renewed and transformed heart. We are praying for you!

Heather's One Thing - Easter: Hallelujah is Our Song - Spotify Playlist

Heather's Other One Thing - Dr. Bob Schuchts

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Prayer from Healing the Whole Person Retreat Workbook

"I will let God love me in the places where I feel most vulnerable and most dependent."

Michelle's One Thing - All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

The Fear of God - talk by Francis Chan (begins at 1:31:40)

Discussion Questions:

• What have you learned this Lent?
• What gifts has God given you this Lent?
• Which Sacraments did you encounter deeply this Lent?
• Where in your life are you struggling to experience joy and freedom?

Journal Questions:

• When I judge others, where am I trying to protect my heart?
• Where am I afraid of my own needs and wounds?
• Where do I need the Lord to love me?
• How is the Lord inviting me to bring the healing I have experienced through this book study into Easter?

Quotes to Ponder:

To be sure, it was not Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday, but, the more I reflect on it, the more this seems to be fitting for the nature of our human life: we are still awaiting Easter; we are not yet standing in the full light but walking toward it full of trust. - Pope Benedict XVI

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered… God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed. – Pope Benedict XVI

Scripture for Lectio:

"His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion" - 2 Peter 1:3

Sponsor - The Little Catholic:

Today's sponsor is The Little Catholic. Beauty has a powerful ability to draw people to the Church, whether it be the sound of prayers, the beautiful stained glass windows of a church, or the kindness of another person. With each hand-crafted item, the Little Catholic Shop seeks to empower women to cultivate a deeper faith and inspire a beauty that heals each person who sees or wears their pieces. Their impact extends beyond jewelry and empowering women. They also empower and partner with nonprofits around the globe, designing beautiful pieces unique to their cause and donating a portion of all proceeds back to their mission. Giving back is one of their fundamental values.

The Little Catholic has jewelry for everyone. One of their most popular collections is the Holy Family Hearts Jewelry Collection. This Jewelry collection shows all three Sacred Hearts of the Holy Family: Jesus' Sacred Heart, The Immaculate Heart of Mary and the most chaste heart of St. Joseph. The pendant shows Jesus's Sacred Heart nestled between Mary's Immaculate Heart and Joseph's Chaste Heart, just as they were on the day Jesus was born in that simple Stable. Abiding Together listeners can receive 15% their order with the code Abide 15. Head over to their shop at thelittlecatholic.com to find a piece that inspires you.

In this episode, we continue with part six of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss how the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick heals the wound of hopelessness and share the different ways we approach these dark and sometimes scary places in life. While, in the moment, it may appear that we are alone, God never leaves us and wants to restore our hope in Him. Whenever you experience hopelessness, we invite you to surrender your sorrows to Him and courageously place your hope in our faithful God.

Hey friends! We are going to continue this series with one more bonus episode next Monday, April 3rd to share further insights and conclude Be Transformed.

Heather's One Thing - Matt Maher's new albums exclusively on Hallow

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The wonderful people in Grand Rapids, MI from the KEPHA men's and women's conferences!

Michelle's One Thing - Missionaries!

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

S6 E13 - The Light Shines in the Darkness with Fr. Justin Brady

Why Your Story Makes It Hard to Hope - Adam Young (The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast)

Discussion Questions:

• Is Jesus' resurrection real and important in your daily life?
• What prevents you from believing that Jesus is who He says He is?
• For which wounds or sorrows have you started to lose hope for healing?
• What is the truth that God is inviting you to proclaim in response to feelings of hopelessness?

Journal Questions:

• How have you encountered the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
• Where in my life do I experience hopelessness?
• What obstacles in my life and heart make it hard for me to experience hope?
• What does the Holy Spirit need to remind me of in this season of life?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Every temptation comes down to this one final temptation, it is the temptation to believe that the satisfaction of the deepest desires of our heart is totally up to us." - Fr. Albacete

Healing and miracles often increase our hope, but they are not the basis for our hope. We have another more trustworthy, rock-solid foundation for our hope: the person, Jesus Christ, who describes himself as "the resurrection and the life." He told Martha, anyone who believes in him will never die (see Jn11:25-26). Holding firm to this hope, we are promised a share in his life. All of us who believe in the Resurrection are already "raised to life" This is our hope. - Be Transformed, pg 150

Scripture for Lectio:

"Cure the sick, raise the dead." - Matthew 10:7–8

Sponsor - Leanne Bowen:

Today's sponsor is Leanne Bowen Fine Art. Leanne is a Catholic Artist and stay at home mom. She just released a beautiful collection of candle tins that are the perfect size for gift giving. She offers bulk rates for Confirmation and Ordination Classes. She also has candles that are Tuscan Lemon, Orange Blossom and Magnolia, Peony, and Rose candle. They have beautiful paintings and quotes on them. Her most popular candle is Chrism scented, and smells exactly like the oil used at Baptism!

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In this episode, we continue with part five of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss how Reconciliation heals the wound of shame. We chat about how we all have wounds that make us feel unlovable and send us into isolation, which opens the door for the enemy to attack us with doubts and lies about these tender places. When we go to Confession, these places are brought out of shame, into the light, and restored to the truth that we are deeply and tenderly loved by God. This Lent, we encourage you to allow God's mercy to restore you in the sacrament of confession.

Heather's One Thing - Jordan Peterson

Heather's Other One Thing - The song Communion by Maverick City (feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Brandon Lake)

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Springtime! Yay!

Michelle's One Thing - Holy Grit - Paul George (you can find on Amazon here)

Discussion Questions:

• How have you experienced healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
• How do you hide in your shame and sinfulness?
• In what ways do you desire to more deeply experience the power of the sacrament?

Journal Questions:

• In what ways am I hiding my sinfulness when I confess my sins?
• Where do I experience shame that the Lord is inviting me to bring to Him for healing?
• Have I been hurt by the brokenness of priests in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? What does Jesus say to me in that wound?
• When was the last time I made a good confession?

Quotes to Ponder:

The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the Church's primary means of communicating this incredible and completely underserved gift of God's compassion and forgiveness. Through the sacrament, the Holy Spirit is capable of reaching the deepest areas of our heart that keep us in degradation and separation. - Be Transformed, pg 123

"The whole power of the sacrament of Penance [Reconciliation] consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship" (CCC, 1468). As such it heals the wounds of shame (dis-grace) and restores us to our true identity in Christ, as pure and undefiled children of the Father (see 1 Jn 3:1–3). - Be Transformed, pg 123

Scripture for Lectio:

"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore." John 8:11

Sponsor - House of Joppa:

This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautifully curated Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries, and other gifts, look no further than House of Joppa. Each product is designed to draw you deeper into your faith and help you to fall more in love with Christ and His Church. Whether you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, you will love House of Joppa. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion which opens to reveal a place for prayer intentions, and their Last Supper print is so unique.

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In this episode, we continue with part four of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We begin by discussing how Holy Orders heals the wound of confusion. Through the priesthood, God is giving us His Heart and confirms our identity as His beloved adopted children. We share ways different priests have impacted our lives both positively and negatively and chat about the importance of praying for priests. Next, we discuss how Marriage heals the wound of fear. This Sacrament is a beautiful window into the mystery of Trinitarian love. We touch on how Marriage can heal those in the single state as well as those in a difficult or broken marriage. Remember, God is the only One who can give us the perfect love we crave. We need to draw our strength from Him as we journey towards healing and transformation.

Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments!

Heather's One Thing- Daily Mass

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships by Sarah and Andy Swafford

Michelle's One Thing - Blessed is She Burn Retreat

Michelle's Other One Thing - College roommates and friends

Michelle's Other Other One Thing - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett's podcast and book Daughter by Design

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways has God brought restoration in your relationship with Him as Father?
• How is God inviting you to draw nearer to the fathers in your life?
• In what ways are you withholding yourself from Christ (and your spouse)?
• What fears do you bring into your relationships?
• How can you open yourself to the beauty of the marriages around you?

Journal Questions:

• What is my story of fatherhood with my biological father? With my spiritual fathers? With our Heavenly Father?
• How am I presently choosing self-reliance as the result of a father wound?
• How have I experienced woundedness from my parents' marriage? From my own marriage?
• How have I experienced healing from my parents' marriage, other marriages, or my own marriage?

Quotes to Ponder:

According to St. John Paul II, our rebellion against God's fatherly authority has permeated all of history since the fall: "This is truly the key to interpreting reality. . . . Original sin, then, attempts to abolish fatherhood, destroying its rays . . . placing in doubt the truth about God, who is love." - Be Transformed, pg 88

You may ask, as I have, what can heal us collectively and individually from this primordial wound of confusion and disorder? Since the wound is rooted in distorted perceptions of the Father's authority and our rebellion against his authority, the antidote must be the opposite: restoring our understanding of his authority and humbly submitting to that authority in our lives. - Be Transformed, pg 88

Scripture for Lectio:

"What God has joined together, no human being must separate." - Matthew 19:6

Books & Resources Mentioned in this episode:

• Intimate Allies by Dan Allender
• Be Devoted by Dr. Bob Schuchts
• Unveiled Couples Retreat

Sponsor - Chews Life:

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In this episode, we continue with part three of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. First, we discuss how Holy Communion heals the wound of abandonment, ponder what it means to allow the fullness of this Sacrament take root in our lives, and reflect on the beauty that Jesus will never leave us. Then, we move into how Confirmation heals the wound of powerlessness and share ways the Holy Spirit has inspired us to do things we never could do on our own.

Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments!

Heather's One Thing- Restore the Glory Podcast

Sister Miriam's One Thing - March Madness

Michelle's One Thing - Corda Candles especially the St. Francis of Asissi scent (Poverello)

Michelle's Other One Thing - Hope's Garden's resources on the Song of Songs

Discussion Questions:

• What in my life and heart hinders the Sacrament of Holy Communion from fully transforming me?
• What do you believe was present in the early Church community that is missing today in our communities?
• When have I experienced the fruits of Confirmation in my life?
• Where in my life do I need the Holy Spirit to overwhelm my fear?

Journal Questions:

• When and how have you experienced the pain of abandonment in your life?
• How has Christian community either reinforced or healed those wounds?
• What are the obstacles that prevent me from loving Him fully and receiving His Love fully?
• When do I resist the embrace of the Lord?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him"

- John 6:56

"Anointing is not an act, but rather a state or mode of being and behaving and, so to say, a whole style of living."

- Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Be Transformed, pg 74)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me" (Phil 4:13).

Sponsor - Live Liturgically:

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• Colored circle to indicate the liturgical color of the day
• Grocery List
• To-Do List
• Section to plan Sunday Mass time

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In this episode, we continue with part two of our Lenten book study Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We discuss the power of God's blessings and how curses block our ability to receive His blessings. We dive into the seven types of deadly wounds that distort our identity and how each Sacrament restores a specific wound. In particular, we discuss how Baptism heals the wound of rejection and share how we have allowed God to speak the truth in our own lives that we are His beloved daughters. If you find a tender place in your heart, remember, it isn't because God wants to hurt you. It is because He wants to set you free.

Hey friends! We know that Be Transformed is packed with incredible things, so we encourage you to not feel the need to rush. We want this to be a place where you can rest and be with the Holy Spirit. If you find yourself stuck on a chapter, we invite you to take the time you need and join us again when ready. May God bless you and bring you healing through His Sacraments!

Heather's One Thing - The Song Holy by Martin Smith

Heather's Other One Thing - Her Playlist - Only Jesus

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The National Eucharistic Revival and Congress. Sign up for the newsletter here. Learn more about the pilgrimage here. Register for the pilgrimage here. Get involved on social media: Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Song - Break Every Chain

Michelle's One Thing - Young Moms

Discussion Questions:

• Where in your life is the Lord inviting you to go to the roots?
• Where in my life am I keeping the Lord at an arm's length?
• How is Jesus teaching you how to love and be loved?
• What lies have you been identifying with in this season of my life?

Journal Questions:

• Where is my connection broken with the Father?
• Where do I not trust the Lord?
• Where in my heart do I earnestly need and desire the Father's blessing?
• Where in my life, my heart, and my story do I experience the most wounds and the most spiritual attack?
• What do I believe about myself? What do I believe about the Lord?

Quotes to Ponder:

"The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith" (CCC, 1210).

"From the very beginning, God blessed all living beings, especially man and woman" (CCC, 1080).

This is why St. John Paul II concludes, "At the root of human sin is the lie which is a radical rejection of the truth contained in the word of the Father." - Be Transformed, Page 25

Baptism is a public blessing declaring that you and I are precious and unrepeatable gifts of the Father. By restoring our relationship with God, Baptism fundamentally heals the wounds of rejection that have plagued the human race since our fall from grace. - Be Transformed, page 37

The goal of our spiritual life is to be transformed into the image of Christ so that we share in the divine intimacy that He enjoys with the Father and the Holy Spirit. - Be Transformed, page 17

"Catholic theology can help us understand how a sacrament can be valid and legal but 'unreleased' . . . if its fruit remains bound or unused. . . . Sacraments are not magic rites that act mechanically, without people's knowledge or collaboration. . . . The fruit of the sacrament depends wholly on divine grace, however this divine grace does not act without the 'yes'—the consent and affirmation—of the person." (Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa) - Be Transformed, page 39

In the exercises, Ignatius identifies two opposing spirits that he says are always at work in our lives and in the world. He simply calls them the "good spirit" (which represents our hearts attuned to the Holy Spirit) and the "evil spirit" (which refers to our fallen human nature influenced by the father of lies and subject to the world's influences). - Be Transformed, page 46

Scripture for Lectio:

"Behold, I make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)

Sponsor - Word of Life:

Word of Life is a religious education curriculum created in partnership by the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press to help Catholic schools and parishes meet the challenges and opportunities of proclaiming the Gospel.

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In this episode, we begin our six-part Lenten series on the book Be Transformed by Dr. Bob Schuchts. We welcome Dr. Bob, as our special guest, to introduce his book and set the stage for what you can expect in the following five weeks. He shares an overview of how the seven Sacraments heal our wounds, he breaks down the three-fold transformation process, and explains why the disposition of our heart is pivotal to being transformed by the Sacraments. Friends, we are excited to continue this journey of being transformed with you next week! See you then!

Heather's One Thing- Lenten Playlist: Songs in the Desert

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Virtual Healing of the Whole Person Retreat on March 27-31

Michelle's One Thing - White Chicken Chili (or try this Seafood Chili or White Bean and Fish Chili for Fridays in Lent)

Dr. Bob Schuchts' One Thing - Rediscovering Our Lost Fullness by Andrew Comisky and the exciting news that the JPII Healing Center will have a new publishing house!

Click here to check out Dr. Bob's podcast Restore the Glory!

Discussion Questions:

• How have you been approaching the Sacraments?

• Have you had an experience where Christ encountered you deeply in the Sacraments? Please share.

• Where in my life do I observe how each of the Sacraments impact my identity and my relationships?

• What fears, concerns, or intrigue do you have about this upcoming season of Lent and diving into the Sacraments?

Journal Questions:

• What am I seeking from Christ in the Sacraments this Lent?

• How do I currently engage in the Sacramental life of the Church?

• Where in my life do I need more humility?

• How can I create more space for communion with others in my life, my home, my church, and my community?

Quotes to Ponder:

Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. The Father always hears the prayer of his Son's Church which, in the epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life, whatever is subjected to his power. - CCC# 1127

"The desire and work of the Spirit in the heart of the Church is that we may live the life of the risen Christ." - CCC, 1099

The sacraments are God's chosen remedy for healing our deadly wounds and infusing our souls with Christ's resurrection life. - Be Transformed, pg xv

In the words of St. John Paul II: "The Holy Spirit [working through the sacraments] . . . purifies from everything that disfigures man . . . , he heals even the deepest wounds of human existence." - Be Transformed, pg xv

But when inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, our personal mission becomes a dynamic participation in Jesus' work of restoring all things to the Father. - CCC 850

Fr. Jacques Philippe expresses this common human condition of ours with great insight: "It is worth reflecting on the problem of pride. We are all born with a deep wound, experienced as a lack of being. We seek to compensate by constructing a self, different from our real self. This artificial self requires large amounts of energy to maintain it; being fragile, it needs protecting. Woe to anyone who contradicts it, threatens it, questions it, or inhibits its expansion. When the Gospel says we must 'die to ourselves,' it means this artificial ego, this constructed self, must die, so that the real self, given us by God, can emerge." - Be Transformed, pg 2

Scripture for Lectio:

"All of us, gazing with unveiled faces on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

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In this episode, we dive into the power of prayer. Prayer is the language we use to talk to God, the Lover of our souls. Many times, it can be easy to approach prayer haphazardly, forgetting that we are meant for intimacy and speaking heart to heart with each Person of the Trinity. When we remember that prayer is really about two hearts connecting, our prayer can be transformed. Join us as we share about our prayer lives and how the different seasons of our lives have changed how we pray.

Heather's One Thing - Picture Bible

Heather's Other One Thing - Soaking Worship Instrumental Spotify Playlist

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Magnificat Magazine

Michelle's One Thing - Jesus and You, Women: Ignatian Retreat for Women under the guidance of Edith Stein By Fr. Sergio M Fita

Discussion Questions:

• What holds you back from approaching the Lord in prayer from the heart?
• What is your quickest avenue to get to the heart of God?
• What obstacles are you experiencing in your prayer life?
• How can you embrace your current season in life and its impact on your prayer life with greater freedom?

Journal Questions:

• How does the Lord call me to prayer uniquely?
• Have I been approaching prayer as something on my to-do list?
• What changes could I make to approach God with a more open heart?
• How has my prayer life changed over the years? What does intimacy with God look like today?

Quotes to Ponder:

Prayer is the life of the new heart. It ought to animate us at every moment. But we tend to forget Him who is our life and our all. This is why the Fathers of the spiritual life in the Deuteronomic and prophetic traditions insist that prayer is a remembrance of God often awakened by the memory of the heart "We must remember God more often than we draw breath." But we cannot pray "at all times" if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are the special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration. (CCC, 2697)

Through his Word, God speaks to man. By words, mental or vocal, our prayer takes flesh. Yet it is most important that the heart should be present to him to whom we are speaking in prayer: "Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but on the fervor of our souls." (CCC, 2700)

"Prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." - St. Therese of Lisieux

Scripture for Lectio:

"Jesus was praying in a certain place and after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us how to pray as John taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1

Sponsor - House of Joppa:

This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautifully curated Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries, and other gifts, look no further than House of Joppa. Each product is designed to draw you deeper into your faith and help you to fall more in love with Christ and His Church. Whether you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, you will love House of Joppa. Abiding Together listeners receive 15% off their purchase at checkout with discount code: ABIDE15. Visit them online at https://www.houseofjoppa.com or on Instagram @houseofjoppa.

In this episode, we discuss how easy it is to settle for less than what God offers by clinging to earthly idols and loving other things more than Him. We share about some of our own idols and how turning to God instead has transformed our hearts. We admit how easy it is to accept less than the fullness of life in Jesus and turn to something or someone else in our sorrows. The truth is that Jesus is the only One who can truly satisfy us and bring real comfort in the broken places.

Heather's One Thing - As the Deer

Heather's Other One Thing - "Return" by Fr. John Burns

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Surrender Novena (can also be found on the Hallow app)

Michelle's One Thing - Amy Heyes Art

Michelle's Other One Thing - Comforter, Amanda Cook

Michelle's Other Other One Thing - Revival, Judah and the Lion

Michelle's Other Other Other One Thing - Blessed is She "Burn" Virtual Retreat

Discussion Questions:

• When you are in pain, who or what do you reach for first?
• What good things in your life is the Lord calling you to reorder?
• How might the Lord be inviting you to give up your idols in Lent?
• What healing have I experienced in the past from loving Christ the most?

Journal Questions:

• Who/what do I love the most?
• What am I placing my salvation in rather than God?
• What idols is the Lord inviting me to give up?
• What fears do I have about intimacy with the Lord?

Quotes to Ponder:

"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

"Let yourself be vulnerable. Let your walls down, your carefully constructed fortresses breached, your fiercely guarded heart laid bare. Let your wounds be touched, your fears revealed, your deepest desires, damaged dreams, and most daring hopes unveiled before the Bridegroom, who has the power to redeem, restore, and resurrect them. Drop your independence and the idea—which you clutch so tightly—that you can do anything to protect and save yourself. And LET HIM LOVE YOU."

― St Elizabeth

Scripture for Lectio:

"'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."

―Ezekiel 36:24 - 27

Sponsor - Be Love Revolution:

Ten years ago, Be Love Revolution began with the intention of helping young women know the personal and transformative love of Jesus, and empowering them to be God's love in the world today. Be Love Revolution (BLR), a dynamic Catholic ministry, desires to personally accompany young women on their journey of faith through one-on-one mentoring and discipleship. Be Love Revolution operates in cooperation with Renewal Ministries, a Catholic ministry of evangelization and renewal throughout the world.

Be Love Revolution's mission is three-fold:

BE HIS: To help young women meet Jesus and grow in a life-long, personal relationship with Him.

BE FREE: To help young women live freely and confidently in their identity as beloved daughters of God.

BE LOVE: To equip and empower young women to be God's love in the world today.

Based in Ann Arbor Michigan, BLR leads weekly bible studies, Adoration Nights, small groups, retreats, service and mission opportunities, and collaborates with two high schools and four middle schools for ongoing evangelization and discipleship. Every August, Be Love Revolution hosts Pine Hills Girls Camp, where more than 200 middle schoolers and a staff of 100 young women from Michigan and beyond gather for a life-changing and unforgettable week. The Revolution of Love is on the move and there are BLR Chapters located in Traverse City, Michigan, London, Ontario, Lansing, Michigan, Leonardtown, Maryland, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Learn more about the Be Love Revolution here

Connect with Be Love Revolution on Instagram here

Learn more about Pine Hills Camp here

Connect with Pine Hills Girls Camp on Instagram here