Abiding Together

In this episode we discuss the idea of personal revival through the power of the Holy Spirit, repentance and reawakening. We discuss the necessity of an interior death in order to experience resurrection and the fears that prevent us from living in the power of the Holy Spirit. We chat about how to identify areas in our life that are dormant or require repentance in order to experience new life and chat about the importance of community in bringing about revival. We pray the Holy Spirit would move mightily in your life this week!

Michelle's one thing - Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress - Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR

Michelle's other one thing - A Work of God: Images of Renewal - Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Heather's one thing - My daughter Maria coming home from Franciscan University

Sister Miriam's one thing - Healthy Granola Recipe

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. Who do you know that is living in the power of the Resurrection or Holy Spirit power? What characteristics define this kind of revival?
3. If we cannot experience resurrection and revival without experiencing dying, what needs to be put to death within you? What fears, hesitancies, or comforts keep you from experiencing the Holy Spirit's power in this way?
4. Revival starts with us. How can you make more room for the Holy Spirit?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas of your life do you need to repent in order to experience revival? Where are the areas in your life where something is dead that needs to be revived?
2. Where are the areas you may have blocked or avoided the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Where are the areas you have given full permission to the Holy Spirit and what fruit has that created?

Quote to Ponder: "Let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost… May tongues of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal for the spread of Christ's Kingdom, descend on all present!" — Pope Benedict XVI, homily in New York City, 4/19/2008

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." - Acts 2:17

This episode is sponsored by House of Joppa.

This week's episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautiful Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries or other Catholic gifts, look no farther than the House of Joppa. Each product is curated from artisans throughout the world, and is designed to uplift your spirit and share the beauty of our One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic faith. If you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, head over to their website in the show notes. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion, Mini Mary Garden and Joyful Mystery themed rosary.

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 the power of Christ to untie the knots of bitterness and unforgiveness in our life as we grow in holiness. We discuss the lies that come from our wounds and cause us to make agreements and judgements because of our hurt. We chat about the simple, but sometimes hard path towards greater freedom in Christ. We close our time together with a beautiful prayer led by Sister Miriam. We pray you would allow the Lord to untie the knots in your life this week!

Michelle's one thing - Rosemary Fig Sauce

Heather's one thing - Loved As I Am - Sister Miriam James Heidland

Sister Miriam's one thing - Forgiveness Meditation and Talk on Forgiveness by Fr. John Burns and Sr. Miriam

Other Episodes on This Topic:

S05 E24: Forgiveness

S05 E15: Healing the Whole Person - An Interview with Dr. Bob Schuchts

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. What does it mean for you to be tenderhearted? Are there particular situations or experiences that have caused you to close your heart?
3. What is the biggest or most visible knot in your life? Are you ready to be honest, open and willing to address this area with the Lord? Why or why not?
4. What is an area that you struggle with forgiveness?

Journal Questions:

1. What agreements have you made - I am… I'm not… I will never… I will always… - when you have been hurt? Take a moment to practice forgiveness and breaking these agreements and untying these knots.
2. What beliefs about yourself or judgements about others are acting as a knot in your life? What is the origin of these beliefs and judgements and what does the Lord say is true?

Quote to Ponder: "Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive." - C.S. Lewis

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." - Ephesians 4:31-32

This episode is sponsored by MyCatholicDoctor.

Our sponsor for today's episode is MyCatholicDoctor. For more than 2000 years, the Catholic Church has led the world in healthcare, answering the call of Jesus Christ to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God is near. At MyCatholicDoctor, they answer that call by providing evidence-based, holistic Catholic healthcare to all of God's people.

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To find out more about the services they provide, meet their providers, and schedule an appointment, visit mycatholicdoctor.com. As a special thank you to our Abiding Together listeners, they are offering $25 off for your first appointment through May 30th. Please visit mycatholicdoctor.com/abide25 to claim your gift certificate.

In this episode we discuss the mystery and gift of the Church in the midst of scandals, disappointments, heartaches and failures. We discuss the "both and" nature of the Church that delivers the grace of the sacraments and is made up of only sinners. We chat about the family of the Church and our role as women to help reconcile and restore the broken places through transparency and repentance. We pray you would notice the Holy Spirit working a new thing within your heart this week.

Michelle's one thing - Be Transformed - Dr. Bob Schuchts

Heather's one thing - Restore the Glory Podcast with Dr. Bob Schutchts and Jake Khym

Sister Miriam's one thing - Broken gods: Hope, Healing, and the Seven Longings of the Human Heart - Dr. Gregory Popcak

Other Episodes on This Topic:

Season 4, Episode 1: On Summer and Scandal

Season 4, Episode 10: Joint Restoration: An Interview with Fr. Josh Johnson

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. Have you ever felt like you didn't want to continue being a part of the Church? What experiences brought you back into communion? Where do you still need to experience reconciliation and restoration with the Church?
3. How do we, especially as women, create safe places for people to repent and for victims to be reconciled to the Church?
4. What areas does God want to redeem, restore and make new in your own life to bring restoration to the Church?

Journal Questions:

1. What trauma have you experienced at the hands of the Church and have you been able to forgive? What wounds have you caused to others within the Church and have you been able to repent?
2. What wounds is God inviting you to bring to the foot of the cross this week? Take a moment to ask Jesus to meet you there and do for you what you cannot do for yourself.

Quote to Ponder: "How baffling you are, oh Church, and yet how I love you! How you have made me suffer, and yet how much I owe you! I would like to see you destroyed, and yet I need your presence. You have given me so much scandal and yet you have made me understand what sanctity is. I have seen nothing in the world more devoted to obscurity, more compromised, more false, and yet I have touched nothing more pure, more generous, more beautiful. How often I have wanted to shut the doors of my soul in your face, and how often I have prayed to die in the safety of your arms." - Carlo Carretto, Letters from the Desert

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, 'Young man, I tell you, arise!' The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.' Luke 7:13-15

This episode is sponsored by Chews Life.

At Chews Life, it is their mission to equip all Catholics with Rosaries for life. Chews Life believes that even the youngest Catholic can develop a devotion to the Rosary and come to know our Mother Mary. Their silicone Rosaries make this possible. Children discover through their senses, especially touch. Just as a baby knowingly caresses their mother's face, so too their little hands will come to know the Rosary and cherish it.

Chews Life also makes Rosaries for adults! However, Chews Life's Rosaries are designed in such a way that no one can make the excuse that they don't have time to pray the Rosary. Chews Life's Rosaries are actually Rosary bracelets so that they are with you all day and easily accessible. These Rosary bracelets also feature a "bookmark" crucifix charm so that if you don't have time to get through a whole Rosary at once, you can use this charm to hold your place until you can continue your prayer. These and so much more are available at www.chewslife.com! Use code ABIDE10 to receive 10% off your purchase (not valid with other discounts).

In this episode we discuss Pope Benedict XVI's 2017 address to artists from the Sistine Chapel. We chat about the power of beauty to draw us in, pierce our hearts with longing, and lead us to the Beautiful One, the Creator God Himself. We discuss the importance of pausing to consider our reaction to beauty and how surrendering our fear of being wounded can lead us to the intimate encounter with God we all long for. We pray this week you would meet God in the ache uncovered by beauty!

Michelle's one thing - Through the Heart of St. Joseph - Father Boniface Hicks

Michelles other one thing - My Backyard Lights

Sister Miriam's one thing - Jane Austen Coloring Book

Heather's one thing - My "Fruit Salad" Tree! - 5 fruits on one tree...amazing.

Other Links mentioned in this episode:

Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI I at the Meeting with Artists, Sistine Chapel, November 21, 2009

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. How have you experienced beauty in your everyday life recently and how did it impact you?
3. What does it mean for our lives to be works of art - for us to live well, pray well, play well, etc?
4. Do we allow ourselves to be unsettled by beauty and experience the ache and longing for God that is provoked by the beautiful?

Journal Questions:

1. What does your life look like as a masterpiece created by the Creator? Where are the areas that needs to be chiseled out and formed?
2. Where are the areas that we keep on taking the hammer out of his hand?
3. How has beauty pierced your heart recently? What keeps you from allowing this to happen often?

Quote to Ponder: "Beauty gives us wings, lifting us up so that we may soar to the transcendent and rise to greatness." - Pope Benedict XVI

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "One thing I have asked of the Lord; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in His temple." - Psalm 27:4

This episode is sponsored by Chews Life.

At Chews Life, it is their mission to equip all Catholics with Rosaries for life. Chews Life believes that even the youngest Catholic can develop a devotion to the Rosary and come to know our Mother Mary. Their silicone Rosaries make this possible. Children discover through their senses, especially touch. Just as a baby knowingly caresses their mother's face, so too their little hands will come to know the Rosary and cherish it.

Chews Life also makes Rosaries for adults! However, Chews Life's Rosaries are designed in such a way that no one can make the excuse that they don't have time to pray the Rosary. Chews Life's Rosaries are actually Rosary bracelets so that they are with you all day and easily accessible. These Rosary bracelets also feature a "bookmark" crucifix charm so that if you don't have time to get through a whole Rosary at once, you can use this charm to hold your place until you can continue your prayer.

These and so much more are available at www.chewslife.com! Use code ABIDE10 to receive 10% off your purchase (not valid with other discounts).

In this episode we discuss the importance of encountering God through play and leisure. We talk about how we remember what we played as children and when we stopped playing for a more serious, busy or productive adulthood. We chat about God's desire to restore our playful hearts so that we may come as children with trust, dependence and surrender.

Michelle's one thing - My Heart - Corinna Luyken

Sister Miriam's one thing - The Kid with Bruce Willis

Heather's one thing - Joyful - Dante Bowe

Other Links mentioned in this episode:

S08 E11: Holey, Wholly, Holy: Living an Integrated Life

Michelle's Fallow Blog Post

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. How do you understand 'play' - as a waste of time, unnecessary,frivolous or as a sign of trust, surrender and dependence?
3. What are small acts of play, rest and leisure that you enjoy? What are some new ways to incorporate play and leisure that God delights in into your life?

Journal Questions:

1. What is the history of play in your life? Reflect on what, when, and how you played as a child. When did you stop playing and why? How might God want to reclaim and redeem play in your life as an adult?
2. How might you need to replace efficiency, business and work of being an adult with the joy and delight of being child-like? How does the Father delight in you as you play?

Quote to Ponder: The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground." - G.K. Chesterton

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "Truly I tell you," He said, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

This episode is sponsored by Reform Wellness.

This week's episode is sponsored by Reform, a Christ-centered functional medicine and holistic wellness practice. Reform redefines health as the state of your body and soul. Reform's mission is to empower the whole person to find well-being in Christ and become the best versions of themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Through their unique faith-based approach, Reform takes your symptoms as cues to address root causes of disease.

Reform works with private clients, corporate teams, religious communities, and educational institutions from around the world, both in person and online. Whether you're dealing with chronic health issues or having trouble sleeping and managing stress, Reform can help you feel and live better. They offer valuable information, educational resources, and lifelong tools to improve your well-being.

We highly recommend their six-week online class: Reform Online LIVE, which dives into their nine wellness pillars to teach integrated health for the mind, body, and soul. In the past year, our Abiding Together hosts have taken the class and are still benefiting from the fruits.

Reform is for everyone because everyone is made for wholeness and holiness. If you want to rid yourself of physical and spiritual toxins, optimize nutrition and sleep, move your body in a way that supports you, learn to play and rest, and align your identity and health with God, it's time to reform.

You can find more information about Reform on their website, reformwellness.co and on IG @reform_wellness Reform is offering a discount for all of our listeners on their upcoming May Workshop: Mary and Motherhood. Use code "Abide15" for your exclusive discount by April 30th.

In this episode we complete the four part mini-series Herstory on women in Scripture with the story of Esther. We discuss the providence in the behind the scenes work of God and how God's call on one person's life can cause a ripple effect within a nation. We chat about God's design and plan for each of us and how he desires to use your unique influence to build the kingdom right where you are. We pray that you would receive God's courage to live out your feminine genius to bring about God's glory today.

Michelle's one thing - Magdelena Kyne and the Lorien art prints that she created for me

Sister Miriam's one thing - WoodWick Candles

Heather's one thing - Employees and volunteers at my diocese in Vancouver

Other Links mentioned in this episode: The Feminine Genius Series on the Abiding Together Podcast

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. What do you think of the idea that you were born for a time such as this? What do you think God's purpose for your life is in this particular time?
3. Where is an area the Holy Spirit is inviting you to speak or act on behalf of others? Where is he inviting you to wield your influence?
4. Can you recognize times you have listened to the enemy's out of tune song over your life with themes like diminishing your role or over-emphasizing your sin and when you have listened to God's song over your life speaking of the truth of who God is and who you are?

Journal Questions:

1. How does your personal Fiat affect others? How do the small and simple yeses everyday build up the kingdom of God here and now?
2. What grace do you need most - courage to speak or act, prudence to know which battles to fight, wisdom to know what to do next - to act upon God's call on your life?
3. Where is the influence God has given you and where is he calling you to use your influence to bring about his kingdom?

Quote to Ponder: "The feminine genius is needed wherever we make important decisions." - Pope Francis

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "Perhaps you were born for such a time as this." - Esther 4:14

In this episode, we continue the 4 part "Herstory" mini-series focusing on women in scripture with the Easter story of Mary Magdalene. We discuss how Jesus taught Mary a new way to live and how her audacious love led her to be called the "apostle of hope", announcing his resurrection to the apostles. We chat about the power of naming the areas of grief, shame, or sin in our lives so that we can experience the resurrection Jesus desires for us this side of heaven and in eternity. Join us next week as we dive into the last of four women in scripture: Esther.

Heather's one thing - No Longer Slaves - Zach Williams

Michelle's one thing - The Technicolor of Spring!

Sister Miriam's one thing - The lovely people at St Mary's Parish in Mokena, IL. Esp the ladies group!

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. What would you like God to resurrect in your life this Easter season?
3. How does Jesus desire to be "Rabboni" (teacher) for you this Easter and teach you a new way to live?
4. In your life, what desires need to be named, what sin needs to be named, what sorrow needs to be named?

Journal Questions:

1. Have you allowed yourself to hear the voice of the Lord, call you by name, especially in areas where you are broken, ashamed and sinful?
2. Imagine yourself in the garden with Jesus. As He calls you by name and asks you 'why are you crying?', what would you like to talk to Jesus about?

Quote to Ponder: Most of all I imitate the behavior of Mary Magdalene, for her amazing – or, rather, loving – audacity which delighted the heart of Jesus, has cast its spell upon mine. – St. Therese of Lisieux

Scripture for Lectio Divina: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white,seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!"(which means "Teacher"). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. - John 20:1-18

This episode is sponsored by SoulCore.

SoulCore integrates the prayers of the rosary with core strengthening, stretching and functional movements; inviting participants to nourish body & soul and encourage deeper reflection on the virtues. A sensory experience, classes incorporate scripture, sacred art, music, candlelight, and movement. Live classes are offered across the country, as well as digital offerings on DVD, download and our Online Streaming Studio. Check out SoulCore.com to learn more, sign up for our Online Streaming FREE 14-day trial or shop SoulCore. Abiding Together listeners receive a 20% discount in the SoulCore online shop through April 30, 2021 with promo code: abide20 at checkout. Visit SoulCore.com today to discover the beauty and transforming power of the rosary in body & soul!

In this episode, we conclude our six-part Lenten series on the book "This Present Paradise" by Claire Dwyer. Claire joins us as we discuss the hidden way St. Elizabeth of the Trinity chooses us and draws us closer to God. We chat about St. Elizabeth's delayed canonization and her prophetic messages: the call to love and be loved, the universal call to holiness, and God's desire for deep intimacy that moves us to union and receptivity to the Holy Spirit. Thank you for joining us on the journey this Lent!

Claire's one thing - A Personal Guide for Receiving the Father's Love - Father Thomas Acklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks

Heather's one thing - Heather's Easter Playlist: Hallelujah Is Our Song

Michelle's one thing - A place to belong - Letters from Catholic Women - Corynne Staresinic or buy directly from Pauline Press and receive a free tote!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Ginger Tea: Boiled water, fresh ginger and fresh turmeric. Other add-ins: Honey, Lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar, (and black pepper too if you wish!)

Other books discussed in this episode -

Let the Fire Fall - Father Michel Scanlan

Two Sisters in the Spirit: Therese of Lisieux and Elizabeth of the Trinity - Hans Von Balthasar

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. How have you experienced St. Elizabeth drawing you into a more intimate union with God this Lent? How can we continue to live our lives as a "praise of glory" as we move into the Easter season?
3. How do we become more of ourselves when we leave this life and this earth?
4. What has been the greatest fruit of allowing yourself to be loved by God?

Journal Questions:

1. How is God calling you to 'take your seat' at the table with the communion of Saints? What is your place at the table? What is your unique call to be a part of the Church?
2. When have you struggled with false humility? How do you understand God's call to sanctity and greatness?
3. How is God inviting you to be a part of the spiritual renewal of the Church?

Quote to Ponder: "Let yourself be loved" - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:12

Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast is reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer for Lent. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions, additional resources and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise.

This episode is sponsored by SpiritualDirection.com.

SpiritualDirection.com is the largest website dedicated to authentic Catholic spirituality in the world. An Apostolate of the Avila Foundation, SpiritualDirection.com is a source of all things good, true and beautiful the Church today: webinars with best-selling authors, powerful reflections, teachings, videos and podcasts on scripture, the saints, spiritual warfare, and discernment of spirits, as well as news about upcoming courses in spiritual theology—including some on your favorite Carmelite saints! Right now, for a limited time, if you go to spiritualdirection.com/Elizabeth, you can get a free download of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's most beautiful quotes. Print them, frame them, share them—and be reminded of God's immense and unfailing love.

In this episode, we continue with part five of our six-part Lenten series on the book "This Present Paradise" by Claire Dwyer. We discuss the power of small acts of love that serve as the true measure of feminine strength. We expand on the ideas of humility, vulnerability and the hidden life in the inner cloister. We also chat about our call to spiritual maternity especially in the invitation to pray for priests. We hope you can join us next week for the conclusion of our series as we are joined by Claire Dwyer for our final discussion.

Heather's one thing - Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Recipe

Michelle's one thing - Cooking the Catholic Relief Services Meal with her family

Sister Miriam's one thing - Institute of Catholic Culture

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. Where in your life do you feel particularly little or hidden right now?
3. What area do you feel desperately in need of the Savior?
4. How can you and your group respond to the invitation to pray for priests?
5. How have you experienced the complementarity of the feminine and masculine genius?

Journal Questions:

1. What has been your experience of the inner cloister this Lent?
2. What would it look like to unleash spiritual maternity within your life?
3. What have been some of the greatest sufferings of your life?Have you been able to see or experience sanctification and redemption in them?

Quote to Ponder: "A single action — even the least and most insignificant — done with the view of pleasing God alone, and of glorifying Him, is worth infinitely more, so to speak, than many actions in themselves of the greatest value and worth that spring from other motives." - Lorenzo Scupoli, Spiritual Combat

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "If a man loves me,' says the Lord, 'he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him" - John 14:23

Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast is reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer for Lent. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions, additional resources and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise.

In this episode, we continue with part four of our six-part Lenten series on the book "This Present Paradise" by Claire Dwyer. We discuss our experiences of peace and home felt at 'thin places' like monasteries and convents and how God desires for us to experience this within our souls' inner cloister. We chat about the maturation of love over time in our relationship with God and the helpfulness of a rule of life to anchor our daily decisions in rightly ordered love. We pray that as your journey through this Lent, you may respond to God's desire for you and experience greater union with him.

Heather's one thing - Bees!

Michelle's one thing - Humble Mission beads - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Bracelet

Michelle's other one thing - The Interior Castle: Study Edition

Sister Miriam's one thing - With You - Jonathan Ogden

Other Links mentioned in the episode-

The Visitation Sisters & Monastery in Mobile, Alabama

The Nashville Dominicans

Father John Burns Podcast on Religious Life

Prayer from Cardinal John Henry Newman -

O my God, let me never forget that seasons of consolation are refreshments here, and nothing more; not our abiding state. They will not remain with us, except in heaven. Here they are only intended to prepare us for doing and suffering. I pray Thee, O my God, to give them to me from time to time. Shed over me the sweetness of Thy Presence, lest I faint by the way. . . . Give me Thy Divine consolations from time to time; but let me not rest in them. Let me use them for the purpose for which Thou givest them. Let me not think it grievous, let me not be downcast, if they go. Let them carry me forward to the thought and the desire of heaven. — St. John Henry Newman, Prayers, Poems, Meditations

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week's episode?
2. Have you ever had an experience like Heather visiting the Nashville Dominicans or Michelle at the Visitation Monastery in Mobile? How would you describe the presence of God in these 'thin places'?
3. How have you seen love mature in relationships with your spouse, family or friends? How have you experienced love maturing in your relationship with God?
4. This Lent, what is one practice or habit God is calling you to use as an anchor to help you grow in intimacy with Him in the cloister of your soul, so love can flow from that relationship? How have you seen this at work so far this Lent?

Journal Questions:

1. Take a moment to imagine the 'secret garden', a place for God within you? What does it look like, smell like, and sound like? What flowers, trees, animals or structures fill the space? What is this place for Jesus to meet you intimately?
2. What has been your experience of intimacy with Jesus?
3. Take a moment to pray the prayer from Cardinal Newman. What does the Lord want to say to you this?

Quote to Ponder: "The more precious the love, the more precautions to guard it. The grating in a Carmelite monastery is not to keep the sisters in, but to keep the world out." - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Scripture for Lectio Divina: "Jesus said to him, 'Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.' "- John 20:29

Abiding Together Podcast 2021 Lenten Book Study Announcement: The Abiding Together Podcast is reading and discussing This Present Paradise by Claire Dwyer for Lent. You can find the reading plan, discussion questions, additional resources and where to buy your book at www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/this-present-paradise.

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