What is prayer? In this episode we discuss what prayer is and how it fits into the spiritual life, again using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Catechism argues, using Augustine’s writings, that prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.

Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statements about prayer and its role in the life of the Catholic Christian.

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What is prayer? In this episode we discuss what prayer is and how it fits into the spiritual life, again using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Catechism argues that prayer is the human being’s innermost communication with God. Using the writings of Therese of Lisieux, the Catechism describes prayer as “a simple look turned toward heaven.”

Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about prayer and its role in the life of the Catholic Christian.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode122/

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Is prayer necessary? In this episode we discuss how and why prayer fits into the spiritual life.

The Catechism argues that Holy Spirit leads the Christian into spiritual freedom. Absent the Spirit’s lead, however, the Christian easily falls back into the slavery of sin.

Within the Christian life, therefore, prayer is of utmost necessity. Prayer becomes the line of communication with the Trinity. To cease to pray is to sever that line of communication.

To avoid this scenario, the Catechism encourages the Catholic to continue in their commitment to pray.

Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statements about prayer and its necessity in the life of the Catholic Christian.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode121/

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Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about Jesus’ role in interceding on behalf of his people.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode120/

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Many people often ask today: Does prayer work? In today’s episode, we continue our discussion on the topic of prayer asking this important question: “Does prayer work?” And, if so, how does it work?

Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the modern work of Catholic New Testament scholarship, we continue our discussion of prayer by discussing the historical foundations of prayer, namely, the history of early Christianity. We note that in the modern era, the historicity of Jesus’ person and work have come under fierce scrutiny with some critics alleging that the Gospels are mostly fabricated accounts with little of any connection to the historical Jesus.

Pope Benedict XVI was acutely aware of these challenges and sought to address them in his three volumes on the life of Christ.

Join us today in our discussion as we continue this conversation about the Catechism’s statement about prayer.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode119/

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How Does One Enter Contemplative Prayer? - CHSS 118

In today’s episode, we continue our discussion the topic of contemplative prayer.

Contemplative prayer often brings up ideas of Cistercian monks and other religious deeply engaged in prayer. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church suggests that a deep life of prayer is far more accessible to the Christian than one would imagine.

In this episode we talk about the basic question: How does one enter contemplative prayer?

Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the work of St. Theresa of Avila, we continue our discussion of contemplative prayer by discussing the practical demands of entering contemplative prayer.  We note that as Catholic Christians we need to make time to create the space for entering contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is simultaneously a gift and a determined choice.

The Catholic Christian holds these tensions together and continues to seek God in contemplative prayer.

Join us today in our discussion as we continue the conversation on contemplative prayer.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode118/

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In today’s episode, we discuss the topic of contemplative prayer.

Contemplative prayer often brings up ideas of Cistercian monks and other religious deeply engaged in prayer. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church suggests that a deep life of prayer is far more accessible to the Christian than one would imagine.

In this episode we talk about the basic question: What is contemplative prayer?

Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our guide, which relies on the work of St. Theresa of Avila, we discuss the nature of contemplative prayer. St. Theresa defined contemplative prayer as: “Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”

Join us today in our discussion about contemplative prayer.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode117/

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In today’s episode, we discuss the idea that prayer is a mystery.

As Catholic Christians, we rarely hear the idea that prayer is a mystery. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer using this very notion of prayer as a mystery.

In using this type of language, the Catechism encourages us to understand that prayer requires is not something entirely in our control but rather requires God’s initiative and assistance to the human soul.

Prayer is not something that can be done solely by human agency but requires God’s leading and continuous support.

Join us today in our discussion about prayer as a divine mystery.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode116/

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In today’s episode, we discuss the idea that prayer is a battle.

As Catholic Christians, we rarely hear the idea that prayer is a battle. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer using this very metaphor of prayer as a battle. In using this type of language, the Catechism encourages us to understand that prayer requires genuine effort on our part.

Prayer is not something that can be done halfheartedly but requires continuous and intentional effort.

Join us today in our discussion about prayer.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode115/

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In today’s episode, we discuss various erroneous notions of prayer.

As Catholic Christians, we can oftentimes hear various ideas about prayer that seem to have very little to do with our experience of prayer. From inducing a mental void to regarding prayer as an unimportant task, Catholics are often faced with notions of prayers that conflict with the Church’s understanding of this very activity.

Join us today in our discussion about erroneous notions of prayer.

https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode114/

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