Do Christians view money differently? In today's episode, we discuss what Cardinal Robert Bellarmine thought was the proper disposition a Christian should have toward money and how they should use their assets.  

What is spiritual vigilance, and what does spiritual vigilance look like in the Christian life? Working from the text of Luke 12:35-37, Bellarmine gives us an important look into the role spiritual vigilance has for the Christian.

For Bellarmine, prayer performs a multitude of purposes, from strengthening trust in God to preparing the soul for death.  Alongside cultivating the virtues and participating in the Sacraments, Bellarmine maintains that prayer is among the most important things one can do for a well-lived life. Join us this week as we discuss Bellarmine’s views on the purpose of prayer in the Christian life. 

Who was Robert Bellarmine? Robert Bellarmine is a doctor of the Catholic Church, who wrote extensively in defense of the Catholic faith during the late sixteenth century. In this brief episode, we provide an overview of Bellarmine’s life (1542-1621) and work as a teacher, cardinal and spiritual guide.

We discuss the brief context of his early life and also the historical background for his magnum opus, The Controversies of the Christian Faith (1586-1593). We conclude by talking about his spiritual writings and his status as the most well-known Catholic author by non-Catholic readers over the past 400 years. Join us this week as we prepare for a series of spiritual readings on prayer and the Christian life.

In this episode, we offer reflections on the overall structure and significance of Bonaventure's Tree of Life. 

The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.

In the Final Prayer of the Tree of Life, Bonaventure helps his audience address the question: how does one become crucified with Christ? The answer to this question is the Holy Spirit. In addition to having an acute understanding of Christ’s Paschal mystery, the Christian should pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

According to Bonaventure and the medieval Christian tradition, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are as follows: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Join us this week as we discuss Bonaventure’s understanding of the Spirit’s work in the life of the Christian.

In the Twelfth Fruit, Bonaventure discusses the nature of Christ’s kingdom. Following the various pieces of information provided throughout the Scriptures, Bonaventure paints a picture of Christ’s eternal reign as one of justice, peace and charity. Join us in this our penultimate episode on the Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.

In the Eleventh Fruit, Bonaventure discusses Christ’s future role as judge of all human beings and as the bridegroom of the Church. Following the tradition of Augustine and the Western Church, Bonaventure paints a picture of Christ’s work as judge of all humanity. He works heavily from the Old and New Testament texts which affirm God’s eschatological role as judge. Bonaventure rounds out his portrayal of Jesus as not only merciful savior but also just judge.

In addition, Bonaventure echoes the Gospels in presenting Jesus as the bridegroom of the Church. Christ will greet the Church, which is the saints, into eternal paradise and communion with himself. These statements about Christ’s role as judge are intended to inspire diligence in the hearts of the faithful as they make their journey toward heaven or to await, like the wise virgins, the advent of their bridegroom.

 Join us this week as we continue to our series on Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.

In the Tenth Fruit, Bonaventure reflects on Christ’s Ascension into heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit among the early leaders of the Church. Bonaventure finds in the post-Resurrection actions of Jesus the triumphal leading of the saints who had died before His Passion into heaven, an event not often reflected upon in the post-Easter season. The Seraphic Doctor also reflects on the descent of the Spirit among the Apostles, the women who Jesus and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. He identifies the Spirit as the one who works in the Church for the edification of the Body of the Church. Join us this week as we continue our look at Bonaventure’s Tree of Life.

Join us this week as we talk more fully about Bonaventure’s take on the sacrificial character of Christ death on the cross and the events surrounding his burial.

To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode35

Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.

The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.

Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at [email protected] or 1-909-575-8035.

To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/

To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com 

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In the Ninth Fruit, Bonaventure discusses Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Taking as his point of departure the Apostle’s Creed and the various statements from the Gospels, the Pauline and Catholic Epistles, Bonaventure weaves together a theological perspective on Christ’s resurrection. For Bonaventure the resurrection of Christ from the dead was a demonstration of his divinity in that unlike any other person in human history, Christ brought Himself back to life from the dead. The resurrection is also the basis of the Christian’s hope. For in Christ’s resurrection, those who believe find a template for their own resurrection after death. Join us this week as discuss Bonaventure’s treatment of the full implications of Christ’s resurrection from the dead for the members of His Body.

To comment on this show or provide feedback, please navigate to https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/episode34

Mary Estrada is the co-founder of the Catholic Heritage, LLC, and the main host of the upcoming Catholic Heritage Spirituality podcast. She holds a B.A. in theology and history from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in theology from the same institution. You can learn more about Mary and this site on the About page. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site.

The Catholic Heritage is devoted to helping Catholic Christians better understand the history, teachings and culture of their Catholic faith so that they can better love and serve Christ, the Church and their neighbors.

Dr. Erik Estrada is a Catholic scholar who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and specializes in the history of Christianity and historical theology. He also completed a licentiate (S.T.L) in theology and patristic science at the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome and a S.T.B. at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

If you would like to invite Mary Estrada and/or Dr. Estrada to speak at your next event, you can contact them at [email protected] or 1-909-575-8035.

To sign up for our podcast’s community newsletter, please navigate to: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com/podcastnewsletter/

To place your name on the waiting list for our future learning site, please navigate to: https://catholigheritageinstitute.com 

The Main Catholic Heritage Website: https://catholicheritage.co

The Show’s Website: https://catholicheritagespirituality.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholic.spirituality/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicHeritageSpirituality/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chspirituality

YouTube Channel

iTunes (click iTunes > Ratings and Reviews > Write a Review)

Comment on the show below

Ask a Question via Speakpipe

Leave a voicemail for the show at 1-909-575-8035

Email via Contact Form in the Footer of the Site (audio files welcome)