Dan and Melissa discuss detachment and suffering by reflecting on the first two letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• Attachments: How to recognize them. Are they bad?
• What are the steps to achieving detachment?
• How can we obtain freedom and peace through detachment?
• Dan shares his story of how interior peace and freedom are helping him go through a time of suffering.
• St. John of the Cross reveals how suffering and detachment are related.
• Using periods of consolation to rest and prepare for desolation, from St. Ignatius Rules for Discernment.
• Book of Revelation: When will suffering end?

Resources:

• 30 Days with Teresa of Avila - Dan Burke and Anthony Lilles, Emmaus Road Publishing
• Dr. Anthony Lilles - http://www.spiritualdirection.com/author/dr-lilles
• SpiritualDirection.com Book Club
• EWTN Religious Catalog - http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com
• The Living Flame of Love - St. John of the Cross
• The Discernment of Spirits - An Ignatian Guide ... - By Timothy Gallagher
• Revelation 21 - http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21

Dan and Melissa discuss some concerns and questions that were raised after last weeks episode where we discussed several approaches and beliefs about Yoga along with recommended resources.

Topics/Questions Covered in the Show:

• Several people had negative responses to last weeks show, some informed others not-so-informed, so some clarification is offered.
• Is Yoga a "gateway spirituality"? What is a "gateway spirituality"?
• Are there are good, healthy Catholic alternatives to yoga.

Some comments on the last show are addressed:

• Is there a "good peace" and a "bad peace"? Isn't all peace good?
• Response to the accusation of "yogaphobia".

Resources:

• Pietra Fitness - http://pietrafitness.com
• Soul Core - http://www.soulcoreproject.com/

A caller asked about the practice of yoga and it's link to potential demonic activity. Dan and Melissa discuss a Catholic perspective on yoga, including the opinions of an exorcist and theologians. They also provide suggestions on alternatives to yoga for faithful Catholics.

Show notes:

• Fr. Fortea, an exorcist and expert on possession, says that if you do not have the intent for a malevolent force engage with you it is unlikely to happen.
• Many say yoga is just stretching and for them there is no spiritual element - is this ok?
• Can you practice yoga if you are strong in your faith? Should you?
• Many of us need to stretch - it's good for our health. Also, people who practice yoga extoll its calming benefits. What can we, as Catholics, do that won't endanger souls? Are there alternatives to yoga which are solidly Catholic?

• Cardinal Ratzinger wrote "Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Chrisitian Meditation" in 1989. In it he warned against practices which bring about a false peace, and psychic state damaging to the soul.

Resources:

• Peitra Fitness - http://pietrafitness.com
• Soul Core - http://soulcoreproject.com
• Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea - http://spiritualdirection.com/author/fr-fortea
• Cardinal Ratzinger - Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation

Easter is upon us!. Rejoice in the triumph of Christ! On this edition of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa discuss the Glory of the Resurrection and the dramatic changes that it brought about in the lives of His disciples.

• Rejoice! It's holy to be joyous. There is no spiritual depth without joy. When the Apostles were be persecuted for the sake of Christ they rejoiced.
• Easter is a foreshadowing of heaven. Life is one long purgation. The greater the suffering here on earth, the more glorious heaven will be. Lent is a season of purgation. The harder we dig in and work at lent, the more meaningful Easter will be.
• In times of suffering where do we find joy? The only true joy we'll ever find in this life is through Christ. Redemption has been accomplished - all we need to do is cling to Him.
• The world says happiness is in the pursuit of the desires of the flesh. The opposite is true. Christ teaches that true joy comes when we give ourselves up for others and for God.
• There are two things we need to access God. One is humility, which comes either by choice or external circumstances. Humility is required, but not sufficient. We also need the grace of God to roll back the stone to help us see that he is risen. He is risen for our salvation and risen within us that we may have a relationship with Him.
• Simon Greenleaf, a well know lawyer and expert on testimony and evidence, wrote a book The Testimony of the Four Witnesses. In it he used the standards of legal evidence to show the Gospels were true beyond a reasonable doubt.
• The reality of the Resurrection is that lives were changed. The New Testament reveals the weaknesses of the Apostles. Pre-Resurrection there were many instances of cowardice, denial, and desertion - Peter was even called Satan. Post-Resurrection Peter becomes a hero, asking to be crucified upside-down because he was not worthy.
• The Apostles, after the Resurrection and the Pentecost, had a chance to run and escape death. Instead they subjected themselves to prison, beatings, and stonings. In the face of death they fearlessly proclaimed Christ. They gave everything, including their lives, in affirmation of their faith. Would anybody die for a lie?
• Imagine we all have a spiritual dashboard, similar to a car, with gages - joy, evangelism, holiness, etc. If the gages are not registering high numbers, something is wrong. Barring spiritual issues, like purgation or dark night, you should have joy, peace, a sense that God is with you. Work on it!
• Celebrate Easter. Have a feast. Partake in the sacraments. Indulge in the good things you gave up for lent, and leave the bad ones behind. Above all, Rejoice!

• The Testimony of the Evangelists - Simon Greenleafhttp://amzn.to/1IZWElQ
• Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen - Published by Baronius Press http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy
• For Call in questions for future shows 818-646-7729 — please leave your name, location and question.
• Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and help us get the word out. If the show is inspiring to you and you would like to help us make it a daily show, please click here to donate. All donors will receive a signed copy of your choice of Dan’s new books, Finding God through Meditation, 30 Days with Teresa of Avila, or Navigating the Interior Life.

A beautiful way to meditate on the Lord's Passion is to watch Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Consider making it an annual part of your lenten journey.

Show Notes:

• Viewing the movie will help to put you into the scene where you can experience Our Lord's Passion in a spiritual way. It can become an encounter with God.
• Put aside objections you may have regarding Mel Gibson's personal issues. What's important is that the film is true to the story of the Passion. God uses broken instuments for His good purposes, as He uses us all. Note that Caravaggio, the great artist known for illustrating stories from the Bible, was a scoundrel and possibly a murderer. Yet his works are great inspirations.
• Dan recalls interviewing Mel Gibson about The Passion of the Christ. They discussed the use of flashbacks in the film. The flashbacks are intended to provide some relief from the pain and agony that dominate the film. Some flashbacks are of lighter, more tender moments between Jesus and Mary that reveal His humanity and the love between mother and son. Other flashbacks are of the Last Supper and the love Jesus had for the Apostles.
• Some people may have an aversion to watching the movie due to the brutal reality of it. It may be difficult, but it's just a movie! It ends! Dan's first inclination on seeing the movie was to be angry at the Roman soldiers for what they did to Jesus. Then he became aware of his (and everyones) participation in Christ's suffering through sin.
• The movie shows us the truth in the prediction for Mary that "a sword will pierce through your own heart also". Melissa tells of the experience of having a child in distress and how she can relate, although in a small way, to Mary's suffering. She is reminded of the experience of her husband's suffering during the difficult birth of her second child. This being only a fraction of Mary's suffering, as she was perfectly united with Jesus.
• There is a scene in the movie where Mary and Jesus are physically separated, Mary on one floor and Jesus on the floor below. Through their supernatural bond she knows where He is and how He is suffering. The movie helps us to look a Jesus through the eyes of Mary, which is what praying the Rosary is really all about.
• A story from a book on the filming of the movie by Fr. Bartunek is about shooting the Veronica scene. It was a very difficult scene to shoot and required several takes. The actress who played Veronica had done so many takes and retakes, each time looking on the face of Jesus. She entered into her own meditation, actually entering into the scene while acting, breaking down crying. There are several miraculous stories from the people involved in making the movie.
• A recommendation: Watch The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday evening. Watch as a family, begin with a prayer. Watch with no distractions, no breaks. Afterwords - no discussion. Just go to bed, as the Apostles did. Let God work in your heart.

Holy Week, the most important week of the liturgical year, is upon us. To help us prepare, Dan and Melissa discuss some of the ways we can orient our hearts to this most holy season.

Show Notes:

• Regardless of how well (or poorly) you have maintained your lenten commitments, it's not too late. Matthew 20:1-16, Parable of the Workers in the Vinyard, tells us that God's grace is available to everyone - even though none of use are deserving.
• Going "all in" for Jesus during Holy Week. Mary did in Mark 14:3 - the Anointing at Bethany. "She broke the alabaster jar" - it's all for Jesus. Also the Martha and Mary story (Luke 10:38-42) where "Mary has chosen the better part".
• Suggestions to prepare for Holy Week:

1. Get to confession.
2. Learn and participate in the liturgy of Holy Week. Schedule liturgical activities ahead of time. Don't try to squeeze Holy Week events around your regular activities.
3. Use good meditation materials. (see resources)
4. Stations of the Cross - remember our own participation in His suffering. Recommend versions by St. Alphonus Liguori or St. Francis of Assisi. Consider doing stations by yourself.
5. Watch Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ.

Resources:

• Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week
• Finding God Through Meditation – St. Peter of Alcántara (Edited by Dan Burke)
• Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen – Published by Baronius Press
  • http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy
• In Conversation with God - Fr. Francis Fernández Carvajal
• The Better Part - Fr. John Bartunek
• Prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden

Dan and Melissa continue their discussion on humility; in particular how humility does not lower, but instead elevates the soul.

Show Notes:

• Signs we lack humility: Josemarie Escriva provides some insightful diagnostics.
• Recognizing all the good we have is a gift from God.
• False humlity - many of us are guilty.
• We often worry too much what others think. Do you take your confession outside of your parish?
• Navigating the Interior Life offers a self-evaluation to gain an understanding of our root sin, and instruction in using the opposing virtue to overcome it.
• Meditation #108 from Divine Intimacy - "Christian humility does not lower, it elevates; it does not cast down, but gives courage..."
• St. Paul tells us when he is weak, he is made strong. When a soul recognizes its weakness, it becomes irresistable to God.
• Sister Mary is and example of humility. A cloistered nun of 40 years humbles herself to take a course on prayer and acknowledges there was still something she could learn about praying.
• Jesus offers the ultimate example of humility, from the incarnation to the washing of the disciples feet.
• God gives us a gift in withholding intimacy until we become humble.

Resources:

• Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen -
• http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy
• Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God
• http://navigatingtheinteriorlife.com/donation-page
• Litany of Humility

Show Notes:

• Dan and Melissa discuss humility.
• Meditation #106 from Divine Intimacy - “Humility is the firm bedrock upon which every Christian should build the edifice of his spiritual life.”
• Whereas pride is the root of all sin, humility is the root of all virtue.
• The beginning of the interior life is self-reflection, which brings about humility.
• Example- Melissa’s experience with humility at her daughter’s ballet class and how the
• Holy Spirit worked in her soul to combat her falling into pride.

Call-In Question:

• Dan and Melissa take a call about feeling God’s love vs. feeling defective despite receiving the sacraments.
• Suggestions to the caller: find out what is behind the feelings of defectiveness, mortal sin or lies she may be believing that are not of God. Also, meditation on the cross of Christ gives us the proof of His love for us.
• God has created each one of us to love us through all of eternity.
• We must set our mind always on the Spirit to find peace and orient our hearts toward God.

Resources:

• Divine Intimacy - Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. - #96 “Proof of Love” http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy
• Finding God Through Meditation - St. Peter of Alcantara. Edited by Daniel Burke

Show Notes:

• During this episode Dan and Melissa discuss the struggle with discouragement as Lent is well underway.
• Discouragement is not of God. If you are working hard to bring yourself to God, you can be assured, he is pleased with you.
• Falling away from your lenten commitments is human. God knows this and is waiting for us to return to Him with a loving embrace.
• Dan and Melissa discuss the importance of confession.
• Offer your intentions at Mass for strength to fulfill your lenten commitments.
• If you find your lenten commitments might be more than you can handle, discuss with your spiritual director and either persevere or reassess your goals.
• Perseverance is a key characteristic in overcoming sins and temptations and is a common trait among all of the saints.
• A daily examination of conscience is an important habit to undertake.
• Spiritual Direction website has a guide for seven steps for a daily examen.
• Dan and Melissa thoroughly discuss each step of the examen: Opening Prayer, Gratitude, Petition, Review, Forgiveness, Renewal, and Closing Prayer.

Resources:

• Guide for Daily Examen
• Divine Intimacy - Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. - #96 “Proof of Love”
• http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy

Dan and Melissa explore mortification, the meaning and purpose.

• What is mortification? Voluntary actions by which we gradually put to death all of our vices, sinful habits and self-centered tendencies that lurk beneath them.
• The purpose of mortification and self-renunciation is about cleaning up “the garden of the soul” as many saints describe it.
• We must not only uproot sin but fill our souls with virtue to replace those sins, otherwise the soul will be susceptible to more sin.
• These acts of mortification must be done out of love of God, not because we love suffering.
• If you are truly mortifying yourself out of love, that’s the true expression of mortification, and if done correctly, you will see this as a path of liberation from the bondage of sin…liberating the soul from the bonds into the abundant life of Christ.
• Acts of mortification can be little as St. Therese of Lisieux described.
• Acts of mortification can be external or internal.
• The battle of mortification is often the same battle as that of spiritual warfare. St. James says that if you resist the devil, he will flee from you. Then, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
• Mortification has no meaning outside of the cross of Christ through love.
• Suggestion: To better meditate during Holy Week watch, “The Passion of the Christ” on Good Friday.

Resources:

• Divine Intimacy - Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. - #96 “Proof of Love”
• Finding God Through Meditation - St. Peter of Alcantara (Edited by Dan Burke)