Roar Like The Lamb

Just talking about the joys and challenges of leading in ministry, knowing when to step forward, when to stay back in support, and when to know the difference.

Long-time listeners already know...Paola's name is hard for some people to pronounce, and Fr. Sam loves a good chocolate chip cookie. In this episode, we talk about both. Oh, and we also read Pope Benedict XVI's Spiritual Testimony and talk about his incredible theological output and papal legacy.

It's not quite a Christmas episode, but we were hoping it would be ready in time for our Lord's Nativity, and here it is on St. Stephen's Day (or Boxing Day for our British and Canadian listeners)! The reason it's not a Christmas episode is that we ended up talking about another, non-holiday-related topic: marriage. Sometimes it seems like the Church has a lot of rules about weddings and marriage, but we're taking a peek behind the rules to better understand how the truth and beauty of marriage is made apparent through the processes and rules supporting the sacramental celebration of matrimony. All in all, we think marriage is a pretty great thing, and so does the Catholic Church!

This week, we're talking about the importance of the language we use and why we shouldn't be afraid to define our terms, use even the words that seem most challenging, and think more seriously about the the full meaning of the way we speak. Think deeply about the words you use and hear, and you will be amazed at what is being communicated!

SHOW NOTES

For more on the importance of language, check out "Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power" by Josef Pieper

Need a good, Catholic Christmas gift? Check out the Building Blocks of Faith Series by Kevin and Mary O'Neill. 

We actually don't say much about Thanksgiving, but we do talk quite a bit about Advent and some thoughts as we start this amazing season. As we so often do, we're happy to talk about Hallow and the Pray 25 Advent Challenge. Happy Thanksgiving!

In this short episode, we talk about being good even when we don't see the benefit, doing what is right because there is an intrinsic value to virtuous living, and not getting too caught up in what other people seem to have in spite of not always following the rules. St. Martin de Porres figures large in the conversation, so why not ask for his intercession today?

Advent is coming and somehow feels sneaky, even though we know exactly when it's coming. Not only is Advent almost here, it's four full weeks! So what's the excuse for not preparing now?

Choosing between good things is not always easy. As much as we might see lots of good opportunity in front of us, and recognize that God is generous in giving us so many good things, we also have to understand our own limitations, and discern which of the goods God truly desires for us. That's what we're talking about today!

SHOW NOTES

I teased Paola a fair bit about retelling a story incorrectly. Now, I didn't know anything about the story, had never heard it before. I'm still fairly confident she didn't quite get the story right. HOWEVER, Paola's story was an attempt at communicating some things said by Jackie Francois-Angel in a talk at a Steubenville Youth Conference. The talk is fantastic and full of other stories, which will make you forget Paola's story. Totally worth the time, and I'm grateful to Paola for tolerating me every day.

Also, over on the Tangent, I talked about discernment in an episode, and if you want to listen to that, I won't argue with you.

Separate studios for us today so Fr. Sam's cold doesn't infect Paola! We'll hear all about Paola's recent retreat with the Sisters of Life, talk about God's abundant gifts to us, and more!

SHOW NOTES

Sisters of Life

You can watch "The Chosen" over at formed.org - make your free account today!

That re-baptism controversy we were talking about? Going back to St. Cyprian of Carthage (martyr) and Pope Stephen in the 200s, and continuing to the Donatist heresy in the fourth and fifth centuries, it was a big deal. But from this controversy, the Church was able to articulate the theological idea of ex opere operato, that the grace of the sacraments do not depend on the worthiness of the one administering the sacraments, as well as highlight the enduring grace of baptism even when marred by sin!

Paola and Fr. Sam went on retreat! In this episode, they're talking about some of the fruits of that retreat, dreaming with the Lord, and what those dreams look like currently, might look like in the future, and just plain old rediscovering the capacity to dream.

SHOW NOTES

Check out "Searching For and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe

The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

And even though we're not sponsored by anyone, we love to plug the Hallow app!

The Community of the Lamb