In this episode, we talk about how we can receive graces by making a spiritual pilgrimage to Nazareth. We reflect on the Holy Family, how they teach us to love well, and how they show us how to build a family that heals and transforms its members. We also discuss the sanctification of the ordinary, how life is found in doing our daily duty well, and how to dialogue with others. Nazareth is a place of love, and we invite you to use your imagination and make the journey with us. 

 

Heather’s One Thing - Discovering your God-given Identity Course 

Heather’s Other One Thing - Memorize Scripture by Jackie Angel

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Last Paragraph of Pope Benedict XVI’s Inaugural Homily

Michelle’s One Thing - Everyone who experienced the loss of home from a natural disaster. We are praying for you.

 

Other Resources Mentioned: 

For any alumni of the JPII Healing Center’s Holy Desire retreat, Jake Khym is offering a free online course “The Freedom Series: Journeying with Holy Desire”

 

Announcement:

Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee.

Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. Amazon has very limited copies, so we recommend you order from St. Paul Center to ensure you receive your copy before Lent begins!

 

Journal Questions:

• Have I ever prayed about life in Nazareth?
• How can I experience Nazareth in an ordinary way?
• Where do I need to be transformed in family life?
• Spend time this week meditating on life in Nazareth. How did I encounter the Holy Family in my meditation?
• When are the times that I want to rebuke and accuse others? Do I want holiness and transformation more than being right?

 

Discussion Questions:

• What renewal and transformation do you need to experience in Nazareth?
• How do you see ordinary life as the path to sanctification?
• How do you see ordinary life as an obstacle to sanctification?
• Where are you in bondage within family life? How can you allow an encounter of Nazareth to set you free from that bondage?

 

Quote to Ponder:

“Pilgrimages are a call to return to the roots of our faith. Nazareth, where Jesus lived His hidden life, is a place that invites us to reflect on our own journey. It is not only a place of memory but also a place of renewal and transformation.” (Pope Francis, Homily, Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, 2014)

 

Scripture for Lectio:

“And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23)

 

Sponsor - CMF CURO:

Embrace the Wholeness God Desires for You

Are you looking for a community of Catholics that is open to Christ’s healing love, prays together and is striving for excellence in spirit, mind and body? We know it can be hard to find that. That’s why CURO offers its Belong, Thrive and Share communities.  

As a listener of Abiding Together, we’re excited to offer you a free session of Catholic spiritual direction or personalized wellness coaching. 

We’re confident that you’ll love your time with our trained and experienced coaches and spiritual directors. Our members can’t stop saying how grateful they are to grow closer to Christ, form new habits and progress in virtue. 

If online is your thing, then check out the Belong wellness portal with a free 30-Day trial. It’s designed to help you learn your strengths, discover areas to grow in, and lets you sync with your smart device to seamlessly track your progress towards your goals. 

To sign up or learn more just visit: cmfcuro.com/abiding. 

 

Timestamps:

00:00 - CMF CURO

01:37 - Intro

02:30 - Welcome

04:30 - Rest in Nazareth

06:45 - How Do We Go to Nazareth?

11:57 - Spiritual Pilgrimage of Hope

13:31 - The Sanctification of Ordinary Life

15:34 - We Find a Love that Heals

18:00 - A Place to Dialogue

20:39 - Bringing Our Littleness to Nazareth

24:07 - An Encouragement to Try

24:37 - A Place of Astonishment and Wonder

28:50 - One Things