SeekingFaith

Are we certain we know what the real world is? Do we confuse our busy lives with real living? The real world is what truly lasts. It's the soul. It's those inner realities that are deep inside of us; we know when they grab us in the gut, and yet they transcend us completely. This week's readings are about having the wisdom to recognize what is important. May this podcast help draw you back into the center. To the real world.

In our church calendar, we take time on two beautiful days to think about death and how our faith teaches us that we have nothing to fear. What does heaven have in store for us? "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him." On All Saints' and on All Souls' Days, take time to reflect and pray so that we can all be part of that great cloud of witnesses!

Take a deeper dive into the Sunday readings with Donna Couch and Fr. Philip Smith. This week's episode expounds on "agape love" and how we can imitate Christ in our encounters with others. 

What is getting in the way of your relationship with God? What has become a false god that distracts you from right action, caring for others, faith, hope, and love? Take 30 minutes to contemplate the Sunday readings with Fr. Philip Smith and Donna Couch.

In this Sunday’s readings we are given a picture of a sumptuous feast, a party prepared by God for all of us. We are called to cultivate our solidarity with all and to exclude no one. The party is for everyone! Take 30 minutes to enrich your day and go deeper into the Sunday readings. Stedward.com/podcast

“Less than 100 people actually hate what the Catholic Church teaches. Thousands of people hate what they mistakenly believe the Catholic Church teaches.”  - Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Sorting out misconceptions about what Catholics really believe can be an eye-opening experience! From wondering what we think about statues to how we view the Bible, the pope, and our rituals, this talk provokes many questions and many answers, both simple and complex.

How can the harvest be great if we don't care for the land and for each other? Like St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and our Sunday readings tell us, we need to care for the vineyard. Take a deeper dive into God's love story and listen to this 30-minute podcast!

As always, the first session of RCIA Inquiry focuses on the universal, human need to make sense out of life. In this episode, Donna discusses Our Search for God, which is innate, universal, timeless, and dynamic. No matter our age nor the length of the journey, it is important to put on the beginner's mind when it comes to the Infinite God. Armed with life's baggage and clinging to objects of security, we feel restless and full of "holy longing" as we search for signals. Stages of Faith enlighten us about the life-long process of seeking faith and we find our lives zig-zagging through the many phases as we grow and mature. What are your significant moments when you were stopped in your tracks and the presence of the Divine was made known to you? If God is always knocking on the doors of our hearts, now is the time to ponder and embrace the mystery.

The Scripture readings this week prompt us to ask ourselves, "How do my actions speak louder than my words?" What is my response to what is happening in the world around me? What can I do during this pandemic to be a beacon of light and hope to others? Our prayer is that we all challenge ourselves to be the body of Christ -- let's work together to transform our communities.

God's ways are not our ways and that's a good thing. Do you think of God's justice as punishment or reward? As Pope Francis has said: "God's justice is His mercy." His radical justice is good for each one of us; we receive individually all that we need. How does this view of radical justice change how you treat others?