The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts episodes

  • Monday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
    Monday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

    Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

    Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

    From the Holy Gospel of St. John 12:1-11

    Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

    Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

    What word made this passage come alive for you?

    What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

    Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

    Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

    Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

    What did your heart feel as you listened?

    What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

    Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

    Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

    Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

    What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

    What did your heart feel as you prayed?

    What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

    Our Father, who art in heaven,

      hallowed be thy name.

    Thy kingdom come.

     Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread,

     and forgive us our trespasses,

     as we forgive those who trespass against us,

    and lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from evil.

    Amen

    Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

    The post Monday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

    13 min
  • BW40 – Faith Seeking Understanding – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
    Episode 40 – St. Anslem of Canterbury – Proslogion: Faith Seeking Understanding

    In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Anselm of Canterbury, the Benedictine monk, abbot, and Doctor of the Church, whose well-known phrase “faith seeking understanding” captures a deeply prayerful approach to truth. Anselm does not begin with doubt, nor does he treat understanding as something to be won apart from God. He begins with faith already received and seeks to understand more deeply what the heart has already come to trust.

    This movement fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule does not separate prayer from thought, or devotion from the life of the mind. It forms a soul in attention, listening, and obedience, so that both heart and mind remain under God. Anselm helps show that thought itself can become an act of fidelity. The mind is not meant to master divine truth, but to remain before it in reverence, love, and humility.

    This episode also explores how Anselm protects the spiritual life from two errors: treating faith as blind and unexamined, or treating understanding as something achieved apart from faith. For Anselm, belief comes first as gift. Understanding follows as a faithful response. Christ remains at the center, not as an abstraction, but as the One in whom God is revealed and known. This episode invites listeners to see that seeking understanding is not a rival to prayer, but one of its fruits when the heart remains rooted in trust.

    Citations

    St. Anslem of Canterbury, The Proslogion

    “I do not seek to understand in order to believe,
    but I believe in order to understand.
    For I believe this also:
    that unless I believe,
    I shall not understand.”

    Luke 24:32, RSV–Catholic Edition

    “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
    1. Do I ever feel tension between faith and understanding in my own spiritual life?
    2. Am I tempted to treat faith as something that should never ask questions, or to treat understanding as something I must achieve on my own?
    3. How have prayer, silence and lectio divina helped shape the way I think about God?
    4. In what ways does humility need to guide my desire to understand divine truth more deeply?
    5. How might Christ be inviting my mind, not just my heart, into a more faithful and prayerful relationship with Him?
    6. For other episodes in this series, visit
      The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart
      Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here

      Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.

      The post BW40 – Faith Seeking Understanding – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      10 min
    7. Day 40: The Road of the Cross, The Way of Love – Discerning Hearts Podcast

      A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast
      Day 40:  “The Road of the Cross, The Way of Love”

      Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

      Mark 11:1–10 

      When they were approaching Jerusalem, in sight of Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go off to the village facing you, and as soon as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs it and will send it back here directly.'”

      They went off and found a colt tethered near a door in the open street. As they untied it, some men standing there said, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They gave the answer Jesus had told them, and the men let them go. Then they took the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on its back, and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, others greenery they had cut in the fields. And those who went in front and those who followed were all shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heavens!”

      Reflection:

      We have arrived. This is the threshold of Holy Week—the most sacred time of the Church year. It is a culmination not just of the liturgical journey but of the inner pilgrimage we’ve taken through Lent. Prayer, fasting, repentance, surrender—none of it was for its own sake. It has all pointed toward this week, where Love reveals its fullness on the Cross.

      Palm Sunday is a paradox. The people cry out with joy, welcoming Jesus with palm branches and hosannas. Yet we know the story turns quickly. The same voices that bless Him will call for His crucifixion. This tension is not just historical—it is personal. It reminds us that in our own hearts, we too swing between praise and resistance. Between surrender and fear. Between trust and control.

      And yet, Christ enters anyway. He rides not on a war horse but on a donkey, a symbol of humility. He does not come to conquer by force, but to save through self-giving love.

      This week we walk with Him—through the Upper Room, into Gethsemane, before the Sanhedrin, up the hill of Golgotha, and finally to the silence of the tomb. But we do not walk alone. We walk as a Church. We walk as people who have prayed, repented, struggled, and hoped. We walk with hearts that have been softened through the desert, ready now to enter the Passion.

      St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:

      “The Cross is the school of love. It is there we learn to love, not in word or feeling only, but in the laying down of self.”

      This is what Lent has prepared us for. To gaze upon the Cross not as a symbol of defeat, but of the deepest victory. To allow it to speak to our wounds, our questions, and our hopes. To find ourselves there—not as spectators, but as those Christ carried with Him.

      The Desert Father Abba Theodore said:

      “If you are not yet able to carry your cross, weep before the Lord. He will lift it with you.”

      This is not a week to rush through. It is a week to dwell in. To let the Scriptures penetrate. To let silence stretch. To revisit the Sacraments. To stay close to the Blessed Mother, who walked every step with her Son. To let Jesus show us how far Love will go.

      We do not end at the Cross—but we must go through it. Resurrection is coming, but it is only understood in the light of the Passion. If you’ve struggled this Lent, if you feel like you haven’t done enough—take heart. This is the hour of grace. Begin again now. Be with Him now.

      As the Church sings: Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him.(cf. Philippians 2:8–9)

      Reflection Questions:
      1. How has your heart changed through this Lenten journey?
      2. What part of Jesus’ Passion are you being invited to enter more deeply this week?
      3. How can you live this Holy Week with greater intentionality—prayer, silence, reconciliation, service?
      4. Closing Prayer:

        Lord Jesus, as You entered Jerusalem, You knew what awaited You—and still You came. You embraced the Cross to bring me life. Open my heart to walk with You this Holy Week. Let every step draw me closer to Your heart. Give me the grace to stay near to You in suffering, in silence, and in love. May the Cross become my home, and the Resurrection my hope. Amen.

        This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

         

        The post Day 40: The Road of the Cross, The Way of Love – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

        8 min
      5. Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
        Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

        As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

        Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

        Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

        From the Holy Gospel of Matthew 21:1-11

        When they drew near to Jerusalem

        and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives,
        Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
        ‘Go into the village facing you,
        and immediately you will find an ass tied,
        and a colt with her: untie them and bring them to me.
        If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
        “The Lord has need of them,”
        and he will send them immediately.’
        This took place to fulfil
        what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
        ‘Tell the daughter of Sion,
        Behold, your king is coming to you,
        humble, and mounted on an ass,
        and on a colt, the foal of an ass.’
        The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
        they brought the ass and the colt,
        and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
        Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road,
        and others cut branches from the trees
        and spread them on the road.
        And the crowds that went before him
        and that followed him shouted,
        ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
        Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
        Hosanna in the highest!’
        And when he entered Jerusalem,
        all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’
        And the crowds said,
        ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’

        What word made this passage come alive for you?

        What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

        Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

        When they drew near to Jerusalem

        and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives,
        Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
        ‘Go into the village facing you,
        and immediately you will find an ass tied,
        and a colt with her: untie them and bring them to me.
        If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
        “The Lord has need of them,”
        and he will send them immediately.’
        This took place to fulfil
        what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
        ‘Tell the daughter of Sion,
        Behold, your king is coming to you,
        humble, and mounted on an ass,
        and on a colt, the foal of an ass.’
        The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
        they brought the ass and the colt,
        and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
        Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road,
        and others cut branches from the trees
        and spread them on the road.
        And the crowds that went before him
        and that followed him shouted,
        ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
        Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
        Hosanna in the highest!’
        And when he entered Jerusalem,
        all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’
        And the crowds said,
        ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’

        What did your heart feel as you listened?

        What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

        Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

        When they drew near to Jerusalem

        and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives,
        Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
        ‘Go into the village facing you,
        and immediately you will find an ass tied,
        and a colt with her: untie them and bring them to me.
        If anyone says anything to you, you shall say,
        “The Lord has need of them,”
        and he will send them immediately.’
        This took place to fulfil
        what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
        ‘Tell the daughter of Sion,
        Behold, your king is coming to you,
        humble, and mounted on an ass,
        and on a colt, the foal of an ass.’
        The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;
        they brought the ass and the colt,
        and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon.
        Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road,
        and others cut branches from the trees
        and spread them on the road.
        And the crowds that went before him
        and that followed him shouted,
        ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
        Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
        Hosanna in the highest!’
        And when he entered Jerusalem,
        all the city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’
        And the crowds said,
        ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.’

        What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

        What did your heart feel as you prayed?

        What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

        Our Father, who art in heaven,

          hallowed be thy name.

        Thy kingdom come.

         Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

        Give us this day our daily bread,

         and forgive us our trespasses,

         as we forgive those who trespass against us,

        and lead us not into temptation,

         but deliver us from evil.

        Amen

        Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

        The post Palm Sunday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

        10 min
      6. GWWL6 –Jane Austen – Pride & Prejuidice and Mansfield Park – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

        Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice and Mansfield Park – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce

        In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore the enduring genius of Jane Austen through Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. Austen, often misunderstood or reduced to light romantic fiction, is revealed as a writer of profound moral and philosophical depth. Pearce highlights her deeply Christian worldview, rooted in realism, virtue, and the dignity of the human person. Through her vivid characters and masterful dialogue, Austen examines the consequences of pride, prejudice, and moral blindness, showing how true understanding comes through humility, self-knowledge, and growth in virtue.

        The conversation also reflects on Austen’s lasting relevance, emphasizing how her focus on relationships, family life, and moral decision-making transcends time. Rather than centering on historical events, Austen explores the unchanging realities of the human heart, revealing how choices shaped by reason, faith, and virtue lead to authentic love and flourishing. Pearce underscores that Austen’s work is not merely entertaining but deeply edifying, offering readers a path toward greater self-awareness and moral clarity. Her novels continue to challenge modern assumptions, inviting readers to rediscover the harmony of faith and reason in everyday life.

        You can purchase a copy of the book here.
        Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
        1. Jane Austen reveals how pride and prejudice can distort our perception of others. In what ways can our own assumptions prevent us from seeing people truthfully?
        2. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy both undergo personal transformation. What does their growth teach us about the importance of humility and self-awareness?
        3. Austen presents love as something that matures through understanding and virtue rather than mere emotion. How does this challenge modern views of love?
        4. The novel highlights the tension between reason and feeling. How can we discern when our emotions are leading us away from truth rather than toward it?
        5. Austen’s characters are shaped by family life and relationships. How do our own relationships influence our moral decisions and personal growth?
        6. Joseph Pearce notes that Austen’s work reflects the harmony of faith and reason. How can we cultivate both in our daily lives when making important decisions?
        7. You can learn more about Joseph’s books, teaching, and writing by visiting his website Joseph Pearce: Celebrating the True, the Good and the Beautiful at jpearce.co

          A native of England, Joseph Pearce is the internationally acclaimed author of many books, which include bestsellers such as The Quest for Shakespeare, Tolkien: Man and Myth, The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis and The Catholic Church, Literary Converts, Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton, Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile and Old Thunder: A Life of Hilaire Belloc. His books have been published and translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Croatian, and Polish.

          He has hosted two 13-part television series about Shakespeare on EWTN, and has also written and presented documentaries on EWTN on the Catholicism of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. His verse drama, Death Comes for the War Poets, was performed off-Broadway to critical acclaim. He has participated and lectured at a wide variety of international and literary events at major colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Britain, Europe, Africa, and South America.

          He is a Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University and a Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, New Hampshire). He is editor of the St. Austin Review, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative and Crisis Magazine. His personal website is www.jpearce.co.

          The post GWWL6 –Jane Austen – Pride & Prejuidice and Mansfield Park – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

          29 min
        8. BW39 – Being Held by God – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

          The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
          Episode 38 – St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn – The Book of Special Grace — Being Held by God

          In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, a Benedictine nun whose life was deeply formed by the liturgy, the Holy Rule, and the worshiping life of the monastery at Helfta. Within that rich world of the Divine Office, the psalms, Eucharistic love and sacred learning, Mechtilde came to know God not as distant or uncertain, but as constant, attentive and near. Her teaching rises from a soul shaped by praise, listening, and long fidelity.

          At the heart of this episode is a deeply consoling truth: God’s love comes first. Mechtilde shows that the soul is not loved only when it is fervent, attentive, or strong. It is held because God has already set His love upon it. This is why her teaching is so gentle and so steady. She is not trying to stir emotion. She is helping the heart receive what is already true. The soul is never outside God’s care.

          This vision fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The liturgy teaches us to live within God’s initiative. Stability teaches the soul not to run. Obedience teaches one to listen with the ear of the heart. Through repeated return in prayer, praise, and worship, trust begins to grow. In Christ, this care is not abstract but personal. This episode invites listeners to let go of the hidden fear of being overlooked or left to themselves and to receive, more deeply, the quiet assurance that they are known, loved, and held by God.

          Citations

          St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, The Book of Special Grace.

          “The Lord said to me:
          ‘I have loved you from eternity,
          and I hold you continually in my heart.
          Do not fear,
          for you are never outside my care.’”

          John 10:14, RSV–Catholic Edition

          “I know my own, and my own know me.”

          Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
          1. Do I carry a hidden fear of being overlooked, forgotten, or left to myself by God?
          2. How has liturgical prayer, parish worship, or the rhythm of the Church’s prayer shaped my trust in God?
          3. Do I tend to think God’s love depends on how attentive, strong, or spiritually successful I feel?
          4. In what areas of my life do I most need to receive the truth that I am held in God’s care?
          5. How might my prayer change if I began more consciously from God’s love rather than from my own effort?
          6. For other episodes in this series, visit
            The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart
            Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here

            Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.

            The post BW39 – Being Held by God – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

            9 min
          7. Day 39: Hope in the Midst of Opposition – Discerning Hearts Podcast

            A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast
            Day 39: Hope in the Midst of Opposition

            Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

            John 11:45–56 

            Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. “Here is this man working all these signs,” they said, “and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.”

            One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, “You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

            He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation—and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him.

            So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.

            The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, “What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?”

            Reflection:

            Today’s Gospel sits in the shadow of the raising of Lazarus. That incredible sign of life was not welcomed by all. For some, it was a moment of conversion; for others, it was a threat. The decision is made: Jesus must be stopped. We now move closer to the Passion.

            This passage confronts us with a truth we often feel: Jesus did not run from this reality. Instead, He stayed rooted in His mission, moving forward with trust in the Father.

            It is here that we must remember: our call is not to success or approval, but to faithfulness. And faithfulness will at times mean walking through suffering, uncertainty, or even loneliness. But we are never alone. The Father is at work, even in hiddenness.

            St. John Cassian, drawing from the wisdom of the desert, wrote:

            “The endurance of trials for the sake of virtue produces the strongest hope.”

            (Conferences, X.6)

            Hope is born not in ease, but in the fire of perseverance. It grows in those moments when we choose to stay with Christ, even when the way is unclear or difficult. Hope is remembering that God indeed keeps His promises—and that He is bigger than our circumstances. Lent brings us to this place of decision: Will we stay close to Jesus even when the way becomes narrow? Will we trust the slow, quiet work of God even when the cost feels high?

            Sometimes the opposition we face is not from others, but within ourselves: doubt, fear, or spiritual fatigue. These too are places where grace can meet us, where prayer becomes our anchor. If you feel weary, spend time today in quiet before the Lord. Ask for the grace of endurance, and the gift of hope.

            The “Jesus, You Take Over” prayer—also known as the Surrender Prayer—by Servant of God Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo, found on Discerning Hearts, is a powerful reminder to release our anxieties and concerns in trust to Jesus. We are not asked to carry the weight of the world, but to entrust it to the One who already bears it for us.

            St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church, offers us a word of clarity and perspective:

            “The world’s thy ship and not thy home.”

            (Letter 102 to Céline)

            Her simple but profound reminder re-centers us when the seas grow rough. Lent is not a time to prove our strength, but to rest more deeply in the strength of Christ, who leads us to the safe harbor of the Father.

            Reflection Questions:
            1. What challenges or opposition do you face as you follow Christ?
            2. Are there places of hidden fear or resistance that you can bring to the Lord today?
            3. How can you ask for the grace to be faithful, even when it is costly?
            4. Closing Prayer:

              Lord Jesus, as You faced rejection, You remained faithful. Help us to walk in that same trust. When we are afraid, strengthen our hearts. When we are tired, renew our hope. Teach us to remain close to You, even in the face of opposition, and to always remember that Your love has already conquered all.

              Amen.

              This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

               

              The post Day 39: Hope in the Midst of Opposition – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

              9 min
            5. 5th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
              5th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

              As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

              Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

              Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

              From the Holy Gospel of John 11:45-56

              Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.

              The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’

              What word made this passage come alive for you?

              What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

              Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

              Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.

              The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’

              What did your heart feel as you listened?

              What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

              Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

              Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him, but some of them went to tell the Pharisees what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting. ‘Here is this man working all these signs’ they said ‘and what action are we taking? If we let him go on in this way everybody will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy the Holy Place and our nation.’ One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.’ He did not speak in his own person, it was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. From that day they were determined to kill him. So Jesus no longer went about openly among the Jews, but left the district for a town called Ephraim, in the country bordering on the desert, and stayed there with his disciples.

              The Jewish Passover drew near, and many of the country people who had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves looked out for Jesus, saying to one another as they stood about in the Temple, ‘What do you think? Will he come to the festival or not?’

              What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

              What did your heart feel as you prayed?

              What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

              Our Father, who art in heaven,

                hallowed be thy name.

              Thy kingdom come.

               Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

              Give us this day our daily bread,

               and forgive us our trespasses,

               as we forgive those who trespass against us,

              and lead us not into temptation,

               but deliver us from evil.

              Amen

              Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

              The post 5th Saturday of Lent – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

              13 min
            6. HR 5 – In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast

              In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B

              In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, explore the deeply countercultural Benedictine vow of stability as a remedy for what Fr. Mauritius describes as a kind of “spiritual homelessness.” In a world marked by constant movement, change, and restlessness, St. Benedict calls the monk to remain rooted in one place and one community. This stability is not merely geographical but spiritual, grounded in the conviction that God is present where we are. Rather than searching endlessly for fulfillment elsewhere, the Rule invites us to begin where we are, with the people and circumstances already given to us.

              Fr. Mauritius explains that this wisdom emerged from the early desert tradition, where monks discovered that fleeing the world did not free them from themselves. True transformation came not from escape but from staying, facing one’s interior struggles, and seeking God faithfully in the present moment. In today’s culture, where mobility and flexibility are often prized above commitment, Benedictine stability offers a powerful witness. It reminds us that lasting identity, meaningful relationships, and deep faith are formed through fidelity, perseverance, and remaining present to God and others over time.

              From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 66:
              CHAPTER LXVI
              Of the Porter of the Monastery

              …If it can be done, the monastery should be so situated that all the necessaries, such as water, the mill, the garden, are enclosed, and the various arts may be plied inside of the monastery, so that there may be no need for the monks to go about outside, because it is not good for their souls. But we desire that this Rule be read quite often in the community, that none of the brethren may excuse himself of ignorance

              Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
              1. St. Benedict teaches that stability begins with remaining where we are. What is my first reaction to the idea of “staying” rather than seeking change?
              2. In what areas of my life do I feel a tendency to escape rather than face challenges or difficulties?
              3. How might God be inviting me to encounter Him more deeply in my current circumstances rather than looking elsewhere?
              4. Do I recognize the value of faithfulness and perseverance in my relationships and commitments?
              5. How has the culture of constant change and mobility influenced my sense of identity and belonging?
              6. Where might God be calling me to grow in stability, trust, and rootedness in Him today?
              7. For more episodes from this series and other podcasts, visit:
                Fr. Mauritius Wilde’s Discerning Hearts page

                Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

                The post HR 5 – In place of spiritual homelessness, stability – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

                25 min
              8. BW38 – Trust Before God – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

                The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
                Episode 38 – St. Gertrude the Great – Trust Before God

                In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gertrude the Great and turns more directly to the trust that marks her whole spiritual life. That trust did not arise suddenly or in isolation. It was formed in a Benedictine world of liturgy, Scripture, adoration, and long fidelity, and it became more deeply centered on the mercy of Christ. Gertrude shows that trust is not self-assurance dressed up in religious language. It is the soul’s answer to a mercy already offered.

                Her teaching speaks powerfully to one of the deepest struggles in the spiritual life. Many souls still approach God as though He were reluctant, easily offended, or slow to receive them. Gertrude helps cut through that fear. She presents God as already turned toward the sinner in mercy. The soul does not need to overcome God’s resistance. It needs to let go of its own hesitation and come before Him in truth.

                This vision fits naturally within the Benedictine way. The Holy Rule teaches humility, stability, and repeated return to God in prayer and liturgy. Through that steady life, the soul learns not to run from God but to come near Him more honestly. Gertrude’s confidence rests entirely on Christ’s love, especially as revealed in His Sacred Heart. This episode invites listeners to trust more deeply in the mercy of Jesus, to stop hiding behind fear or appearances, and to believe that His Heart is open, ready to forgive and ready to receive.

                Citations

                St. Gertrude the Great, The Herald of Divine Love

                “The soul that places its trust in God

                finds Him more ready to forgive
                than the soul is to ask.”

                Hebrews 4:16, RSV–Catholic Edition

                “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

                Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
                1. Do I tend to approach God as though He were reluctant to forgive or slow to receive me?
                2. What fears or hesitations keep me from coming before the Lord more honestly?
                3. How have prayer, liturgy, and daily fidelity been helping trust grow in me over time?
                4. In what ways do I still rely more on my own control than on the mercy of Christ?
                5. How does the image of the Sacred Heart help me understand God’s love more personally?
                6. For other episodes in this series, visit
                  The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart
                  Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here

                  Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.

                  The post BW38 – Trust Before God – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

                  8 min

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