The Family of Saint Sharbel Podcasts

In this first part of a two-part podcast series, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani focused on explaining what liturgy is and why the Maronite liturgy is structured the way it is. He began by emphasizing that throughout history, the relationship between God and people has been seen as a communal endeavor. Liturgy, therefore, is the collective response of a community to God's invitation and a way for people to connect with each other and with God.

The Maronite liturgy, originating from the Antiochian Church and the Church of the East, places specific emphasis on certain aspects of worship. Chorbishop Beggiani explained that liturgy developed after Christ's departure from Earth, with early Christians meeting in homes due to persecutions. Its structure is characterized by three main phases: the Service of the Word, the Service of the Eucharist (Pre-Anaphora), and the Service of Communion. 

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this fourth part of Chorbishop Seely Beggiani’s lecture on Syriac spirituality, he continues his discussion on the importance of understanding human beings as created in the image and likeness of God. He emphasizes that the Syriac writers believed this aspect of human nature to be fundamental from the moment of creation, not just after the fall of Adam. Therefore, Syriac spirituality centers on the idea that human beings possess a spark of God within them from the very beginning.

The process of spirituality, according to Syriac thought, involves growing up from the moment of baptism. The spiritual life is seen as a journey of discovering the divine presence already within oneself.

The state of perfection is the ultimate goal in the spiritual journey, wherein the soul experiences Divine Light and wisdom. Chorbishop Bejjiani talks about a union with the Divine, where the soul becomes like God and experiences a sense of wonder and awe. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual wisdom and the transformative power of a deep and intimate relationship with God.

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this third part about Syriac spirituality, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani further explores the theme of spirituality and delves into the idea of achieving a harmonious balance between our spiritual and physical sides. He emphasizes that we, as human beings, are unique in having both a body and a soul, and it is essential to find harmony between these aspects to lead a fulfilling spiritual life.

Chorbishop Bejjiani refers to the Syriac view that human beings are created with bodies and are intended to have bodies even in the afterlife. He draws parallels with the resurrected Jesus, who appeared both physical and spiritual after His resurrection, exemplifying the continuity of our human nature.

He points out the eight classifications of thoughts that can lead us astray, as identified by Evagrius, an influential Greek writer who heavily influenced Syriac writers. These thoughts include gluttony, lust, avarice, envy, anger, acedia, vainglory, and pride.

He advises using prayer and Scripture to understand God's plan and connect with Him. He defines prayer as a conscious presence of God, a communion with Him that involves offering pure intentions and actions. 

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this second part about Syriac spirituality, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani discusses the context of spirituality and the goal of human fulfillment. He emphasizes that God created us out of love to share His love and reflects Himself in His creation. The spiritual journey involves reaching a state of peace and fulfillment by expressing love towards all of God's creation, especially other human beings. The discussion touches on the three levels of human existence: body, soul, and spirit. The challenge is to restore the harmony between body, soul, and spirit, which is the focus of the spiritual life.

Additionally, God guides us through creation and the Scriptures, with Christ as the ultimate expression of God's communication as both Redeemer and Teacher. The Scriptures, particularly the Bible, are highlighted as the source of God's teachings and essential for progress in the spiritual life. 

Then, Chorbishop Beggiani discusses the foundations of the spiritual life. He highlights how early Christians had to make a conscious choice to become followers of Christ, leaving behind their old lives and embracing a new way of living. He also mentions the significance of penance and that the spiritual life involves detachment from worldly desires and a journey through different stages, including reaching a state of apatheia (freedom from the control of passions) and ultimately experiencing agape love 

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this first part of a four-part podcast series, Chorbishop Seely Beggiani reflects on how to understand spirituality in the Christian and Syriac Maronite traditions when spirituality has become a popular and generic term in today's world. He explains that spirituality is a process of maturing as a Christian, beginning with the decision of faith and the grace of faith, which involves understanding God's communication through Scripture and maturing in faith.

He underscores the importance of making a conscious decision to live one's life in the presence of a gracious God, and emphasizes that baptism is the foundation of the Christian journey. He discusses the need for believers to grow beyond spiritual infancy and actively participate in the community, particularly through celebrating the Eucharist, which fosters communion with others and with Christ.

Then Chorbishop Beggiani explores the nature of our relationship with God and how God is in a relationship with us. He encourages listeners to embrace love as the main purpose of human existence, suggesting that loving others is integral to achieving our full humanity. Additionally, he discusses the concept of being created in the image and likeness of God, suggesting that humans possess a divine spark within them.

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this talk, Raymond Nader discusses the question that many people ask during times of crises and hardships: "Where are you, God?" We hear this cry from individuals who are facing difficult challenges, disasters, and tragedies. We wonder why God seems silent and does not intervene in these circumstances.

Often, we pray and seek help, but it appears that heaven is closed, and we question whether God hears us or not, and if He is disinterested or unable to intervene. We also witness evil spreading in the world, such as wars, injustice, disasters, and diseases, while God remains silent.

We search the Bible for some examples of God's silence. We find that the word of God is powerful and effective, as He can create the world with His word and heal the sick and raise the dead. However, when we ask for His help in times of crisis, He remains silent and does not respond.

The writer C.S. Lewis says that God whispers to us in happy times and speaks to our consciences, but He shouts to us in pain and uses the megaphone to awaken us. Paul also states in Romans 8:28 that “all things work for good for those who love God…”. Raymond explains how we can understand and believe in this even in cases of severe pain, and no matter how much we doubt God's plan in our lives, the cross teaches us never to doubt His love.

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

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In this second part of the lecture on the “Maronite Liturgical Year” by Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, given in 2019 at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Washington, DC, he discusses the significance of the Maronite liturgical year and its relevance to Catholics. He explains that the liturgical year allows believers to deepen their understanding of their faith and celebrates the events that have been handed down to them.

Chorbishop Beggiani highlights three approaches in dealing with the liturgical year, discusses the meaning of the Resurrection and Pentecost, explores the significance of the Feast of the Holy Cross, and explains the symbolism behind the Eucharist.

He emphasizes the idea that through baptism, believers receive the fire and the Spirit, allowing divine light to shine within them. He encourages individuals to change the world by starting with their own families, neighborhoods, and workplaces, not through proselytizing, but by setting an example through their actions and values.

Throughout the podcast, Chorbishop Beggiani stresses the importance of understanding the deeper meaning of the liturgical year and its events, as well as applying these teachings to one's own life. By doing so, believers can enrich their faith and live out the principles and values inherent in the liturgical traditions of the Maronite Church.

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

Find us on social: Facebook – Instagram – YouTube 

Part one of a two-part lecture on the “Maronite Liturgical Year” by Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, given in 2019 at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Washington, DC.

In this lecture, Chorbishop Beggiani explores the richness of the Maronite liturgical year and the hidden gems within its traditions and acknowledges that while many of us are familiar with the main events of the liturgical year, we often overlook the deeper context and unique elements found in the Maronite and Syriac traditions.

Chorbishop Beggiani takes the audience through the texts of the missal, highlighting ideas that are specific to the Maronite and Syriac traditions and not emphasized in other liturgies and encourages listeners to engage with the missal and examine the texts themselves to uncover the wealth of knowledge and insights contained within.

This podcast is a service from the Family of Saint Sharbel, a Non-Profit Organization established to contribute to the Catholic Church’s evangelizing mission through living the spirituality of Saint Sharbel in the world. 

Find us on social: Facebook – Instagram – YouTube