The Myth Pilgrim

Biblically, the wilderness seemed to be God's preferred meeting place. Why? And why are the wise men of myth and legend always found in the wilderness? Journey with Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back, and explore the parallels between Yoda’s training and Catholic spirituality!

Excerpt "... You may be surprised at how many heroes in both myth and biblical stories actually (a) find themselves in some sort of wilderness (b) encounter there the wisdom they need to continue on their journey. In the great Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, king Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality takes him into the wilderness to seek out Ziusudra, the only man who can teach him the secret of immortality. In the Lion King, Simba is exiled into the wilderness, where he eventually meets the ghost of Mufasa and has his kingly identity re-invigorated. Then we have the bible stories. It was out alone in the wilderness that the runaway Moses first encounters God, the great I AM in the burning bush. Later it was in the same wilderness that the prophet Elijah hears God's call through the still small voice. Like the motifs in the great myths, wisdom always seems to be found in the wilderness - and I mean here Wisdom with a capital W – God himself. Not only is the wilderness a place where God is present, it seems biblically to be his preferred meeting place! Hosea 2:14 says “Therefore, I will now allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” Pretty intimate language.." 

Rest ... we could all do with more of it! But what part does it play in the Catholic spiritual life? Explore how the spirituality of rest permeates The Lord of the Rings. Learn how even in the middle of their urgent mission, hobbits made a place for rest and celebration. If today you're feeling like "butter spread over too much bread", be replenished within the Fellowship! 

Some good further reading: 
Abandonment to Divine Providence (Jean-Pierre de Caussade)
Leisure, The Basis of Culture (Josef Pieper)

How well do you know the original story of the Little Mermaid? Hans Christian Anderson's tale is quite different from the Disney retelling, and has some pretty developed Christian themes. Be moved, delighted and challenged this episode, and discover why you have the soul of a mermaid!
 
I have found a 1975 animation of The Little Mermaid which is much closed to the original Hans Christian Anderson tale. It's quite well done! You can access it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djA3BHG6utc 

Just why are we so obsessed with dragons, and stories about dragons? Guest speaker Fr Tony Schick MGL offers piercing insight into the nature of anger, and its place in the Christian spiritual life. This special episode breaks from our usual story-based episode, to present an interview on a very misunderstood and important topic.

Oh! I found out that YouTube has streamed the whole Russian movie of "I am dragon" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9yi_DzmNy4
Alternatively, you can watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj1PJS0HjK8

What does Christian hope look like in the era of COVID-19? Journey alongside Sam and Gandalf in the midst of their worldwide calamity. Let the divine hope that permeates J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings nourish you and sustain you.

Here are links to two of the scenes mentioned in the episode:

"I wish the ring had never come to me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrOqnZdvI6M
Sam's speech in the Two Towers:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6C8SX0mWP0

Excerpt from podcast: "What separates The Lord of the Rings from other works of great fiction of a similar genre is the way it handles and presents hope … for a beautiful, courageous, and even divine hope permeates the story's darkest darkness and most hopeless circumstances. Written in the middle of 20th century, in a century that should have robbed Tolkien of any sense of hope in humanity, in technology, in faith even, it is the story’s hope, that instantly made it a timeless classic." 

This episode will explore the mythic hero's journey of Luke Skywalker alongside the hero's journey of Jesus Christ. Discover how Jesus redefines the hero's journey once and for all

Excerpt from episode: "...despite its simple formula, A New Hope feels somehow fulfilling and resolved. Any storyline based around the hero’s journey tends to feel this way… and the collective wisdom of the great civilisations attest to this. But … what does someone like a Luke Skywalker today have to do with Jesus? Well, since the time of Campbell, many academics have rightly noted that the life of Jesus Christ follows the pattern of the mythic hero’s journey. As a believing Christian I agree with this, but only partially..." 

How is Beauty and the Beast also a profound metaphor for human salvation? How can this fairytale transform our relationship with the 'beast' within us?

Excerpt from episode: "...Consider that once upon a time in Eden, we too were royal princes and princesses in a Kingdom, just like the prince in the tale. And like that prince, our pride exacted a terrible price upon our humanity - the curse of sin. It would ravage the human heart like a devouring beast, turning brother against brother, tribe against tribe, and most tragically, humanity against God. When fully bred, the once glorious human person made in the image of God would become barely recognizable in the gross disfigurement sin brought...."