Three Dogs North

In this episode, the dogs seek affirmation from one another (2:40) and Mike shares a grace from spiritual direction (4:10). Connor expresses his desire to live humbly from his heart (9:00). Rob gives an insight from C.S. Lewis on growing in humility (15:12) and Mike gets weirdly into building models (28:11).

“By the way, tell me how good I’m doing on the podcast.” (Mike, 3:55)

 “What do you think Jesus thinks about that?” (Mike quoting Fr. Brian Welter, 6:50)

“I could totally fail and the Lord would still so love me.” (Mike, 7:50)

“I want to live with the Lord.” (Mike, 8:20)

“It was a really cool experience to be saved from something that was less than the mind of Jesus.” (Mike, 8:30)

“Humility is telling the truth about yourself.” (Connor quoting Fr. Tim Anastos, 10:45)

“I like drawing, I like dinosaurs, and I like myself.” (Connor quoting Donovan, 11:55)

“Pope Francis defines sin as forgetting.” (Rob, 23:08)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about how hard it has been to find a time to record (0:50). Connor talks about a new supplement he’s taking for joint pain (2:28) and a recent fascination with Bob Ross’ mentor: Bill Alexander (5:45). They discuss the pursuit of excellence in different forms, from Michael Jordan (9:40) to The Passion of John the Baptist (14:20). Mike concludes that “a saint is someone who is passionate about the right thing” (25:19).

“May this time tonight be enchanted.” (Rob, 1:00)

“Maybe I found the natural HGH that is going to have me Brett Favring well into my 40s” (Connor, 3:37)

“I’m all excited! I hope you enjoyed it too…. I love you!” (Connor quoting Bill Alexander, 8:02)

“You can recognize excellence in different art forms, even if you aren’t familiar with the art form itself.” (Mike, 9:06)

“I am more alive because I am creating.” (Connor on Bill Alexander, 10:20)

“The evil one will always try to dampen the experience of both pleasure and pain in a human being, because both of those things put you in reality and allow you to see clearly.” (Rob, 12:00)

“When you see somebody that loves something and does it excellently, it’s very beautiful.” (Mike, 14:05)

“The happiness of the saints is an experience of the heart not of the mind.” (Connor, 18:40)

“The point of life is to enjoy God.” (Connor summarizing Connolly, 23:04)

“A saint is someone who is passionate about the right thing.” (Mike, 25:30)

“When you live out of the head you become a spectator of your own life…. When it’s not just drudgery, that’s when we lose ourselves and become children again.” (Connor 26:00)

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In this episode, the dogs lament the upcoming recording hiatus (0:25). Rob brings up Forest Gump, the best movie of all time, as an example of childhood innocence (2:24) and they all discuss a child’s unique ability to respond to reality (5:24). Mike gives a throwback to his time with braces (14:50), they all agree that the pod is a sign-post to Heaven (quite possibly the only one that exists on the internet) (27:20), and Connor closes out with a story about being held (37:45).

“Hot yoga is very difficult and I am becoming extremely limber.” (Mike, 1:42)

“Forest Gump is absolutely lovable and very attractive because he is both unveiled and good.” (Mike, 18:39)

“I think that’s part of why it’s so hard to be unveiled, because if I unveil myself then I actually have to confront what’s going on in my heart and if that’s not healed and made whole then there is a lot of stuff that will come out.” (Mike, 19:50)

“There is something about the simplicity of a child that makes them also very vulnerable.” (Connor, 22:19)

“Joy is a by-product of being in communion with God.” (Connor summarizing Lewis, 26:40)

“We point to the eschaton.” (Mike, 27:37)

“You can’t avoid the tragedy of life.” (Mike, 35:00)

“HOLD ME!” (Mary Anne, 39:18)

“You can’t go out and fight dragons unless you have a mom and a dad who love you.” (Connor, 40:15)

“Come to me, I can handle it.” (Connor, 41:01)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss the vocation of the priesthood. Rob recognizes a new freedom in staying home on Friday nights (6:22), which Connor describes as a “unity of life” (8:30). Mike admits his own struggle with FOMO (17:40) and Connor offers some encouragement with an image that came to him on the Feast of the Sacred Heart (20:14). Rob reflects on Screwtape Letters (30:38) and Mike proposes that, generally, the question “what if” is not from God (32:10). Connor concludes with a recent experience unifying the Bridegroom to His bride. (34:15).

“Just because you live a different life, which does exclude you from certain things, that doesn’t mean you’re alone.” (Mike, 11:50)

“The most important things in your life are seen only by God.” (Connor, 13:15)

“I’m thankful that God has made me love being a priest and not fear that I’m missing something; I am missing something, but it’s a blessing to do so.”  (Connor, 17:18)

“Fear of the future is a lack of trust in the present.” (Mike, 32:45)

“The Lord wants to be in communion with you.” (Connor, 35:15)

“Our vocation is to help unify the bride and the bridegroom.” (Connor, 36:53)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about submitting to God’s grace as opposed to getting bogged down in the impossibility of a task (7:00), especially in light of Mike’s new responsibility ministering to 50,000 people on post (0:40). Mike shares his perspective from the altar at Mass and it’s significance for the rest of his life (17:20). Rob expresses his gratitude for friends he’s visited over the summer (19:42) and Connor brings up the upcoming Michelle Duppong documentary (24:30).

“The only reason God gives us something to do is to draw us close to Him and share his joy.” (Connor, 3:07)

 “The impossibility of the task frees you from the lie that comes along with the task… You have to give it away and parent the way the Lord is asking you to parent.” (Mike, 7:20- 8:20)

“Parishioners are not blood sucking insects.” (Connor, 9:58)

“If I’m serving the record, the list of things I’ve done for God rather than God, then I’m only thinking about myself rather than being responsive to reality.” (Connor, 10:30)

“You cannot do this job perfectly, so don’t think that’s the object of the game.” (Connor, 11:10)

 “Something I said really struck me.” (Mike, 14:15)

“Where you stand actually shapes what you’re looking at and the proper place to stand is with Christ.” (Mike, 17:14)

“At the Mass the altar is Christ.” (Mike quoting Dr. Denis McNamara, 18:00)

“My whole priesthood, I just wanna stand here. All these other things can come and go, but as long as I’m standing at this altar I think the rest will take care of itself.” (Mike, 18:18)

“Blessed are those who mourn. You’re not lost in your sadness, it stimulates you to be a more generous person. Your heart is pierced and therefore open to others.” (Connor, 26:26)

“Prayer is not something we do, it’s something God does in us.” (Connor quoting Thomas Merton, 31:30)

“I think the invisible reality is more real than the visible reality.” (Connor, 35:30)

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In this episode, the dogs share their favorite SNL skits (2:58). Rob gives an update on his new push for authentic Christian community on campus (9:30) and Connor echoes the importance of letting go of outcomes (12:10). Mike shares what it’s like living a priestly life in moments of solitude (16:28) as well as some recent insights from spiritual direction (20:10). Rob applies his new philosophy to an upcoming family beach trip (22:13) and his delight at a recent Cardinal’s game (33:33). Mike closes out the episode affirming God’s grace and the worthwhile challenge to receive everything as a gift (34:48).

“There’s an aspect of simplicity and trying to do things very well (in living a Christian life). So my life feels less divided.” (Rob, 9:45)

“Me going down to visit you in November and giving a talk, regardless of whether it makes a million converts or all it is, is two dudes hanging out, it seems to be an invitation from God. It’s a good. It’s focusing on the relationship as the end and then the mission part flows out of it.” (Connor, 12:20)

“Happiness is one of those strange birds, you don’t hit it by aiming at it.” (Connor misquoting Chesterton’s Fr. Brown, 13:36)

“The point of spiritual direction, as all of life, is the enjoyment of God.” (Connor’s summary of The Practice of Spiritual Direction, 16:57)

“The goal of my life is to be in communion and enjoy God.” (Connor, 17:25)

“Even when I’m cutting my hair and doing my laundry I’m a priest. I belong to Jesus. That’s the point of my life.” (Connor, 18:00)

“The thing about God is that He always tells you the truth.” (Connor, 18:20)

“The things that have brought me peace and joy and freedom is returning to keeping the first things first.” (Mike, 20:04)

“Sooner or later, we enjoy only souls” (from Letters to Young Men as cited in The Priest is Not His Own, 31:41)

“If you’re receiving from the Lord, that’s your place of communion. God being the creator and us being the creature. Then you can receive everything as a gift. And then your day and your ministry is now a gift.” (Mike, 34:46)

“Charitas Christi Urget Nos (The Love of Christ Urges Us Forward)” (40:00)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about Mike’s first few weeks settling into base (2:10) and the sacred moments he’s experienced so far (6:45). Connor returns to the topic of Christian living (10:22) and shares his own need for community in the midst of hardship (10:50). They close-out the episode discussing Lean Cuisines (17:25), outdoor meal smells (18:35), and how to impress your friends with grill lines (19:20).

“You just have to be there with people. It seems like the Lord has set up a bunch of moments and if you just show up and you follow Him, He’s gonna make stuff happen. I just simply show up and hang out with soldiers and next thing I know we’re having great, real deal conversations.” (Mike, 6:03)

“A lot of those priestly moments, where you’re working with people on existential and spiritual margins and trying to navigate that terrain, to be able to walk with them and guide them in those rare, sacred moments. They pop up all the time… I think that’s where they live. (Mike, 6:45)

“The possibility of war and violence and death are on the front of their minds frequently and you can either become numb to it or you can try to rassle with a lot of that stuff.” (Mike, 7:25)

“Jesus is a soldier in you. He’s an officer in the U.S. Army, offering His body, blood, soul and divinity for these people serving our country this way.” (Connor, 12:20)

“The meat is the star. You are not the star. So I’ve been trying to let the meat be the star.” (Connor, 19:30)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about Tom Cruise (1:00), fighter jets (1:05), and why we need a Maverick (11:10). Mike hones in on the need for stability (16:50) from Peterson’s Five Factor Model of Personality and Connor (24:53) and Rob (31:00) give their own examples of maintaining structure as a gift for others.

“Conservatism starts from a sentiment that all mature people can readily share: the sentiment that good things are easily destroyed, but not easily created.” (Roger Scruton, 13:15)

“There was a stability and order present in my family, which allowed me as a kid to have the freedom to play in this creative way.” (Mike, 16:50)

“Kids cannot learn, they cannot grow, they cannot mature unless they know they are safe.” (Connor summarizing Fr. William Wasson, 20:18)

“As I’ve grown up, I’ve become even more cognizant of my responsibility to build structure in which other people can play.” (Connor, 24:53)

”As a priest, you have to be part of the edifice. You have to quit only playing in it and actually start to be a part of it; to be part of the stronghold as a part of Christ’s body.” (Mike, 29:00)

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In this episode, the dogs discuss what it means to live an authentic Christian life. Rob shares a recent decision to develop deeper relationships on campus (4:22), Connor suggests a charism to describe the inherent tension within the diocesan priesthood (6:25), and Mike brings the conversation back to the marvelous exchange at the heart of the universe (21:05).

“I’ve felt a pull to strive for a Christian life, which tangibly looks like sharing more meals and doing smaller things that actually produce real friendships.” (Rob, 4:12)

“The charism of the diocesan priesthood is being a man at prayer who is in the world.” (Connor, 6:20)

“We’re saved in community.” (Mike, 13:50)

“Desiring to share life, because life is a blessing.” (Rob, 15:35)

“Faith: the place where you are most firmly grounded.” (Mike on Ratzinger, 24:15)

“I don’t have to make meaning, I just have to continue to stand with God and the proper meaning will unfold.” (Mike, 25:30)

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In this episode, the dogs talk about the nickname origins of the 504th Infantry Regiment (3:22), spiritual lessons in TMNT (7:00), preparing for spiritual combat (10:10), and God’s fidelity (14:15).

“The pathologizing of evil is so tempting because you can always make an excuse for people when they do bad, but there are forces in the world that simply do evil for evil’s sake and therefore at some point you will simply need to fight it.” (Connor, 11:10)

“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart.” (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, 11:50)

“The Lord allows clarity to come in over time, consistency, and fidelity.” (Mike, 14:11)

“You don’t have to figure it out, God will reveal it in His own time.” (Mike, 17:41)

“That’s where the battles lines are: do you want to be free? Because Jesus wants you to be free. The important thing to Him is not that you get the right answer, but that you trust Him.” (Connor, 18:32)

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