This podcast explores the first discipline of Lent: prayer. It discusses the first degree of prayer in the Catholic spiritual tradition, the way of beginners, aka., the purgative stage. St. Teresa of Avila, the great Doctor of Prayer, utilizes an analogy of a garden in order to illustrate how to advance in prayer and the love of God.
Lent
Do You Have A Personal Relationship With Jesus?
The question of whether we have a personal relationship with Jesus is a valid and important question, not just for Catholics but for every person on the face of the earth. How do we develop this essential relationship with the incarnate Son of God? What are some of the marks of such a relationship? This podcast takes a look at this question in reference to the gospel proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Lent, taken from John Chapter 9.
The Spiritual Importance of Fasting
The ancient practice of fasting is often set aside today, viewed as unimportant. If it is undertaken at all, it is often done for purely physical benefits. As important as that is, more important is the spiritual benefits of fasting as an act of penance, as well as an act of voluntary suffering engaged for the love of God over self.
Man Does Not Live On Bread Alone
Through faithfully practicing the disciplines of Lent—prayer, fasting and almsgiving—we are led not only to more fully understand the meaning of those words but to make them the meaning of our life. Yet we cannot live by the Word of God if we refuse to give free and loving obedience to it; nor can we hear the Word of God if it is squelched by worldly listening.
Turning Tables
This lent I encourage you not to give up or add on a number of things as a way to earn God’s love. I don’t want to count my rosaries or try to put a value on my offering of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I don’t want to estimate these sacrifices’ worth in God’s eyes because I know myself and I will automatically equate their worth to my own worth in His eyes.