Abiding Together

In this episode, we discuss God’s unchanging sovereignty and love despite the turmoil and constant changes brought on by the pandemic and other current crises. We chat about the illusion of control, our litanies to God of what we would change if we could, and the peace that comes only with surrender. We discuss the importance of allowing ourselves to experience our emotions fully in the face of recent disappointments, while always choosing to submit our feelings under the truth of God. We pray that this week you would know how much God delights in your trust as he works a new thing in your life!

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Organic Rose Hips for tea and other fun uses

Heather’s one thing - ID Intentional Disciples

Heather’s other one thing - Seasons Change - United Pursuit

Michelle’s one thing - Man Your Post: Learning to Lead Like St. Joseph - Duane and Carrie Daunt. Use the code MANYOURPOST20 at checkout for 20% off.

Michelle’s other one thing - Our Lady of Podcast - Gene Monterastelli

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
2. We were hoping to return to a new normal by now but it seems we are in a constant state of change and a departure from normal. How are you seeing God through your current situation?
3. What “ancient paths” might God be inviting you to walk in during this season that will keep yourself in His light and your eyes on His eternal perspective?
4. Michelle shares, “Our sense of control is just an illusion and His sovereignty is the only thing we can trust.” Where is God inviting you to surrender your desire for control?

Journal Questions:

1. Where have you made agreements with powerlessness and hopelessness, telling God that a situation will not change? Take a moment to surrender these agreements and ask God to fill you with his truth.
2. In the last 18 months, what fruit have you seen emerge maybe unexpectedly from ground you have tilled with God for months or years?
3. How can you practice feeling your emotions fully but submitting your emotions to the truth of God? Are there any particular feelings or emotions you want to surrender to God’s truth right now?
4. How could greater trust in God’s sovereignty free you from the need to make things happen yourself? Take a moment to recount how God has been faithful in the past.

Quotes to Ponder: “Night: we cannot stop it, or hasten it; it just comes, and it teaches us every twenty-four hours that we are not in complete control.” - Father Iain Matthew, The Impact of God

Scripture for Lectio Divina - “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

This episode is sponsored by Chews Life.

At Chews Life, it is our mission to equip all Catholics with Rosaries for life. Chews Life believes that even the youngest Catholic can develop a devotion to the Rosary and come to know our Mother Mary. Their silicone Rosaries make this possible. Children discover through their senses, especially touch. Just as a baby knowingly caresses their mother’s face, so too their little hands will come to know the Rosary and cherish it.

Chews Life also makes Rosaries for adults! Chews Life’s Rosaries are designed in such a way that no one can make the excuse that they don’t have time to pray the Rosary. Chews Life’s Rosaries are actually Rosary bracelets so that they are with you all day and easily accessible. These Rosary bracelets also feature a “bookmark” crucifix charm so that if you don’t have time to get through a whole Rosary at once, you can use this charm to hold your place until you can continue your prayer.

Head over to the Chews Life website right now to check out their brand new, limited edition Fall Collection. This collection and so much more are available at www.chewslife.com and use the code ABIDE10 to get 10% off your next purchase!

In this episode we discuss the idea of personal revival through the power of the Holy Spirit, repentance and reawakening. We discuss the necessity of an interior death in order to experience resurrection and the fears that prevent us from living in the power of the Holy Spirit. We chat about how to identify areas in our life that are dormant or require repentance in order to experience new life and chat about the importance of community in bringing about revival. We pray the Holy Spirit would move mightily in your life this week!

Michelle’s one thing - Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress - Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR

Michelle’s other one thing - A Work of God: Images of Renewal - Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Heather’s one thing - My daughter Maria coming home from Franciscan University

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Healthy Granola Recipe

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week’s episode?
2. Who do you know that is living in the power of the Resurrection or Holy Spirit power? What characteristics define this kind of revival?
3. If we cannot experience resurrection and revival without experiencing dying, what needs to be put to death within you? What fears, hesitancies, or comforts keep you from experiencing the Holy Spirit’s power in this way?
4. Revival starts with us. How can you make more room for the Holy Spirit?

Journal Questions:

1. What areas of your life do you need to repent in order to experience revival? Where are the areas in your life where something is dead that needs to be revived?
2. Where are the areas you may have blocked or avoided the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Where are the areas you have given full permission to the Holy Spirit and what fruit has that created?

Quote to Ponder: “Let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost... May tongues of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, descend on all present!” — Pope Benedict XVI, homily in New York City, 4/19/2008

Scripture for Lectio Divina: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” - Acts 2:17

This episode is sponsored by House of Joppa.

This week’s episode is sponsored by House of Joppa. If you are looking for beautiful Catholic home décor, jewelry, art, rosaries or other Catholic gifts, look no farther than the House of Joppa. Each product is curated from artisans throughout the world, and is designed to uplift your spirit and share the beauty of our One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic faith. If you are looking for something for yourself or a special gift for a friend, head over to their website in the show notes. My favorite products are their Vintage Sacred Heart Medallion, Mini Mary Garden and Joyful Mystery themed rosary.

Abiding Together listeners receive 15% off their purchase at checkout with discount code: ABIDE15. Visit them online at https://www.houseofjoppa.com or on Instagram @houseofjoppa.

In this episode we discuss the virtue of Christian Hope through a discussion on Pope Francis’s homily from the 2020 Easter Vigil, A Right to Hope. We chat about hope as more than mere optimism or wishful thinking, but rather a deep trust that God keeps his promises and He is who he says he is. We discuss the necessity of practicing hope in patience and humility as God reveals the mystery of how He is making all things new. This is our last episode of Season 9 and we pray that you may receive the gift of hope this summer. We will see you for Season 10 in the Fall!

Michelle’s one thing - Summer Reading List

Heather’s one thing - Our Patreon Supporters!

Sister Miriam’s one thing - All those who make the podcast happen: Lizzie, Kristina, Kathy, Emily, and Rebecca.

Sister Miriam’s other one thing - Easy Chickpea Greek Salad

Other Links Related to This Episode:

Read Pope Francis’s 2020 Easter Homily

Live Differently Mug from the Abiding Together Shop

Season 2 Episode 5: Hope in Seasons of Darkness

Discussion questions:

1. What struck you from this week’s episode?
2. What are the things that stand in the way of you receiving the gift hope? Are there specific areas where you have been hurt in the area of hope?
3. How can we live into the virtue of hope that promises heaven is our home and God is working all things towards our redemption and restoration?
4. How do our lives look different because we are a people of hope?

Journal Questions:

1. What wounds does the Lord want to heal in you in order to restore hope and trust in his promises?
2. Are there situations of disappointment that have stolen your hope in Jesus?
3. Where is God inviting you to practice patience and humility to receive hope?

Quote to Ponder: “At dawn the women went to the tomb. There the angel says to them: “Do not be afraid. He is not here; for he has risen.” They hear the words of life even as they stand before a tomb... And then they meet Jesus, the giver of all hope, who confirms the message and says: “Do not be afraid.”Do not be afraid, do not yield to fear: This is the message of hope. It is addressed to us, today.” - Pope Francis’s Easter Vigil Homily, 2020

Scripture for Lectio Divina: “After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce* this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”” - Matthew 28: 1-10

In this episode, we complete our four part series on the identity of daughter. This episode is now offered in video on youtube! We discuss the full redemption God desires for his daughters emotionally, spiritually, sexually, and in a particular way as women, physically through our bodies and beauty. We chat about the practice of repentance and declaring the truth about ourselves, body and soul. We pray you would allow Christ to bring your whole self into communion with him in your identity as daughter so you may grow into a sister, a mother and a bride. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Healing Wounds Meditation with Dr. Bob Schutchts on the Hallow App. You must subscribe to Hallow to listen!

Michelle’s one thing - The Every Sacred Sunday Mass Journal

Heather’s one thing - The Metanoia Series - Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR and 4pm media

Other Books Mentioned -

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom - Henri Nouwen

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
2. Where do you feel at war with your body and where do you feel at home in your body? How is God inviting you to see your body as a blessing rather than a burden?
3. What beliefs about yourself have you felt inspired to renounce and repent of after today’s episode? What truth does Jesus desire to speak into your heart to fill this space.

Journal Questions:

1. Have you cursed your body or believed the lie that your body is too much or not enough? Take a moment to practice repentance and ask God to speak his truth into your body.
2. Can you imagine your body as a temple where the Holy Spirit is dwelling and what kind of temple does it look like? What is the Holy Spirit doing in this temple? Where is He illuminating? Where is He healing? Where's He moving?
3. Are there areas brought up in the past few weeks that you would rather avoid than allow Jesus to redeem and restore? Take a moment to commit to moving through the cross towards the resurrection with trust that Christ desires your redemption.

Quotes to Ponder:

Because their shame was twofold

and disgrace was proclaimed their portion,

They will possess twofold in their own land;

everlasting joy shall be theirs.

Isaiah 61:7

Scripture for Lectio Divina - “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:14-21

This episode is sponsored by Every Sacred Sunday.

The Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal is designed to help you intentionally prepare and engage with the Mass each week. It contains the readings for each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation for one liturgical year with a simple journaling template after each reading. Other features include thick quality paper, a durable hardbound cover, original illustrations, and key prayers of the Mass. This journal is lovingly & thoughtfully designed by hand, and we hope that it invites you to say yes to God, one Sunday at a time. Use the promo code abide5 for $5 off your next purchase! Available now on our website, www.everysacredsunday.com/shop.

In this episode, we break open the scripture of the Visitation as we begin a four part series on the identity of sister - biological and spiritual. This episode is now offered in video on youtube! We discuss the model of speaking blessing into one another’s lives as we confirm and affirm each other’s truest identity. We chat about how Mary and Elizabeth needed one another’s story and resisted the temptations of comparison and competition in choosing celebration. We pray God would be the center of your relationships and sisterhoods! Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam’s one thing - ’Sisters’ from White Christmas

Michelle’s one thing - My front porch in Fall and the season of Fall!

Heather’s one thing - Chicken Carnitas Recipe

Other Books Mentioned -

Friendship in the Lord - Fr. Paul Hinnebusch

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
2. What does it mean to you to be a sister? What stirs in your heart as we begin this series? What needs to be healed in your heart to open up to the identity of sister?
3. Take a moment in your groups to identify and share what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life. Is sharing the work of the Holy Spirit a habit in your small groups and community?
4. What does it mean to be a sister who speaks blessing and affirms the truest identity of another with our words?

Journal Questions:

1. Do you proclaim a magnificat when the Lord has done great things in your life? Who do you celebrate with and share the good news with?
2. Have you ever felt like you had to fight for your seat at the table because of comparison or competition among women? How have you experienced a celebration mindset when it comes to your relationship with other women?
3. Take a moment to pray and ask for sisterhood where you need it. Take a moment to pray and repent for areas that you need to own wounding others in the area of sisterhood.

Quotes to Ponder: “All members of the family, each according to his or her own gift, have the grace and responsibility of building day by day the communion of persons, making the family ‘a school of deeper humanity’ “ - Gaudium et Spes, 52

Scripture for Lectio Divina - At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

And Mary proclaimed: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm ;He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. - Luke 1:39-56

This episode is sponsored by Home School Connections.

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