S10 E01: We Begin, Again

09/13/21 • 37 min

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In this episode, we reconnect after our summer break to discuss the ways God has grown us this summer and our hopes for the season to come. We marvel together at how the Lord continues to heal us, remind us of His truth, and invite us to abide deeper in who He is and who He says we are. We chat about how the maturation that comes with repentance and the willingness to start over again with God. We pray that God will do a new thing in you as you join us on the journey this season!

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Separate Vocations of Man and Woman - Edith Stein from Essays on Woman (The Collected Works of Edith Stein) - Edith Stein

Heather’s one thing - Speak the Unspoken Podcast S02 E02: The power of story with Heather Kyhm

Michelle’s one thing - Fr. Dave Pivonka, Dr. Bob Rice, and the entire orientation team at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Discussion questions:

What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
What areas did you learn you needed to grow over this summer? How did God stretch you, humble you, invite you to abide more?
In what ways would you like to begin again today? What must you repent of? What must you turn your eyes away from to be able to see Christ looking at you?

Journal Questions:

How did you see the Lord using events or memories of your past to grow you, mature you and heal you this summer?
What desires would you like to name for the Lord to fulfill as we move into a new season?
How can you let the Lord love you where you are most vulnerable and dependent?

Quotes to Ponder: “Always, we begin again.” - St. Benedict

Scripture for Lectio Divina - “It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:12-14

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Separate Vocations of Man and Woman - Edith Stein from Essays on Woman (The Collected Works of Edith Stein) - Edith Stein

Heather’s one thing - Speak the Unspoken Podcast S02 E02: The power of story with Heather Kyhm

Michelle’s one thing - Fr. Dave Pivonka, Dr. Bob Rice, and the entire orientation team at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Discussion questions:

What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
What areas did you learn you needed to grow over this summer? How did God stretch you, humble you, invite you to abide more?
In what ways would you like to begin again today? What must you repent of? What must you turn your eyes away from to be able to see Christ looking at you?

Journal Questions:

How did you see the Lord using events or memories of your past to grow you, mature you and heal you this summer?
What desires would you like to name for the Lord to fulfill as we move into a new season?
How can you let the Lord love you where you are most vulnerable and dependent?

Quotes to Ponder: “Always, we begin again.” - St. Benedict

Previous Episode

S09 E21: The Right to Hope

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:

What struck you from this week’s episode?
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?
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?
How do our lives look different because we are a people of hope?

Journal Questions:

What wounds does the Lord want to heal in you in order to restore hope and trust in his promises?
Are there situations of disappointment that have stolen your hope in Jesus?
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

Next Episode

S10 E02: Ever Ancient Ever New: Changing Seasons

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:

What stood out to you from this week’s episode?
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?
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?
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:

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.
In the last 18 months, what fruit have you seen emerge maybe unexpectedly from ground you have tilled with God for months or years?
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?
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.

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