S16 E17 - Counting the Graces
Abiding Together
In this episode, we conclude season 16 by remembering with gratitude all the things God has done and is doing in our lives. We reflect on the importance of allowing our hearts to be drawn into beauty in the midst of both joy and sorrow. We also talk about maturity vs self reliance, allowing ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, and the relationship between trust and receptivity. Thank you dear friends for journeying with us this season! You will be in our prayers this summer and we are excited about what’s in store this Fall! Heather’s One Thing - and by Kory Miller Sister...
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S16 E16 - Life Transitions with Chris Benzinger (Part 2)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we conclude our conversation on life transitions with Michelle’s husband, Chris Benzinger. We focus on the second and third steps in walking through transitions: releasing with trust and redeeming with hope. We talk about God wanting to redeem our past, the need to let go of the ways we’ve failed, and how God wants to do something new in the future. We also reflect on the importance of ceremony to conclude a season, the four responses to a loss, and why we should share our hopes for the future with God. Heather’s One Thing - by Dr. Shane Owens Sister Miriam’s...
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S16 E15 - Life Transitions with Chris Benzinger (Part 1)
Abiding Together
In this episode, Chris Benzinger joins us to discuss navigating big and small life transitions. We have all probably found ourselves on the other end of a transition feeling unfulfilled or confused. Chris takes us through a reflection of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan and relates it to change in our lives. We talk about why it can be difficult to move on from blessings of the past and how remembering with gratitude is the first step in walking through transitions. We also discuss the practice of taking memorial stones with us to remember the Lord’s blessings, giving thanks...
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S16 E14 - A Father’s Legacy - Pope Francis
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis. We talk about how, during his Pontificate, Pope Francis emphasized joy and, through his example, helped us remember to embody this joy in our daily lives to bring others into the Church. We also acknowledge how God has used Pope Francis to speak to us through his writings and discuss which of these writings most profoundly impacted us, how we can pray for our next Pope, and share what we think will be his lasting legacy. Heather’s One Thing - Her Parents Sister Miriam’s One Thing - by Cody Carnes (and the ;))...
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S16 E13 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Epilogue and Preparing for the Triduum
Abiding Together
In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study by focusing on the epilogue and sharing ideas on how to prepare for the Triduum. During Holy Week, our Lord invites us to join Him on His Paschal journey. We reflect on how He takes on our suffering, sin, and brokenness and brings them to the Father so that death may be destroyed forever. We also talk about the importance of remembering how God has transformed our lives, the call to “be not afraid”, and how our Lord is restoring our deepest identities. You are in our prayers dear friends, and we will see you again in the Easter season!...
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S16 E12 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Chapter Nine and Conclusion
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapter 9 and the conclusion. We reflect on the goodness of God and why we need not be afraid even when we do not understand what He is doing or how He is working in our lives. We also talk about how the Holy Spirit is like a salve to the wounds in our life, the importance of taking the authority we’ve been given by God, and why hungering and thirsting for God allows us to grow in intimacy with Him. Heather’s One Thing - by Dr. Bob Schuchts Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Michelle’s One Thing - by Marie Miller ...
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S16 E11 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Chapters Seven and Eight
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 7 & 8. We reflect on the many ways Jesus wants to make us whole, by exercising the evil out of our lives, forgiving our sins, and leading us to freedom. We also compare that to what the enemy is trying to do, make us feel alone, scatter the pieces of our heart, and bring us out of communion with each other and with God. Jesus wants to love us into healing and is waiting for our invitation. It is up to us to open the door and allow Jesus to enter ever deeper into our hearts. Heather’s One Thing -...
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S16 E10 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Chapters Five and Six
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 5 & 6. We talk about the original roots of jubilee in the Old Testament, if the Israelites actually observed the jubilee, and how the Dead Sea Scrolls are relevant to jubilee. We also reflect on the importance of prophetic voices, the need to prepare for Sabbath, and why having an open heart allows the Lord to exceed our expectations. Heather’s One Thing - Video Series with Dr. John Bergsma and Fr. Dave Pivonka Sister Miriam’s One Thing - How Change Occurs Series and from Restore the Glory Podcast...
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S16 E9 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Chapters Three and Four
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 3 & 4. We discuss the Ten Commandments, how they teach us to say yes to true freedom, and why our voluntary yes helps us live in deeper communion with God and those around us. We also reflect on finding Eden in our Churches or homes, discovering our golden calves, and the significance of doing our daily duty well. Heather’s One Thing - Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Vickie, Chris, and Fr. Patrick at Holy Trinity and St. Michael's Parishes in Kewaskum, WI (See the picture on our ) Michelle’s One...
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S16 E8 - Jesus and the Jubilee: Chapters One and Two
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 1 & 2. We reflect on how God originally designed us in the Garden of Eden, how the lies and idols we invite into our lives strip away this identity, and how the Jubilee is a time of restoration. We also dive deep into the biblical significance of the ten plagues, why tearing down our idols is a painful process, and the beauty of hoping for a good not yet seen. Heather’s One Thing - The Festival of Praise at Franciscan University and the song Heather’s Other One Thing - Ascension’s Sister Miriam’s One...
info_outlineIn this week's episode, we talk about the theology of communion. Our desire for communion with others is very good and comes from God Himself. In fact, our ache for community is an ache for eternity. God desires to bring us into an eternal communion with Him and the community here on earth points towards this in a small way. We discuss what happens when we experience a broken community, the challenges faced in building community, and how community changes throughout the seasons of life.
Heather’s One Thing - My art on the “They That Hope” podcast mug (add photos to website)
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Best Ever Crock Pot Roast Recipe
Michelle’s One Thing - Every Sacred Sunday Mass Journal
Announcement:
Order your Abiding Together shirt in our shop today!
Journal Questions:
- How have I been wounded within community? How have I been healed through community?
- In what ways are my friendships free, total, faithful, and fruitful? In what ways are my friendships not free, total, faithful, and fruitful?
- What kind of friend do I need to tend to my heart?
- What kind of friend am I to my friends’ hearts?
- How have I withheld belonging from others?
Discussion Questions:
- How has your need and capacity for community changed over the years?
- How can you extend belonging to people in your community?
- What lies isolate you from entering into friendship?
- How is God inviting you to cultivate and receive community?
Quotes to Ponder:
"God is love and in himself he lives a mystery of personal loving communion. Creating the human race in his own image .... God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion." (CCC 2331)
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community)
Scripture for Lectio:
“And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:43-47)
Sponsor - CORDA:
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Be sure to sign up for the CORDA Fan Club, too: it’s free and an awesome way to earn points that you can redeem for free products, gift cards, and free shipping.
You can join the club and explore CORDA’s gorgeous Catholic candles (and 3,000+ reviews!) at cordacandles.com. And when you’re placing your order, don’t forget to enter code ABIDINGTOGETHER to save 15% on everything, now through the end of the year. Thank you for supporting this Catholic small business!
Timestamps:
00:00 - CORDA
01:23 - Intro
02:15 - Announcement
02:42 - Welcome
04:23 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quotes
05:47 - Initial Thoughts
08:41 - The Desire for Communion is Good
13:39 - Community Takes Work
16:36 - Learning How to Love
18:04 - Identifying the Lies
24:34 - Understanding the Wounds of Others
29:00 - One Things