S17 E15 - The Four Places of Advent: The Stable (Part 4)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we end our journey at the Stable, the humble place where God chose for us to meet His Son. We reflect on the stable of our own hearts, how Jesus chooses to meet us in our own poverty now, and why His very presence brings healing. We also talk about how when we sit in our emptiness, release control, and surrender each part of our lives to God, He is able to work more powerfully in our lives. Finally, we ponder Mary’s quiet and loving gaze upon the Christ Child and how we are invited to slow down and notice Jesus smiling back at us. Friends, we’ve deeply enjoyed...
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S17 E14 - The Four Places of Advent: Elizabeth’s House (Part 3)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we journey to Elizabeth’s house, the place of the Visitation. We reflect on Mary’s haste as she makes the journey to visit Elizabeth and how Elizabeth creates space for Mary as the mystery of the incarnation unfolds. We also ponder Elizabeth’s years of longing for a child, how God fulfills our desires in ways different than we expect, and why we should hold onto hope instead of disappointment. Finally, we talk about cultivating a deeper sensitivity to God’s presence, trusting that even when His work is hidden, beauty is unfolding within our lives. Heather’s...
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S17 E13 - The Four Places of Advent: Loreto (Part 2)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we journey to the house of Loreto, a simple home where the Annunciation took place. We reflect on how God meets us in the quiet, ordinary places of our own lives and how He meets us where we are, no matter how isolated we may feel. We also explore Mary’s free and wholehearted yes, given without a request for details, and consider where the Holy Spirit may be inviting us to trust and surrender in our own hidden spaces. As Advent is a time to rest in stillness, we talk about making room for God in our schedules, noticing His gentle invitations in the everyday, and allowing His...
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S17 E12 - The Four Places of Advent: Eden (Part 1)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we begin our Advent journey in Eden, a place of freedom, communion, and life without shame. Eden is not only a moment in history, but also an interior garden within each of our hearts. We talk about the deep ache we all feel for union, rest, and peace, and how this longing reveals our original design for communion with God. We also reflect on the shame that often accompanies this desire for communion with others, especially when our desires are left unmet, and how bringing these places of poverty to Jesus opens us up to real, lived communion with Him. Heather’s One...
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S17 E11 - A Moment of Gratitude
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for all He has done in both the beautiful and difficult moments of life. We talk about how practicing gratitude can change our perspective of reality and helps us recognize where God has been present even in moments we do not understand. We also name the fears that can sometimes keep us from giving thanks and discuss how gratitude becomes an act of surrender that opens us to God’s steady, faithful presence. As a gift to you, we end today’s episode by doing Lectio Divina with Psalm 34 and invite you into a time of...
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S17 E10 - Cultivating Unity
Abiding Together
In this episode, we conclude our series on the garden of our hearts and explore what it means to cultivate unity—which is especially important as we enter the busy and often stressful holiday season. We talk about the difference between anger and contempt and how contempt can not only fracture relationships but also plant seeds of division in our hearts. We also reflect on how we can respond to discord with humility, a holy curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand. Ultimately, unity begins with love, bears good fruit, and reflects the presence of Christ within us. Heather’s One...
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S17 E9 - Cultivating Beauty
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our series on the Garden of Our Hearts and talk about the cultivation of beauty. Beauty has the power to transform, heal, and lift us into communion with God, but it must be cultivated with care and intention. We discuss what it means to co-create with God, slow down and savor little moments, and rediscover beauty in the people closest to us. Even when the world around us feels barren or artificial, the Lord invites us to see beauty with new eyes and let the Holy Spirit reveal His presence in unexpected ways. Heather’s One Thing - The designed by Every...
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S17 E8 - Cultivating Peace
Abiding Together
In this episode, we begin a series on cultivating the garden of our hearts and reflect on what it means to cultivate peace–as a fruit that grows from communion with God. The cultivation of peace is not something we control. It comes from learning to rest in God’s presence, even amid life’s storms. We talk practically about how to tend the soil of our hearts, so that peace can take root and grow into a fruit that becomes a visible witness to others. We also discuss how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, invites us to make room for His presence, allowing His breath to bring healing where fear and...
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S17 E7 - Staying Grounded When Storms Come
Abiding Together
In this episode, we talk about what it means to weather the storms of life well. Everyone experiences difficult moments throughout their lives and these storms come in all shapes and sizes. In each one, we have the opportunity to respond from a place of truth and peace instead of fear. We share practical ways we’ve learned to weather the storms in our own lives, from simplifying life to immersing ourselves in Scripture. We also explore how pain, though difficult, can lead us into deeper healing and communion with God. No matter what you’re facing, you are not alone—He is near, and so are...
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S17 E6 - Return to the Heart with Dr. Shane Owens
Abiding Together
In this episode, Dr. Shane Owens, a scholar of St. Augustine, joins us to discuss the power of memory. Together, we explore how memory is a place to where we withdraw to understand our identity, shape our whole self, and begin to see God working in our lives. Memory exists for the purpose of hope and we not only talk about how the Scriptures and Eucharist bear the memories of the Church, but also how our sorrowful memories can become sources of hope. Heather’s One Thing - (A conversation with Fr. Dave Pivonka and Dr. Shane Owens) Heather’s Other One Thing - Franciscan...
info_outlineIn 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 Fall Like Rain
Heather’s Other One Thing - Ascension’s Holy Bible – The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Second Edition Premium
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Those who live in Lafayette and attended an event at the University of Louisiana
Sister Miriam’s Other One Thing - Jean Valjean: Bought with a Price (a scene from the 1998 Les Miserables with Liam Neesen)
Michelle’s One Thing - Her recent trip with family to the Dominican Republic
Jesus and the Jubilee Reading Schedule:
- March 10th: Chapters 1 & 2
- March 17th: Chapters 3 & 4
- March 24th: Chapters 5 & 6
- March 31st: Chapters 7 & 8
- April 7th: Chapter 9 & Conclusion
- April 14th: Epilogue and Preparing for the Triduum and Easter
Announcement:
It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available.
Journal Questions:
- How can I embrace freedom, family, and fullness this Lent?
- What is the Lord inviting me to this Lent? What gift is He trying to give me?
- What does the Holy Spirit want to co-create with me this Lent?
- What idols do I sense the Lord destroying in my life?
Discussion Questions:
- How are you approaching a Jubilee Lent differently?
- What is taking up more room in your life than it needs to?
- How do you see Lent as a season of hardship versus a season of restoration?
- How can you press into prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to open yourself up to freedom this Lent?
Quotes to Ponder:
“The Story of the biblical jubilee does not begin with Leviticus 25, the first chapter where the institution is mentioned. The jubilee is at its heart an act of restoration, which means it recreates and reestablishes a situation that existed beforehand. And what is that situation? It’s the Good Creation!” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 9)
Scripture for Lectio:
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Sponsor - Into the Deep:
A Lamp & a Light is a Scripture prayer journal for women that walks you through the movements of lectio divina with prompting questions.
The journal provides 40 pre-selected Bible passages for you that are ideal for imaginative prayer. Then, you’ll have 40 blank pages where you can choose your own passages.
If you have wanted to pray with Sacred Scripture but aren’t sure how or if you feel like you need a guide, this Scripture journal can help you go deeper in your personal relationship with the Lord.
If you are in need of hope, perseverance, direction, joy, or faith through God’s unfailing Word, A Lamp & a Light is for you.
You can get one for yourself, your mom, sister, and friends for 10% off at intothedeep.co with code ABIDE10.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Into the Deep
01:34 - Intro
02:27 - Welcome
04:30 - Back to the Garden
08:38 - Our Need for Jubilee
10:22 - What is Taking Up Room in Our Hearts?
12:10 - Approaching Lent Differently
14:19 - Five Identities
16:10 - Restoring what was Lost
18:31 - A Glimpse into Full Restoration
20:41 - Self-Reliance vs Communion
22:38 - The Ten Plagues
24:26 - Spiritual Slavery
25:53 - God is Trying to Help You
27:30 - Continual Conversion
28:30 - Hope and Patience
31:35 - One Things