As part of the Healthy Living Series, Deacon James Keating discusses Marriage, God, and Spousal Prayer.  Very powerful.

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You can find the book here

From the description:

Deacon James Keating’s newest book, Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness affirms that the sharing of hearts is a necessary commitment in both marriage and prayer. If we can learn what the key elements to sharing the heart are and equally what the key elements to receiving the heart of another are, then we will know the greatest of intimacy in both prayer and marriage. The mingling of the love of spouse with and in the love of God is and has always been the foundation for a life of peace, creativity, and vibrancy, not to mention sanctity. In fact, we cannot even understand what marriage is unless we look at how Christ loved His Bride, the Church, till the end (Jn 13:1). For the baptized, Christ has joined His love for the Church to the Sacrament of Marriage and Marriage, to His love for the Church. Each couple is called to allow Jesus to bring them into this great love of His. The couple is not supposed to do all the work of love; they are called to let Jesus gift them with His own spousal love. In other words, couples should let Jesus live His spousal love for the Church over again in their own love for one another. They do this by simply asking Him in prayer to do so and by sharing their needs and desires with Him. Marriage is not a self-help relationship; it is a deep partnership with Christ.

It was wonderful to talk with Deacon Keating about his book “Spousal Prayer:  A Way to Marital Happiness”.  Filled with practical suggestions, it never “dumbs” the importance of the message by presenting to us yet another “self-help” book, but rather it elevates our understanding and experience of true martial intimacy.  A small book, filled with tremendous potential for couples in any stage of their relationship, if they are willing to enter into the union Christ has waiting for them. Don’t miss this gem.

[powerpress]

You can find the book here

From the description:

Deacon James Keating’s newest book, Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness affirms that the sharing of hearts is a necessary commitment in both marriage and prayer. If we can learn what the key elements to sharing the heart are and equally what the key elements to receiving the heart of another are, then we will know the greatest of intimacy in both prayer and marriage. The mingling of the love of spouse with and in the love of God is and has always been the foundation for a life of peace, creativity, and vibrancy, not to mention sanctity. In fact, we cannot even understand what marriage is unless we look at how Christ loved His Bride, the Church, till the end (Jn 13:1). For the baptized, Christ has joined His love for the Church to the Sacrament of Marriage and Marriage, to His love for the Church. Each couple is called to allow Jesus to bring them into this great love of His. The couple is not supposed to do all the work of love; they are called to let Jesus gift them with His own spousal love. In other words, couples should let Jesus live His spousal love for the Church over again in their own love for one another. They do this by simply asking Him in prayer to do so and by sharing their needs and desires with Him. Marriage is not a self-help relationship; it is a deep partnership with Christ.

Dr. Robert George, Princeton professor of Philosophy, discusses why we must first answer the question of what marriage really is before we can begin to defend the institution of marriage.  He, and his co-authors, contend that marriage is a comprehensive union of mind and body, a conjugal union, ordered to family life, which unites a man and a woman as husband and wife.  They document the social value of applying this principle in law.

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You can find the book here

From the book description:

What Is Marriage? decisively answers common objections: that the historic view is rooted in bigotry, like laws forbidding interracial marriage; that it is callous to people’s needs; that it can’t show the harm of recognizing same-sex couplings, or the point of recognizing infertile ones; and that it treats a mere “social construct” as if it were natural, or an unreasoned religious view as if it were rational.

“With many countries on the verge of redefining a basic social institution, What Is Marriage? issues an urgent call for full deliberation of what is at stake. The authors make a compelling secular case for marriage as a partnership between a man and a woman, whose special status is based on society’s interest in the nurture and education of children.”
– Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University

Episode 29- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez – We continue the study of the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church”  Chapter 5 – What is marriage?

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CHAPTER FIVE
THE FAMILY, THE VITAL CELL OF SOCIETY

II. MARRIAGE, THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY
a. The value of marriage
b. The sacrament of marriage

III. THE SOCIAL SUBJECTIVITY OF THE FAMILY
a. Love and the formation of a community of persons
b. The family is the sanctuary of life
c. The task of educating
d. The dignity and rights of children

IV. THE FAMILY AS ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN SOCIAL LIFE 
a. Solidarity in the family
b. The family, economic life and work

V. SOCIETY AT THE SERVICE OF THE FAMILY

We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. – Omar G.

 

Also visit Omar’s “Discerning Hearts” page Catholic Social Teaching 101

Episode 28- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez – We continue the study of the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church”  Chapter 5

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CHAPTER FIVE
THE FAMILY, THE VITAL CELL OF SOCIETY

I. THE FAMILY, THE FIRST NATURAL SOCIETY
a. Importance of the family for the person
b. Importance of the family for society

II. MARRIAGE, THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY
a. The value of marriage
b. The sacrament of marriage

We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. – Omar G.

 

Also visit Omar’s “Discerning Hearts” page Catholic Social Teaching 101

USCCA23 Chapter 21  The Sacrament of Marriage Part 1

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter21:

The first effect of the Sacrament of Matrimony is the gift of the bond between the spouses. “The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself” (CCC, no. 1639). “The marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved” (CCC, no. 1640).

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Matt Willkomb for his vocal talents in this episode.

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Episode 6 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

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In this episode, Deacon Keating continues to reflect on the Sacrament of Marriage and the liturgy of the Church in which it is celebrated.  The blessings of rings as signs of love and fidelity.  The importance of having the mass celebrated in the celebration of marriage is also discussed.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

Episode 3 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

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In this episode, Deacon Keating reflects on the Sacrament of Marriage and the liturgy of the Church in which it is celebrated.  Where the wedding occurs says much about how the couple perceives the gravitas of the marriage commitment.  He then discusses the questions that are asked of the couple at the beginnings of the liturgy.  Can they answer the questions with integrity.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

Episode 2 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

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From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2331 “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.”¹¹⁵

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

Episode 1 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –
Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

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From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2364 The married couple forms “the intimate partnership of life and love established by the Creator and governed by his laws; it is rooted in the conjugal covenant, that is, in their irrevocable personal consent.” Both give themselves definitively and totally to one another. They are no longer two; from now on they form one flesh. The covenant they freely contracted imposes on the spouses the obligation to preserve it as unique and indissoluble. “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here

 

For more information on the “Institute of Priestly Formation” and for other material available by Deacon Keating, just click here

 

Don’t forget to pickup a copy of “Marriage in the Lord” ,it is one of the best audio sets on the Sacrament of Marriage…ever!

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

In January 2012, Msgr. Esseff conducted a weekend retreat for the Deacons and Deacon-Candidates and their wives of  the Diocese of Fargo.

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On the evening of the start of the retreat, Msgr. Esseff gave a talk to prepare the hearts and minds of the participants. He explains the importance and value of SILENCE and listening to God. We may be doing too much talking to God and not enough listening. He provides the structure of the hours of prepare and scripture to reflect on and how to pray for the reception of a particular grace.

Msgr. Esseff offers Ephesians 3:14-20, in particular, for reflection. He will later in the talk, give specific scripture for reflection for the hours of prayer.  He discusses our specific calling…from baptism to marriage, the diaconate…what is our identity as Christian.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building A Kingdom of Love”

Cardinal Arinze  spoke with couples struggling with the challenge of infertility in Omaha on September 20, 2011.

[powerpress]We apologize for some of the noise in the recording.  The microphone was inadvertently attached to a file on the podium and was jostled during the talk…it’s not that bad and the talk is fantastic!

Francis Cardinal Arinze discussed the value of the marriage relationship and it’s contribution to the personal growth of the couple, it’s activity in the community and in the life of the Church.  Cardinal  Arinze goes on to talk about motherhood and fatherhood even when a couple do not have natural children of their own.  The joy of giving, as opposed to grabbing…the gift of joy.  He speaks of the example of priesthood and of St. Teresa of Calcutta (” The Smile of God”).  “Sacrificing yourself for others the sun begins to shine”.

Event sponsored by the Pro Sanctity Movement

 

 

The Seventh Friday in Ordinary Time – from the Gospel of Mark the full reading and reflection

“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder”

an excerpt from today’s reflection by Don Schwager:

What is God’s intention for our state in life, whether married or single? Jesus deals with the issue of divorce by taking his hearers back to the beginning of creation and to God’s plan for the human race. In Genesis 2:23-24 we see God’s intention and ideal that two people who marry should become so indissolubly one that they are one flesh. That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve. They were created for each other and for no one else. They are the pattern and symbol for all who were to come. Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce as a concession in view of a lost ideal. Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state before those who are willing to accept his commands. Jesus, likewise sets the high ideal for those who freely renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:11-12). Both marriage and celibacy are calls from God to live a consecrated life, that is to live as married couples or as singles who belong not to themselves but to God. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. He gives the grace and power to those who seek to follow his way of holiness in their state of life. Do you seek the Lord and his grace in your state of life?

“Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives – as married couples and as singles – that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord”.

for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation

Episode 9 – Sexuality, Marriage, Contraception

Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of  Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor

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Pick up a copy of Mke’s book.  You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information

Discerning Hearts shares a newly released video by Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in which he explains how new definitions of marriage could seriously harm society.  This issue is a difficult subject to articulate compassionately to family, friends and others who misunderstand the Church’s important pastoral teaching on marriage.  Archbishop Nienstedt offers a helpful instruction concerning the traditional view of marriage in relation to same-sex “marriage” initiatives.  He speaks about current efforts in Minnesota, but what he has to say can be used as a general instruction for all.

In addition to his defense of marriage as a matter of both faith and basic human reason, the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis carefully articulates the Church’s position of compassion toward individuals forced to bring up children alone, as well as those who experience same-sex attractions.

“The Church’s teaching on marriage,” he affirms, “is not a condemnation of homosexual persons as human beings. It is simply a reflection, not only of the Scriptures, but of the unique, procreative nature of the male-female bond.”