Episodes

  • Day 7 – When the Light Confronts the World – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Day 7 – When the Light Confronts the World – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Jan 1 2026
    An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Seven When the Light Confronts the World Scripture

    “Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”
    Matthew 2:3

    Reflection

    Epiphany reveals Christ as Light for the world. Yet the Gospel shows that this Light does not bring peace to every place it enters.

    When news of the Child reaches Jerusalem, the city is disturbed. Herod hears that a king has been born. Herod seeks the Child, but his seeking is driven by fear and the desire to retain power, not by faith or reverence. The same revelation that leads the Magi to worship provokes resistance and violence from those who feel threatened.

    This reaction is not accidental. Epiphany reveals that the coming of Christ does not confirm existing power or secure the arrangements of the world. His presence exposes what is built on fear, control, and false peace. The Light does not create opposition, but it reveals it.

    Jerusalem’s unrest also carries a warning. Proximity to the promises does not guarantee welcome. Knowledge of Scripture alone does not ensure recognition. Epiphany shows that when Christ is made known, the world must decide whether to receive Him or resist Him.

    This mystery remains present today. Christ continues to be revealed in the world, and His truth continues to disturb what rests on fear or self-preservation. Where His light shines, false security is challenged, and the desire to control is unmasked. Epiphany reminds us that faithfulness to Christ may place us at odds with the world’s desire for comfort without truth.

    The Light still shines. The response it draws still matters.

    Grace Intention

    Today I ask for the grace to remain faithful to Christ when His truth confronts the world.

    Prayer

    O Lord Jesus Christ,
    Light revealed for the salvation of the world,
    You entered history not to claim power,
    but to accomplish the will of the Father.

    When Your presence exposes false peace
    and unsettles the world,
    keep me faithful to You.

    Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
    that I may not turn away from Your Light,
    but stand firm in the truth You reveal.

    May my life give glory to the Father
    through fidelity to You.

    Through the same Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
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    3 mins
  • Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
    Jan 1 2026


    Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

    Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

    Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

    From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:16-21

    The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

    When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

    What word made this passage come alive for you?

    What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

    Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

    The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

    When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

    What did your heart feel as you listened?

    What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

    Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

    The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

    When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

    What did your heart feel as you prayed?

    What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

    Our Father, who art in heaven,

    hallowed be thy name.

    Thy kingdom come.

    Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread,

    and forgive us our trespasses,

    as we forgive those who trespass against us,

    and lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.

    May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

    Amen

    Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

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    10 mins
  • HH1 – The Cross Conquers Evil – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    HH1 – The Cross Conquers Evil – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Dec 31 2025


    The Cross Conquers Evil – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating

    Deacon James Keating reflects on the cross as the sign of radical self-giving love that both attracts and frightens the human heart. The cross reveals humanity’s fear of surrender, rooted in the risk of love and the pain that often accompanies it. Jesus freely enters this place of fear and suffering, not to remove the human condition, but to dwell fully within it. By undergoing betrayal, abandonment, emotional anguish, physical pain, and death itself, Christ makes clear that no form of suffering is foreign to God. His suffering flows directly from love, showing that divine compassion is not distant or theoretical, but personally present in the darkest experiences of human life.

    Prayer and communion emerge as the way the cross reshapes identity. Prayer forms a person to remain connected—to God, to others, and to love itself—when evil or suffering threatens isolation. Rather than allowing pain to fracture relationships or identity, the cross becomes the place where love enters suffering and transforms it from within. Keating describes suffering as rooted in the brokenness of the human condition, yet continually met by healing, reconciliation, and hope through Christ’s presence. Trusting God amid darkness, especially by surrendering one’s spirit as Christ did, allows suffering to become a passage toward deeper intimacy and resurrection rather than a final defeat.

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
    1. How does the cross reveal my own fear of surrendering fully in love, and where do I resist that surrender in my daily life?
    2. In what ways have I experienced Christ being present with me in moments of suffering rather than removing the suffering itself?
    3. How does prayer shape my identity as someone who remains in relationship with God and others when pain or evil threatens isolation?
    4. Where am I tempted to keep my faith superficial instead of allowing God to enter the deeper, hidden parts of my heart?
    5. How do I respond when suffering exposes my sense of loneliness, weakness, or unlovability?
    6. In what concrete ways can I meet suffering with love rather than withdrawing, escalating anger, or despair?
    7. How might trusting God in darkness open a path toward deeper intimacy and hope beyond my current circumstances?

    Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

    Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
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    30 mins
  • The Seventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    The Seventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Dec 31 2025


    “On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven Swans A Swimming …”

    representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion or the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, penance, Eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders. This is a day of new beginning, seven is the number of finality and we finish the old year and begin anew this day.

    Prayer: Lord, examine our hearts today, let us come to You as anew, pure as the snow of the season. Show us our conscience, help us take Your words to heart, and make a new beginning. Lord, let this season of birth be a new birth in me. Amen

    Text gratefully found at
    Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
    entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
    Copyright © 2005-2006

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    1 min
  • Day 6 – Allowing Christ to Reorder My Way – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Day 6 – Allowing Christ to Reorder My Way – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Dec 31 2025
    An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Six Allowing Christ to Reorder My Way Scripture

    “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
    they departed for their country by another way.”
    Matthew 2:12

    Reflection

    After their encounter with Christ, the Magi do not simply return to their former path. Scripture tells us that they leave by another way. This detail is not incidental. It reveals what happens when Christ is truly received.

    The Magi are not given a speech or instructions. They are warned, and they obey. Their response is quiet and decisive. Encounter with Christ brings a change in direction, not because they have been commanded publicly, but because they have been inwardly guided.

    Epiphany teaches us that when Christ is revealed, life cannot remain ordered in the same way. This does not always mean dramatic changes or visible upheaval. Often it means a reordering of priorities, attachments, and choices. What once seemed necessary may no longer hold the same place. What once guided us may quietly fall away.

    Christ does not force this change. He invites cooperation. The Magi consent to God’s guidance and allow their path to be altered for the sake of fidelity.

    This day of prayer invites us to reflect on how Christ may be reordering our own lives. Not by removing us from the world, but by shaping our decisions from within, according to truth and grace.

    Grace Intention

    Today I ask for the grace to allow Christ to reorder my choices and direction according to His will.

    Prayer

    O Lord Jesus Christ,
    You guided the Magi with wisdom and care
    after they had encountered You.

    Send forth Your Holy Spirit into my heart,
    that I may discern what no longer leads me in truth
    and consent to the path You place before me.

    Free me from attachment to old ways of thinking and acting,
    and grant me the courage to follow Your guidance
    with trust and humility.

    May my life be quietly reordered by Your presence,
    and may my choices reflect fidelity to the Father’s will.

    Through the same Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
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    3 mins
  • The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
    Dec 31 2025
    The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel of St. John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’ Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. What word made this passage come alive for you? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John appears as his witness. He proclaims: ‘This is the one of whom I said: He who comes after me ranks before me because he existed before me.’ Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself. The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his ...
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    13 mins
  • VEC10 – Arius – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    VEC10 – Arius – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Dec 30 2025
    Episode 10 – Arius – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explains how Arius, a priest from Alexandria, proposed a view of Christ that treated the Son as a created being rather than fully divine. This teaching spread rapidly because it sounded logical, was easy to repeat, and was promoted through memorable songs and slogans. Its success forced church leaders such as Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius to respond clearly, leading to decisive moments like the Council of Nicaea and the formulation of language such as “consubstantial” to safeguard the confession of the Trinity. In this way, a serious doctrinal crisis helped clarify what Christians confess about God’s inner life and about Christ’s true identity. The conversation also explores why this teaching was ultimately destructive: by reducing God to something easily grasped, it stripped Christianity of its relational depth. Aquilina contrasts this with the orthodox vision of God as eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, whose very nature is self-giving love. From this understanding flows the meaning of baptism, participation in divine life, and a call to love others in a way that mirrors God’s own life. The long struggle against Arianism shaped worship, theology, and spirituality, leaving a lasting imprint on hymns, creeds, and the lived faith of the Church today. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions How does the story of Arius show that ideas which seem simple and logical can still distort the mystery of God?What does the Church’s teaching on the Trinity reveal about God as eternal love rather than solitary power?How does understanding Christ as fully God and fully man shape the way you pray and relate to Him?In what ways does baptism invite you into a living participation in God’s own life and love?How can reducing faith to what is easily understood limit spiritual growth and conversion of heart?What role do creeds, hymns, and shared worship play in guarding and handing on the faith across generations?How does the Trinitarian nature of God call you to live relationships marked by self-gift rather than self-interest? An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church “Arius was an obscure Egyptian priest who probably had more influence on the history of Christian theology than any Christian thinker since St. Paul. It was all negative influence, but no one can deny the influence. Because of Arius, the Catholic Church had to define the relationship of the Son to the Father in clear and unambiguous terms. Because of Arius, we ended up with the Nicene Creed. But no one would have guessed for most of his life that this Arius was going to set the world on fire.” Aquilina, Mike. Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Emmaus Road Publishing. Kindle Edition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. For more episodes in the Villians of the Early Church podcast visit here – Villains of the Early Church – Discerning Hearts Podcast Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio. Mike Aquilina’s website is found at fathersofthechurch.com
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    27 mins
  • Day 5 – Receiving My Identity from the Father – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Day 5 – Receiving My Identity from the Father – An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Dec 30 2025
    An Epiphany Novena for the Discerning Heart Day Five Receiving My Identity from the Father Scripture

    “This is my beloved Son,
    with whom I am well pleased.”
    Matthew 3:17

    Reflection

    Epiphany continues beyond Bethlehem. The child who was revealed to the nations now steps into public life. At the Jordan River, Christ stands among the people who have come seeking repentance and renewal.

    Jesus does not enter the water because He needs purification. He enters freely, choosing to stand with those He has come to save. In this act, He reveals a God who does not remain distant from human life, but enters it fully.

    As Jesus rises from the water, the Father speaks. This moment is not hidden. The voice is spoken aloud so that all who are present may hear and know who Jesus is. “This is my beloved Son.” The Father names Him before He teaches, before He heals, before He suffers.

    This declaration is not a reward. It is a revelation. Christ’s mission begins in being loved, not in proving Himself. Identity comes before action. Belonging precedes obedience.

    The Spirit descends, and what was quietly revealed in Bethlehem is now made public. The Son is manifested, the Father speaks, and the Spirit confirms. Epiphany here becomes fully Trinitarian.

    This day of prayer invites us to reflect on where we receive our own identity. In Christ, we are not defined first by what we do, but by whom we belong to. The Father’s voice grounds all faithful response.

    Grace Intention

    Today I ask for the grace to receive my identity from the Father and to rest in His love.

    Prayer

    O Lord Jesus Christ,
    Beloved Son of the Father,
    You entered the waters in humility
    and were named by the Father in love.

    Send forth Your Spirit into my heart,
    that I may receive the truth
    that my life is held by the Father
    before it is measured by action or success.

    Free me from striving for worth
    and from fear of failure,
    and root my life in the knowledge
    that I am loved and claimed by God.

    May all that I do flow from this gift,
    and may my life give glory to the Father
    through faithful obedience and trust.

    Through the same Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    © 2026 Discerning Hearts ®. All rights reserved. This reflection may not be reproduced or distributed without permission, except for personal prayer and noncommercial use with attribution.
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    3 mins