Holy Week is upon us. Hasn’t Lent flown by? It seems like Ash Wednesday was just a couple weeks ago.
And oftentimes we get to this point thinking we could have done a lot more…So let’s do something about it.
In this episode of the Art of Catholic, we’re not going to just talk about theology. We’re going to enter into it. How?
By meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary as a kind of progression or maturation in the spiritual life. What do I mean by that?
Well, it seems to me that the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are a kind of parallel to the 3 stages of the Spiritual Life: the Purgative, the Illuminative, and the Unitive Ways spoken about by spiritual giants like John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and many others.
And if you’ve never heard of those stages, no worries. I give a brief overview of them in this episode.
I found some Scripture passages that evoke some of the spiritual fruit of the Sorrowful Mysteries and wrote short meditations about how the Mysteries relate to the spiritual life. The aim of this episode is simply to help you enter into the beautiful mystery of Holy Week in a more powerful way. We’re going to let the reality of what Jesus has done seep into our very souls.
We may be near the end of Lent, but there’s still time to prepare for a powerful encounter with the Passion, death, and resurrection of our Savior and Lord. Let’s do it!
God bless and you and have a wonderful Holy Week!
Matthew
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19 Responses
Un able to listen after ‘click here to listen’
Jane – Scroll to the bottom of the page after clicking the link. You’ll see an audio player. Click the little triangle and it will begin to play. God bless!
Finally, I get why Jesus had to die on the cross. I’m 60 years old and I never understood why he needed to redeem mankind in this way. Dying to self is so painful but the only way to holyness! As a recovered alcoholic, I can tell you our 3rd step prayer says, “relieve me of the bondage of self”. It’s the only way we recover.
So much of the spiritual movement toward God consists of dying to self, Joan. That’s how we imitate Christ. We can only do it through the sacraments and prayer…and maybe a decent podcast here or there:) God bless you richly!
Matthew…know that you have blessed my heart…to weep and to sing…you have confirmed the prompting of the Spirit in my life … leading me to books and meditation that has brought a high school dropout at the point of the transforming Union… Now reading Teresa of Avila I’m convinced that it is the power of Love for Jesus in His Church that opened a path for His Grace in such a powerful way…This is is the way I’ve been inspired to pray the Rosary now and to use this method with my grandkids…. I’ve written so many meditations as they would flow ..as well from the Stations …and becoming one with the journey…I am still meditating on the bible and the Sacraments, Penance really impacting me in a new way.. You’re a Blessing my brother … now receive your blessing?❤️?
Thank you, Catherine! I’m thrilled to hear of your spiritual journey and the fruit it is bearing your life. Never stop! (And please keep me in your prayers.) Have a blessed Holy Week!
just finished listening to the 064 Holy Week Special. It was very good. I’m saving the link so I can get back to it each day this week. I downloaded the I Tune thing – I don’t know if I needed too. Are these broadcasts only verbal or are there pictures also? Which ever – it was good.
I just finished “The Bible and the Sacraments” – it was great. My daughter also watched it – both of us thought it very informative. I bought a set of DVD’s and am hoping to have a study session at our parish. Thank You very much. Victoria
Hi Victoria. Glad you enjoyed the Bible and the Sacraments The podcasts are only audio…no images. Think of it as on-demand radio without all the interruptions:). God bless you!
“The paradox of the Christian life is we must die to live.” Wow! Thank you, Matthew
It’s pretty mind-bending, isn’t it Thomas? That understanding totally changes everything. God bless you!
Matthew,
Please forgive me. I’m going to ask you to make a change and I just can’t figure out a way to say it without sounding picky. So, again, please forgive me. My request is this: please stop using the word “show” to describe your work. That’s for entertainment. Can you imagine one of the disciples saying, “tonight we have a really good show?” Would you use words like “program,” or “presentation,” or “discussion” instead? Your work is too important to associate it with entertainment.
Thanks,
Lawrence P. McGowan
I think you brought this up to me in the past, Lawrence…right? I have to confess that it’s a hard habit to break. Your “voice” sometimes rings in my ear as I’m recording, but I’m generally so pressed for time that I don’t re-record. While I don’t really share your disdain for the word “show”, I’ll see what I can do:). God bless you, brother, and thanks for caring. Have a great Holy Week!
thank you!
Wow, I was so busy Holy Week (I’m a parish music director/organist) playing services and funerals, and rehearsing that my own prayer life was neglected. This is certainly a beautiful way to grow deeper into Our Lord’s Passion. Thank you. Although it is the first week following Easter, I will try to incorporate this method in my daily Rosary.
Happy Easter!
BTW. I lead a scripture Reflection Group weekly in my Parish, and we completed Your study of the Bible and the Virgin Mary. We loved it. I am now viewing the Bible and the Sacraments. It looks like I’m going to be ordering and presenting it as well. God Bless You!
Glad you enjoyed it! Please keep spreading it, Joseph, and keep me in your prayers. Thanks!
Prayer is always in season, Joseph! God bless!
Just listened to the Holy Week podcast! What a powerful podcast and an immense blessing! Thank you this change this week!
Glad to hear it, Theresa! All glory be to our Lord!