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Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
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Day 9: The Silent Growth of Divine Love
“Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of divine love growing in silence…For nine months, Christ grew in his mother’s body. By his own will, she formed him from herself, from the simplicity of her daily life.”
Commentary: Caryll Houselander reflects on Advent as a time of hidden development, where Christ’s presence grows quietly within us, much like His growth in Mary’s womb. This period emphasizes the importance of nurturing divine love in the simplicity of daily life, allowing it to flourish unseen until it manifests fully. Houselander encourages us to embrace this season of subtle transformation, trusting that, even in silence and simplicity, profound spiritual growth is taking place.
Personal Reflection: Reflect on the unseen ways Christ may be working in your life. How can you cultivate faith in His hidden presence, letting this trust transform each part of your day into a quiet prayer of expectation?
Houselander quote from: Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God, Sheed & Ward, 1944
For more reflections visit:
Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts
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The Blessed Virgin Mary, Advent, and Caryll Houselander – a reflection by Deacon Omar Gutierrez – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Join Omar Gutierrez as he explores the profound themes of Advent in Caryll Houselander’s “The Reed of God.” Focusing on the anticipation and spiritual preparation that characterize this liturgical season, Gutierrez brings to life Houselander’s unique insights into the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role during Advent. Through his thoughtful presentation, listeners are invited to deepen their understanding of Mary’s journey, mirroring the waiting and hopeful expectation central to Advent. This episode is a journey through the themes of waiting, contemplation, and spiritual awakening, as presented in Houselander’s visionary work. It offers an enriching perspective for anyone seeking a deeper spiritual experience during Advent and a renewed appreciation for Mary’s role in the mystery of the Incarnation.
You can find the book her
First published in 1944 and now a spiritual classic for Catholics across the globe, The Reed of God contains meditations on the humanity of Mary, Mother of God. British Catholic writer and artist Caryll Houselander lovingly explores Mary’s intimately human side, depicting Our Lady as a musical instrument who makes divine love known to the world.
While the Second Vatican Council led to a renewed interest in the theology and person of Mary, Caryll Houselander offered a simple yet profound reflection on the Mother of God almost fifteen years before the council began
- 00:00 – 05:00: Introduction to the podcast and the significance of Advent in Catholic tradition.
- 05:01 – 15:00: Omar Gutierrez’s insights on Advent themes in “Reed of God” and their connection to Mary.
- 15:01 – 25:00: Exploring the concept of waiting and spiritual preparation as portrayed by Houselander.
- 25:01 – 35:00: Reflections on Mary’s journey and its parallels to the Advent season.
- 35:01 – 45:00: Discussion on the relevance of “Reed of God” for contemporary Advent practices and spiritual growth.
- 45:01 – End: Concluding thoughts on integrating Houselander’s insights into personal Advent devotion.
The Evangelism Institute seeks to bring a deeper understanding of the faith to Catholic school teachers, teens, college students, and other interested adults. For more information visit eicatholic.org
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An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.
Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ
DAY 9 – Courage
“Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27.14 RSV
Courage is the grace that strengthens the heart to follow Christ even when the path feels uncertain or overwhelming. Advent forms this courage by teaching the soul to trust God’s presence more than its own fear. Courage is not boldness. It is not confidence in ourselves. It is confidence in God.
True courage does not mean the absence of fear. It means the heart chooses faith in the midst of fear. It is the inner movement that says, “I do not see the whole way, but I will take the next step because God is with me.” Courage rises when the soul remembers that Christ has already gone ahead.
Courage is also a virtue. It is fed by grace. It grows when the heart draws strength from God rather than from its own resources. The discerning heart learns that courage is not something we manufacture. It is something we receive when we lean on the One who steadies us.
Advent reveals that Christ comes into our fear, not after it disappears. He gives courage by His nearness.
Journey with the Saints –
Pope St. John Paul II
“Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ.”
St. John Paul II, Homily at the Mass for the Inauguration of His Pontificate, 22 October 1978
St. John Paul II understood that courage is born from trust in Christ. His life bore the marks of suffering, loss, and oppression, yet his heart remained steady because it was anchored in the presence of God. His courage was not human strength. It was divine confidence.
For St. John Paul, courage begins with opening the heart to Christ. Fear narrows the heart. Courage expands it. Fear closes the doors. Courage opens them. He believed that when Christ enters the heart, grace strengthens it to face any darkness, not by removing the struggle, but by filling it with light.
He knew that the heart grows courageous when it accepts God’s love and surrenders any attempt to control outcomes. He teaches us that courage is the fruit of letting Christ stand within us.
Reflection for the Listening Heart
Today invites you to notice places of hesitation within your soul. What feels uncertain. Where do you sense resistance. Courage does not demand that you overcome fear before you move. It asks you to take one small step with Christ, trusting that He steps with you.
Courage grows when the heart remembers past moments of grace. Think of times God has been faithful to you. Think of times when you feared the path ahead but discovered His presence waiting for you. That memory strengthens courage now.
Ask yourself: Where is God asking me to take a small courageous step. How can I rely on His strength rather than my own.
A Simple Practice for Today
Take one moment today to pray slowly, “Lord, strengthen my heart.” Identify one small step of trust and take it with intention. Later in the day, repeat the prayer as a reminder that courage is a grace you receive, not a task you achieve.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give courage to my heart. Help me trust that You are with me in every uncertainty. Strengthen me with Your grace so I may follow where You lead. Steady my fears and fill me with the confidence that comes from Your presence. Teach me to take each step with You. Amen.
For more of the episodes of
An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor visit here
Citations for Day 9
Psalm 27.14 RSV
St. John Paul II, Homily for the Inauguration of His Pontificate, 22 October 1978
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From a sermon by Saint Anselm, bishop
Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed by you
Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendour by men who believe in God. The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.
Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.
Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, but the Creator himself has been blessed by creation.
To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.
God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.
Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.”
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Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day 6
Holy Mary, comfort of the troubled, you sought out Juan Diego when in fear and confusion he took a different route to avoid encountering you. Then you restored his hope and confidence so he could carry out the task you had entrusted to him. Many people today face decisions of life and death filled with fear and confusion.
Mother, we ask you to restore their trust and hope in God so that their actions will always affirm the sanctity of human life.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory be …
Please visit the Discerning Hearts Our Lady of Guadalupe page for the text and audio for the remaining days.
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