In this bonus episode, Heather is joined by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR live at the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) for a special Abiding Together and They that Hope podcast mashup. They reflect on their experiences at the NEC and share how they hope God will transform the lives of not only those in attendance, but also those at home. Heather and Fr. Dave also discuss finding Jesus in our daily lives and the importance of feasting on God instead of earthly things. This episode is a production of Franciscan University and OSV. Special thanks to MAX Studios for recording and hosting the live podcast stage.

Heather’s Highlight from the NEC - Adoration with Floriani

Heather’s One Thing - Receiving a copy of her new book: Encountering Emmanuel (A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation)

Fr. Dave’s Highlight from the NEC - His time spent with the young people at the Congress

Fr. Dave’s One Thing - Deep friendships

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Msgr. James Shea’s Full Speech at the National Eucharistic Congress

Announcement:

• Season 15 begins September 2024 - join our email list to receive updates!

Journal Questions:

• How have I experienced Eucharistic revival this year?
• Have you allowed the stress of your duties and burdens take your eyes off Christ in this season?
• How can I shift my gaze from my inner world to Christ?

Discussion Questions:

• How has Christ encountered you personally when you felt lost in the crowd?
• What obstacles cause you to miss Him when He’s right in front of you?
• How can you put yourself back into the reality that God is sovereign and in control?

Quote to Ponder:

“The One whom the Father has sent into our hearts, the Spirit of his Son, is truly God. Consubstantial with the Father and the Son, the Spirit is inseparable from them, in both the inner life of the Trinity and his gift of love for the world. In adoring the Holy Trinity, life-giving, consubstantial, and indivisible, the Church's faith also professes the distinction of persons. When the Father sends his Word, he always sends his Breath. In their joint mission, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct but inseparable. To be sure, it is Christ who is seen, the visible image of the invisible God, but it is the Spirit who reveals him.” (CCC 689)

Scripture for Lectio:

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:30-32)

In this week's episode, we conclude our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. We chat about the resurrection, what it means to be restored and reconciled, and making space for childlike wonder. We hope you’ve enjoyed this book study with us and will see you again this Fall!

Everyone’s One Thing - The “Abiding” Women’s Conference in Louisiana

Journal Questions:

• Where do I need to ask God for mercy in my life right now?
• Where is my heart hard?
• How can I allow time and space for playfulness, joy, and childlike wonder?
• Where am I dying and need Christ to bring life and make things new?

Discussion Questions:

• When have you experienced mercy?
• Who is someone that you need to offer mercy to?
• What do you experience when God has you in a process or journey? Are you able to be patient or are you filled with unrest and anxiety?
• In what ways do you live life in gray? In what ways do you live life in technicolor?

Quote to Ponder:

“We are not on earth to guard a museum, but to cultivate a flowering garden of life.” - Pope John XXIII

Scripture for Lectio:

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” - Romans 6:4-5

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:37) - Welcome

(03:00) - Aslan Gives His Life for Edmund

(07:27) - The Process and Pain of Restoration

(11:16) - Communion in Suffering

(15:17) - Resurrection

(19:32) - Living in Technicolor

(23:53) - The Final Battle

(24:25) - Returning to the Wardrobe

(27:42) - Childlike Faith

(29:08) - One Things

In this week's episode, we continue with our book study on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (chapters 9-12). We discuss themes like the false narrative of the enemy, the dynamic of stoney hearts that God wants to restore and turn to flesh, true living of the paschal mystery, and the power of God’s resurrection power in our lives. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Heather’s One Thing - The Abiding Together small groups! We love you!

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Fire Within- Fr. Thomas Dubay

Michelle’s One Thing - The movie “Gifted”

Journal Questions:

• Instead of being child-like, we can be childish with God. What is the difference between these two dynamics that I can see in my own life?
• The enemy makes empty promises. What is one empty promise that he has made to me?
• What is one promise of God and His faithfulness that I have seen at work in my life?
• “Battle looks like surrender.” What is one battle that I need to move into a disposition of surrender to God?

Discussion Questions:

• What is one of the false narratives that the enemy has been telling in your life?
• What do you think the Father wants to say about that false narrative?
• What area of your heart do you feel has been turned to stone or has been hardened? Why?
• “Hurting people, hurt people.” How have you experienced this concept and how can we offer a response of healing?
• Where have you settled for the dry bread from the enemy instead of the banquet that God is offering you?

Quote to Ponder:

"Aslan is on the move” - (Mr. Beaver) C.S. Lewis - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Scripture for Lectio:

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” -Ezekiel 36:26

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:36) - Welcome

(03:42) - Edmund’s Narrative

(10:48) - The Winter in Our Hearts

(13:16) - Father Christmas vs the White Witch

(15:15) - The Gifts of Father Christmas

(20:03) - The Empty Promises of Turkish Delight

(23:02) - The Thawing of Winter into Spring

(27:09) - One Things