Category: Ascension

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 348 – The Battle of Prayer

Prayer is “grace and grit,” as Fr. Mike phrases it. In this section, one of Fr. Mike’s favorites in the Catechism, we hear that “we pray as we live because we live as we pray.” This living and praying is a battle in which we must confront our failures and accept the Holy Spirit’s grace and aid. Prayer requires humility, trust, and perseverance on our part. In this struggle, we must battle against distraction, ourselves, dryness, and temptation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2725-2731.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/r2ct47YdVvU?si=b_pWBW93wkDrkWAW

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 347 – Contemplative Prayer

In contemplative prayer, we seek Jesus. As St. Teresa of Avila put it, contemplative prayer “is nothing else than a close sharing between friends.” The Catechism tells us this form of prayer is a gift, a covenant, and a communion. Further, it is a silent gaze “fixed on Jesus.” In this episode, Fr. Mike helps us better understand this intimate form of prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2709-2724.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/AKLixSUvA7k?si=bkAxujUeI3NazF-4

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 346 – Meditation and Vocal Prayer

Because man is both body and spirit, our prayers can be vocal and meditative. We learn that vocal prayer expresses the movements of our hearts and minds, enabling us to pray with the fullness of our being. Another form of prayer is meditation, which the Catechism tells us is “above all a quest.” In meditation, we employ our thoughts, imagination, and emotions to deepen our union with Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2700-2708.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/UtjNh0p43sw?si=eQ6wkAL1PSYFbwrX

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 345 – Animated by Prayer

We know we can pray anywhere at any time, yet certain places are more favorable for prayer. There are also certain rhythms of prayer in the life of the Church that foster regular attention to the Lord. As Fr. Mike emphasizes with the Catechism, we can’t pray always “if we don’t pray at specific times.” Today Fr. Mike encourages us to find our place and time for prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2691-2699.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/TjudU3-84vA?si=I9Pj-W9RgpaTG4UQ

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 344 – Guides for Prayer

We are lifelong learners in the school of prayer. The Church offers various guides to help us grow and cultivate our prayer lives. These include the family, the saints, priests, religious brothers and sisters, prayer groups, spiritual directors, and more. These individuals and communities teach us to pray in different ways and inspire us to persevere in prayer. Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on how God calls us to lead others in the Faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2683-2690.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/LC_EfHn25Y8?si=0qQ6-2yAbbPV5dfc

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 343 – Praying Through Mary

To love Mary doesn’t mean our hearts belong any less to Jesus. Today, the Catechism explains our Blessed Mother’s role in prayer and why the Catholic Church prays in communion with her. We also explore the origin behind the Hail Mary prayer and other prayers to Mary throughout the Church’s history. Lastly, Fr. Mike reflects on the tenderness and strength of Mary’s motherhood that carries us through the difficulties of our lives. By uniting our prayer to her prayer, we unite our trust with her perfect “Fiat.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2673-2682.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/hc8swuEn4Ag?si=zQWLCyFX9Y9i6BhI

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 342 – Trinitarian Prayer

What is the significance of praying to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? As we explore the path of prayer, the Catechism elaborates on the concept of trinitarian prayer and underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with each member of the Holy Trinity. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ is the focal point of Christian prayer, and he underscores the profound power of invoking the name of Jesus, as it represents his very presence. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2663-2672.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/u7HXWC2w5aM?si=FDI_YdquYXd9x5yt

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 341 – The Theological Virtues

The Catechism reveals the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as additional “wellsprings” of prayer for us to connect with the Father. Fr. Mike explains that we must enter into prayer with faith, pray in hope, and love as God loves us. Fr. Mike also addresses the Catechism’s view on praying in the present, not looking at the past or future. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2656-2662.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/hI7zlMafJy0?si=fucXaKGIM69eVuOt

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 340 – Scripture and the Liturgy

How do we pray? Prayer is essential for our relationship with the Lord. The Catechism teaches that we must study the Scriptures, learn how to pray, and have the will to pray. Fr. Mike shares two different sources of prayer: the Word of God and the Liturgy of the Church. He explains how the Holy Spirit guides us in prayer and teaches us how to speak with God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2650-2655.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/7cLcQTkLrXM?si=mfgpvdO-80v-Uq-b

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 339 – Prayer of Praise

We examine both prayers of praise and also the “nuggets” for this section on the forms of prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that praise is giving God glory for who he is. He also emphasizes that the Eucharist is the ultimate prayer of praise, and that every time we pray we are joining our lives to the saints and prophets who have gone before us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2639-2649.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/h8y5BlGk2LA?si=9gYwDqdK6OnNZrri