The Ache of a Contemplative Heart: Longing for God

How often do we let comfort rule our choices? Discover the power of small decisions and how self-discipline can lead to unforeseen blessings in your professional and personal journey.Are you looking for Catholic community? https://www.apostoliviae.org/

God has promised you peace." It's more than a promise; it's a call to action. Unmask the unseen battles we face every day. With the right guidance, resilience, and spiritual tools, you can emerge victorious and filled with peace.Want to learn more? Free video series on spiritual warfare here: https://bit.ly/42fUMH7

The controversy of the Jubilee Year of Hope explained.Papal Document "SPES NON CONFUNDIT" https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.htmlJubilee Indulgence 2025: https://bit.ly/4fPWn9WMore Jubilee Resources: https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025

What is the Year of Hope, and why is 2025 so important for your spiritual life? Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee year, promising an outpouring of grace through the Church. In this video, Dan breaks it all down—what it means, how to participate, and how to unlock these graces for yourself.Papal Document "SPES NON CONFUNDIT" https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.htmlJubilee Indulgence 2025: https://bit.ly/4fPWn9WMore Jubilee Resources: https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025

Talking about hell may make us uncomfortable but Jesus spoke about it often. Our modern culture downplays difficult truths like hell but it's important to face the truth and listen to what Jesus says about it...And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’" Luke 13:23-25

Have you ever re-watched a show and were shocked by the content? From TV shows to phone addiction, this video dives into the surprising effects of modern media and shares actionable steps to reclaim your attention.

Discover the power of fighting for God - reflecting on the suffering of Jesus and the lack of support from his disciples, Dan explores the importance of standing up for one's faith and defending priests who face criticism for upholding church teachings. Key Takeaways: +The 'wicked' are often more active in opposing God than the 'good' are in defending Him. +Real conversion and spiritual depth are measured by the support and defense given to the church’s leaders, especially during controversial changes. +True friendship and discipleship are tested not only in times of harmony but significantly during conflicts and adversity. Notable Quotes: "The wicked are so much more active in fighting against God than the good in fighting for him." "We can't be fair weather friends and be authentic disciples of Jesus." 0:00:00 The wicked are more active in fighting against God than the good in fighting for him. 0:02:26 People are quick to attack priests seeking to make the liturgy more reverent. 0:04:02 The disciples became more deeply converted after the Holy Spirit came. 0:05:31 Do we defend our priests and spread good words about them? 0:07:57 We must fight towards one another, even when offended. 0:09:23 We should be united in Jesus for the sake of His kingdom.

Dan discusses spiritual transparency, emphasizing the importance of rigorous honesty in the sacrament of confession and spiritual direction because, "the human heart has an infinite capacity for self deception, our minds and hearts are delusion factories." Key Takeaways: +The human heart and mind are prone to self-deception, which affects our self-awareness and can obscure the truth from our spiritual mentors. +To achieve clarity and receive proper guidance, we should approach confessions and spiritual direction with complete honesty, without attempting to manage or filter our emotions. +Pride, vanity, and our natural desire for acceptance can interfere with our interactions with confessors and spiritual directors. +Being direct and transparent with spiritual advisors is essential for fruitful engagements and personal liberation. Notable Quotes: "We have an infinite capacity for self deception." "The human mind and heart is a delusion factory." "Don't ever seek to interpret [mystical experiences]. Just receive and be grateful and move on." "Be bold, be truthful, be unmanaged, be forthright, be unfiltered with your directors and confessors." Chapters 0:00:00 Importance of being raw and unfiltered with spiritual directors and confessors 0:01:10 Human nature and the drive to build bridges with others 0:02:37 St. John of the Cross's warning against distorting reality 0:03:51 Encouragement to be bold and unfiltered in spiritual direction and confession

Dan describes the poison of subjectivity and how subjective perspectives can lead to self-delusion and blindness towards truths. Key Takeaways: +Subjectivity can be a spiritual toxin, leading one to delusions and blindness towards the truth. +The journey into truth and growth in spiritual life begins with an encounter with Jesus and unfolds with practices such as prayer and participation in the sacraments. +A rule of life or plan of love and daily examination can correct the problem of subjective perception. +Regular spiritual practices such as receiving the Eucharist and confession can provide deeper self-awareness and aid in overcoming sin and imperfection. Notable Quotes: "The human person has an infinite capacity for self delusion. It means that we can convince ourselves of many things that aren't true." "The antidote to the poison of subjectivity is, I believe, the examine and the rule of life, where every day you're checking against those." "I would argue that in the most important things in life, the enemy, the flesh, the devil, are all battling against us, seeing clearly and truly where we are." "But whatever you need to do to make you awake to the behaviors that you're asleep to...that will help you to break out of patterns of sin and lack of awareness and help you to get free of things that bind you." "Did I eat properly or not? That's objective. Do I weigh more today than yesterday? That's objective." Chapters 0:00:00 Introduction to the spiritual poison of subjectivity 0:00:37 The journey into truth and the problem of subjectivity 0:01:23 The direct intervention of God and special devotions 0:02:10 Example of subjectivity in relation to weight gain 0:03:48 Complexities of travel and subjective awareness 0:05:09 The importance of a rule of life and daily weighing 0:06:28 Control mechanisms for weight: food, exercise, quantity 0:08:06 The antidote to subjectivity: examine and rule of life 0:08:43 The role of the Eucharist and reconciliation 0:09:42 Breaking patterns of behavior and increasing awareness 0:10:18 Additional measures for weight loss and self-awareness 0:11:15 Defeating the poison of subjectivity and finding freedom 0:11:53 Conclusion and invitation for feedback

Do you yearn for a deeper connection with God but feel inadequate? Learn how to submit to this "ache" and avoid getting tripped up. Key Takeaways: * "The ache of a contemplative heart" is described as a longing for God, born of deep love and the recognition of one's own brokenness. * This spiritual ache is not associated with psychological inadequacy but with the believer's desire to honor God and acknowledge His sacrifice. * Contemplative prayer and devotion are characterized by a continuous desire for deeper connection with the divine, often accompanied by feelings of insufficiency in one's own efforts. * Dan advises against using this ache as a means for self-condemnation, instead recommending a firm, aggressive, yet yielding resolve in one's spiritual practice. * The conversation reaffirms that the contemplative ache should inspire hope and a drive to serve rather than lead to despair. Notable Quotes: * "It's an ache of love caused by a wound of love." * "I am finite and he's infinite. I am the branches. He's divine." * "Please draw me more deeply to you. Please help me to love you as I should, as you deserve." * "Don't allow it to be twisted by the enemy to condemnation." Key Moments 0:00 - The ache of a contemplative heart 1:42 - The desire for all to hallow God's name 2:41 - The ache of love caused by a wound of love 3:50 - Dealing with the ache through firm, yielding resolve 4:51 - Not allowing the ache to lead to despair