Episode 12: Mystical Storms

This episode concludes the first season of The Interior Life Podcast. If you've enjoyed the podcast so far, please like and subscribe on our YouTube channel, follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  In times of challenge, tragedy, trauma, and uncertainty, people need to be consoled with real wisdom ⁠— wisdom that can only come from God. We must become reliant on God's wisdom so that we can comfort others who need us in a world which is changing quickly. In this final episode of the first season, Kathryn discusses personal holiness, Christ and power structures, virtue, the Catholic Church, changing our thinking, and what people need to know most about God.  

There's a space inside each one of us where we get to meet and know God personally. In one religious woman whom Kathryn knew, this space had collapsed. This woman always thought that she had no faith, even though she clung to religion and the Catholic Church. As she began to focus less on her lack of faith and more on those she was serving, she gained confidence in what she was being called to do. We cannot rely completely on our religious practice to tell us everything we need to know about God. Religion is meant to support the relationship we already have. Faith is a gift. If we make time to get to know God personally through daily prayer, we will get the grace to continue on in faith.

Faith. A mustard seed. The important things in life. Kathryn explains that faith is a gift, and one that we must continue asking for, even if we feel we have none. The more we engage with the divine, the more it informs our experience of the world around us. Kathryn shares some stories and exercises to help us discover what is truly important to us and what we need to do in life before our earthly journey is complete.

Christmas is a very special, mystical time. On this day, we are all following a star. What does this mean? This is a day for everyone to feel loved and to offer that love out again. You are loved, you are good, and you have wonderful potential. Also a part of this special episode is a reading of An Invitation, which invites everyone to sit before Jesus in the Eucharist, a beautiful gift we can give to him, ourselves, and the whole world. May God bless you and Merry Christmas!

An older man at the store register asks Kathryn about the cross she wears and a conversation about Christianity ensues. Kathryn shares with us the differences between the enemy, the accuser, and Jesus Christ, the advocate. With Christmas soon approaching, Kathryn suggests a wonderful practice in the days leading up. 

Where does your conscience meet you? Don't think that because there isn't a rule for something, you are getting away with it. Kathryn portrays this by telling a story about a young waitress dealing with a difficult colleague. If, in your conscience, you disagree with someone or something, don't let it be a reason to pause on your own spiritual journey. Kathryn shares more on conscience, becoming more of your own person, and transforming in Christ.

One of our Catholic teachings is the primacy of conscience. Kathryn explores this concept, referencing The Hiding Place, the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family during WWII. This episode illustrates how these Christians followed what was written on their hearts and lived their spirituality to the highest degree, inspiring us to do the same. If you are curious about your spiritual gifts and senses, take a listen. Share if you find it helpful!

There are important questions to ask about yourself and your potential spouse when discerning marriage. Kathryn shares thought-provoking considerations as well as potential red flags in choosing the right person to marry, against a backdrop of spirituality.

Have you ever experienced a period of time in your life where the "lights go off" and you don't know which way is up? Kathryn identifies three different types of mystical storms and how to navigate them. During these periods, we learn the important difference between making decisions versus the process of discernment, which is a decision made over time with prayer. 

In this episode, Kathryn shares a story about one young man's struggle with addiction and how he stayed in conversation with God, which ultimately saved his life. There may be times when we think we can't really talk to God until we overcome our lists of real or imaginary obstacles in our heads, when the truth is God wants to be with us in all of it. Kathryn touches upon "in or out" Catholicism and extends to us the concept of Catholic simplicity. She shares how our beautiful teachings are meant to be road signs when we face difficulties in our lives, not rules that we use to judge ourselves or others.Self-dislike, self-hatred, and self-loathing aren't for us and don't come from God. Kathryn shares that an antidote for self-hatred is service. The only real way to happiness is by helping other people. Additionally, we should strive to be honest not only with others, but with ourselves. God knows everything about us and loves us infinitely, and he's the one we need to be in communication with.