Along the Way: A Jesuit Prayer Pod

Our final episode! The very mighty and very holy, Danielle Harrison, Co-Director of the Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project, joins us to talk about how we have to hold onto our stories, even hard stories, to fully appreciate the Resurrection. What does it mean to be called by name? To be called forth? Take a listen! This is our final episode, listen to the end to hear our final message to you all, this beautiful community of listeners. We are grateful you joined us in laughter and prayer these months Along The Way! -Br. Matt & Damian

Br. Matt and Damian visit with Tim Shriver, Sr. about the significance of Palm Sunday. We explore what the story of Christ's passion reveals to us about us and the transformational power of Jesus at the center. Check out the Unite movement at https://unite.us and the book, "The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening." anywhere books are sold.

There's a temptation to rush to the "after" but this week we sit with the sadness this year has brought to us. God can handle all of us, especially our rage, disappointment, and grief. We recorded this episode two weeks prior to the shooting in Atlanta yet it seems to fit. We pray for all those grieving these days. We pray you feel God close.

Pádraig O'Tuama host of "Poetry Unbound" joins us from Ireland to discuss how Lent has changed for him and he invites us into his beautiful relationship with the Stations of the Cross. We discuss how bringing our joy and grief into our prayer practices carries us as we carry them. Go to bookshop.org to preorder the new American version of his book "In The Shelter" Also: Pádraig gave a 20-minute talk on the Stations here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_o90DCQ6GQ

Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of the New York Times best-selling book "Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone" joins the guys this week as they discuss Lent as conversion. If you like what you heard here: you can purchase Fr. Jim's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Pray-Everyone-James-Martin/dp/0062643231

Damian and Br. Matt talk about the temptation of rushing into action rather than simply being. This Sunday's Gospel is the Transfiguration when Jesus' friends react in a similar way- rushing to "do." Damian leads our prayer and teaches us the Five Finger Prayer popularized by Pope Francis.

This weekend's scripture involves Jesus going into the desert. As we begin Lent, what is drawing you to God and what is getting in the way? Who helps minister to you? Lent is a time of intentionality, but even the "rules" of Lent can become more about our ego than about God.

The guys are back! Br. Matt and Damian share what Ash Wednesday means for them and offer some ideas on how to engage Lent this year for you and your family. As always, they end with a guided prayer about what helps and hurts our relationship with God. Be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes throughout Lent, and comment to help us spread this pod around!

Advent is coming to an end. This mirrors the spiritual life- after praying it is time to get up, blow out the candle, and live your life infused with your prayer. Damian shares the grace and challenge of infusing our life with our prayer and our prayer with our life. Thanks to everyone who joined us Along The Way this advent. We will be back for season 2 in Lent 2021! And remember, God loved you first. Let’s go forth today and live our lives as our response to that love!

God uses all sorts of unexpected, crazy things to change the world... like unplanned teenage pregnancy. The guys discuss surprises and how we are invited to pivot according to God's plans, not ours. Just because we say "yes" doesn't mean it is easy.