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Catholic podcasts dedicated to those on the spiritual journey! Offering the best teachings from the rich Catholic Spiritual/Discernment tradition.Discerning Hearts ©2010-2022 All Rights Reserved. Ciencias Sociales Cristianismo Espiritualidad Filosofía Ministerio y Evangelismo
Episodios
  • SJ3 – Prosperity and It’s Price – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    SJ3 – Prosperity and It’s Price – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Apr 14 2026
    Prosperity and It’s Price – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina Mike Aquilina explores the broader world Joseph lived in, including the complex figure of Herod the Great—an accomplished but deeply troubled ruler whose achievements brought prosperity while his paranoia and cruelty alienated his people. He also explains the challenge of reconstructing Joseph’s life due to limited direct records, unlike more documented figures like Herod to bring his character into clearer view. This episode examines questions about Joseph’s lineage, age, and vocation, presenting historically plausible explanations and pushing back against exaggerated portrayals. Joseph is depicted as a strong, skilled craftsman shaped by a culture that valued labor and was marked by intense religious expectation. The book considers possible influences from groups like the Essenes, suggesting that elements such as celibacy within marriage and heightened spiritual awareness would not have been unusual in that time, helping illuminate the unique calling of the Holy Family. Joseph’s formation stands out: raised in a devout, working family, trained in both faith and trade, and shaped by traditions tied to King David. His life, though hidden, unfolds within a larger drama where divine purpose quietly advances despite political corruption and human ambition. You can find the book on which this series is based here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions How does St. Joseph’s quiet faithfulness invite me to trust God more deeply in the hidden parts of my own life?What can I learn from Mike Aquilina’s careful use of history about seeking truth with both faith and humility?How does reflecting on the harsh world of Herod help me appreciate the courage and holiness of the Holy Family?In what ways does St. Joseph’s life as a worker call me to see dignity in my daily labor?How does the religious longing of Joseph’s time challenge me to recognize my own longing for the Messiah?What does Joseph’s strength, skill, and obedience reveal about authentic spiritual fatherhood?How might Mary and Joseph’s reverence before God’s plan inspire greater purity of heart in my own vocation?What parts of my life need the kind of awe and surrender St. Joseph showed before the mystery of Christ?How does the possibility of sacrifice within the Holy Family challenge my understanding of love and self-gift?What steps can I take to become more attentive to God’s action in ordinary circumstances, as St. Joseph was? About the Book He is a man of many titles. Head of the Holy Family. Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Guardian of Our Lord. Terror of Demons. Though he is only briefly mentioned in the Bible, and never once has a quote attributed to him. St. Joseph is likely the best-known “silent” character in all of history, but theologians have spent centuries contemplating him. In St. Joseph and His World, author Mike Aquilina skillfully paints a portrait of St. Joseph by contrasting him with someone who affected his life in many ways—King Herod the Great. Aquilina invites readers into the life of St. Joseph—an heir of David with quiet beginnings, anticipating the promised Messiah. Conversely, he reveals Herod for who he was–a sociopathic warlord, prone to wicked jealousy and paranoia. Drawing on modern and archaeological texts, Aquilina sheds light on a remarkable number of mysteries in the life of this revered saint. Was Joseph the decrepit old man he is often depicted as in art? Did the residents of Nazareth expect the Messiah to be one of their own? What did Joseph’s education and job training entail? Why would he contemplate divorcing Mary after the angel Gabriel’s visit? Was the flight to Egypt meticulously executed, or hastily carried out? What did the Holy Family do during the memorable trip to Jerusalem when Jesus was found in the Temple? Josephologists across the centuries have contemplated the life and character of the Angelic Man. In this definitive work, Mike Aquilina takes the brilliantly uncomplicated approach that, by familiarizing ourselves with St. Joseph’s world: his hometown, his trade, and his faith, we can draw closer to him and ultimately, draw closer to Christ. About the Author Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent ...
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    30 m
  • Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
    Apr 14 2026
    Tuesday of the Second Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart… From the Holy Gospel According to St. John 3:7-15 Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ What word made this passage come alive for you? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ What touched your heart in this time of prayer? What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
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    10 m
  • SISL13 – I Feel Alone- Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    SISL13 – I Feel Alone- Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
    Apr 13 2026
    I Feel Alone – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V. Fr. Timothy Gallagher illustrates the struggles in the process of discernment with Kathy’s story, a woman who, after experiencing spiritual closeness with God, is confronted by a deeply buried pain triggered during prayer. Kathy feels abandoned by God, prompting her to stop praying and isolate herself emotionally. Guided by her spiritual director, Fr. Reed, Kathy learns that she can openly share her pain and anger with God, drawing on examples from the Psalms and the Book of Job, where people express their raw emotions before God. Through this honest dialogue, Kathy finds a path back to a real and growing relationship with God, learning that spiritual desolation can sometimes serve as a gateway to greater intimacy with Him. Fr. Gallagher emphasizes that while desolation may make us feel distant from God, the experience can deepen our relationship with Him if we remain faithful, seek guidance, and avoid making drastic changes to our spiritual practices. You can pick up a copy of the book here. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions How have you experienced feelings of isolation or distance from God, and how did you respond?Who are the trusted individuals in your life whom you could approach for spiritual guidance during times of struggle?In what ways could you bring your true feelings of pain or anger to God in prayer, as Kathy learned to do?How can you recognize moments of consolation in your spiritual life, and how might they prepare you for future struggles?What small steps or practices could help you stand firm in faith during times of spiritual desolation?How might you grow in awareness of God’s closeness, even when feelings of distance prevail?Which of the Ignatian tools for resisting spiritual desolation resonates most with you, and how can you integrate it into your daily spiritual life?Reflect on a past pain or loss; how does the image of Jesus weeping with Lazarus’s sisters offer comfort in your own grief?Are there areas in your spiritual journey where you feel “stuck,” and how could sharing with someone help you move forward?How can you view spiritual desolation as an invitation to deeper intimacy with God rather than as a setback? An excerpt from the chapter, “I Feel Alone “: “In a final form of spiritual desolation, Ignatius tells us, a person feels “as if separated from his Creator and Lord.” Cathy experiences this strongly in the weeks described: “All that closeness and warmth of God’s love? It’s gone like smoke. . . . I’m sitting in the kitchen as I write, and I feel like I’m here, and God is a million miles away.” I’m here, and God is a million miles away. I’m here, sitting in my kitchen, alone in my apartment, commuting to work, driving to pick up the children, sitting at my computer . . . and you are a million miles away, distant, remote. Have you ever felt that? Yes, certainly, you have, and I have. Once more: no shame, no surprise; be aware, identify, reject.” Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 89). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition. To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast From the book’s description: “Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth. All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them. In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.“ Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts? Visit here to discover more!
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    33 m
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