The Trinity is a central component of Christian theology, and certainly Franciscanism as well, as seen in the mystical theology of St. Bonaventure and other Franciscan theologians. But there’s a problem: The Trinity often feels un-relatable, esoteric, or just downright goofy and strange. Why does the Trinity matter? Is it mere theological jargon for academics and religious? Does Trinitarian theology actually have a practical impact on our lives and walks of faith?

This episode's guest, Wm. Paul Young, is an author who has used story to help make the mystery and beauty of the Trinity accessible to millions around the world. Paul is the author of the novel The Shack, a New York Times bestseller that has sold 25 million copies worldwide and was turned into a movie in 2017 starring Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington, and Tim McGraw. He is also the author of Eve, Cross Roads, and Lies We Believe About God. He has a wonderful new podcast called “The Paul Young Podcast,” which features short 10-20 minute spiritual reflections 2-3 times a week. In this episode, Paul discusses our participation within the Trinity in our day-to-day lives, our living into our own inherent union with Christ, and how to distance ourselves from the lie that we are separate from God.

Consider meditating upon these Scripture passages about union with Christ: John 17, John 14:15-21, John 15:1-17, Galatians 2:20, and Colossians 1:15-20. Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/

(00:00:01) Introduction

(00:02:14) Small Talk and 'The Paul Young Podcast'

(00:05:48) Paul's Journey Into Trinitarian Theology and Writing The Shack

(00:12:40) 'If God Has Ever Been Alone, Love is Not a Possibility'

(00:15:30) Reflection: Relational Thinking

(00:19:23) Invitation to Participate from Union

(00:25:12) Presence, the Eternal Now, and the Theology of Union

(00:30:07) 'Love Expands Around the Knowing'

(00:34:37) The Early Church and the Lie of Separation

(00:39:29) Reflection: Healthy Theology Leads to Healthy Anthropology

(00:44:32) Worth-ship and Worship Within the Dance

(00:50:07) The Cry of Dereliction and the Fall from a Union Perspective

(00:54:51) The Spiritual Practice of Denying Separation

(01:03:34) Reflection: Awareness of the Divine Dance We're Already In

(01:06:13) The Beauty and Relief of Union

(01:08:50) Love is the Only Way

(01:12:43) The Fire of God's Love

(01:14:18) Conclusion

We live in a concerning age. It has become commonplace to caricature, demonize, label, cheapen, and overall completely neglect the God-given humanity of a person one disagrees with. In fact, social media algorithms reward this kind of divisive behavior. TV ratings thrive on conflict and hyperbole. The better the fearmonger, the more successful the politician. Long gone seem the days of decency and civility. Thankfully, there are peacemakers in the world like this episode's guest, Chloé Simone Valdary. Chloé is a writer and entrepreneur whose company, Theory of Enchantment, teaches social and emotional learning, as well as diversity and inclusion in companies and government agencies. She has written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal, and she has appeared on podcasts and talkshows across the political spectrum: from "Real Time with Bill Maher" to "Honestly with Bari Weiss" to "The Jordan Peterson Podcast" to "The Megyn Kelly Show." Her three principles from the Theory of Enchantment and their alignment with Franciscan peacemaking are the focus of this episode.

Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/

(00:00:01) Introduction

(00:04:19) What is Theory of Enchantment?

(00:11:44) Chloé's Spiritual Background and Worldview

(00:19:47) Enchantment, Sound, and Mysticism

(00:28:58) First Principle: Treat Others Like Human Beings, Not Political Abstractions

(00:41:11) Grace in Introspection, Journeying Inward

(00:47:25) Second Principle: Criticize Only to Uplift and Empower (Dia-Logos)

(00:56:33) Third Principle: Root Everything You Do in Love and Compassion

(01:04:09) Closing Thoughts

(01:05:51) Conclusion

Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, PhD, teaches English, Creative Writing, and courses in American Catholic Studies at Fordham University in New York City. She also serves as Associate Director of Fordham's Curran Center for American Catholic Studies. O'Donnell was awarded the New York Encounter Poetry Prize. She has been nominated for Pushcart and Best of the Web Prizes, and was a finalist for the Paraclete Poetry Prize, the Foley Poetry Prize and the Mulberry Poet's Award. O'Donnell also writes essays on and reviews of contemporary poetry and literature. She recently published her 11th poetry book Dear Dante (Paraclete Press) and writes regularly for America Magazine. Click here to read this episode's show notes.

(00:00:01) Introduction

(00:02:27) Background

(00:04:05) What is the Catholic Imagination?

(00:08:33) Bruce Springsteen and the Manifestation of the Catholic Imagination

(00:23:32) Catholic Imagination: Darkness, Beauty, and a Sacramental World

(00:34:32) Catholicism and Protestantism

(00:41:24) Poetry and the Catholic Imagination

(00:53:39) Engaging Dante's Legacy

(01:03:16) Poem: 'Dante's Smile'

(01:08:22) Mortality, Merton, and the Afterlife

(01:11:27) Poem: 'The Price of Paradise'

(01:13:40) Conclusion