Contemplata

Learn about how we can grow close to God in Episode 57 of Contemplata, Listen to Jesus . Through the example of the Saints like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, we can discover new ways to be receptive to the voice of Jesus Christ.  Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as he explains how we can listen to Jesus ever more attentively.  Contemplata is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us o...

Learn about how God fulfills His promises in Episode 56 of Contemplata, The Secret of the Upper Room. What should we learn from Mary’s undoubting and faithful example? What should we learn from her life of trust in God’s promises?  Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as he explains how God wants to fulfill his promises to us through our prayers.  Contemplata is available wherever you get your podcasts. Fo...

Learn about the divine graces that flow from the Eucharist in Episode 55 of Contemplata, Ask it From the Eucharist. What should we learn from this sacrament, and how should we use it to practice the beatitudes? Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as he explains how God wants us to receive graces upon graces from the Holy Eucharist.   Contemplata is available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on: I...

In Episode 54 of Contemplata, Be Thou My Wisdom , we learn about the path of divine wisdom. Why is it worth pursuing? And who should we turn to, in order to participate fully in God’s plan for our lives?  Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as he explains how Jesus Christ is the source of wisdom God has chosen for us. Drawing from the Biblical book of Wisdom, Fr. James discusses how Jesus has all the qual...

In Episode 53 of Contemplata, A Word of Love , we reflect on the truth at the heart of the Gospel: God loves us with an everlasting love. Drawing from Sacred Scripture, this meditation invites listeners to receive the Word of God not merely as information, but as nourishment for the soul. As fear, anxiety, and distraction fill our daily lives, Fr. James Brent, O.P. calls us back to the Cross and t...

In this bonus episode of Contemplata , Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and the interior life of grace in the soul. The Christian life is not only belief in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, but participation in it: being formed by the Son, led by the Holy Spirit, and drawn to the Father in prayer. At the center of this hidden life is the gift of wisdom, by which we come to...

In Episode 52 of Contemplata , Fr. James Brent, O.P., takes a closer look at something we often take for granted: what actually happens in baptism. We say that baptism gives us life, but not just the kind of life we already have. In baptism, something new begins. We receive a share in God’s own life, the life of the Most Holy Trinity, dwelling within us. Fr. James walks through this mystery in a s...

In this bonus episode of Contemplata , Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the meaning of our lives in light of it. We were created to know God, not from a distance, but from within. Through grace, we are invited to become contemplative souls, drawn into the life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is our calling, our inheritance, and the deepest purpose of...

There are many ways in which the Church is holy. The main source of its holiness is Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church. He unites us to himself, through his Church, through our Baptisms, and through the Holy Eucharist. Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as he leads us through a tour of the Church’s holiness in Episode 51 of Contemplata. Follow us on: Instagram: ​​​​@contemplatapodcast Youtube: h...

In this bonus audio from Contemplata , we turn our attention to the Holy Eucharist—the gift that stands above every other gift given to the Church. Drawing from the tradition of the saints and the Church’s own prayer, this meditation reflects on the unique power of the Eucharist in our sanctification. While many paths of prayer and devotion have been given to us, the Eucharist is not simply one am...

Often we are attacked by distractions and temptations, which distance us from God. But we do not need to despair, because of our Baptism. The first step towards living a life of constant prayer is to develop a constant awareness of God’s action in our lives. When we are vigilant, we can guard against the things that keep us from Jesus. Join Fr. James Brent, O.P. in Episode 50 of Contemplata, as he...

As humans we face many difficulties in our day to day lives. It is important to meditate on the presence of Jesus, and of his love, in order to be able to love in return. Loving our neighbors, and loving God through our sufferings can be hard, but a greater knowledge of God’s love for us can make all things easier to bear. In Episode 49 of Contemplata, join Fr. James Brent, O.P., as we learn more...

We all struggle with daily adversities, or with lifelong hardships. Who should we turn to for consolation and hope? There is only one good answer – Jesus Christ, who has both the desire, and the power, to help us on our path to happiness and heaven. Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., in episode 48 of Contemplata, to learn more about the real reason to hope.  Follow us on: Instagram: ​​​​@contemplatapodca...

Every time we make an act of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive new graces in our souls. Our union with the life of Jesus Christ will grow more and more. Fr. James Brent, O.P. recommends simple prayers of faith, like ‘Jesus, I believe in you,’ even when it feels like our prayer is dry, or God is not present. Learn more about prayer and our relationships with Jesus Christ in Episode 47 of C...

Our sufferings are the sufferings of the Lord. We are not isolated individuals - God’s plan is unfolding in our lives. God calls us to become another Christ in our suffering. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Learn more about Christ's presence in our suffering in Episode 46 of Contemplata , hosted by Fr. James Brent, O.P. ...

How do we grow in true humility? In this episode of Contemplata , we meditate on Psalm 131 and learn how silence, prayer, and trust in God shape the humble heart. Drawing on the image of a child resting in its mother’s arms, this reflection invites us to set our souls in tranquility before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to form us, little by little, in the humility of Jesus Christ. Follow us o...

The Psalms point out to us the path to life. Learning how to read the Psalms in the light of Jesus can reveal layers upon layers of light - good food for contemplative souls. Watch as Fr. James Brent, O.P., leads a complete Lectio Divina of the very first Psalm in Episode 44 of Contemplata. Follow us on: Instagram: ​​​​@contemplatapodcast Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/DominicanFriarsMedia Suppo...

We should love righteousness, which is a right relationship with God. How should we conduct ourselves? “Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart (Wisdom 1:1).” Learn how Fr. James Brent, O.P. explains this important Bible verse, and leads us into greater contemplation of God, in Episode 43 of Contemplata.  Follow us on: Instagram: ​​​​@contemplatapodcast Youtube: https://...

Scripture doesn’t offer quick fixes—but it truly transforms us. In this episode, Fr. James Brent, O.P., shares how daily lectio divina with the book of Genesis changed one young mother’s outlook on her marriage, her family, and her interior life. Discover how God’s Word quietly reshapes the mind and heals the heart. Watch the full episode 42 of Contemplata , with Fr. James Brent, O.P., to deepen y...

Fr James Brent, O.P., reminds us that whatever happens to us is also happening to Christ in us. You and I are so closely united with Jesus Christ, as branches are to the vine, that our joys, sufferings, and daily experiences are shared in him. Watch the full episode 41 of Contemplata to reflect on this profound union with Christ. Follow us on: Instagram: ​​​​@contemplatapodcast Youtube: https://ww...

The Lord says ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’ That is how the Lord wants us to think of the life of grace. Jesus is the head of the body, we are his members. There is a distinction, but there is one common life. You and I are branches on the vine of Jesus Christ.  You and I can say His life is mine, by the gift of His grace. Christ’s own life comes into us - we ingest His body and blood, an...

Every word of scripture is full of fire from the Holy Spirit. Every time you and I take a word of scripture to heart great things begin to happen in our souls. We begin to recover our sense of the presence of God in our lives and in the world around us. The communion of our Lord Jesus Chirst is a heart full of the Holy Spirit - it is friendship with him, and knowledge of His love for us. It is liv...

The great plan of God is to unite human beings everywhere with His eternal Son, Jesus Chirst, by the power of the Holy Spirit. His plan is to make us live on a whole new level, so that we can worship Him with Jesus. In our baptism the love of God was poured forth into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. When you and I have been loved in that special kind of way we come alive. We are regenerated, r...

Very often it doesn’t seem like God has a plan. It can feel like everything is going wrong. But we need to remember—God has a plan for the whole world, and for each of us personally.  St. Paul called God’s plan “the mystery.” Through Scripture, he was authorized by God to reveal this secret plan, hidden in God’s heart since the beginning of the world. What has been revealed is that God’s plan is J...

In order for us to live the spiritual life and really grow in our awareness and knowledge and love of the Holy Trinity dwelling in our hearts, one of the best practices we can take up is the practice of Lectio Divina—the slow prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture. Sacred Scripture is God's present and active medium of communication with us. Reading, meditating, and praying with Scripture is t...