He Leadeth Me

Sometimes spiritual warfare is subtle. Do you recognize it in your own life?  In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about 3 subtle forms of spiritual warfare. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss: Thinking that every difficult circumstance is spiritual warfare is actually a tactic of the enemy Temptation is the most common form of spiritual warfare An often unnoticed form...

Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? In this episode, Jessica breaks down the forgiveness process. Here's what you'll discover: What forgiveness is and is not How to know if you've truly forgiven The 4 stages of forgiveness Advice on how to pray when there's someone you need to forgive This episode is based on the book, "Forgiveness is a Choice" by Dr. Robe...

Scripture tells us, "God is close to the brokenhearted" (Ps 34:18). In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about praying when you have a broken heart.    Jess and Fr. John Ignatius discuss: How to relate your suffering to God without letting it consume your prayer life Fr. John's thoughts on the common question: What can I hope for? Should I hope that God w...

Life is busy, and this has a huge impact on the spiritual life. In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about how we can use our busyness to lead us to God. Jess and Fr. John Ignatius discuss: How busyness impacts the spiritual life Why God sometimes asks us to give up good activities so that we can be less busy and bear more fruit in the activities that remain How we can...

Lent is approaching fast! Are you ready? In this episode, FOCUS Sr. Regional Director John Merkle joins Jessica to give advice on how to make this Lent as spiritually fruitful as possible. Jess and John discuss: How to challenge yourself without becoming self-reliant John gives advice for fasting, silence, and experiencing deeper contrition Jess recommends going on dates for Lent and begging for p...

In this episode, Kim Zember, founder of Overcome Ministries and Unforgotten Faces, joins Jessica to talk about same-sex attraction and the spiritual life. Jess and Kim discuss: Kim's personal journey with same-sex attraction The importance of viewing God as a loving Father How people with same-sex attraction can bring their desires and struggles to God in prayer How to approach the sacrament...

What was it like to be discipled by Servant of God Michelle Duppong?  In this episode, Sr. Gianna of the Resurrection Heinemann joins Jessica to share about her time in college when she was discipled by Michelle Duppong. Sr. Gianna and Jess discuss: As a student, Sr. Gianna was struck by Michelle's simplicity and her desire to win souls for Christ How Michelle was a spiritual mother to souls...

In this episode, Joan Watson from Verso Ministries joins Jessica to talk about how a pilgrimage can renew your spiritual life. Joan and Jess discuss: How pilgrimages are a microcosm of the entire spiritual life Spiritual lessons you can learn on pilgrimage The traditional practice of making a pilgrimage once a year to the Church where you were baptized Joan Watson is the Pilgrim Formation Manager...

In this episode for the SEEK podcast, Jess and Chad Etzel team up to talk about the single life. Jess and Chad discuss: Is the single life a vocation? Why single people can often struggle with feeling like their lives will begin once they are married Is praying for a spouse a prayer of faith that Jesus will keep His promise, "ask and you will receive," or am I trying to force my will on...

At the beginning of a new year, many people often reflect on their dreams for life and for the upcoming year. In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about life dreams and their role in the spiritual life.  Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss: How our question should be: Does my dream align with what God desires for my life? St. Ignatius of Loyola's teaching on how God...

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens joins Jessica to talk about how the Christmas liturgy demonstrates 3 fundamental truths for praying the Mass throughout the year. Jess and Chris discuss: The Word became flesh: how the Word of the Father features prominently at Mass "Mary reflected on these things in her heart"- The Greek word for reflecting means "put together"...

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Creator of the Stars of Night. Alma Redemptoris Mater. All these classic hymns and more make up the liturgical sounds of Advent! In this episode, liturgical music expert Adam Bartlett joins Jessica to talk about how liturgical music can help us enter more deeply into the season of Advent. Jess and Adam discuss: Why it is more appropriate to sing the Gospel at Mass than spe...

In this episode, Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty joins Jessica to talk about Advent as a season of preparation and hope. Fr. John Ignatius and Jess discuss: How the end time readings during Advent remind us that our time on earth is a preparation for Heaven The 3 Comings of Christ: the coming of Christ at Christmas, the second coming at the end time, and the coming of Christ each day to us in the Euchar...

Why is almsgiving a traditional practice to prepare our hearts for Christmas? Senior Director of FOCUS Mission Partner Development Mark Bartek joins Jessica to talk about the spiritual power of almsgiving. Jess and Mark discuss: The 4 reasons St. Thomas Aquinas gives for work: 1) we work to eat 2) to prevent idleness 3) to become a master of your work field 4) so that you may give alms How tithing...

In this episode, Chad Etzel, host of the podcast "Catholic, Single, and Flourishing", joins Jessica to talk about how we can enter into the liturgical season of Advent. Chad and Jess discuss: The historical context of Advent's readings from the Book of Isaiah about proclaiming the "Good News" of the Messiah's birth Advent has traditionally been a penitential season. I...

In 1997, readers voted that the greatest book of the 20th Century was "Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien. In this episode, John Zimmer, FOCUS' Vice President of Apostolic Development, joins Jessica to talk about spiritual lessons we can learn from Lord of the Rings. This episode contains spoilers! John and Jess discuss: Tolkien's emphasis on never losing hope, even in imposs...

It can be easy to become anxious about the turmoil present in the Church and in the world. In this episode, Fr. James Brent breaks open St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy to show the Biblical answer to turmoil in our times. Fr. James and Jess discuss: Resentment against the mystical Body of Christ is never of the Holy Spirit How we must avoid listening to teachers who are filled with negativ...

Fr. James Brent joins us again to talk about Purgatory. November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls, and Fr. James believes there is a crisis of faith in the truth of purgatory among the faithful today. Fr. James and Jess discuss: The current lack of faith in purgatory today Why souls in purgatory need our help How we can help souls in purgatory How indulgences can help souls in purgatory, a...

In this episode, Fr. Richard McNeillie joins Jessica to talk about "The Art of Loving," a series of conferences given by Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare movement.  Fr. Richard and Jessica discuss 4 key principles from Chiara's teaching on how to love others the way God loves us, including: Love everyone- not just those who are similar to you Be the first to love Make yourse...

In this episode, liturgical expert Chris Carstens joins Jessica to unpack the theology of the wedding Mass.  Jess and Chris discuss: The first thing a couple should remember when planning their wedding Mass is that it's not about them! Should the dad walk the bride down the aisle or should the couple walk down the aisle together? Why Catholics get married in a Church rather than on the beach...

In this second episode of our series on engagement, Angela Schnieders joins Jessica to talk about the theological symbolism and practicals of shopping for a wedding dress. Angela and Jess discuss: The symbolism of the wedding dress as clothing for liturgy Standards for modesty Practicals for wedding dress shopping Angela Schnieders is a wife, mother, FOCUS alumna, and Certified Strategist with The...

In this first episode of our engagement series, John and Katelyn Bishop join Jessica to offer some spiritual advice for engaged couples.  John, Katelyn, and Jess discuss: How a dating couple can know when they are ready to get engaged What to do if one person in the couple is ready to get engaged and the other is uncertain How to have positive interactions with parish staff when planning for the w...

FOCUS Director of Formation Travis Todd joins Jessica today to talk about his discernment to transition from being a campus missionary to working at the FOCUS Headquarters (DSC). Travis and Jess discuss: How do you know when it's time to leave campus? Ways to experience divine intimacy and live mission in an office setting Advice for those transitioning from being a student or a campus missio...

As part of our series on sanctifying daily work, Jess sits down with FOCUS alum and small business owner Joe Henkels to talk about the spiritual lessons God has taught him through entrepreneurship.  Joe and Jess discuss: How fundraising as a FOCUS missionary increased his trust in God's providence and prepared him to take the risk of starting a small business The 4 benefits of business activi...

In this episode, Nathan Stanley, Senior Director of Talent and Leadership Development, joins Jessica to talk about sanctifying your daily work. Jess and Nathan discuss: How the early Christians evangelized through their work Why you should always have a plan for your workday How to overcome temptations from "the noonday devil" The contemporary debate about the 40 hour work week Nathan St...