Spiraling Upwards

We continue the discussion of celebration with some thoughts on music and the role it plays in pulling us together, and teaching us the importance of harmony.

In this episode we continue last week's discussion about celebration, by considering what Feasting is, as opposed to Gluttony, and what Fasting is, as opposed to Dieting.

In keeping with last week's New Year's resolution tip, here we return to the reason of this ongoing Christmas Season celebration, and why we shouldn't simply box things up the day after and go back to "normal."

With today's podcast we discuss the idea of a "New Year," and the implications for our spiritual life when we can actually make a new beginning, a rediscovery of the perennial truth and reality of our Salvation.

On this Christmas Eve, we consider the Love represented by the fourth candle of the Advent wreath, which is the perfect Love of Christ.

In this episode we focus our attention upon the third candle of the Advent wreath, and the Joy which He gives us to taste now, in anticipation of the completion of that Joy in His Presence.

In this episode we focus our attention upon the second candle of the Advent wreath, and the Peace which it reminds us that Christ our King and Good Shepherd is coming to bring.

In this episode we focus our attention upon the first candle of the Advent wreath, and the virtue of Hope for the "Advent," the "coming" of our Savior, of which it reminds us.

In this episode we discuss the art of listening, considering in particular Mortimer Adler's caution that we be diligent in making sure we understand what the other person is actually saying, before we agree or disagree.

The second year of the Spiraling Upwards Podcast concludes today with the completion of our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass, considering the commission given in the final words of the Mass "Ite, missa est!" "Go, it is sent!" 

In this penultimate episode of our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass, we meditate on what it means to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, by which our souls are nourished with the very life of God.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Agnus Dei, by which we are given the grace to hear John the Baptist's Proclamation of our Paschal Lamb, and to respond with humility and trust.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Prayer for Peace and the Sign of Peace, by which are reminded that it is sin, and not the Faith of the Church, that causes division and strife in the world.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Our Father, considering what it means to pray this, the perfect prayer, in the very presence of the Lord who gave it to us.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Doxology, which concludes the Eucharistic Prayer and expresses our wonder at giving God all honor and glory!

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with a consideration of the Mystery of our Faith.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the beginning of the Eucharistic Canon, leading up to the Consecration of the Most Holy Eucharist.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the singing of the Sanctus, as we join with the mighty host of angels in their everlasting hymn of praise.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Preface, as we ready our hearts for the Holy Sacrifice by raising them toward the Lord in thanksgiving.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the "Orate, Fratres," by which the people are reminded just how important is their assistance at the Holy Sacrifice.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Offertory, by which we offer ourselves together with the unblemished host to be made into a holy sacrifice to God.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Creed, by which we profess the totality of what God has revealed in order to draw us into the depth of His Wisdom and Love.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Homily, the "living commentary" which God uses to deepen our understanding of the Scriptures proclaimed, and to give them a greater efficacy in our daily lives.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Proclamation of the Scriptures, by which our hearts are cleansed and made ready to receive the Lord Himself.

In this episode we continue our prayerful walk through the Holy Mass with the Collect, by which Jesus Christ, through the priest, draws together the prayers of the Universal Church, and offers them to the Father.