Spiraling Upwards

Today we zoom out, to look at the purpose of this Lenten time through the overall analogy of "Spring cleaning," and to ask where in the clutter we should begin again to put our interior life in order.

Today we discuss the idea of what it means to offer the Mass for someone as the primary intention, and how this is done by means of an alms as a Mass offering.

We now consider the role that the charitable giving of alms can play in our Lenten practices, as a fit tool for keeping the thorns out of our soil, and increasing the fruit we are producing for the Lord.

Whatever reasons the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist have for fasting... this episode explores why we fast during Lent, and are encouraged to fast throughout the entire year (cf. Matthew 9:14-15).

Continuing with last episode's material, here we pay special attention to the aspect of how even those things which oppose our pursuit of union with God fit into God's Providence in making us holy.

Today we discuss a related topic: how we may categorize all of the things that in any way touch our lives, insofar as we need to enjoy them, endure them, remove them, or sacrifice them, so as to grow closer to God.

This episode explores the different elements of music (Melody, Harmony and Rhythm), and how when they are well-ordered or disordered in the music we listen to, they can have an impact our interior life.

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.