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Divine Intimacy Radio

Divine Intimacy Radio is a haven of rest and wellspring of spiritual life for those seeking intimacy with God and the enlightened path of Catholic mystical and ascetical wisdom. Weekly we will explore topics like prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, contemplation, holiness, and much more.
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Now displaying: 2018
Mar 6, 2018

What would it be like for the saints to confront their moral, theological or philosophical counterparts in history? Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson, as they speak with Dr. Benjamin Wiker about his book, Saints vs. Scoundrels to find the answer.

Topics/Questions Covered in the Show:

  • What was the motivation for choosing these particular people from history?
  • Why is the book written in a dramatic context?
  • How much research was involved in writing the book?
  • Why are these particular saints and scoundrels paired together, especially if they came from different time periods?
  • How did Dr. Wiker's encounters with the writings of these saints and scoundrels influence his conversion to the Catholic Church?
  • Do the saints all have similar personalities because they are saints?
  • What can the reader gain from this book?
  • Is there a pattern among the scoundrels which leads them to their erroneous thoughts and beliefs?

Resources:

Mar 2, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they reflect on the meditations of Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene on humility through the willful acceptance of humiliations. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why should we strive to be humble?
  • Why is humility the doorway to all of the virtues?
  • In the gospels, how does Jesus look upon those who are humble as opposed to those who are prideful?
  • Should humility be seen as a type of low self-esteem or lack of confidence?
  • How does the world view the humble?
  • Should we seek humiliations?
  • How should we react to humiliations in order to grow in humility?

Resources:

Feb 27, 2018

Which sins are the most detrimental to our relationship with God? Dan Burke and Melissa Elson discover the answer to this question as they speak with Dr. Kevin Vost about his book, "The Seven Deadly Sins: A Thomistic Guide to Vanquishing Vice and Sin".

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What are the seven deadly sins  and where are they in the Bible?
  • Why are these sins "deadly"?
  • Who are some of the key figures in Church history who helped develop our understanding of these sins and what we can do about them? 
  • Which sin did St. Thomas Aquinas say most directly opposed the Great Commandment to love God with all that we are?
  • What are the "daughters" of the deadly sins and how might understanding them further our spiritual growth?
  • What is sloth or acedia? 

 Resources:

Feb 23, 2018

Join Dan Burke and guest, Kristin Aebli, as they speak about important events happening through SpiritualDirection.com and the Avila Institute.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is an "Into the Deep" event?
  • How are retreatants impacted by the event?
  • What effect does the event have on one's spiritual life after the event is over?
  • What is the format of the Into the Deep event?
  • Dan and Kristin speak with retreatants about their experiences at the recent Into the Deep event in Maryland.
  • How does one go about scheduling an Into the Deep event in his or her parish?

Resources:

Feb 20, 2018

Join Dan Burke and guest host, Stephanie Burke, as they speak with Christopher Carstens about his book, A Devotional Journey into the Mass to help us discover the meaning and beauty of the liturgy.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What are the major themes of the book?
  • Why is active participation in the Mass so important?
  • What does "active participation" in the Mass mean and how can we accomplish it?
  • How should we enter into the church building?
  • Why is it important to focus on something as simple as entering through the church doors?
  • St. Augustine says that through the Eucharist, "we can become Christ." What does this mean? How can we enter fully into the Eucharistic feast?
  • How is the book set up? How can we use it to help us change our participation in the Mass?
  • What is mystagogy and why is this approach used in the book?

Resources:

Feb 16, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they speak with Connie Rossini about contemplative prayer and aridity.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is contemplative aridity?
  • How do you know that you are experiencing contemplative aridity?
  • How should you respond to God when you are called to this state of prayer?
  • How is contemplative prayer different from centering prayer?
  • What happens during the simplicity and silence of contemplative prayer?
  • How should we respond if prayer is no longer as effective at home as in the adoration chapel?

Resources:

Feb 13, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they explore the Church's teachings on death, judgment, heaven and hell by speaking with Fr. Wade Menezes about his book, The Four Last Things.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What are the four last things?
  • Why is it important to reflect on this doctrine of the Church?
  • Why don't people fear hell anymore?
  • Why was there less emphasis on the teachings on the Four Last Things after the Second Vatican Council?
  • We should pray daily for a holy, happy, and provided for death.

Resources:

Feb 9, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they speak with Connie Rossini about properly preparing for Lent.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • When should we begin planning our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving?
  • What are some examples of how we can strengthen our relationship with God through these practices?
  • What are some resources to help us pinpoint our "root" sin?

Resources:

Feb 6, 2018

Description: Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Christopher Blum about his book, Meditations for Lent and how Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet's reflections on the life of Christ will inspire any and every soul to enter into a new relationship with our Lord.

 Questions/Topics discussed on the show:

  • How did Dr. Blum discover the writings of Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet?
  • Who is Bishop Bossuet and what kind of writing is he known for?
  • Who were his main spiritual influences and what school of spirituality did he belong to?
  • How do his writings compare to those of some of his famous contemporaries?
  • Why did Dr. Blum choose these particular meditations?

 Resources:

Feb 2, 2018

Join Dan Burke and guest host, Stephanie Burke, as they speak with Fr. William Watson about awakening the awareness of the Divine in your life.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is the purpose of the Forty Weeks book and retreat?
  • How will an emphasis on confession and self-examination assist one in his or her journey to God?
  • How was St. Ignaitus awakened to God's presence in his life?
  • What is the idea behind The Whole-Life Confession?
  • How can The Whole-Life Confession help us during Lent?

Resources:

Jan 30, 2018

Join Dan Burke and guest host, Stephanie Burke, as they speak with Connie Rossini for a second interview about how to pray the rosary more effectively through her book The Contemplative Rosary (co-authored by Dan Burke).

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is contemplative prayer? How is it different from vocal prayer?
  • What are some signs that you may be experiencing contemplative prayer?
  • How can vocal prayer and the rosary lead us to contemplation?
  • How is this method of praying the rosary different than our usual recitation of the rosary?
  • What is the clauseular method of praying the rosary?

Resources:

 

Jan 26, 2018

Join Dan Burke and guest host, Stephanie Burke, as they speak with Connie Rossini about authentic contemplative prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is authentic contemplative prayer?
  • Why did Connie start the authentic contemplative prayer group?
  • Why do we need to bring clarity to the realm of spirituality?
  • What are the top three problems with centering prayer?
  • How should we begin a prayer routine?
  • What is "affective prayer" and how would one pray this way?
  • What is discursive prayer?
  • Can we enter into contemplative prayer by our own efforts, or does God call us to contemplative prayer?

Resources:

Jan 23, 2018

How can we make the home a place of peace and prayer? Today, Dan and Melissa discuss the book, The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home with author, Leila Lawler, to help families orient their lives to Christ.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is an oratory?
  • How should one go about setting up his or her prayer space?
  • Is a prayer corner or space expensive?
  • What does it mean to develop a regular, daily prayer life? 
  • How can the oratory help develop a prayer routine?
  • Why is the Liturgy of the Hours important?
  • How should our lives reflect the liturgical year?
  • What does the liturgy have to do with family prayer life?

Resources:

Jan 19, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they answer your questions about overcoming habitual sin and attachments.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What are attachments and disordered attachments?
  • What are the steps to overcoming habitual sin?
  • What role does fasting from food play in overcoming habitual sin?
  • Is it okay to fast for both spiritual and physical reasons simultaneously?

Resources:

Jan 16, 2018

Have you ever wondered if ghosts exist or if damnation is real? Today, Dan Burke and Melissa Elson get the answers to these questions and more when they speak with Fr. Michael Kerper about his book, A Priest Answers 27 Questions You Never Thought to Ask.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why do godparents of a Catholic child need to be Catholic?
  • What is the real role of a godparent?
  • Is damnation real?
  • Do ghosts exist?
  • Does St. Thomas Aquinas ever discuss ghosts in the Summa Theologica?
  • What is the difference between and angel and a ghost?
  • Do we each have a guardian angel?

  Resources:

Jan 12, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they answer your questions about ascetical theology, spiritual direction, and avoiding distractions in prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is ascetical theology?
  • What is the difference between ascetical theology and mystical theology?
  • What are the three phases of the spiritual life according to St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross?
  • Is it a good idea to connect with a spiritual director remotely if you cannot be physically present when meeting with him or her?
  • What is the best way to find a spiritual director?
  • How can we avoid distractions in prayer?

Resources:

Jan 9, 2018

Questions about the Faith can be difficult to answer sometimes. In his book, A Priest Answers 27 Questions You Never Thought to Ask, Fr. Michael Kerper explains how to approach answering questions about the Faith as well as tackles some interesting questions from Dan and Melissa in Part 1 of their interview. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is the best way to answer a question about the Faith?
  • How does our language or vocabulary play a role in answering questions about the Faith?
  • What are your top resources for answering questions about Catholicism?
  • What is the strangest question you've ever been asked?
  • Will our pets go to heaven?
  • Did Jesus actually give us the Lord's Prayer?
  • How does the living Faith of an ordinary, orthodox Catholic impact others?

Resources:

Jan 5, 2018

Today Dan and Melissa answer your questions about emotions in prayer and helping loved ones come to Christ.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Do the rules of St. Ignatius of Loyola's discernment of spirits have anything to do with emotion in terms of consolation and desolation?
  • How can I get the feeling that I am actually praying when I have to read prayers due to lack of memorization? 
  • How can I encourage my spouse to find peace through Christ without seeming critical? 

Resources:

Jan 2, 2018

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they speak with Susan Brinkmann about her book, A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness, to discover the truth about this increasingly popular, but dangerous practice.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why was it necessary to enlist the help of experts on Eastern religions to write this book?
  • What is mindfulness? Where did it originate?
  • Can the Buddhist influence on mindfulness be separated from the practice?
  • Why do studies show that mindfulness is helpful for stress reduction and anxiety?
  • Why were so many of the studies invalid?
  • Is this movement financially motivated?
  • What are some of the affects of mindfulness? 
  • Why are Eastern meditative practices so attractive to Western cultures?
  • What are some of the differences between Christianity and Buddhism?

 Resources:

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