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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: 2016
Dec 30, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa speak with Dr. Anthony Lilles about Saint Therese of Lisieux's "Little Way" and how this practical guide to spirituality can help anyone find Christ.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Saint Therese explains that Jesus' heart breaks when Christians are ungrateful for what He has done in their lives, especially when they reject the grace that He has given them.
  • What is Saint Therese's "little way"?
  • How can this method of spirituality help those who are not cloistered religious?
  • Does her "little way" work? How do we know?
  • How can we find peace in the midst of worldly chaos and turmoil?
  • Why do discussions about the saints bring us peace?

Resources:

 

Dec 23, 2016

Description: This week Dr. Anthony Lilles unravels the meaning of the oblation (or self offering) made by Saint Therese of Lisieux.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Was the book, Living the Mystery of Merciful Love, intended to be an informative book about Saint Therese?
  • What does "oblation" mean to Saint Therese?
  • How can an oblation be a form of holocaust?
  • How is Saint Therese's "yes" similar to that of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
  • How was Saint Therese's view of God different than that of the Jansenists?

Resources:

 

Dec 16, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa introduce Saint Therese of Lisieux and explain the importance of her life and writings.

Topics/Questions covered in the show

  • Who is Saint Therese of Lisieux and why is she important?
  • What message is Saint Therese trying to convey through her life and writings?
  • How can the reader benefit from the writings of St. Therese if he or she cannot relate to her more feminine, poetic way of writing?

Resources:

Dec 9, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa delve deeper into Melissa's personal prayer journey and address some of the difficulties that have occured along the way.

Topics/Questions covered in the show

  • Is reading Scripture necessary for a strong prayer life?
  • Renewal in the Church begins interiorly and peacefully.
  • How can we "pray without ceasing" as the Church Fathers suggest?
  • Is the idea of having a "personal encounter with Christ" supported by Catholic teaching?

Resources:

Dec 2, 2016

DescriptionThis week, Dan and Melissa discuss the importance of the saints as well as examine the meaning behind Jesus' words about a rich man entering heaven.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What should we do if we can't relate to any particular saint?
  • The saints were not perfect from birth. Their lives reveal that no matter what circumstances and difficulties they experienced, they found God and developed an intimate relationship with Him.
  • In the Gospel of Matthew, why did Jesus say, "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God"?
  • Are we too comfortable in our lives? Do we ever give to the point that it makes us uncomfortable? 
  • Is money the root of all evil?

Resources:

Nov 25, 2016

DescriptionThis week, Dan and Melissa share their stories of progress and difficulties in prayer and how we can overcome these obstacles to God.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How have Dan’s Into the Deep parish events impacted its participants?
  • Saint Paul says in his letter to the Philippians chapter 1, verse 6, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
  • Melissa’s personal testimonies to progress and difficulties in the spiritual life.
  • When do we really fail at prayer?
  • What problem most commonly keeps us away from God?

Resources:

Nov 18, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa answer questions from listeners about hearing God's voice in prayer and spiritual reading versus Scripture reading during prayer time. 

 Topics/Questions covered on the show:

  • If we can meditate more easily on spiritual reading rather than Scripture, should we only pray using spiritual reading? 
  • How do we know if we are hearing the voice of God in prayer?

 Resources:

Nov 11, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa discuss how one should handle situations that occur during discovery prayer.

 

Topics/Questions covered on the show:

  • If your prayer time has ended, what should you do if you are not finished with all five steps of discovery prayer?
  • While praying, if the Lord blesses you with a consolation and your prayer time is complete, what should you do?
  • If you are having a consolation, should you move on to complete the steps of discovery prayer or rest with the consolation?

 Resources:

Nov 4, 2016

Description: This week, Dan and Melissa explain how tolerating distractions in the spiritual life can dissuade the enemy from discouraging us in prayer. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • It would be unrealistic to believe that we can be free from all distractions in prayer, so we must have strategies to tolerate them.
  • How can we "gently" turn our thoughts back to God during prayer?
  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals to us that our distractions can uncover our sinful attachments.
  • Is perseverance in prayer despite our distractions more meritorious than being without distractions all together?
  • What strategies can we use to tolerate the distractions and turn our hearts back to Jesus?

Resources:

Oct 28, 2016

Description: This week, Dan and Melissa recognize prayer as a battle and give strategies to combat distractions and other forces that interfere with progress in prayer. 

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why is prayer referred to as “a battle” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
  • Distractions can be a serious setback for those seeking to advance in prayer.
  • What types of distractions are the most detrimental?
  • What are some strategies to help prevent or eliminate distractions?

 Resources:

 

Oct 21, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa dissect Melissa's prayer experience with the Parable of the Prodigal Son and apply it to the steps of discovery prayer, focusing on step two - reflection.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Saint Peter cast his net out into the deep when instructed by Jesus and was abundantly blessed. The same is true for our prayer lives. We must have the same faith and trust in God to cast our own nets out into the deep and He will bless us abundantly.
  • Step two of discovery prayer is reflecting. What does this mean? What are some examples of this practice?
  • Dan guides Melissa through an examination of her own personal prayer experience with the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
  • How does reflection aid the faithful in their desire to know and love God?

Resources:

Oct 14, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa delve more deeply into the first step of discovery prayer. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How should we enter into prayer? What prayers are best to begin our sacred time with God?
  • Keep distracting electronic devices out of your prayer space.
  • What is the best pace for saying vocal and/or mental prayer?
  • Begin discovery prayer with the gospels. 
  • What is the best method for reading the gospel passage?

Resources:

Oct 7, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa reiterate the importance of establishing a prayer commitment and delve into the first step of deepening one's prayer life through discovery prayer.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why is practicing mental prayer important?
  • What is the purpose of a prayer commitment?
  • The first step of discovery prayer is reading a short passage of Scripture or spiritual reading.
  • How is reading during discovery prayer different than everyday reading?

 

Resources:

Sep 30, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa lay out the importance of making a solemn commitment to God as a step to building a successful prayer life. 

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How do we discern God's voice from our own during prayer?
  • How can we add spiritual reading to a busy schedule?
  • Why is making a solemn commitment to God important in the spiritual life?
  • What is the best way to go about making this commitment?

Resources

Sep 23, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa explain the three sacred elements necessary to progress most successfully in prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Heeding the advice of the saints by establishing three key elements to one's prayer life will vastly improve his or her prayer experience.
  • These three key elements include sacred time, space and attention.
  • What is the best time of day to pray?
  • Why is a sacred space important to one's prayer life?
  • Will challenges occur even when we are dedicated to deepening our relationship with God? If so, how can we overcome these challenges?

Resources:

Sep 16, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa provide the layout for a successful experience in prayer by introducing discovery prayer (or lectio divina).

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • The spiritual doctors of the Church describe mental prayer as being essential to a successful prayer life.
  • By praying discovery prayer with the Gospels, one will encounter Christ, who transforms the soul.
  • Discovery prayer consists of reading, reflecting, responding, resting and resolving.
  • What are the sacred elements of prayer?

Resources:

Sep 9, 2016

Description: Praying is not reserved only for holy souls. All souls need prayer to bring them to the heights of holiness. On this episode of Divine Intimacy Radio, Dan and Melissa stress that the most crucial element of beginning a prayer routine is to pray!

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • If someone wants to establish a lasting, meaningful prayer life, he must jump in and get started.
  • A common misunderstanding is that one must be holy in order to start a meaningful prayer life when the opposite is true. One must start a prayer life first in order to be holy.
  • Reading countless books on prayer is not a substitute for prayer. 
  • Beginning a prayer routine is difficult, but as one practices and learns, it becomes easier and more enjoyable.

 

Resources

Sep 2, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa explore the reality of God's desire for a deep, lasting relationship with each individual soul.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What does it mean to say that God "thirsts" for us? How is this reality possible?
  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that God seeks to meet us at the well, longing to give us living water so that our thirst might be forever satisfied.
  • Who is it that places the desire for God in our souls?
  • God will always bring to completion what He has put into motion.

 

 Resources

 

Aug 26, 2016

Description: What is prayer? This week Dan and Melissa debunk the popular idea of prayer only as a means of attaining what we want. 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is prayer?
  • How do the saints describe a healthy, meaningful prayer life?
  • How can we avoid treating God like a vending machine?
  • What is the result of a deep prayer life?

 Resources

Aug 19, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa explore the depth of God's love for each and every soul He created and how this eternal love draws each of us to prayer.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show

  • What is the importance of realizing God's personal love in one's life?
  • How should we respond to this deep, personal love?
  • Why is prayer a matter of justice?
  • Why does God deserve our prayers?

 

Resources:

Aug 12, 2016

Description: Why should we pray? This week Dan and Melissa dive into Dan's new book on prayer titled, Into the Deep: Finding Peace through Prayer and begin to discuss the importance of establishing a real, meaningful, lasting relationship with God.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • Why pray?
  • How can we grow closer to God if we do not spend meaningful time with Him?
  • Prayer leads us to holiness.

Resources:

Aug 5, 2016

Description: This week, Dan and Melissa discuss the enemy's plan of attack on the soul.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • How can one discern his or her vocation properly in accordance with God's will? 
  • How can we quickly overcome spiritual desolation?
  • The enemy watches us closely and attacks us at our weakest spiritual point. 
  • How can we fortify our defenses against the enemy and succeed in virtue?
  • How can we recognize our root sin?

Resources:

Jul 29, 2016

Description: Dan and Melissa address Rule 13 on the enemy's plan to keep us quiet during spiritual desolation.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is Rule 13 of the Discernment of Spirits?
  • Is there ever a time when a soul matures to the point of no longer experiencing spiritual desolation?
  • How can a soul discern between experiencing suffering and desolation?
  • The importance of making known the temptations of the enemy to combat his power over the soul.
  • To whom should one reveal his or her spiritual battles, temptations, or desolation?

Resources

Jul 22, 2016

Description:

How strong is the enemy? Today Dan and Melissa discuss strength and weakness when faced with temptation from the enemy.

 Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • What is Saint Teresa of Avila’s advice about the tactics the enemy uses to dissuade those beginning to establish a prayer life?
  • Cooperation with God’s grace is essential in establishing a prayer life.
  • Saint Francis de Sales warns us that it is dangerous to receive a gift from God and ignore it.
  • Saint Therese of Lisieux says that “A soul in the state of grace has nothing to fear from demons, who are cowards, capable of fleeing before the gaze of a little child.”
  • Saint Ignatius suggests that we must be strong against the attacks of the enemy and resist temptations.

Resources:

 

 

Jul 15, 2016

Description: This week Dan and Melissa discuss how the rules of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Discernment of Spirits has impacted their lives.

 

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

  • The rules of The Discernment of Spirits that have had the most impact on Dan and Melissa.
  • Which rules seem to be the most important in establishing a closer relationship to Christ?
  • Is a daily examination of conscience necessary to grow in the spiritual life?
  • How can the life and writings of Saint Therese of Lisieux help inspire those called to the vocation of marriage and family life?

Resources:

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