Deacon James Keating PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Discerning Hearts
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Deacon James Keating PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

With spiritual depth and theological richness, Deacon Keating leads listeners to communion and intimacy with God the Father through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Deacon Keating is the director of theological formation for the Institute of Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, NE. The series is hosted by Kris McGregor.

  1. 9 HR AGO

    CTD2 – The Desert of Ordinary Life – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    The Desert of Ordinary Life – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss integrating faith into daily life, warning against separating religion from ordinary activities. They stress the need for vulnerability in worship to avoid routine and self-centeredness. Lent offers opportunities for spiritual growth, including reconciliation and stations of the cross. They lament the decline of shame and public judgment in society, emphasizing the community’s role in upholding moral truth. The Eucharist brings peace and transforms individuals, impacting society through witness. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * Integration of Faith: How can we ensure that our faith is not compartmentalized but integrated into every aspect of our daily lives? * Vulnerability in Worship: Reflect on times when worship has felt routine or self-centered. How can we cultivate vulnerability and openness to God during worship? * Lenten Practices: In what ways can Lenten practices such as reconciliation and stations of the cross deepen our relationship with God? * Decline of Shame: What are the implications of the decline of shame and public judgment in contemporary society for moral behavior and community life? * Role of Community: How can communities uphold moral truth while respecting individual conscience and freedom? * Transformative Power of the Eucharist: Reflect on the transformative power of the Eucharist in bringing peace and impacting society through witness. An excerpt from “Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion”: “The only location for God to interact with us is deep within the ordinariness of our days. We are called to cherish the ordinary day, not because of its routine or common features, but because within this daily forum God reaches us through others, through worship, charity, and our relational commitments. Our daily lives carry an invitation from God to become morally good and holy; it is the only medium through which this invitation can come. Cherish the days.” – Keating, James  (2012-07-20).  Liguori Publications. Kindle Edition. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

    28 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    SC-1 – The 1st and 2nd Stations – Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Episode 1 -Stations of the Cross: Reflections with Deacon James Keating – The Stations of the Cross - one of the most powerful devotionals alive in the heart of the Church. While Reflecting deeply on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 1st and 2nd station along the Way of the Cross.

    30 min

  3. 5 MAR

    CTD1 – The Desert of Consumerism – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

    The Desert of Consumerism – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Lent as a spiritual oasis in life’s desert, where distractions of consumerism often obscure our deeper needs. Deacon Keating reminds us of Lent’s call to surrender to God’s providence, confront loneliness, and find simplicity. He highlights how modern culture fosters busyness to avoid facing inner realities. Lent offers a chance to deepen relationships, encounter God, and break free from the cycle of distraction and emptiness. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * Understanding Lent’s Purpose: How does Deacon Keating describe Lent’s intended purpose as an oasis in life’s desert of consumerism and routine? * Reflection on Cultural Distractions: What insight does Deacon Keating provide regarding the distractions of modern culture and their impact on spiritual awareness during Lent? * The Paradox of Surrender: Explain Deacon Keating’s perspective on the fear of surrendering to God’s providence and the discomfort it may bring. * Embracing Simplicity: How does Deacon Keating propose embracing simplicity during Lent can lead to a deeper encounter with God and transformation? * Confronting Loneliness and Pain: Discuss Deacon Keating’s view on the avoidance of loneliness and pain in modern society, and how Lent offers an opportunity to confront these realities. * The Invitation to Deepen Relationships: According to Deacon Keating, how does Lent invite individuals to deepen relationships within the Catholic community and experience God’s healing presence? * Breaking Free from Distraction: Summarize Deacon Keating’s message regarding Lent’s role in breaking free from the cycle of distraction and emptiness perpetuated by consumer culture. An excerpt from “Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion”: “Lent wants to remind us of our real identity. At first appearance a seeming “obligation,” Lent is actually a great gift. Are we brave enough to enter this desert, and then let it affect us so deeply as to turn us away from sin and false identities, turn us toward communion with the living God? The Church presents this season to us every year because it is hoped that this year will be our year to say “Yes” to Lent’s call to repentance. Lent should not be something we go through alone, but together. As the Hebrews wandered the desert for forty years, so we should enter Lent through the ecclesial community and share its challenges with brothers and sisters in Christ. Lent should not be what the elderly man in the barbershop characterized as “life as usual.” With our goal being moral conversion, let us now turn to see how God can facilitate that conversion when we take on a “lenten mind.” Keating, James (2012-07-20). Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion (Kindle Locations 200-207). Liguori Publications. Kindle Edition. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

    28 min

  4. 19/12/2024

    The Gift of Holiness – Advent Retreat Reflection by Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    The Gift of Holiness – Advent Retreat Reflection by Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Deacon James Keating reflects on the spiritual journey of focusing on “the one thing necessary,” inspired by the story of the Magi in Matthew 2, and the human tendency to be attracted to many distractions and how the saints exemplify unwavering commitment to God despite their struggles. The sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual direction, and the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent help us to purify our hearts and draw us closer to God. Holiness brings interior quiet, freedom, and simplicity, which are cultivated through deep participation in the Eucharist and attentiveness to God’s presence in daily life. With the pervasive “spirit of distraction” in modern culture we must resist despair by embracing the ideals of faith. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions * What Attracts Your Heart? Reflect on the things that draw your attention and whether they lead you closer to God or distract you from Him. * Are You Focused on the One Thing Necessary? Examine how well you prioritize your relationship with Christ amidst the chaos and distractions of life. * How Do You Respond to Spiritual Restlessness? Consider whether you seek peace through deeper communion with God or turn to worldly solutions that fail to satisfy. * Do You Allow the Eucharist to Transform You? Evaluate the depth of your participation in the Eucharist and its ability to bring quiet, freedom, and simplicity to your soul. * How Do You Handle Distractions and Temptations? Reflect on your willingness to notice distracting thoughts and redirect them to Christ through prayer and trust. * Are You Embracing the Ideals of Faith? Ask yourself whether you welcome the challenging yet uplifting ideals of the Gospel or allow discouragement to pull you away. * What Treasure Are You Offering to Christ? Consider how you can, like the magi, pour out your life as a gift to Christ in gratitude and surrender. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

    18 min

  5. 14/12/2024

    AR#12 – St. Therese and the Present Moment – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.

    St. Therese of Lisieux said the following: “If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient. But I only look at the present. I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.” In these remarks, St. Therese is trying to point to the truth that is buried deep within the Christian revelation. God only lives in the present moment. He holds all time together in the present. For ourselves, we get lost many times in the past, which could breed nostalgia and grief. Or we anxiously and fearfully try to make the present come quicker. This Advent, ask the Lord for the grace to live in the present so that our gratitude towards all that He is giving us now will deepen. And in our deepening gratitude, will be born a new fervor for worship. For worship is the fruit of the grateful heart. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page

    2 min

  6. 13/12/2024

    AR#11- The Grace to Be Meek – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.

    The patient one is also the meek one. In meekness, we have received God’s love so deeply, that we securely possess our own identities. Meekness is not weakness or some type of emotional withdrawal. To be meek, is to have suffered the coming of God’s love so deeply in our hearts, that we finally know who we are. And so we are no longer motivated to act or to choose out of fear or anxiety. These latter are the hallmark of impatient men. Impatient men choose out of fear or anxiety because they choose to relieve their fear, to console and to diminish their fear. But in the meantime, acting out of fear negates the power of their acting, as it flows only from weakness, and not the strength of being in communion with God. This Advent, let us ask for the grace to be meek. The grace to receive his love so deeply, that we finally come to fully possess our identity and banish from our lives all actions that are born in fear or anxiety. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page

    2 min

  7. 12/12/2024

    AR#10 – Receiving Love Deeply – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.

    In the area of the new evangelization, we need to receive more in prayer. Even more than give witness to an action or word. The deeper we receive his love in prayer, the fewer our words will have to be to have great effect. God’s harvest awaits those who have received His love deeply. And for those who have received his love deeply, they bring forth great fruit. This Advent, let us overcome our impatience to want to spread the Gospel in haste. Let us first spend time deeply receiving the Gospel ourselves, so that the living word of God will transform our hearts, and we may become not simply people who carry words, or actions; witnessing to the love of God. But that we ourselves may become instances of the word of the love our God Himself. We ourselves may become, in our bodies, icons of the love of God. This Advent, let’s deepen our capacity to receive God’s love in prayer and then become this love. The love that the new evangelization is crying out for. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page

    2 min

  8. 11/12/2024

    AR#9 – The True Way of Love – Advent Reflections with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.

    The impatient one, above all, desires to speed up time and to get what he wants, when he wants it. In this way, impatience is related to violence. Whereas patience takes suffering upon the self. The impatient one makes others suffer. The patient one suffers for the sake of others. This Advent, the one who suffered for our sake, will come and take on flesh; be born into our world and teach all of us the true way of love. It is not to be impatient, but to suffer for the sake of others. To suffer for the goodness of others. To suffer for what benefits others. Jesus, who lives within all Christians, moves the heart to this new kind of patience. Let us welcome it, and make choices that further the welfare of others. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.  We highly recommend – The Eucharist and the Hope of Conversion with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. Discerning Hearts Podcast For more from Deacon James Keating check out his “Discerning Heart” page

    2 min
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About

With spiritual depth and theological richness, Deacon Keating leads listeners to communion and intimacy with God the Father through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Deacon Keating is the director of theological formation for the Institute of Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, NE. The series is hosted by Kris McGregor.

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