S14 E11 - A Time of Renewal (Holy Week: Focus)

In this week's episode, we conclude our Lenten study on the book “A Time of Renewal” and discuss the theme of “focus”. We chat about our natural temptation to focus on our woundedness, why we should take action and invite Jesus into these places, and how our wounds can be transformed into signs of the resurrection power of Christ. We also talk about the crosses we bear and the importance of recognizing the little resurrections in our life. Friends, thank you for journeying with us this Lenten season. We look forward to seeing you again after Easter!   Heather’s One Thing -  Our team behind the scenes: Kate, Camille, and Kristina! We are so grateful for you Sister Miriam’s On Thing - Springtime! Michelle’s One Thing - These Easter themed charcuterie boards! Option 1 Here. Option 2 Here.   Announcement(s): We will be taking a two week break for Easter beginning on 4/1/24! Season 14 will continue on 4/15/24!   Journal Questions: What was hard for me? What were the graces and mercies I experienced? How have I grown? How can I make this week holy? What wounds do I bring to Jesus? What wounds do I simply “stare at”?   Discussion Questions: Where in your life are you seeking glory? Do I live like the Resurrection is a reality? When do you lose hope? Does the story you tell yourself about God align with God’s story (the Paschal Mystery)? What are the places of my heart that I don’t believe the narrative (of the Paschal Mystery)?   Quotes to Ponder: “How are wounds made glorious? By our deciding what we will do with them. Our Jesus turned his wounds into beauty, and there is not one of us who would say, “Oh, this should not be in eternity.” Our poor hearts thrill to the verity that he is always showing his wounds to the Father on our behalf. They are transformed now in glory. Likewise, there is a transformation that we too can make of our own little everyday wounds which sometimes seem so deep and so big and so insufferable to us. How do we transform them into glory? By looking at Jesus, by remembering his suffering which was turned into glory.”  (Mother Mary Francis P.C.C. A Time of Renewal. Kindle Edition. Page 207)   Scripture for Lectio:  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)   Sponsor - Pearl and Thistle: Pearl & Thistle equips Catholics to both understand and love God’s design for our bodies and menstrual cycles – from puberty to perimenopause, and everything in between!  Pearl & Thistle features online courses, like:  Cycle Prep - for parents and daughters to prepare for her first period, together! Perimenopause Prep - for couples who want to navigate NFP amidst cycle changes, together!  Plus, books for teens and single women and tons of downloadable body literacy resources! Pearl and Thistle founder Christina Valenzuela weaves together modern cycle science with insights from Scripture, tradition, and JPII’s Theology of the Body to give us the positive language to talk about cycles, periods, and fertility – even when it all may just feel like a confusing mess.  Learn more about Pearl and Thistle’s innovative approach to Catholic body literacy @pearlandthistle or pearlandthistle.com, and be sure to use code TOGETHER to get 10% off at-home courses!