Abiding Together

In this episode, we continue our series on sacred elements as we explore the significance of oil as a symbol of intimacy with God, anointing, and preparation for the Bridegroom. Mary broke open her costly perfume and poured it all out at Jesus' feet, holding nothing back. We talk about the beauty of that kind of love, the posture of gazing up into the face of the One who loves us, and why a heart given entirely to Him is never wasted. We also share how to keep our lamps filled as we wait for the Bridegroom and why no one can lend us the oil that comes from our own time with Him. The same Spirit who anointed us at our baptism longs to fill us again with the oil of His love, so that our lamps are burning bright when the Bridegroom comes.

Heather's One Thing - Make Me A Bethany by Jesus Image

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The New Translation from the Liturgy of the Hours (Find Ascension's Version Here) (Find Word on Fire's Version Here)

Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Spirit of the Liturgy of the Hours by Fr. Boniface Hicks

Michelle's One Thing - Italian Gnocchi Soup and the Auburn vs Georgia game

Journal Questions:

• Where is the Lord drawing me into deeper intimacy?
• How can I love God more extravagantly?
• What parts of yourself are you holding back from the Lord?
• How can I make space in my life to fall more in love with God?
• What places of my heart are dry and in need of encounter?

Discussion Questions:

• What are you attached to other than God that pulls you away from a deeper relationship with Him?
• How might God be inviting you to break from routine and love Him more generously?
• When have you seen an outpouring of intimacy with the Lord draw others (or yourself) closer to Jesus?
• What is bearing fruit in your life and in the lives of those around you?
• What are you filling your life with while you wait when it feels like Jesus is delayed?

Quote to Ponder:

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matthew 25:1–13)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."" (John 12:1–8)

Sponsor - Aging with Dignity:

Aging with Dignity is a national non-profit organization founded 30 years ago by Jim Towey, who was legal counsel and friend to Saint Teresa of Calcutta for 12 years until her death.

The mission of Aging with Dignity is to defend the rights of all people as they approach the end of life. Mother Teresa urged Jim in a letter, "bring God's love and compassion to the elderly poor."

Aging with Dignity is best known for its advance directive, Five Wishes. Five Wishes helps families start and guide advance care planning conversations and then document their wishes. Five Wishes also deals with heart-and-soul issues, like comfort, forgiveness, maintaining dignity and ensuring that your loved ones know what is most important to you. It is available in 33 languages and Braille.

Aging with Dignity recently launched a new resource called, Finishing Life Faithfully, A Guide for Catholics on End-of-Life Care. Finishing Life Faithfully is a companion guide for Five Wishes that offers clear guidance on how to follow the moral teachings of the Catholic Church when making important healthcare decisions. Like Five Wishes, it's written in everyday language that's easy to understand. The guide has been endorsed by Cardinals O'Malley and Dolan as well as numerous Bishops and church leaders.

During the Holiday Season, they have a featured product called, "The Gathering Kit." It has multiple Five Wishes and their Five Wishes Conversation Guide to help you start the sometimes difficult, but important conversation about end-of- life care with the ones you love. Not only will your family know your wishes, but they can take this important step themselves.

For Abiding Together podcast listeners, they're making a special offer. Twenty percent off on any Five Wishes resource. Order at fivewishes.org and use the code "abiding20" at check out to get 20 percent off. That's fivewishes.org and use the code "abiding20" at check out for 20 percent off all Five Wishes resources.

Timestamps: 00:00 Aging with Dignity

01:30 Intro

02:12 Welcome

04:27 The Costly Oil of Intimacy

07:42 Oil in the Sacraments

09:36 Not Holding Anything Back

11:21 Falling in Love with God

14:41 Oil Leaves A Mark

18:53 The Oil of Preparation

20:56 Setting Aside Times for Prayer

27:14 What Are We Filling Our Lives with When We Feel Jesus is Delayed?

31:42 One Things

34:03 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we begin a three part series about different elements found in Scripture and today focus on the Potter and clay in Jeremiah. God is constantly forming us, meeting us in the ordinary moments of life and inviting us to trust that His hands are always shaping and building us up. We reflect on how being unfinished is not the same as being abandoned, the ways we can become more open to the Lord's work in our hearts, and how even difficult seasons can reveal the growth He is bringing about in us. The image of the Potter and clay invites us to bring our wounded and unfinished places to the Lord, trusting in His desire to restore us with great care.

Heather's One Thing - 2026 Hallow Summit

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Her Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Michelle's One Thing - UNC vs Chapel Hill Game and the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh

Journal Questions:

• What does the Lord want to reveal to us in the ordinary moments of our lives?
• Where do you notice God's fingerprints in your life?
• In what areas of your life do you feel unfinished?
• What areas of my life am I hiding from the Lord or others?
• Where in your life are you struggling to see good fruit?

Discussion Questions:

• How is the Lord shaping you in this season?
• How is the Lord holding you in your brokenness?
• Where in your life are you trying to do too much without God's help?
• What empty promises are you believing?

Quote to Ponder:

"Let us hold on firmly to this basic principle of Catholic cosmology: The devil doesn't have his own clay. All he can do is take God's clay—all of which is "very good" (Gen 1: 31)—and twist it, distort it. The good news is that Christ came into the world to untwist the clay that sin and the devil twisted up. While our understanding of eros is badly in need of rehabilitation, the good news, as papal preacher Raniero Cardinal Cantalamessa reminds us, is that Christ has "come to save the world, beginning with eros, which is the dominant force." (Eating the Sunrise: Meditations on the Liturgy & Our Hunger for Beauty by Christopher West)

Scripture for Lectio:

"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: "Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?" says the Lord. "Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."" (Jeremiah 18: 1-6)

Sponsor - Pink Salt Riot:

What if instead of listening to the voice in your head telling you you're not enough (spoiler alert: that's a lie!), you could embrace the truth?

So many of us love Jesus and still carry worry, fear, and the quiet sense that we're falling short. We know what God says about us, but by Monday afternoon the lies can feel louder than the truth.

Pink Salt Riot creates meaningful Christian jewelry and gifts designed to inspire faith and joy in everyday life. From wearable reminders of God's love to thoughtful gifts that speak to the soul, our products empower Christians to fight the lies of the culture and live rooted in God's Truth found in His Word.

Meet TruthBands. Our elastic TruthBand bracelets feature fun designs on one side and powerful declarations or Scripture quotes on the other, like "Jesus Help Me to See Myself the Way You See Me" and "Surrender it all. Lay down control and let God." They're comfortable enough to wear every day and easy to stack with your favorite pieces. Every glance at your wrist becomes a moment to pause, pray, and abide in Him, carrying your faith from Sunday into the rest of your week.

Something for everyone you love. With earrings, necklaces, bracelets, stickers, and more for women, teens, and kids, Pink Salt Riot makes it easy to give an affordable gift that truly means something. We even have gifts for boys & men, too. Whether someone is celebrating a birthday, a sacrament, entering a new season, or walking through a hard one, you'll find a reminder of truth that meets them right where they are.

Made for every Christian. Pink Salt Riot is a gathering place for everyone who loves Jesus and wants to know Him more. Even though our owner is a devout Catholic, our gifts are created to speak to what all Christians share, so you can give them with confidence to friends and family across churches and denominations. (Although, we do have some really great Catholic-specific items, too.)

Exclusive offer for Abiding Together listeners: Use code ABIDING15 at https://pinksaltriot.com/ for 15% off your order.

Shop now at pinksaltriot.com →

Fight lies. Be free. Love Jesus.

Timestamps: 00:00 Pink Salt Riot

01:30 Intro

02:11 Welcome

05:50 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

07:08 Clay Retains the Fingerprints of the Creator

11:23 Humanity is A Gift

13:29 Being Unfinished Doesn't Mean Being Abandoned

19:00 The Areas We Try to Hide from God

22:21 Trying to Find A Way Around the Cross

25:59 Seeing Fruit Amidst the Work

28:53 Firing the Clay

30:27 One Things

In this episode, we talk about what it means to live an authentically human life in an increasingly digital world. Technology is reshaping the way we live and it affects more than just how we work and play. We reflect on how our thoughts, relationships, and emotions are being influenced, and why we need to be intentional about making space for real, human connection. We share how beauty, creativity, and wonder draw us out of an artificial reality and remind us of the goodness of being human. We also offer practical ideas for finding balance with technology, learning to savor rather than simply consume, and allowing the Lord to rightly order our lives.

Heather's One Thing - Humanality's Digital Detox Program

Heather's Other One Thing - Ave Maria Press and Spoonful of Comfort

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Therese of Lisieux: Secrets of Joy by Fr Pierre Descouvemont

Michelle's One Thing - Ella Langley Shirt from her friends in Auburn and Farmers Markets

Journal Questions:

• What am I giving my attention to?
• Where do I need more human formation?
• How can I create more separation from my phone?
• What boundaries do I need with technology?

Discussion Questions:

• What does it look like to interact with technology and not be dominated by it?
• How is the Lord inviting you to engage your humanity?
• How have you given into fear about the state of the world?
• How is God inviting you to live more intentionally?

Quote to Ponder:

"The deeper a soul is bound to God, the more completely surrendered to grace, the stronger will be its influence on the form of the Church. Conversely, the more an era is engulfed in the night of sin and estrangement from God the more it needs souls united to God. And God does not permit a deficiency. The greatest figures of prophecy and sanctity step forth out of the darkest night." (Edith Stein)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (Ephesians 1:17)

Sponsor - Camp Wojtyla:

Are you looking for a transformative experience for your middle school or high school student? Camp Wojtyla helps young people fall more in love with Jesus Christ and His Church through epic adventures in the Colorado mountains, awesome community, and huge fun. Camp Wojtyla helps kids learn they are stronger than they thought, and that God is bigger than they could ever have imagined.

Camp Wojtyla is nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado on a beautiful, 1200-acre wilderness property, and offers fourteen different single gender programs, giving campers a unique opportunity to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL!

We have a God of adventure. He has a story and a plan for each of us. Camp Wojtyla teaches about God and the Catholic Church through authentic and life-changing adventures in creation. In a culture that inundates us with noise, unplugged time on the mountain helps us understand who God is and who He has made us to be. While at Camp Wojtyla, campers experience expertly designed and sequenced programming that helps them understand that they are called to sainthood...and how they can achieve it! Our carefully selected, and highly trained team of staff and counselors are joyful and faithful role models who can't wait to help give your camper their best summer ever!

Come check us out at https://www.camp-w.com/. We can't wait to offer you or your child a transformative adventure! The lottery for 2027 programming is open now through October 26th. Sign up today for a chance to experience Life to the Full at Camp Wojtyla this summer!

SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTER

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

ONLINE TRADING POST STORE

Timestamps: 00:00 Camp Wojtyla

01:31 Intro

02:13 Welcome

03:37 What Does it Mean to Embrace Our Humanity?

07:14 AI Will Change the Way We Live

10:40 Embodied Living

15:38 Experiencing Community in Person

20:13 Beauty is an Antidote to Artificiality

23:16 Making Time for Human Experiences

25:40 Recapping Practical Ways to Live Humanly

27:33 One Things

In this episode, we reflect on how to integrate the rhythms of the liturgical year into our everyday lives. We talk about the different graces available to us in each liturgical season, and how by living these seasons year after year, we are slowly being taught how to thrive. We also reflect on the value of our attention, what it means to be human, and how sacramentals can help call our attention back to God. Living liturgically is not simply another thing to do, but an invitation to become the women God created us to be.

Heather's One Thing - Catholic Artists

Sister Miriam's One Thing - All Our Abiding Together Sponsors

Michelle's One Thing - Brie and Cheddar Beer Soup

Other Resources Mentioned:

•

Ascension 2027 Planner

Journal Questions:

• How is the Lord inviting me to embrace liturgical living?
• Who is the Mother Church inviting you to become in our season of Ordinary Time?
• What have I been meditating on in daily life and how can I savor the Gospel?
• Is there somebody or something that has taken God's place at the center of my life?

Discussion Questions:

• How do the Church's liturgical rhythms and practices differ from how you live your life?
• What holds your attention throughout the day?
• What would it look like to embody the rhythms of the Church?
• What's one way you'd like to embrace liturgical living in this season?

Quotes to Ponder:

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)

"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." (J. R. R. Tolkien, Hobbit Movie)

"The word "liturgy" originally meant a "public work" or a "service in the name of/on behalf of the people." In Christian tradition it means the participation of the People of God in "the work of God." Through the liturgy Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through his Church." (CCC 1069)

Scripture for Lectio:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Sponsor - Rooted for Good:

Radiant Skincare. Wholesome Living. A Greater Mission.

Rooted For Good specializes in all-natural skincare and essential oils carefully crafted to nourish your skin while aligning with your values. Founded by a Catholic cosmetologist and mom of six, Rooted was built on the conviction that clean beauty should be affordable and faithful to Goodness, Truth, and Real Beauty.

From foaming face washes and sugar scrubs to revitalizing serums and bath soaks, every product is formulated with clean, wholesome ingredients. Rooted products are a win/win—nourishing the body God gave you without compromising your budget or your faith.

What the AT Community has to say:

• Glowing Skin: "IT MAKES MY SKIN ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUSLY GLOWY & HYDRATES MARVELOUSLY." — Julie O.
• Faith & Beauty: "All natural. All beautiful. All for Jesus." — Alli S.
• Daily Essentials: "I hope Rooted never stops making this because I don't think I'll find another face wash that I like as much!" — Alison J.
• Sensitive Skin Success: "I have an autoimmune disease so I have to be very careful, and I have had NO issues with anything!" — Randi B.
• Hydration Hero: "My face is clearer, softer, and no more dry flakes... I love it and won't use anything else." — Christi T.
• At-Home Spa: "I feel like I get a little spa visit every night when I put this on." — Jessamyn A.
• Lash & Brow Care: "The results were beyond anything I expected -- longer, thicker, darker lashes that I absolutely love..." — Nicolette S.
• Revitalizing Scrubs: "It smells like I'm at a spa retreat... and it leaves my skin wonderfully soft and moisturized." — Mary M.
• Lasting Transformation: "Using all-natural products consistently has made a real difference in how my skin feels and looks." — Elizabeth B.

Good for You, Good for Others From day one, 10% of every sale—not just profit—goes directly to uplifting the poor in developing countries, so that every dollar you spend carries an impact.

Special Community Offer:

Enjoy 10% off your entire order with code Abide10 at RootedForGood.com/Abide

Timestamps: 00:00 Rooted for Good

01:17 Intro

02:18 Welcome

05:36 The Circular Rhythm of Life

09:07 We Need Holy Order

13:04 What Does it Mean to Be Human?

15:32 God is Meant to Be at the Center

19:15 The Gift of Attention

23:17 Sacramentals to Help Us Remember the Divine

26:58 Where is the Holy Spirit Calling Us?

28:11 One Things

In this episode, we continue our reflection on the mysteries of our lives by exploring our luminous and glorious mysteries. We talk about how God has been inviting us to trust His plans, especially when they look different from our own. We also share how God has been restoring relationships in our lives, reminding us that He is faithful even when we cannot see the full picture of what He is doing. Through these reflections, we are reminded that when God brings something to light, He is inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. And that His glory is often revealed through quiet moments of restoration and redemption.

Luminous - Something the Lord brought to the light to and an area of pruning, a longing, and ache

Glorious - Something you see the Lord redeeming and restoring (it can still be in process)

Heather's One Thing - The Good Life Hallow Series on Hallow

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Oremoose

Michelle's One Thing - Dolly Parton and Wendell Berry

Journal Questions:

• What is a Luminous Mystery of your life in this season?
• What is a Glorious Mystery of your life in this season?
• Where in my life am I seeking restoration and God's glory?
• Which of your relationships are in need of repair?

Discussion Questions:

• How have the Luminous Mysteries of your life invited you to greater clarity & freedom?
• How is the Lord bringing deeper integration through your Glorious Mysteries?
• How have you seen God's glory in the midst of suffering?
• What's one way that you can tangibly depend more on God this week?

Quote to Ponder:

"I often think that the ideal of our perfection that we set up, and often go through torture to achieve, may not be God's idea of how He wants us to be at all. That may be something quite different that we never would have thought of, and what seems like a failure to us may really be something bringing us closer to His will for us." (Caryll Houselander)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." (Psalm 34: 4-5)

Sponsor - The Abiding Together Shop:

Sweater season is here, and the holidays will be here before we know it! The Abiding Together shop is officially back, and we're celebrating with a special shop sale. Whether you're shopping for yourself or getting a head start on your Christmas list, there's something for every Abiding Together listener—from cozy sweatshirts and long- or short-sleeved shirts to saint story cards, mugs, and leather keychains.

We have so many new styles making their debut in the shop, along with some of your favorite products that are finally back in stock. And for a limited time, you can get free shipping on orders over $75!

One of the best ways you can support Abiding Together is simply by spreading the word. Wearing your Abiding Together merch out and about is a fun way to share the podcast with the people around you and let others know about the community we're building together.

And with free shipping on orders over $75, this is the perfect time to place a group order for your sisters, friends, or small group!

Head over to the shop (abidingtogetherpodcast.com), find something you love, and get ready to show off your Abiding Together spirit. We can't wait to see you out there in your Abiding Together merch!

Timestamps: 00:00 The Abiding Together Shop

01:37 Intro

03:00 Luminous Mysteries

12:53 Glorious Mysteries

19:02 One Things

Welcome to Season 19! In this episode, we continue our tradition of reflecting on the mysteries of our lives through the mysteries of the Rosary. In every season of our lives, God invites us to grow in charity, receive His grace, and allow Him to work more deeply in our hearts. It's important to pause from time to time and reflect on how God has been moving in and through our lives. We model what this reflection can look like and share about our joyful and sorrowful mysteries.

Joyful - A delight, an area of gratitude

Sorrowful - A hurt or obstacle

Heather's One Thing - Abiding Together and Ascension 2027 Planner

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Good News Conference and everyone who plans events

Michelle's One Thing - College Football and Summer Camps

Journal Questions:

• What has God been doing in my life?
• What are the Joyful Mysteries of my life in this season?
• What are the Sorrowful Mysteries of my life in this season?
• How is the Lord inviting me to surrender the pain of my Sorrowful Mysteries?

Discussion Questions:

• How is the Lord inviting you to be more awake to Him?
• How have you experienced deeper integration in your life through your Joyful Mysteries?
• How is the Lord accompanying you through the Sorrowful Mysteries?
• How is the Lord transforming your bitter memories into sweetness?

Quote to Ponder:

"I often think that the ideal of our perfection that we set up, and often go through torture to achieve, may not be God's idea of how He wants us to be at all. That may be something quite different that we never would have thought of, and what seems like a failure to us may really be something bringing us closer to His will for us." (Caryll Houselander)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." (Psalm 34: 4-5)

Sponsor - CORDA:

Bring the coziness of candlelight and beautiful scents to your home with CORDA's Catholic candles. These candles are made with clean coconut wax and custom fragrances directly inspired by saints and the faith, and are handcrafted by a husband-and-wife team.

Each candle comes beautifully packaged and ready for gifting, with the story behind the scent inspiration on the box. The timeless design of the candle leads with beauty, helping you share the faith in a lovely and meaningful way.

Explore CORDA's beautiful Catholic candles and, through November 15, save 10% with code ABIDING10 at https://cordacandles.com/abiding

Timestamps: 00:00 CORDA

01:21 Intro

02:03 Welcome

05:00 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

09:53 Joyful Mysteries

20:38 Sorrowful Mysteries

37:44 One Things

40:32 Closing Prayer

To read Sr. Miriam's Letter, visit the Friends of the Bridegroom's website.

In this episode, we conclude our book study on Friendship in the Lord and welcome Fr. John Burns, Founder of Friends of the Bridegroom, to the podcast. We reflect on our deep longing to be known and loved and the ways fear can cause us to cling to others or settle for lesser goods. We talk about hoping for the possibility of beautiful friendship, even when our own experience has been marked by loneliness, disappointment, or suffering. We also discuss the beauty of celibate friendship as a witness to the primacy of God's love, the role of feedback in relationships, and how the limitations we encounter in friendship ultimately reveal the deeper truth that we were made for God.

Friends, we feel so blessed to have been able to journey with you this summer. We will see you on September 28th for the start of Season 19! Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to receive updates!

Announcement:

•

You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• How has God moved my heart through this book study?
• Where in my heart am I longing for more hope in my relationships?
• How has this book study given me more hope for more friendships?
• How am I avoiding suffering?
• What are my relational patterns when I experience joy? Shame? Suffering?
• How have I been tempted to idolize friendship by seeing a friend as my savior?

Discussion Questions:

• What has resonated with you in the book?
• How do you want to show up to your friendships differently?
• What would it look like to have hope in difficult or painful relationships?
• How are you seeking to grow in maturity in your friendships?

Quote to Ponder:

"There is no true love without reverence. And reverence is always tender." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 115)

Scripture for Lectio:

"He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled." (John 3:29)

Sponsor - Ave Maria Press:

Enjoyed reading Friendship in the Lord this summer? Ave Maria Press has even more spiritual titles you'll love. Explore more Christian classics, find your next small group book study or daily Advent companion, and discover guides to deeper healing and spiritual confidence. Ave Maria Press has curated a collection specifically for Abiding Together listeners—encounter your next meaningful read at avemariapress.com.

Timestamps: 00:00 Ave Maria Press

01:24 Intro

03:03 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

06:10 Appreciation and the Fear of Being Alone

10:19 Hope for What Friendship Can Be

14:01 The Fear of Suffering

20:14 Becoming Who We Are Meant to Be

28:05 Self-Knowledge in Friendship

30:24 The Beauty of Celibate Friendships

38:47 Encountering Loneliness

43:52 Seeing Another's Potential

48:17 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on the gift of friendship as a foretaste of heaven and a living image of God's love. We talk about how we are meant to journey through life with each other, how God bonds us together along the way, and how these friendships are meant to last forever. We also discuss the gift of praising God for our friends, what it means to behold and not possess beauty, and how focusing on gratitude allows us to hold joy and sorrow in tension.

Announcement:

•

You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• Who has accompanied you through the valleys and mountaintops of your life?
• When do I show up to my friendships from a place of woundedness, deficiency, or insecurity? How is the Lord inviting me into deeper security?
• What is the Lord inviting me to delight in?
• How have I turned my unmet expectations into demands in my friendships?

Discussion Questions:

• What are you grateful for?
• Where in your life are you experiencing the Lord's presence in the midst of suffering?
• When have unmet expectations turned into demands on a relationship?
• How do you cultivate delight and gratitude in your life?

Quote to Ponder:

"Friends in the Lord always turn one another toward the Lord. They are not forever gazing at each other, but together they look to the Lord and to their brothers and sisters in the Lord." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 101)

Scripture for Lectio:

"We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:14-17)

Sponsor - Word on Fire's new film, Heaven in Stone and Glass, produced in partnership with Spirit Juice Studios:

Beauty has the power to draw us beyond ourselves and point us toward something more.

One of our favorite places in the United States is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. When we are there, beauty has a way of speaking to the ache that we can't name. It is as though our soul knows where it belongs. It feels like a homecoming.

Word on Fire's Heaven in Stone and Glass is a new film exploring the beauty, meaning, and evangelizing power of sacred architecture.

Journey across France with Bishop Barron as he explores five of the world's most iconic Gothic cathedrals: Chartres, Notre-Dame, Reims, Amiens, and Saint-Denis. Through soaring arches, stained glass, sacred imagery, and centuries of history, Bishop Barron reveals the theological meaning embedded within these extraordinary spaces and explores why their beauty continues to stir something deep within the human soul.

Heaven in Stone and Glass invites believers and skeptics alike on a cinematic pilgrimage and asks us to consider what these sacred spaces have proclaimed for centuries: that beauty can reveal something about God and awaken us to the transcendent.

Word on Fire's Heaven in Stone and Glass, a production of Spirit Juice Studios, is coming to theaters nationwide on September 20th and 23rd.

Get tickets for yourself or a group here: https://heaveninstoneandglass.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 Heaven in Stone and Glass

01:38 Intro

02:42 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

05:07 Friendship is Meant to Last Forever

10:13 Faith as the Foundation of Friendship

12:05 Mature Love Gives Deepened Life to Others

13:39 Praising God for Your Friendships

17:20 Beholding Beauty in Others

20:11 Asking God for Gratitude

24:28 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and discuss how friendship with others leads us into deeper intimacy with God. We talk about our longing for both human and divine communion, how healthy friendships free us from self-preoccupation, and why learning to receive feedback is essential to our growth. We also reflect on how unmet desires in friendship are signs of our longing for the Trinity and the importance of releasing lesser goods so that we can be free to receive God's greater gifts.

Announcement:

• You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• What makes me feel at home with the Trinity?
• How has God invited me to be a more faithful friend?
• Where do I need to grow in self-awareness and be freed from self-preoccupation?
• What is my disposition when someone lovingly reveals my own weaknesses and shortcomings to me?
• How have I refused to grow?

Discussion Questions:

• What makes you feel at home with other people?
• How is God inviting you into deeper communion with others?
• How has the Lord revealed to you your weaknesses and shortcomings? How did you receive that truth from Him?
• How have you given into sloth by seeking God's lesser gifts and ignoring His greater gifts?

Quote to Ponder:

"In a special way, Christian friendship is meant to help us grow in our relationship with the Lord, as one intimately loved by him. It is meant to give us some small experience of what it means to be at home in communion with the Holy Trinity. Only in intimacy with the Lord are we the deepest "who we are." Only in communion with him are we our truest selves." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 77)

Scripture for Lectio:

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro

01:00 Scripture Verse

02:37 Human Friendship Helps Us Grow In Relationship with God

05:06 Freedom from Self-Preoccupation

07:47 Cultivating Self Awareness

10:15 Giving and Receiving Honest Feedback

14:36 Pain in Friendship is a Symbol of Our Longing for God

19:12 What Should We Do with Our Ache?

22:48 Resting in the Enjoyment of Lesser Gifts

25:05 A Call to Make Room

27:22 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on how loving appreciation and reconciliation are the places where friendship matures. We talk about why healthy adult friendships draw us closer to the Lord, how the unique gifts of women and men reveal different facets of God's love, and how learning to behold another's beauty without trying to grasp or possess it calls forth our true identity. We also discuss the importance of recognizing how we've hurt others, expressing sincere sorrow, and allowing others to do the same. As we bring our wounds, suffering, and sin into the love of Christ, we discover that the very places we fear most can become the biggest places of resurrection.

Other Resources Mentioned:

•

Restore the Glory Podcast on Confession (Parts 1-3)

•

S18 Forgiveness Meditation (with questions from the book Forgiving as Unity with Christ)

•

S11 Forgiveness Meditation with Sister Miriam

Announcement:

•

You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• Am I maturing as a friend?
• What does the Holy Spirit want to teach me through my friendships?
• Am I currently experiencing conflict or frustration in a relationship? What is the pain or trigger I feel beneath the conflict?
• Can I receive the gift of beauty without trying to grasp or possess it?
• How have I failed to uphold the dignity of my friends?
• Am I experiencing the fullness of who I am?
• What parts of myself am I hiding from my relationships?

Discussion Questions:

• When have you experienced your own uniqueness in a friendship? Did you experience your uniqueness as a gift to give or as an insecurity to hide?
• How is the Lord inviting you to more freely receive your friends rather than possessing them?
• How have you participated in belittling or sarcasm in your relationships?
• How have you participated in or been on the receiving end of judgment within friendships?
• Where does the Lord want to love you into a place of freedom?

Quote to Ponder:

"The intimacy of adult friendship in the Spirit can teach us to aspire to the fullest possible intimacy with the Lord himself. The tenderness of one friend toward another is the image of God's own tenderness, when the friends truly love each other in the Spirit." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 62)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro

01:10 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

02:03 Am I Maturing as A Friend?

07:57 Our Different Gifts Reveal Facets of God

11:45 Appreciating Beauty Without Grasping

14:28 Upholding the Dignity of Another

16:03 Receiving Ourselves as A Gift

18:37 Judgement Makes Us Blind

20:30 Exposing Our Weaknesses to the Light

22:00 Remaining Faithful to Our Friends

25:50 Reconciling with God and Others

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on the ways God invites us to grow through the relationships He has entrusted to us. We talk about the importance of rightly ordered love, why true friendship always draws our gaze toward Christ, and the beauty of virtuous friendships between men and women. We also talk honestly about the fears, wounds, and misunderstandings that can arise in friendship, and the importance of repair in deepening a friendship. Friendship is not about finding someone to complete us, but about walking together toward holiness while helping one another become who God created us to be.

Other Resources Mentioned:

•

Restore the Glory Podcast on Confession

Announcement:

•

You can buy your copy from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• When have I experienced healthy and holy friendship between men and women?
• Where is my gaze within my friendships?
• Do any of my friendships serve a higher purpose than just the friendship itself?
• When have I experienced enmeshment or avoidance within friendships?
• Do I prioritize my most important relationships? Who has the Lord especially entrusted to me?

Discussion Questions:

• How are you pursuing a friendship with the Lord?
• Do you think that men and women can have virtuous friendships?
• When have you unhealthily looked to a friendship to satisfy all your needs?
• Have you ever felt spread too thin in your friendships?
• Which example of holy friendship from the book resonates with you?

Quote to Ponder:

"Just as love for neighbor proceeds from love for God, so does faith concerning creatures proceed from this love, whether it be general faith or special faith. As there's a general faith corresponding to the love which we ought to feel in general to every creature, so there is a special faith belonging to those who love one another more intimately, like the faith which has established a close particular love between us two." (St. Catherine of Siena)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro

03:35 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

05:11 The Friendship of St. Catherine and Bl. Raymond

08:57 The Order of Friendship

11:40 Can Men and Women Have Virtuous Friendships?

16:43 Friendship Ordered Towards Christ

19:24 Why Friendship with God Comes First

23:51 Growing Through Different Stages of Friendship

28:02 Rupture and Repair in Friendship

31:48 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on what it means to be truly known, deeply loved, and fully at home with another. We talk about why we must first learn to abide in the love of God, how appreciation helps others become who they were created to be, and what it looks like to grow in friendship over time. Whether friendship feels life-giving or challenging in this season of your life, we invite you to bring every desire, wound, and longing before the Lord, who first calls you His friend.

Announcement:

•

You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• How is the Lord inviting me to cultivate deeper community where I live?
• Where in my life am I trying to love others without being in communion with God?
• Am I truly allowing the love of Christ to come out within a community?
• Am I at home with the Lord?
• How have I been possessive of my relationships within my community?
• When have I experienced belonging within community?
• How can I create more reverent space in my relationships to allow others to become?

Discussion Questions:

• How is the Lord calling you to mission?
• When you think about a friendship or marriage that you admire, what qualities of that relationship inspire you?
• Who are the people in my life that I feel at home with?
• How have you experienced possessiveness negatively impacting your relationships?
• Where do you long for a deeper sense of belonging?
• Which friends and relationships have played a role in helping you become who God has created you to be?

Quotes to Ponder:

"The mission of joy and friendship within the Christian community is even more fundamental than the Church's mission to the poor and needy, because love and joy are the source from which all ministry to the sorrowing must flow." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 7)

"The wonderful mystery which is you is not complete until you are appreciated." (Friendship in the Lord, Page 19)

Scripture for Lectio:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:12-15)

Sponsor - Ascension:

For the first time in more than 50 years, the Church in the United States will begin praying with a new translation of The Liturgy of the Hours starting in 2027. This long-awaited update marks a historic moment in the life of the Church and offers the opportunity for a renewed encounter with her daily prayer.

Chosen by the USCCB as one of the official publishers, Ascension has carefully crafted an edition designed to serve the Church's prayer for generations. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered to provide exceptional readability, lasting durability, and beauty worthy of this sacred tradition.

Ascension's Edition features:

• Original commissioned artwork rooted in Catholic Tradition
• Top-of-the-line typesetting to maximize readability
• Custom Ascension Serif typeface to support extended prayer
• Durable Smyth-sewn binding and premium materials crafted for daily use
• Availability in multiple formats to support individual prayer needs

Available in both Standard and Large Print formats, with three cover materials to choose from, The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition may be preordered as individual volumes or as the complete four-volume bundle. Volume II will begin shipping on January 1, 2027, in time for use beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.

Experience the beauty of the Church's daily prayer in an edition thoughtfully crafted to support prayer for generations. Preorder The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition at https://www.AscensionPress.com/Abiding.

Timestamps: 00:00 Ascension

01:32 Intro

02:18 Welcome

02:37 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

03:31 Mission Comes from Community

05:26 Abiding in God's Love First

10:42 The Feeling of Belonging

14:18 Appreciation is Necessary in Friendship

17:22 We Help Others Become Themselves

20:09 Intimacy is Being at Home with Someone

25:49 Being Attentive to Fear

26:59 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we begin our summer book study on Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP. We focus on the foreword and prologue and reflect on the difference between prudence and fear, the ways we self-protect in relationships, and our longing for authentic communion. We also talk about what it means to love without possessing, how to receive others as a gift, and why friendship is a foretaste of heaven.

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Friendship in the Lord Study Webpage
• Small Group Discussion Guide

Announcement:

If you'd like a copy of Friendship in the Lord, you can buy your copy from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• How do I self protect and hide myself in my relationships?
• When have I felt embarrassed by my own need for friendship?
• Do I allow people to be free in my relationships?
• How has a friend failed me and how have I failed a friend?

Discussion Questions:

• How do you define good friendship?
• How have your friendships brought you closer to the Lord?
• How is God inviting you to bring your relationships into closer communion with God?
• When have you experienced possessiveness in your friendships?
• What hopes and desires do I have for my friendships?

Quotes to Ponder:

"A true friend is a sort of icon of God, an other through whom the Lord's kindness and mercy shine in a manner that binds up and anoints our brokenness." (Forward to Friendship in the Lord, Fr. John Burns, xv)

"As Fr. Hinnebusch says so well, "What a Christian friend wants above all else for the loved one is his or her communion with the Lord. The one I love, my wife, my husband, my friend, belongs first of all to the Lord. And in that sense, I am only the friend of the Bridegroom. He alone is true Spouse of each and every human heart. He must increase, while I must decrease."" (Forward to Friendship in the Lord, xvii)

"A friendship is two lives joined in love and lived as one. But friendship in the Lord is never two people closed in upon themselves. Each of the friends is fully open to the Lord and open to other friends in such a way that the friendship is always part of a larger community. The Christian community is a cluster of many friendships knit together." (Preface to Friendship in the Lord, xix)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,"

which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus." (Matthew 1:10-25)

Sponsor - Ascension:

For the first time in more than 50 years, the Church in the United States will begin praying with a new translation of The Liturgy of the Hours starting in 2027. This long-awaited update marks a historic moment in the life of the Church and offers the opportunity for a renewed encounter with her daily prayer.

Chosen by the USCCB as one of the official publishers, Ascension has carefully crafted an edition designed to serve the Church's prayer for generations. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered to provide exceptional readability, lasting durability, and beauty worthy of this sacred tradition.

Ascension's Edition features:

• Original commissioned artwork rooted in Catholic Tradition
• Top-of-the-line typesetting to maximize readability
• Custom Ascension Serif typeface to support extended prayer
• Durable Smyth-sewn binding and premium materials crafted for daily use
• Availability in multiple formats to support individual prayer needs

Available in both Standard and Large Print formats, with three cover materials to choose from, The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition may be preordered as individual volumes or as the complete four-volume bundle. Volume II will begin shipping on January 1, 2027, in time for use beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.

Experience the beauty of the Church's daily prayer in an edition thoughtfully crafted to support prayer for generations. Preorder The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition at https://www.AscensionPress.com/Abiding.

Timestamps: 00:00 Ascension

01:32 Intro

02:19 Welcome

07:06 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

08:32 Becoming an Icon of God

10:21 Self Protection in Relationships

12:40 Adult Friendships Must Be Cultivated

15:11 One Person Cannot Satisfy All Our Desires

19:55 Christian Community is a Cluster of Friendships

23:39 The Temptation to Possess

27:42 Closing Prayer

In this episode, we conclude season 18 by reflecting on the grace-filled moments this past season and the quiet ways the Lord continues to invite us into deeper communion with Him. We share who our favorite guests were, which episodes deeply ministered to us, and what we are hoping for in this next season.

Thank you for spending this season with us, friends. It has been such a gift to walk alongside you in every conversation, prayer, and story shared. We'll be holding you close in prayer over the summer and look forward to gathering with you again on July 6th, 2026 for our summer book study.

Heather's One Thing - Our Abiding Together Team: Kristina, Camille, and Kate!

Heather's Other One Thing - The team for a Healing the Whole Person Retreat in England

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Seeing Abiding Together listeners in the wild!

Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - The Dignity of Dependence by Lea Libresco Sargeant

Michelle's One Thing - Timothy Shriver's Laetare Address and Eric Church's Commencement Address

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Diane Keaton Because I Said So Clip
• The Ladies' Favorite S18 Episode: Prophetic Motherhood
• Sister's Other Favorite S18 Episode: Episode on Forgiveness

Announcement:

• Our summer book study on "Friendship in the Lord" by Fr. Hinnebusch begins July 6th! You can buy your copy from Ave Maria Press (or Amazon).

Journal Questions:

• How is God teaching me to love those around me differently?
• What risks have I been asked to take lately?
• What expectations is God inviting me to release?
• What is the pace of beauty in my life?
• What fears am I carrying below the surface today?

Discussion Questions:

• What struck you throughout this season?
• How has your life changed during this season?
• When have you been tempted to possess rather than receive?
• What gifts has God given you this year?
• Where is the Holy Spirit already moving in your life?

Quote to Ponder:

"Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—and that may take a very long time." (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)

Scripture for Lectio:

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Sponsor - BeeStill Design:

BeeStill Design is a handcrafted Catholic jewelry and art brand founded by Louisiana artist and entrepreneur Holly Klock. A wife and mom of three, Holly has built BeeStill from a small creative outlet into a growing brand known for pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful.

Her collections feature heirloom-quality jewelry, pressed flowers, and custom intaglios, along with enamel work and ornaments. From the very beginning, she has sought to bring the joy and beauty of our faith into each creation—always with the same vision: to design timeless pieces that tell stories of faith, love, and family.

Whether you are looking for a piece of jewelry to be a daily reminder of God, or would like to find a meaningful gift for someone in your life, we encourage you to head over to http://beestilldesign.com/. Use the code "AbideinHim" for 25% off.

Timestamps:

00:00 BeeStill Design

01:00 Introduction

01:46 Welcome

02:40 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

03:38 Our Favorite Guests this Season

06:58 Our Favorite Episodes this Season

12:28 Receiving Good Gifts

16:58 Fruit Being Born in Our Lives

19:42 Hopes and Desires for the Next Season

26:28 Summer Book Study Announcement

28:26 One Things

In this episode, we reflect on how Pentecost is more than just an event of the past, but can be an ongoing outpouring of God's love and grace in our lives today. We discuss how the Holy Spirit helps heal our wounds, restores communion with God, and teaches us how to live with power and boldness, even in the places where we feel unable to love the Lord. As we prepare our hearts for Pentecost, we talk practically about cultivating a posture of receptivity, learning to invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into our hearts, and how to allow His fire to illuminate our identity and transform us from within. The Holy Spirit is alive within us, able to enter even the locked places of our hearts, and desires to help us bear much fruit in our lives.

Heather's One Thing - Pentecost | Holy Spirit Rest on Us Playlist

Heather's Other One Thing - Wild Goose Series with Fr. Dave Pivonka

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Discerning Hearts Podcast App

Michelle's One Thing - College Graduations

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Be Transformed Book Study

Journal Questions:

• How can I make myself more open to encounter the Holy Spirit pirit this Pentecost?
• Where in my life do I feel powerless?
• Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to make me more like Jesus?
• How am I rationing the boldness of the Holy Spirit?
• Where do I need to unlock the doors of my heart?

Discussion Questions:

• How can you welcome the Holy Spirit into your life in a deeper way?
• What does it look like to experience the Holy Spirit in community?
• What gifts of the Holy Spirit do you desire to empower your work of building the Kingdom of God?
• How will you celebrate Pentecost?

Quotes to Ponder:

"If there be among the gifts of God none greater than love, and there is no greater gift of God than the Holy Spirit, what follows more naturally than that He is Himself love…." (Saint Augustine)

"This great mystical tradition . . . shows how prayer can progress, as a genuine dialogue of love, to the point of rendering the person wholly possessed by the divine Beloved, vibrating at the Spirit's touch, resting filially within the Father's heart." (Pope Saint John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, Paragraph 33)

"A noble and delicate soul ... follows faithfully the faintest breath of the Holy Spirit; it rejoices in this Spiritual Guest and holds onto Him like a child to its mother." (The Diary of St. Faustina, Entry 148)

Scripture for Lectio:

"On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight." (Acts 1:4-9)

Sponsor - Mary's Meals:

Every mother knows what it's like to want to protect their child and provide for them, to make sure there's food on the table, to make sure her child is safe, cared for, and able to grow into who God created them to be. But for millions of mothers around the world, hunger stands in the way of that hope. Their children walk to school carrying empty bowls, wondering if today they'll have anything to eat. And that's where Mary's Meals steps in.

Mary's Meals provides one daily meal in a place of education for children living in some of the world's poorest communities. And that simple meal becomes the reason a child comes to school. Once they're there, everything can begin to change. Education can become a pathway out of poverty.

So a child who is hungry can focus.

A child who is vulnerable can dream.

And a mother who felt helpless can begin to hope again.

What we love most about Mary's Meals is how ordinary people get to become a part of that story.

We don't have to solve global hunger. We simply have to feed one child. And here's the beautiful thing. It only costs $25.20 to feed a child for an entire school year.

That's one child sitting in a classroom instead of sitting at home hungry.

One mother experiencing relief instead of worry.

One life changed through a simple act of love.

So if your hearts are moved to help, we invite you to join us in supporting Mary's Meals. You can head over to their website marysmealsusa.org (or https://www.marysmeals.ca/ for Canada) and together we can offer hope, dignity and a daily meal to a child who needs it most.

Timestamps:

00:00 Mary's Meals

01:39 Introduction

02:26 Welcome

03:24 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

04:39 Preparing Our Hearts

07:34 Healing the Wound of Powerlessness

09:26 The Holy Spirit Enables Us to Love

11:04 Inviting the Holy Spirit into Our Hearts

12:50 Our Advocate and the Forgiveness of Sins

15:10 "It is Better that I Go" 17:14 Baptized with Fire

19:15 Bearing Fruit in Our Lives

20:57 When We Restrict the Holy Spirit

22:50 Receiving the Holy Spirit within Community

28:08 Being Inspired by the Holy Spirit

31:04 One Things

In this episode, we reflect on the sacred wounds of Jesus, the reality of our own woundedness, and Jesus' invitation to make us well. We talk about how our wounds, so often hidden in shame or self-protection, when transformed, can actually become places of communion and grace. We also share about our personal experiences of facing fear or disappointment and how the slow, often painful, process of healing reminds us that God's ways are not our own. Jesus tenderly meets us in every broken place within our hearts and ardently desires to make all things new.

Heather's One Thing - Worship Session with Kory Miller

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Life Transitions Part One and Part Two with Chris Benzinger

Michelle's One Thing - The Kentucky Derby

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Glory: Women's Gathering
• The Restore the Glory Podcast
• The Anatomy of a Wound Series Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Journal Questions:

• Where am I self-protecting instead of bringing my wounds before the Lord?
• Do I think Jesus can make me well?
• How have my wounds impacted my outlook on life and perspectives on painful situations in my life?
• When have my own expectations of what Jesus should do gotten in the way of my own healing?

Discussion Questions:

• Are there areas that you have grown accustomed to your own pain?
• How have you equated healing with fixing?
• What has the Holy Spirit taught you about yourself through the healing journey?
• How has disappointment affected your trust in Jesus and His goodness?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not, 'How can we hide our wounds?' so we don't have to be embarrassed, but 'How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?' When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers." (Henri Nouwen)

"Our brokenness reveals not a failure but a doorway through which God's healing can enter." (Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool, called in Hebrew Bethesda, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk." (John 5:2-9)

Sponsor - Seton Home Study School:

Since 1982, families have entrusted their students to Seton Home Study School. Seton is thoroughly Catholic, academically rigorous, and fully accredited with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Seton high school graduates have been admitted, and excelled, at virtually every college and university in the United States, including Ivy League Universities and military academies.

A Seton enrollment includes thoroughly Catholic books, detailed lesson plans, grading services, transcripts, and there is no extra charge for telephone counseling. Parents love Seton's "open and go" approach – everything you need is provided and can be trusted. You can even customize the program at no extra charge, enrolling a fourth grader in fifth grade reading, for example. For more information, visit their website.

Parents of students with special needs can find help to develop a curriculum and workload suited to each individual child. Learn about Seton's special services department here.

In addition to books and lesson plans, high school students enjoy a host of other benefits and services. Click here to learn more.

Enrolled teens and Seton alumni can also join Catholic Harbor, a safe, online student-moderated community. There they can engage in debates, spiritual discussions, and discuss hobbies and other interests. For more information visit their website here.

Seton hosts a podcast directed at homeschooling moms. Podcasts hosts, Mary Ellen Barrett and Ginny Seuffert, both with decades of experience, offer practical tips and ideas to make home education accessible to all.

Timestamps: 00:00 Seton Home Study School

01:29 Intro

02:15 Welcome

05:32 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder

06:50 "Do You Want to Be Made Well?"

10:22 Jesus is Drawn to Our Wounds

12:30 Exposed Wounds are Places of Grace

15:21 Awareness is Half the Battle

19:09 The Lord Knows what Our Healing Journey Should Look Like

24:09 All We Can Do is Take the Next Small Step

26:20 Suffering in Communion

29:12 Transforming Our Relationship with Our Wounds

32:37 The Parts of Us that don't Trust God

34:46 One Things

In this episode, we reflect on the beautiful call of women to prophetic motherhood. We talk about how Our Lady models for us a motherhood that speaks life and calls forth goodness to all those she encounters. We also ponder what it means to be a spiritual mother, how Mary can help heal our wounded experiences of motherhood, and the difference between affirmations and prophetic words. As Pentecost draws near, we invite you to ask for Our Lady's intercession to prepare your heart for a fresh outpouring of grace and to help you become a woman who brings life wherever she goes.

Heather's One Thing - A 24 Hour Time of Worship at Franciscan University

Heather's Other One Thing - St. Anne's Women's Conference in Dallas, TX and the WWP Flourish Conference in St. Louis

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Everyone Getting Married this Summer

Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - Pilgrimage to Medjugorje with the JPII Healing Center

Michelle's One Thing - NFL Draft

Michelle's Other One Thing - Franklin, TN and St. Philip's Parish

Michelle's Other Other One Thing - College Kids at NC State and Fr. Josh

Other Resources Mentioned:

• The Identity of a Woman Series
• The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast
• Make Sense of Your Story by Adam Young

Journal Questions:

• What does it mean for me to live into prophetic motherhood?
• What holds me back from speaking life into the people around me?
• When have I felt threatened or hurt by other women?
• What ache in your heart is God inviting you to bring before Mary?
• How can I offer prophetic motherhood to those in my life?
• How can I receive prophetic motherhood from those in my life?

Discussion Questions:

• When have you been prophetically mothered by another woman? How were you impacted by that experience?
• How do we cultivate a culture of women speaking life within our own community?
• How do you desire a different story of motherhood and femininity from what you have experienced in the past?
• How is God inviting you to embody hope right now?
• Who is in the periphery of my life that God is inviting me to offer my maternity to?

Quote to Ponder:

"She is the poetess and prophetess of redemption, and we hear from her pure lips the strongest and most original hymn ever uttered - the "Magnificat"! She reveals the transforming design of the Christian economy, the historical and social result that still draws its origin and strength from Christianity…At this point a second way is opened for us by Our Lady, so that we may reach our salvation in the Lord Christ: it is her protection. She is our ally, our advocate. She is the confidence of the poor, of the lowly, of the suffering. She is even the "refuge of sinners." She has a mission of pity, goodness, and intercession for all. She consoles every grief of ours. She teaches us to be good, to be strong, and to be compassionate toward all. She is the queen of peace. She is the Mother of the Church." (Pope St. Paul VI, Homily, April 24, 1970)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21)

Sponsor - Life Teen:

Life Teen is offering something really special this summer, especially if you are a parent of a teenager.

Years ago, Michelle and her husband Chris, began their ministry career working with Life Teen, and it has had a lasting impact on their lives as well as so many other families. Life Teen helps teens encounter Christ in a real and personal way, and it continues to bear fruit long after those experiences end.

This summer, they are launching their very first Parent / Teen Camp, called Frontier.

A frontier is the edge of what is known, where things are still being discovered and formed. If you are a parent of a teen, you know that is exactly what the teenage years feel like. A season that is constantly changing, where relationships are shifting, independence is growing, and both parents and teens are learning how to navigate something new together.

Life Teen Parent / Teen Camp is a six-day experience where you and your teen step away from the noise of everyday life and experience camp together.

It is a shared week of adventure and connection. You will experience things like ropes courses, hiking through the mountains, and white water rafting on the Chattooga River. But just as important as the adventure is what happens in the space between it all.

Time to talk.

Time to slow down.

Time to be present with each other.

And time to invite Christ into your relationship in a real and personal way.

Everything is rooted in the Catholic faith, with daily Mass, the Sacraments, and intentional moments built in to pause, reflect, and listen.

This experience is offered as a Mother and Daughter or Father and Son camp in Clayton,

Georgia. It is designed specifically for families in the middle of the teenage years who want to strengthen their relationship, deepen trust, and create meaningful memories during a season that often moves quickly.

This is not just a camp week. It is an intentional opportunity to invest in one of the most

important relationships in your life. If this sounds like something you have been needing, I would encourage you to take a closer look. Full details are available online, and an informational webinar is offered for those who want a closer look. The Life Teen team is also glad to walk with you as you discern whether this experience is right for your family.

This may be one of the most meaningful weeks you share with your teen during these years.

Timestamps:

00:00 Life Teen

01:32 Intro

02:19 Welcome

04:12 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

05:45 The Prophetic Nature of Motherhood

08:05 Affirmations vs Prophetic Words

12:08 Calling Out the Goodness of Others

14:23 Wounds From A Mother

17:40 Embodying Hope

20:04 Mary Understands What You are Going Through

22:04 Having A Relationship with Our Mother Mary

25:09 Preparing to Receive the Holy Spirit

27:03 Motherhood is Not A Competition

30:20 One Things

In this episode, we welcome Arthur and Ester Brooks to talk about marriage, suffering, and the path to lasting love. Arthur and Ester share what it's like to minister together, revealing both the grace needed and the hard work it takes to love each other faithfully over decades. We also reflect on suffering as an invitation for growth, why pain is fruitful, and how the hardest places in life are where love is purified. Whether you are married, single, or in religious life, intimacy with God is our source of strength for every situation we encounter in life.

Heather's One Thing - Franciscan's Resurrection Party!

Heather's Other One Thing - 10 Day Pentecost Audio Prayer Plan

Sister Miriam's One Thing - Heather's Easter Spotify Playlist

Michelle's One Thing - Everyone who just came into the Catholic Church!

Ester's One Thing - Her husband Arthur!

Ester's Other One Thing - Professional Cycling

Arthur's One Thing - Opportunities to witness to the Catholic faith during The Meaning of Your Life book launch

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Arthur Brooks' Website
• Ester Brooks' Instagram
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness by Arthur Brooks
• Other Books by Arthur Brooks

Journal Questions:

• What does it look like to fight well?
• How have I witnessed or experienced a marriage that is an antenna to God?
• What suffering in my life am I resisting?
• What are the discomforts and sufferings I have experienced today that I can thank God for?

Discussion Questions:

• When are you tempted to be led by your feelings?
• When have you had to let go of resisting suffering in the past?
• Where in your life, marriage, or relationships do you feel stalled?
• How is God inviting you to prioritize Him over your marriage, relationships, and responsibilities?

Quotes to Ponder:

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal." (Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day, Rome, 2000)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." (Romans 12:9-12)

Sponsor - The Inspired Living:

The Inspired Living is your one-stop shop for Mother's Day and Sacrament season! Whether you're shopping for the mother who inspired your faith, the child whose love for the Eucharist is flourishing, or the bride who is curating her Catholic home, we've sourced the best Catholic home decor, books, toys, and gifts to lift souls to God and inspire our hearts to ponder Heaven. Our unique array of handcrafted goods are made by artisans not only in the United States, but around the world who are committed to bringing eternal beauty into the home.

Abiding Together Listeners get an exclusive 20% off discount using the code ABIDE2026.

The Inspired living - bringing eternal beauty to the home

Timestamps: 00:00 The Inspired Living

00:44 Intro

01:54 Scripture Verse

06:06 Ministering as A Married Couple

10:03 How to Fight and Bring About Deeper Union

15:23 Suffering Helps Us Grow

26:12 Committing to A Prayer Life

32:22 Making Space to Become

36:06 Putting God First and Your Spouse Second

38:10 The Science of Being Happy

41:44 One Things

Happy Easter! In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 6: Enduring Trials. We talk about how even in the light of Easter, we may still experience suffering and how we can choose to rejoice in God's goodness when His ways remain hidden. We also reflect on why trials are not signs of God's absence, how we learn to recognize God at work in the present moment, and how to embrace suffering as a necessary path to share in the fullness of Easter. Friends, in this Easter octave, we invite you to reflect on how God has transformed your heart this past Lent. Let us enter into this Easter season with renewed hope, gratitude, and a deeper surrender to God's unfailing love. We will see you in two weeks!

Heather's One Thing - Fire 50 Challenge with Many Parts Ministries. It's a free 50-day spiritual journey designed to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit!

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday

Michelle's One Thing - Join us in praying The Divine Mercy Chaplet

Resurrection Power

By: Michelle Benzinger

A crucible is the place where the refiner's fire is not your enemy, but your tender witness of integration.

It is where certainty melts,

where control dissolves,

where the identities you once clung to

lose their shape in the flame.

The crucible is where faith stops being an idea and melts into surrender,

where you no longer hold God at a distance,

but find Him somehow

in the very fire you once feared.

It is a holy undoing that makes space for a deeper yes.

It is an invitation into the Paschal Mystery.

It is the Holy Spirit's invitation into the Resurrection power.

Journal Questions:

• Where do I turn in my trials and disappointments?
• Where in my life have I been avoiding the fullness of the Paschal Mystery (suffering, waiting, and resurrection)?
• What renunciations and declarations do I need to make today?
• What are the questions on my heart? Do I absolutely need the answer to do God's Will today?

Discussion Questions:

• What has God revealed to you in your current trials?
• How are you choosing to intentionally feast during these 50 days?
• How has God called you to a mature and adult faith in this season of life?
• What does Resurrection power and glory look like in your life?

Quotes to Ponder:

"They" (her friends the saints) "want to see how far I am going to push my trust." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

"When we realize that's happening—that we're going round and round and getting nowhere, that our questions aren't producing light but only bitterness and blame—we must have the courage to put those questions aside and ask ourselves another. It's the only essential one, after all, and it will always be answered: What attitude does God want me to have toward this situation? The point is to move from "Why?" to "How?" The real question isn't "Why is this happening to me?" but "How should I live through these things?" How am I called to face this situation? What call to growth is being made to me through this? That question will always get an answer." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 129)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)

Sponsor - Glory: Women's Gathering:

If you're ready to intentionally embrace a spirit of Resurrection in your life this year, we invite you to register for the Glory: Women's Gathering hosted by Steubenville Conferences in partnership with Heather Khym.

Join Heather, Michelle, and our dear friends Debbie Herbeck, Sarah Kaczmarek, Monica Richards, and Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR this coming June 5-7 in Steubenville, Ohio, as we gather with women across generations and seek God's restoration and healing. This gathering will include talks, worship, prayer experiences, and the opportunity to interact with fellow Abiding Together listeners and new friends from all over who will be flying in.

Heather and Michelle would absolutely love to meet you. Whether you come with your Abiding Together small group, with a close friend, or on your own, we can't wait to gather in fellowship with you.

Registration is still open for the Glory: Women's Gathering. Ticket prices go up after April 16 - grab your ticket today! Visit http://steubenvilleconferences.com/events/glory/ for more information or to register!

Timestamps: 00:00 Glory: Women's Gathering

01:23 Intro

02:09 Welcome

02:41 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

03:18 Trusting Through Suffering

05:57 Trials of Faith, Hope, and Love

07:49 Will We Run to God?

08:46 Living the Resurrection as Women

11:34 Feeling Panic in the Trial

14:05 Declaring Our Belief

15:36 Setting Aside Our need for an Answer to "Why"

17:28 Resurrection Power

20:07 Trials Have the Power to Make Us More of Our True Selves

24:40 Help Me in My Unbelief

27:00 What Has God Done this Lent?

28:41 One Things