Into the Heart of Mercy

A conversation about discernment and work

In this episode, Emily and Michael talk about the discernment process that led to Michael leaving hospice chaplaincy and taking a new job as a pastoral minister at a parish. They share about some of the obstacles in discernment and reflect on important steps for discerning God's will.

Episode 10: Anxiety

In this episode, Emily shares her reactions to a Facebook post in a Catholic group where someone suffering from anxiety asks for a book recommendation and receives a large number of responses. She shares some of the responses and discusses them, reflecting on how they may or may not be helpful. She then discusses the tendency towards spiritual bypassing and over-spiritualizing which can actually cause harm to someone suffering anxiety. She shares examples of anxiety in her own life and ways she has experienced anxiety. She ends by sharing two podcasts quotes that remind us that God is with us even in suffering and anxiety.

Why We Need the Saints and their Stories

The saints deeply desire to befriend us and have a real relationship with us, they show us that God can bring about a beautiful work in the midst of difficulties in life, and they remind us that we are all called to holiness. In this episode, we discuss why we need the saints, sharing stories of some lesser known saints like Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, Servant of God Marcel Van, and soon to be Saint Bartolo Longo.

Episode 8: Consolation, Reparation, Mission

In this episode we conclude Pope Francis' encyclical letter, Dilexit Nos, on the human and divine love of Jesus, by looking at how devotion to the heart of Jesus entails a spirituality of consolation, reparation, and mission. We also discuss these themes in light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and his desire to be remembered for courage for his faith.

Special Edition: Adoption

In this special episode we share about our adoption journey and God's goodness and mercy in the process which led us to adopt our son, Francis. We cover topics like sterility, carrying the cross, comparison with others, and how we can see God's providence and love in our journey to becoming the parents of our sweet little boy.