Who Are We To Judge?

Sober Intoxication Of The Spirit: Part Two

Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemacheck continue discussing Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God, emphasizing a Spirit-filled Catholic life marked by humility, joy, prayer, and service rather than “hysteria.” They describe praying in the Holy Spirit for the sick, the reality of healing (including “ultimate healing” in death), and how saints and the early Church lived charisms such as prophecy, encouragement, and jubilant joy. They stress that while baptism and confirmation give the Holy Spirit, many fail to “unwrap” these gifts, and encourage praying, “Come, Holy Spirit,” for renewed transformation and fruit of the Spirit. The episode highlights Jesus is Lord as the central focus, distinguishes sacraments (shared) from charisms (particular gifts), references the 1977 Kansas City conference, and previews a future episode on anointing and early Church mystagogical catechesis. 00:00 Welcome and Book Intro 01:33 Joy and Prayer for Healing 02:56 Saints and Spirit Gifts 05:33 Sober Intoxication Explained 08:30 Jesus Is Lord Focus 10:50 Stir Up the Spirit 12:03 Holiness and Service Balance 17:05 Baptism in the Spirit Prayer 19:55 Meaning Crisis and Purpose 20:40 Sacraments vs Charisms 22:47 Anointing Teaser and Wrap

Sober Intoxication Of The Spirit

fter a hiatus, Real Living returns to discuss Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa’s book The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit, which inspired a Lexington, Kentucky Pentecost novena program at the Cathedral of Christ the King called Nine Days of Power. The hosts explain the original Pentecost novena, emphasize that the Holy Spirit comes whenever welcomed, and highlight the book’s theme—drawn from St. Ambrose and echoed in Acts 2—that Spirit-filled believers can appear “intoxicated” while being rooted in Christ. They outline the program’s nightly chapter topics (including humility, baptism in the Spirit, charisms, anointing, healing, conversion, repentance, and unity) and contrast experiential, heart-level knowledge of God with mere “head knowledge,” stressing sacraments as channels of the Spirit. They critique “cessationism,” connect Vatican II to renewed emphasis on charisms and laity, and argue the early Church’s growth depended on the Holy Spirit’s gifts and power.

Who Are We To Judge?

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavenia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the complex topic of judgment and non-judgmentalism within society and Christianity. They discuss the often misconstrued statements of past popes, the balance between calling out sin and practicing love, and the scriptural guidance on making moral judgments. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift towards moral relativism, the importance of personal testimony, and the central Christian duty of lovingly guiding others while introspectively addressing one's own faults. The hosts emphasize that love and prudence should form the basis of any discernment or judgment.

Halloween 2

In this episode of Real Living, Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek delve into the historical, pagan, and modern secular aspects of Halloween. They discuss the Protestant skepticism around the holiday, its Celtic roots, and the Catholic traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve, All Saints, and All Souls' Day. The episode also touches on the evolution of Halloween customs, from ancient practices to contemporary commercial influences, emphasizing the importance of retaining the spiritual significance of the holiday in the Christian context. Time Topic 00:00 Introduction to Halloween Discussion 00:31 Historical and Religious Context of Halloween 03:00 Customs and Traditions of Halloween 04:21 Modern Interpretations and Commercialization 05:39 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections 08:00 Cultural Variations and Historical Evolution 11:43 The Spiritual Significance of Halloween 17:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Halloween 1

In this episode of Real Living, hosts Lavinia Spirito and Mary Lou Nemecek  dive into the history and significance of Halloween by examining it from three perspectives: Christian, Pagan, and secular. They discuss Halloween's origins, from its roots in the Christian tradition as All Hallows' Eve to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The hosts also touch on modern secular traditions and compare cultural observances across regions. Additionally, they explore the concept of purgatory and how it ties into All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Time Topic 00:00 Introduction to Halloween Discussion 00:32 Christian Perspective on Halloween 01:55 Pagan Origins and Traditions 02:19 Secular Celebrations and Modern Fun 03:30 Historical Evolution of Halloween 06:14 Praying for the Souls in Purgatory 11:35 Cultural Differences in Halloween Celebrations 15:12 Celtic Traditions and Samhain 17:55 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode