The Tightrope: Reflections for Busy Catholics

Latest Episodes:

Do More, Love More Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

What is love? It’s seen as a feeling, but more than that, it’s two things: Desire and willing the good of another. The first part craves unity with the beloved, and the second part wants the best for the other.

When we love others using both parts of this definition, we are able to do so much more in our relationships.

Here are three guidelines to make sure we’re living out the right definition of love.

Give, don’t assert.
Don’t use people.
Surrender to God.

Snippet from the Show
“Fulfillment is never found when we assert ourselves, it’s only found when we make a gift of ourselves.”

Pettifogging: When You Lose Sight of the Big Picture Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

What is pettifogging? It’s what happens when we put undue emphasis on petty details—which many of us do a lot in our spiritual lives.

Pettifogging is the first thing St. Ignatius of Loyola warns against in The Spiritual Exercises. He reminds us that we are made to know, love, and serve God. All other things are minor in comparison.

Snippet from the Show
When we’re anxious sometimes it’s because we’re fixed on some minute detail and we’ve lost sight of the grander scheme of God’s great providence over our lives.

Not Getting Through? 3 Things to Consider Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

You’ve repeated yourself multiple times, you’re getting frustrated and flustered, you’re raising your voice—you’re just not getting through to other people. We’ve all been there.

By looking at the reasons why we’re not getting through, maybe we can approach these situations differently in the future, both in our homes, and with others.

3 Reasons We’re Not Getting Through

The person we’re trying to talk to isn’t in a position to hear us. Maybe they’re tired or hungry or extremely preoccupied, and the present moment just isn’t a good time to talk to them.
The person we’re talking to doesn’t understand us. Maybe the language we’re using isn’t ubiquitous and trying a different way of explaining would help.
You’re perceived as an adversary, and therefore nothing you say is affective. Anger is a sure way to get someone to shut down.

Communicating Love Is Core to Parenthood Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

Of course parents love their kids, but we may not realize how little we communicate that love to them.

Using the five love languages, we can uncover the most effective way to show our love. Whether that’s writing a letter, or sharing a hug, or saying “I’m sorry” for something we’ve done wrong, it’s important to find out what your children respond to.

Here are the five love languages:

Words of affirmation
Quality time
Gifts
Touch
Works of service

How do you show love to your family?

The Three Epiphanies Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

Epiphany is the feast where the Magi come to pay homage to the infant Jesus, but it can also be used to describe a moment of sudden revelation or insight. In the life of Jesus, there are three epiphanies, and each one reveals a truth about ourselves and how we can grow toward God.

3 Epiphanies and What They Mean for Us:

The Magi - the Magi are instructed to go back a different way.
We turn toward Christ and follow his teachings, and follow a different path.
Baptism of the Lord - Jesus’ identity as Son of the Father is confirmed.
We recognize our own identity and dignity as sons and daughters of God.
Wedding at Cana - Christ is revealed as bridegroom and Mary says, “Do whatever he tells you.”
We follow the commands of Christ.

Snippet from the Show
“The three epiphanies are three ways in which Christ dawns upon the human condition.”

Spiritual Resolutions from a 9-Year-Old Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

One of the biggest witnesses to the gospel in my life is Leo, my nine-year-old son. His strategy for growing closer to Jesus in 2020 is to pray, listen to his parents, go to Mass, and go to Adoration, which sounds like a great plan.

He also says that confession is easy because all you have to do is ask a priest.

The things Leo talks about in this episode (Mass, confession, Adoration, reading scripture, and evangelization) are cornerstones of our Catholic faith, and worthy of a special devotion this year.

What’s your 2020 resolution to grow closer to Jesus?

Snippet from the Show
“I like being Catholic because you get to receive Jesus, go to confession, and go to Mass.” -Leo, nine-year-old

Developing a Vision for 2020 Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

This January, don’t just make a list of goals for the new year—try developing a vision. I don’t mean a vision for your career, your finances, or even for your family. I'm talking about a deeper, more integrated vision that encompasses the entirety of who you are and who Christ is. Developing a vision like this is only possible if you understand where you come from, who you are, where you’re going, and how you can get there. If you’re clear on all four of these questions, I guarantee you’ll be clear on what’s important for you in 2020.

Snippet from the Show
_If you begin this year rooted in the sacraments, rooted in the Scriptures, and rooted in a confident awareness of your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God, God will give you a clear vision for 2020. _

Have a Holly, Jolly, and Scriptural Christmas Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

The Nativity is an invitation to learn more about Scripture and ponder it as Mary did. The excitement, beauty, and power of Scripture can be lost on us Catholics if we only hear the Bible at Mass. Let’s dive deeper into the Word this Christmas, and continue through the new year.

How is God calling you this Christmas?

Snippet from the Show
“The Nativity itself is an invitation to study Scripture and to reflect more deeply, as Mary did.”

Dealing with Christmas Stress Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

If you’re struggling with stress and anxiety as we get closer and closer to Christmas, you’re not alone. There are stressors that reemerge for each of us this time of year, from family struggles, to holiday preparations, to aches connected to the past or uncertain future, but we don’t have to just push them aside and put on a happy face.

We can bring it all to Christ.

Here are some ways to actually find joy this Christmas:

Make time for prayer

Go to confession before Christmas
Go to Adoration
Do an Advent reflection. Here’s an Advent series from Fr. Mark Toups.

Snippet from the Show
“If we’re not rooting ourselves in Christ, then things will be a drain.”

3 Lessons from Our Lady Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

As the feast of the Immaculate Conception passes, we turn to Mary at this point in Advent. Her sinlessness, virginity, and virtue are especially important to us as we look to grow in holiness.

Our Lady has many things to teach us, but here are three things that come to mind as we meditate on the immaculate conception.

Sinlessness is not boring. We think sin is interesting, edgy, and fun, but in reality it just makes us enslaved. Holiness is what sets us free.
Our bodies and souls are united. What we do with our bodies affects our souls, and what we do with our souls affects our bodies.
Chastity is not devoid of intimacy. The fulfillment of human life is not dependent on physical intimacy.

Snippet from the Show
“Mary, in her perpetual virginity, shows us that the fulfillment of human happiness is not dependent on physical intimacy.”