The Tightrope: Reflections for Busy Catholics

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Providence and Pianos May 06, 2019

Show notes

How do you react when everything goes right? It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes God’s providence takes over and things seem to work out on their own.

This just happened to me when I was trying to move a piano. After failing on my own to find someone to hire, I ran into a random person who offered to help me free of charge.

It’s not always as obvious as my encounter with the piano man, but when it happens, it’s a reminder of the resurrected Christ working in our lives.

Snippet from the Show
“There is evidence of God’s providence in your path today that you haven’t noticed.”

The Resurrected Wounds of Jesus Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

Why did Jesus still have wounds after the resurrection?

At the end of the Gospel this past Sunday, we get a look at Jesus' resurrected wounds. Not the gory, bloody wounds of the crucifixion, but the wounds that Jesus retained even after he rose from the dead.

I think that he retained his wounds because it is through those wounds that we are saved. Those wounds are beautiful because they reflect our salvation.

Do you have wounds that God has healed? Don't hide them, but allow them to bear witness to the power of God.

Easter Is a Season of Testimony Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

The Gospels tell us that there are more encounters with Christ than all of the books of the world can contain. This is especially true at Easter, when Jesus has risen from the dead, and we bear witness to his resurrection.

When we experience the joy of Easter, the next step is to share it with others. It doesn’t have to be a forced conversation where you admonish them for their sins, but just a normal exchange where you bring up something that God has done to change your life for the better.

Snippet from the Show
“You and I have encountered the Resurrected Jesus.”

Take the Crucifix off the Wall Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

Holy Week is upon us and we find ourselves faced with the mystery of redemption, symbolized by the crucifix we put on our walls.

At this time of year, I always think about a man I knew who would take his crucifix off the wall, and place it right in front of him as we worked. The physical reminder of putting Christ at the center of our lives is powerful.

This week, try to meditate on the crucifix. Take it off the wall, and think about a particular station of the cross that speaks to you.

Snippet from the Show
“Christ died for our sins. The crucifix needs to come off the wall and be placed squarely before our eyes.”

Veronica and the Face of Jesus Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

The sixth Station of the Cross is where Veronica wipes the face of Jesus—and her example of reaching out to Jesus, even though she couldn’t change anything, is a powerful statement of love.

Wiping Jesus’ face seemed to be a futile effort, since his face would be bloody and sweaty again soon, but that small act of human kindness can actually count for a lot. To look into someone’s eyes, and let them know that they are loved, even if it’s all you can do, can be an enormous comfort.

_Snippet from the Show

Even when you can’t fix the problem, know that it’s not always about that. We are called to wipe the face of Jesus, just like Veronica, even if it’s going to be bleeding again in a few moments._

St. Dismas and Our Wounds Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

St. Dismas is the good thief who hung next to Christ during the crucifixion, and in my opinion, there’s no better saint to think about in times of suffering.

In the middle of Dismas’ agony, he recognizes Jesus as his savior, and asks to enter the kingdom of heaven alongside him, and Christ himself canonizes him as a saint when he says, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

We can follow St. Dismas’ example and invite Jesus into our suffering, not to ease the pain, but to find meaning by uniting it to the cross of Christ.

Snippet from the Show
“No matter what your suffering is, you can take a cue from St. Dismas, and as you hang on your cross, know you do not hang alone. Christ is right there next to you.”

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”’ (Luke 23:39-43).

What’s Holding Us Back from God? C.S. Lewis Has an Idea Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

C.S. Lewis, in his book Till We Have Faces, suggests the idea that each of us has one complaint holding us back from God. This complaint is the root of our resistance to God, and it is most certainly based on a lie.

This Lent ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what the issue really is. Do you think you’re unworthy of God’s love? Do you think God is uncaring and distant? Are you questioning God’s plan for your life?

What is taking you away from God?

Snippet from the Show
“In order to attack weeds, you have to pull up roots.”

RESOURCES
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Abiding Together Podcast - ascensionpress.com/abidingtogether

When You Fail at Your Lenten Fast Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Ever had a Lenten commitment that just flopped?

Me too.

You can have the best of intentions at the start of Lent, but if it doesn’t work out, throwing in the towel all together is a real temptation.

But don’t give up!

Whenever you find yourself starting to slip, stop yourself right away. Put your phone down as soon as you realize you picked it up without thinking, or wrap up the rest of the hamburger you started to eat on Friday.

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect in our fasts, but he does expect us to keep trying.

GREAT NEWS! We’ve reached over 100,000 downloads of the Tightrope! This is a huge landmark that I’m excited to share with you!! Let me know what you think in the comments of this episode over at ascensionpress.com/thetightrope

Snippet from the Show

_ “When we fast and fail, it reminds us that we are in need of a Savior.”_

Chaotic Morning? Try These Prayers Mar 11, 2019

Show notes

Colin has two non-negotiables when it comes to morning prayers:

Some kind of interior prayer.
Some kind of family prayer.

The interior prayer helps him immediately start the day with God in mind. The family prayer helps him orient the family mission towards God.

Though the MacIvers attempt to say a decade of the Rosary every morning, they sometimes need something a little shorter for those days when nothing goes right.

Check out Colin’s prayers below, and tell us about your morning prayers in the comments!

Snippet from the Show

“If you can start off the day with interior prayer, it’s more likely that your inner monologue will turn into an inner dialogue.”

Interior Prayer
Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.
My intellect is dark and my will may be weak,
but it’s you oh God I’m after,
your face oh Lord I seek.

Family Prayers
Jesus I love you, Mary I love you. Help us to be more like you.

Little Flower, Little Flower, show your power in this hour.

We adore you oh Christ and we praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world. (for Lent)

Should You Give Up Swearing for Lent? Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

Should you give up swearing for Lent? Well, yeah. But there’s more to it.

Lent is a season of repentance, where we attempt to conform ourselves evermore to Christ. We should always be striving to detach ourselves from sin and bad habits, like swearing, but this time of year we go even further.

There are three things we should do during Lent: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.

Fasting: This is the part where we give something up. We fast from things that are good (like chocolate, or coffee) and move them to the side to make more room for God.
Almsgiving: This is the part where we give something to others. Whether it’s money, time, or kindness, we should give from the heart.
Prayer: This is the part where we root it all in God, knowing that this period of repentance is possible because of his loving mercy.

What are you doing for Lent?

Do you have a question or comment about the show? Email Colin at thetightropepodcast@ascensionpress.com

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