In this episode, we reflect on how “humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong (Pope Francis)”. We discuss how we as Christians are called to cultivate a posture of humility and tenderness in a culture that is quick to criticize and condemn. We also chat about how often we forget that we belong to each other and end up picking sides, which results in more division and hostility than relationships that are filled with vulnerable love and truth. Today let us ask for the tenderness of God to be a gift that He gives us in our own hearts first, so that we can then give it to others.
Heather’s One Thing- Lessons from the School of love - Debbie and Peter Herbeck
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Spicy Korean Style Gochujang Meatballs
Michelle’s One Thing - The Olive Tree from Jackie Mulligan
Discussion Questions:
Journal Questions:
Quotes to Ponder:
I no longer need the armor, my softness is the strongest part of me.
- Brianna Wiest
The Heart of Christ is so great it wants to welcome us all into the revolution of tenderness.
- Pope Francis
Tenderness is not a weakness. Tenderness is the path for the strongest, most courageous men and women. It is the path of humility. The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on the people. the more responsible you are to act humbly. If you don’t, your power will ruin you and you will ruin the other. Connect your power with humility and tenderness.
- Pope Francis
Mary gave us a mother’s warmth, the warmth that shelters us amid troubles, the maternal warmth that keeps anything or anyone from extinguishing in the heart of the Church the revolution of tenderness inaugurated by her Son. Where there is a mother, there is tenderness. By her motherhood, Mary shows us that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong. She teaches us that we do not have to mistreat others in order to feel important.
- Pope Francis
The lack of physical (and not virtual) contact is cauterizing our hearts (cf. Laudato Si’, 49) and making us lose the capacity for tenderness and wonder, for pity and compassion. Spiritual orphanhood makes us forget what it means to be children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, friends, and believers. It makes us forget the importance of playing, of singing, of a smile, of rest, of gratitude.
- Pope Francis
Tenderness is the best way to touch the frailty within us.
- Pope Francis
Prayer:
Saint Joseph, father in tenderness,
Teach us to accept that we are loved precisely in that which is weakest in us.
Grant that we may place no obstacle between our poverty and the greatness of God’s love.
Stir in us the desire to approach to Reconciliation,
That we may be forgiven and also made capable of loving tenderly our brothers and sisters in their poverty.
Be close to those who have done wrong and are paying the price for it.
Help them to find not only justice but also tenderness so that they can start again.
And teach them that the first way to begin again
Is to sincerely ask for forgiveness, to feel the Father’s caress.
Amen.
Scripture for Lectio:
So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
- Luke 15:20
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S11 E13 Bride Part 1: Freely in Love
S11 E12 Lent Part 6: Sacrifice and Holy Week
S11 E11 - Lent Part 5: The Journey of Forgiveness
Bonus: Forgiveness Mediation
S11 E10 - Lent Part 4: The Healing Balm of Almsgiving
S11 E09 - Lent Part 3: The Roots of Sin
S11 E08 - Lent Part 2: Freedom of Heart
S11 E07 Lent Part 1: The Desert
S11 E06 Mother Part 4: Communion in Motherhood
S11 E05 Mother Part 3: The Healing & Repair of Motherhood
S11 E04 Mother Part 2: The Wounds of Motherhood
S11 E03 Mother Part 1: The Power of Motherhood
S11 E02 A Year of God's Favor Part 2
S11 E01 Word of the Year - A Year of God's Favor Part 1
S10 E15 Advent Part 4: The Prince of Peace Reigns - St. Teresa of Avila
S10 E14 Advent Part 3: Miraculous Joy - St. Therese of Lisieux
S10 E13 Advent Part 2: Faith in our Praise - St. Hildegard of Bingen Faith in our Praise - St. Hildegard of Bingen
S10 E12 Advent Part 1: Hope in His Love - St. Catherine of Siena
S10 Bonus Episode: An Interview with Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow of Mary’s Meals
S10 E11 Sister Part 4: The Redemption of Sisterhood
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