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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S07 Episode 9: The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 4 - The Father
S07 Episode 8: The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 3 - The Elder Son
S07 Episode 7: The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 2 - The Younger Son
S07 Episode 6: The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 1 - The Story of Two Sons and Their Father
S07 Episode 5: The Power of Holy Hour with Fr. Josh Johnson
S07 Episode 4: Gathering People
S07 Episode 3: Made for Mission (from the FOCUS SLS Conference)
S07 Episode 2: The Barrenness of Winter
S07 Episode 1: Good Soil
S06 Episode 18: Repost - Striving vs. Abiding
S06 Episode 17: Word of the Year
S06 Episode 16: The Good News
S06 Episode 15: He's in the Waiting
S06 Episode 14: Making Room for Others
S06 Episode 13: The Light Shines in the Darkness
S06 Episode 12: Gratitude
S06 Episode 11: The Gift of Wonder
S06 Episode 10: The Holy Spirit - We are Family Series Part 3
S06 Episode 9: Jesus - We are Family Series Part 2
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