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Season 1. Moral Centeredness
The SongWalk Echoes Podcast
Welcome
Don joins Jeff Peterson of MANNA Productions in Season 1 of the SongWalk Echoes Podcast. Their informative and affable banter guides the listener through seven compelling episodes. Join each podcast to explore the SongWalk Echoes principles that provide context for Catholic moral formation and human flourishment.
Appreciate moral centeredness by:
- Aligning with the Father.
- Conforming to the Son.
- Making Space for Grace (the Holy Spirit).
- Being Disposed and Magnanimous as Mary.
- Moving from Virtual Reality to Virtuous Reality with the principles of Thomas Aquinas.
Episode One: Introduction
Abstract:
Episode One explores the context by which we make moral decisions. We discuss "what" we know and "how" we orient our lives to the good. This episode establishes the framework for addressing moral foundation from a global and Catholic perspective.
EchoPoints:
- What or who is the greatest influence for you in making key decisions? How do you refer to that guidance when pondering choices?
- Music. Art. Scripture. Story. Which of these elements plays a key inspirational role in your life? Share an example of how you've been recently moved by music, art, Scripture or story.
- Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Mary. Moral Teaching. Describe your relationship with the Father, Son and/or Holy Spirit. How does the life of Mary provide an example for people of faith? What moral principles do you live by? Share a way in which you have been inspired or guided by the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Mary and/or a moral value.
- What are your unique gifts? How do you feel called to express those? How have your unique gifts and talents formed you to be the person you are today?
- In what ways do you "orient your life to the good?" What challenges have you addressed in choosing good over evil, light over darkness, or generosity beyond selfishness? Share one or two of your successes.
Additional Insight:
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Duska, Ronald. & Whelan, Mariellen. Moral Development
Fowler, David. Stages of Faith
O’ Connell, Timothy E. Principles for a Catholic Morality
Pitre, Brant. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary
Pitre, Brant. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist
Sullivan, Francis. Magisterium
Vost, Kevin. 12 Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode Two: Align with the Creator
Abstract:
Episode Two presents a primary principle regarding the inherent dignity of every person as created in the image and likeness of the Creator. Pondered is the potential of each person living with free will and volitionally orienting life toward the good.
EchoPoints:
- We are each imbued with a conscience that calls us to choose goodness over evil. What will you do today to be an agent of goodness? What are the dynamics today in the world that make choosing goodness a challenge?
- How do dynamics in the Catholic tradition express and support the inherent value and dignity of each person? How is the concept of the dignity of others espoused in other religious traditions? In secular society?
- Part Three, Section One of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states "By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him to do what is good and to avoid what is evil (1706)." How do you hear the "voice of God" to choose good over evil?
- How have you exercised free will to create a narrative of goodness in your life? Share a few successes of how you reflect the image and likeness of goodness in the world.
- Who are the people you know who most fully exemplify goodness? How would you describe some of their qualities? What attracts you to them?
Additional Insights:
Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy
Brooks, David. The Road to Character
Buber, Martin. Good and Evil
Catholic Church. Documents of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes #16
Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church. Part Three, Section One, #1700-1709
Catholic Church. Catholic Study Bible, Gen 1:17, Romans 2:15, 1 Timothy 1:5, Hebrews 9:9, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 24:16
Catholic Church, The Code of Canon Law, Canons 220 & 225
Cardinal John Henry Newman. The MIssion of My Life
De Cervantes. Don Quixote
Green, Arthur. Judaism’s 10 Best Ideas
MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue
Pope Benedict XVI. Encyclical Letter "God is Love" (Deus Caritas Est)
Pope Francis. Exhortation "The Joy of Love" (Amoris Laetitia),
Pope John Paul II. Address to the Participants in the International Congress on the theme: "Conscience and its Formation", October 1, 1998
Rahman, Jamal. Spiritual Gems of Islam
Sacks, Jonathan. To Heal a Fractured World
Episode Three: Conform to the Anointed
Abstract:
Episode Three invites the listener to consider how one conforms to the Anointed. The Beatitudes are presented as an ethic that can be adopted representing the framework by which one can dispose oneself in the "Autobiography of Christ."
EchoPoints:
- How would you characterize your relationship with Jesus Christ, the Anointed?
- What are some of the ways you have lived out your life as a priest, prophet or servant?
- What events in your life have impacted your faith development since your Confirmation?
- How have you been "paralyzed in your cautiousness and fear?" What is holding you back from a deeper conformation in Christ?
- Name three ways that you can become "poor in Spirit?" What material, emotional, psychological or ego-centric wealth will you give away?
Additional Insights:
Healing of the Blind Man at Jericho, Luke 18, 35-43
Calling of St. Matthew, Matthew 9:9-13
Story of the Rich Young Man, Matthew 19, 16-30
The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12
Barron, Robert. Priest, Prophet and King
Chittister, Joan. The Ten Commandments, Laws of the Heart
Mullady, Brian. The Decalogue Decoded
Philippe, Jacques. The Eight Doors of the Kingdom
Pope John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor
Pinckaers, Servais. The Pursuit of Happiness - God's Way
Vaghi, Peter, J. The Commandments We Keep
Vost, Kevin. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Episode Four: Make Space for Grace
Abstract:
In Episode Four, we ask how the Holy Spirit is active in our lives. We see the light coming through the Bernini Holy Spirit window in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ask how we are open to that light in the faith dynamics of vocation, conversion, mission, transformation, providence and gratitude.
EchoPoints:
- How are you aware of the Holy Spirit working in your life?
- What do you do to prepare to be aware of divine inspiration?
- We spoke about ourselves as clear windows allowing the presence of the Holy Spirit to shine through us. What are the elements in the world today that might obscure or prevent that light from shining through?
- How will you be light for others today?
- Share a few instances when you have felt called by the Holy Spirit? How are you responding to that call? Where is it sending you?
Additional Insight:
Berry, Leonard. L. & Seltman, Kent D. Management Lessons from the Mayo ClinicBrooks, David. The Choices that Create Your Life, Aspen Ideas Festival
Brooks, David. The Road to Character
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Carbone, Lewis. P. Clued in
Catholic Church. Documents of the Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium
Cooke, Bernard. “Winds of change bring a 'paradigm shift'; now faithful must speak up”
Kempis, Thomas. The Imitation of Christ
Lee, Fred. If Disney Ran Your Hospital
McCain, John. 13 Soldiers, A Personal History of Americas at War
Merlino, James. Service Fanatics
Merton, Thomas. Seven Storey Mountain
Michelli, Joseph A. The New Gold Standard
Newport, Cal. Deep Work
Sacks, Jonathan. To Heal a Fractured World
Sandel, Michael J. What Money Can’t Buy
Sinek, Simon. Start With Why
Spiegelman & Berrett. Patients Come Second
Studer, Quint. Hardwiring Excellence
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences. The Theological and Philosophical Premises Concerning the Person in the IPS Model of Integration
Vitz, Paul C et Nordling, Titus. A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person
Vost, Kevin. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Episode Five: Disposed and Magnanimous
Abstract:
In Episode Five, we look to Mary as a model of one disposed to hear and respond to the call of God. We ponder what it means to be quiet, balanced, prepared, aware, disposed and ready. Her response to the call, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord" is an ideal of magnanimity toward which all of active faith can aspire.
EchoPoints:
- What role does Mary play in your prayer and faith life?
- In what ways does Mary's life inspire or motivate you?
- Share some of the ways that you prepare yourself for the call to serve others?
- Mary responded to the angel with an unqualified "yes." She responded with soul, spirit and hands. Why do you think she was able to do that?
- How can you and I prepare ourselves to respond to others with a complete yes?
Additional Insight:
Pitre, Brant. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary
Staples, Tim. Behold Your Mother
The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55
Episode Six: A Life of Virtuous Reality
Abstract:
Here in Episode Six, moving from a life of "virtual reality" to one of "virtuous reality" is explored. Centering our lives on the call of conscience, we discuss prudence as the executor of conscience to orient our lives to goodness.
EchoPoints:
- What are some of the matters today that may distract us from listening to the call to goodness?
- What can we do to make space for listening to the call of conscience?
- In what ways do you discern or deliberate when making a decision? From where or whom do you seek counsel?
- How does saying yes to goodness or to truth mold us over a lifetime? Share an example of the development of character in your life?
- Our conscience calls us to choose good over evil. Each of us has free will to respond to that call? How does this dynamic imply our responsibility to develop virtuous lives?
Additional Insight:
Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church
Dobson, Melanie. Healing as a Virtue
Duska, Ronald. & Whelan, Mariellen. Moral Development
MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue
O’ Connell, Timothy E. Principles for a Catholic Morality
Pine, Gregory. Prudence, Choose Confidently, Live Boldly
Regan, Richard HJ. Aquinas, The Cardinal Virtues
Vost, Kevin, 12 Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas
Episode Seven: Summary and Conclusion
Abstract:
Our goal in Season One is to consider where our centerpoint is in making day-to-day and challenging ethical, moral and faith decisions. Are we subjected to chaos or have we developed character and intentionality based on principles? Further, how will our lives of prayer, service to others and growth in the virtues reflect our ongoing centeredness in God?
EchoPoints:
- In what ways is the whisper of conscience to choose good over evil each and every day experienced in our lives?
- How will becoming "poor in spirit" make room for adopting the other Beatitudes as an ethic to guide our lives as conformed to the Anointed?
- In what ways does the Holy Spirit guide me in terms of how I am called, respond, am sent, transform the world, provide for others and live a life of gratitude?
- How like Mary have I responded with an unqualified "yes" to the call of God perceived in my conscience, in prayer or from another encountered person?
- Am I orienting my life to the good? How has prudence been a tool for me to carry out the call of conscience?
Put a Little "Extra-" in "Ordinary" Time!
Join us in July for a 34-day facilitated Ignatian Examen Retreat guided through Fr. Mark Thibodeaux's, "Reimagining the Ignatian Examen." And it's all online. We'll gather once per week online to discuss our daily progress of taking 15 minutes each day to spend time with the Holy Spirit.
Cost: Complimentary.
Limit: 15 participants.