Episode #259--"Embracing the Cross--Say Yes to Holiness Podcast

<p>In this episode, Christina Semmens shares insights on how to deepen your prayer life, embrace the Cross, and live out the Gospel with purpose and hope. She invites listeners into a meaningful Lenten journey centered on Scripture, virtue, and community, emphasizing that holiness is a daily choice rooted in God’s grace.</p><p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><p>Using the <em>Particular Examen </em> guided by the five wounds of Jesus to confront hidden faults and sins</p></li><li><p>The importance of daily dialogue with the Word of God and how Scripture breathes life into our souls</p></li><li><p>Virtues inspired by the saints, like humility, poverty, patience, and obedience, and how to cultivate them</p></li><li><p>The significance of loving the Cross in small, everyday ways by trusting in God’s plan</p></li><li><p>The role of righteous anger and prayer in responding to injustice without division</p></li><li><p>How baptism and the Holy Spirit empower us as priests, prophets, and kings to bring Christ into our daily lives</p></li><li><p>Practical steps to begin loving the Cross, bearing suffering with faith, and finding joy amidst trials</p></li><li><p>Recognizing that each person’s path to holiness is unique, guided by the Holy Spirit</p></li></ul><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the Lent journey </p><p>00:28 - Announcing the <em>Say Yes to Holiness</em>online retreat </p><p>00:57 - Using<em>Rooting Out Hidden Faults </em>for spiritual growth </p><p>1:21 - The<em>Particular Examen </em>and its focus on Jesus’ wounds </p><p>2:16 - Gratitude and review as tools for prayer </p><p>3:13 - Addressing the seven deadly sins through Scripture </p><p>4:08 - Pope Francis on making Sunday a day rooted in God’s Word </p><p>5:05 - Meditating on Scripture beyond Mass </p><p>6:02 - The living nature of God’s Word and its ongoing relevance </p><p>7:28 - Continuing the dialogue with Jesus throughout the day </p><p>8:44 - The importance of making space for God’s Word daily </p><p>9:45 - St. Ignatius of Loyola’s call to live for God’s glory </p><p>10:40 - Baptismal call to holiness and present in every moment </p><p>11:39 - Responding to injustice with prayer and Righteous Anger </p><p>12:42 - The Holy Spirit within us and our divine calling </p><p>13:17 - The nonviolent power of Christ’s sacrifice </p><p>14:17 - Embracing peace and hope through the Holy Spirit </p><p>15:39 - Virtues of humility, patience, obedience taught by St. Anthony </p><p>16:34 - The diversity of paths to holiness guided by the Holy Spirit </p><p>17:22 - The common traits of saints and how love unites us </p><p>18:09 - Love does—how Christian love manifests in action (Bob Goff) </p><p>18:57 - Allowing the Spirit to guide our words and actions </p><p>19:13 - Rooting in prayer, sacraments, and virtue for a holy life </p><p>20:09 - Responding to injustice with humility and prayer </p><p>21:08 - The importance of righteous anger guided by the Holy Spirit </p><p>21:36 - Avoiding division and trusting in God’s truth </p><p>22:09 - Comparing ourselves only to Jesus, not others </p><p>22:52 - The one path to holiness: your unique journey </p><p>23:21 - Loving the Cross through acceptance and trust in God </p><p>23:50 - Carrying suffering with love and presence of Christ </p><p>24:33 - Embracing pain as part of God’s divine plan </p><p>25:32 - Finding goodness and truth in suffering </p><p>26:17 - The journey from bearing to loving the Cross </p><p>27:14 - Trusting God to bring joy and purpose through suffering </p><p>28:11 - Mary as our model of faithful acceptance </p><p>28:52 - Asking Our Lady and saints to guide us in carrying crosses </p><p>29:21 - Closing prayer, encouragement, and invitation to the Lent retreat</p><p><strong>Resources and Links</strong></p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Rooting Out Hidden Faults, How the Particular Examine Conquers Sin by Father James