The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus literally tells us not to worry about what to eat, drink, or wear. He says that worrying is ineffective (Can any of you add a cubit to your height?) Is this idea of not worrying important to you? Should it be? Why does the book of Matthew spend valuable scriptural space on this idea? Is this just a tip? An important rule? Is it possible? And HOW do you “not worry” anyways? We have explanations and HOW-TOs. Enjoy. Don’t worry.

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Adults manage their emotions. It’s what we do, right? Sometimes we forget how important it is to create some positive emotions to help us do what we need to do! There are traps to avoid when regulating emotion, including dismissing it as being of small importance or letting it capture us, for instance by rumination. Our brains’ powerful negative bias will suck us down into negativity if we don’t resist it by cultivating optimism and more powerful ways of viewing our lives. Let’s go!

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

Email us: EmpCatholic@gmail.com

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Justice. It’s not what you think! Our habits of thinking about justice are not the habits of thinking about justice that are found in Scripture. Our modern minds view justice in narrow and legalistic ways, with a big focus on retribution or paying back. It’s not like that for the Jewish peoples in the times of Jesus that were familiar with Scripture. It’s more about bringing order and goodness, balance and truth, into a situation - like shalom. More broadly, the ancient mind associated justice with giving others what they were owed in light of your relationship with them, with generosity being a big part of that. Listen and recalibrate your ideas about justice and think about what you are aiming for when you seek justice or are asked to be more just.

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

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Website: https://empoweredcatholics.com

Resources

The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the Beatitudes by Jacques Philippe. 2018 Scepter.

The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary June 2017 by Jonathan T. Pennington

The Beatitudes are fascinating. We pick up the first one, “Happy are those who are poor in spirit.” What’s going on here? If I am spiritually impoverished, is that a good thing? Yes. Surprising, right? Spiritual humility is important for RECEIVING from God. And what does trust have to do with it? It surprisingly came up as a related topic in our discussion. It’s a curious thing and a profound truth. Come join us!

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

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Website: https://empoweredcatholics.com

Resources

The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the Beatitudes by Jacques Philippe. 2018 Scepter.

The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary June 2017 by Jonathan T. Pennington

It turns out that “perfection” is a terrible translation of Matthew 5:48. It’s found in the Sermon on the Mount: Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. It’s a typical example of Western English speakers seizing on a word and running with it, while being ignorant of what the speaker is talking about, i.e., mostly you hear ignorant and unhelpful things about this passage. Fortunately, you are here and we can clear this up for you. Yes! It’s the Greek word teleios that is often translated as “perfect.” When you peek into the scholarship around this word and the words in the Hebrew Bible that are translated as teleios, you get a much different picture than the one conveyed by “perfect.” It’s more a matter of wholeness, of whole-heartedness for God, of thriving, of being truly well in all areas of life, as a whole person. Karen and Curtis talk it over! Let’s go.

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

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Website: https://empoweredcatholics.com

Resources

The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary June 2017 by Jonathan T. Pennington

It turns out that “blessed” is a terrible translation for the beatitudes (Matthew 5) That’s quickly evident when you review the original Greek and Hebrew meanings behind the word often translated as 'blessed.' The Beatitudes are often viewed as moral directives or do-this-to-get-that kinds of promises but that’s missing the point. The Beatitudes are actually an invitation to understand and participate in God's kingdom in a way that transcends our usual expectations. They offer insight into the mysteries of how God operates in the universe and in His Kingdom.

Resources

Discussion and details about translations of beatitudes: Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU-H1cpo6lI

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

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We like Pope Leo’s reflection on the parable of the workers. It touches on the pursuit of happiness, the quest for meaning, and the need for belonging. It’s a message of hope! Hop in and check it out.

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Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

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Website: https://empoweredcatholics.com

Resources

Pope Leo’s homily about the laborers in the vineyard: HERE

What’s “the THING” in your life that you are SO DONE WITH but it’s not done with YOU? We share stories of past clients that got rid of that THING in their life that had troubled them for so long that they thought it would never be dealt with. Transformation IS possible!

Contact Info

Text us: The Empowered Catholic Podcast: 612-208-9150

Email us: EmpCatholic@gmail.com

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Website: https://empoweredcatholics.com