S11 Episode 42 – Tangibly fruitful

Three Dogs North

In this episode, the dogs share their favorite SNL skits (2:58). Rob gives an update on his new push for authentic Christian community on campus (9:30) and Connor echoes the importance of letting go of outcomes (12:10). Mike shares what it’s like living a priestly life in moments of solitude (16:28) as well as some recent insights from spiritual direction (20:10). Rob applies his new philosophy to an upcoming family beach trip (22:13) and his delight at a recent Cardinal’s game (33:33). Mike closes out the episode affirming God’s grace and the worthwhile challenge to receive everything as a gift (34:48).

Quotes:

“There’s an aspect of simplicity and trying to do things very well (in living a Christian life). So my life feels less divided.” (Rob, 9:45)

“Me going down to visit you in November and giving a talk, regardless of whether it makes a million converts or all it is, is two dudes hanging out, it seems to be an invitation from God. It’s a good. It’s focusing on the relationship as the end and then the mission part flows out of it.” (Connor, 12:20)

“Happiness is one of those strange birds, you don’t hit it by aiming at it.” (Connor misquoting Chesterton’s Fr. Brown, 13:36)

“The point of spiritual direction, as all of life, is the enjoyment of God.” (Connor’s summary of The Practice of Spiritual Direction, 16:57)

“The goal of my life is to be in communion and enjoy God.” (Connor, 17:25)

“Even when I’m cutting my hair and doing my laundry I’m a priest. I belong to Jesus. That’s the point of my life.” (Connor, 18:00)

“The thing about God is that He always tells you the truth.” (Connor, 18:20)

“The things that have brought me peace and joy and freedom is returning to keeping the first things first.” (Mike, 20:04)

“Sooner or later, we enjoy only souls” (from Letters to Young Men as cited in The Priest is Not His Own, 31:41)

“If you’re receiving from the Lord, that’s your place of communion. God being the creator and us being the creature. Then you can receive everything as a gift. And then your day and your ministry is now a gift.” (Mike, 34:46)

“Charitas Christi Urget Nos (The Love of Christ Urges Us Forward)” (40:00)

Media Mentions:

• Daily Affirmation: Michael Jordan – SNL
• More Cowbell – SNL
• Gap Girls- SNL
• Evil Boss- SNL
• Zoolander (2001)
• Will Ferrell’s SNL Audition
• Matt Foley: Van Down by the River
• Get in the Cage with Nicolas Cage- SNL
• Band of Brothers
• X-Men: First Class (2011)
• William A. Barry and William J. Connolly’s The Practice of Spiritual Direction
• Matthew 4:19
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
• The Simpsons (1989- present)
• Jean-Baptiste Henri-Dominique Lacordaire’s Letters to Young Men
• Fulton J. Sheen’s The Priest is Not His Own
• Matthew Levering’s The Abuse of Conscience

References:

• Joe Pug
• LeBron James
• National Basketball Association
• Al Franken (Stuart Smalley)
• Michael Jordan
• Saturday Night Live
• Chris Farley
• David Spade
• Will Ferrell (Mugatu)
• Harry Caray
• Christina Applegate (not Alicia Silverstone)
• Jimmy Fallon
• Tom Hardy
• James McAvoy
• Professor X
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Institute for Priestly Formation
• Fellowship of Catholic University Students
• AirBnb
• Lucky Charms
• U.S. Army
• Homer Simpson
• St. Paul
• Dr. Reinhard Hutter

Shout-Outs:

• Fr. Walter Ciszek
• Fr. Tim Anastos
• Nathan Thompson
• Fr. Brian Welter

Glossary:

• Pontifex: member of a council of priests
• Sacred Synaxis: an assembly for public worship and prayer (i.e. Mass)

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