IP#484 – Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Abiding in Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Abiding in Christ on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World, a book aimed at helping the laity cultivate a deeper spiritual life. Abiding in Christ requires intentionality amidst the distractions of modern life and the importance of regularly recalling God’s presence, particularly through Scripture and the sacraments. Using the analogy of a physical move, he describes the spiritual journey as a transition from the fleeting pleasures of sin to the lasting fulfillment found in God’s presence. Sin often appears tangible and immediately gratifying, but God provides an equally concrete counter-move through the sacraments, which invite believers into a deeper encounter with Him.

Keating also addresses the modern challenge of reducing faith to an intellectual exercise or mere entertainment. Prayer and worship should focus on being with Christ rather than following rigid methodologies or seeking emotional highs. Simple, heartfelt prayer for the Eucharist as the ultimate home for the soul. To combat discouragement, we should seek fellowship with those who find hope in Christ, avoid the negativity of social media, and remain steadfast in prayer and sacramental life.

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Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions

1. The Struggle to Remain with God: How do I intentionally make space in my daily life to abide in Christ despite the distractions of modern culture?
2. The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Renewal: In what ways can I incorporate Lectio Divina into my routine to displace worldly anxieties and deepen my encounter with God?
3. The Deceptive Pleasure of Sin: What sins in my life offer fleeting gratification, and how can I allow the beauty of God’s truth to attract me away from them?
4. The Tangibility of the Sacraments: How do I recognize and receive God’s presence in the sacraments as a real and substantial counter to the false comforts of sin?
5. The Challenge of Spiritual Transition: Where do I currently find myself in my spiritual journey, and how can I persevere through the discomfort of transition toward deeper communion with God?
6. The Eucharist as Spiritual Home: How does my participation in the Mass and reception of the Eucharist reflect my longing for true rest in Christ?
7. The Temptation to Reduce Faith to Entertainment: In what ways have I sought emotional or superficial experiences in my spiritual life instead of true encounter with God?
8. The Simplicity of Prayer: How can I strip away unnecessary complexity in my prayer life and simply rest in the presence of Christ?
9. The Need for Christian Fellowship: Who in my life strengthens my faith, and how can I cultivate relationships that encourage spiritual growth?
10. The Call to Persevere in Hope: What steps can I take to avoid discouragement and remain steadfast in my pursuit of holiness amid life’s challenges?

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You can find the book here

About the Book

Deacon James Keating’s book Abiding in Christ: Staying with God in a Busy World is a how-to-pray resource. This book helps readers to find a quiet space wherein they can be present to God and offers suggestions of how they can be more open to God’s movement within them.

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Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

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