Deep in Christ

Selfless Self-Preservation - Deep in Christ, Ep. 23

In this episode of Deep in Christ, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi dig a little deeper into the fourth cardinal virtue of Temperance, which Aquinas describes as “serenity of spirit” arising from man’s inner order.

Unlike the other virtues, Temperance turns inward toward man’s inner life of drives, desires, and passions. These powers of human nature are fundamentally good and purposeful, as they were created by God, but they have been disordered by original and personal sin.

Through Temperance — in the context of the other virtues of Prudence, Justice, and Courage — we discover how we are to properly work to restore this primordial order, and how we are to authentically “love” and care for ourselves not egoistically or self-referentially, but rather as an act of Justice and obedience to our creator.

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Serenity and the Virtue of Temperance - Deep in Christ, Ep. 22

In this episode of Deep in Christ, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi press on in their discussion of the Cardinal Virtues, looking now to Temperance, which Aquinas calls “Serenity of Spirit”.

Temperance is often associated with the merely negative, restraining aspects of the practice of this virtue.

But this emphasis can keep the focus too much on our own human efforts, rather than God’s grace, and also leave out a right vision of the point and purpose of Temperance: inner order, a serene spirit, and a heart more purified and open to total love of God. Join us as we kick-off this new study!

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Fortitude and Grace - Deep in Christ, Ep. 21

This week on Deep in Christ, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi wrap-up the discussion of the virtue of Fortitude, looking at its "vital, moral, and mystical" levels in our life and turning to a practical discussion of how we can practice and grow.

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Fortitude and Taking Action - Deep in Christ, Ep. 20

After spending time talking about how the virtue of Fortitude teaches us to endure, in this episode, JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi look at how Fortitude equips us for right action, to be proactive and of singular purpose when facing difficulty.

At times, Fortitude calls us to have the patience to bear our sufferings, but at other times, Fortitude means stepping forward in boldness and attacking evil where we encounter it. JonMarc and Fr. Peter also discuss how the virtue of Prudence helps us to discern when and how to employ these various aspects of Fortitude.

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Fortitude and Patient Endurance - Deep in Christ Ep. 19

“He who endures to the end will be saved.” -Matthew 10:22

JonMarc and Fr. Peter Grodi continue discussing the virtue of Fortitude, looking this week at the first of two main aspects: endurance and attack. Patient endurance of difficulty and evil is part and parcel of the Christian life. But there is a whole lot more to patience than we commonly think...

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More Thoughts on Fortitude - Deep in Christ, Ep.18

On this episode of Deep in Christ, hosts JonMarc Grodi and Fr. Peter Grodi continue discussing the virtue of Fortitude, or “courage”, the cardinal virtue by which we do the hard, right thing, even though it’s hard, because it is right.

This week they look a little deeper at the ways in which courage is often tempted to — but must NOT— rely on itself for direction or strength. Courage must always refer back to true discernment of reality — and hence to the exercise of Prudence — in order to ensure that it is working toward the realization of the good (Justice) and not, in a moment of passion, merely pursuing selfish ends.

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The Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude — Deep in Christ, Ep. 17

On this episode of Deep in Christ, hosts JonMarc Grodi and Fr. Peter Grodi kick off a series of episodes about the virtue of Fortitude, also more commonly called “courage”.

Fortitude is the cardinal virtue by which we do the hard, right thing, even though it’s hard, simply because it is right.

Drawing from the work of philosopher Josef Pieper, they look at the fundamental connection between fortitude and human vulnerability (Angels can’t be brave!) and how Christian martyrdom elucidates the true nature of this crucial virtue.

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More Thoughts on the Virtue of Justice — Deep in Christ, Ep. 16

On this episode of Deep in Christ, Fr. Peter and I are back to finish up our discussion of the cardinal virtue of Justice, the habit of soul by which we readily recognize the web of relationships in which we live, order these relationships into a proper hierarchy, and then to act rightly in accord with each.

Justice is “to give each his due,” beginning, of course, with what is due to God Almighty. In this episode we dig deeper into the order/hierarchy of justice, the “virtuous cycle” (how practice of any of the virtues strengthen and deepen the others), the spiritual (vs human) economy, and the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

We’ve been having a great time discussing one of our favorite topics (virtue) and we hope you’ll join us for this next part of the discussion!

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The Lord Loves Justice — Deep in Christ, Ep. 15

On this episode of Deep in Christ, hosts JonMarc Grodi and Fr. Peter Grodi examine the next of the four cardinal (or human) virtues: Justice, which is the habit of soul by which we readily recognize the web of relationships in which we live, order these relationships into a proper hierarchy, and then to act rightly in accord with each.

Justice is “to give each his due,” beginning, of course, with what is due to God Almighty. JonMarc and Fr. Peter will begin today to look at the nature of justice, to explore more the relationship between the theological and cardinal virtues, and to consider the demand of justice that we recognize and establish a right hierarchy of relationships and duties in our lives.

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A Hermit Discusses Lent - Deep in Christ, Ep. 14

On this episode of Deep in Christ, JonMarc Grodi and Brother Rex Anthony Norris take some time to discuss the liturgical season of lent, and the traditional lenten practices of taking on additional prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

They explore the place of penance in the life of the Christian, how each of us can begin today to enter into these lenten spiritual disciplines, and how we can keep the proper focus and emphases: on contrition for sins, denial of self, and a greater love and gratefulness toward our creator.

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