Recollection, Office Life, and Pope Francis

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Opening Banter

Hosts discuss their busy week, humorously referencing comedians Jim Gaffigan and Dane Cook about the chaos of parenting.
Easter season is highlighted as a joyful but busy time.

Discussion about returning to office work after a period of working from home.
One host shares the challenges of balancing work with family life, especially with six young children and homeschooling demands.
The other host enjoys a unique office setup with fellow Catholic businessmen, allowing for faith-based discussions and idea-sharing.

Hosts explore how secular business podcasts often unknowingly adopt Catholic virtues like prudence and wisdom.
Advice from a business perspective: surround yourself with the right people to change your life, and prioritize who you work with over the job itself.
Reflecting on early career lessons:
Taking risks is crucial for success.
Money isn’t everything once basic needs are met; pursuing it excessively can lead to disordered priorities.
Hard work is valuable but ineffective if not directed toward the right goals.

Promotion of Select International Tours, a long-time sponsor offering pilgrimages to holy sites worldwide.
Visit selectinternationaltours.com for details.

A humorous callback to early episodes, warning listeners about the “high levels of manliness” on the show.

Hosts reflect on Pope Francis’ passing:
Personal memory: Pope Francis kissing one host’s daughter in 2015.
Notable moments: His global benediction during COVID and the phrase “shepherds need to smell like sheep.”
Speculation about the timeline for electing a new pope, with a nod to historical conclave delays.

Story of Father Peter of Prague, a 13th-century German priest who doubted the Real Presence.
During Mass in Bolsena, Italy, the host bled, leading to the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi by Pope Urban IV.
St. Thomas Aquinas composed hymns like Tantum Ergo and Pange Lingua for the feast.
The miraculous host is preserved in Orvieto, which the hosts will visit on their October pilgrimage with listeners.

Discussion of Solid Virtue by Jesuit priest Father Balakius, published by Coresu Press.
Recollection:
Defined as watchfulness and awareness of God’s presence, akin to an “earthly heaven.”
Benefits: Prevents sin, reduces weariness, and fosters joy in God’s love.
Three sources: solitude, silence, and avoiding news (to curb curiosity and anxiety).
Particular Examine:
Focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of faults, not just external behaviors.
Analogous to treating the cause of a disease, not just symptoms.
Requires self-knowledge, possibly aided by friends, a spouse, or spiritual direction.
After correcting major faults, shift to perfecting daily actions and cultivating virtues.
Spiritual Warfare:
Involves a firm resolution to amend faults, renewed twice daily (morning and noon).
Resolutions should be short-term (half-day increments) to avoid discouragement.
Twice-daily examination of conscience (noon and evening) to track progress.
Keep a log of faults to compare daily and weekly progress, ensuring empirical improvement.

Hosts emphasize the practicality of Balakius’ advice, comparing it to business strategies like tracking KPIs.
Encouragement to stay focused on one vice or virtue at a time, similar to St. Alphonsus Liguori’s 12 Steps of Holiness.
Modern distractions (e.g., smartphones, social media) hinder recollection and willpower, making these practices challenging but essential.

A host shares a poignant moment with his son, illustrating the power of undistracted presence as a form of adoration.
Discussion about the struggle to focus on one task at a time, even when the task is good (e.g., mowing the yard vs. listening to audiobooks).
The monastic principle of dedicating fully to the present task as God’s will.

Invitation to join the hosts on their October pilgrimage to Rome, highlighting ideal weather and Eucharistic miracle sites.
Recommendation to check out Solid Virtue and other Coresu Press publications.
Cheers to Jesus!

Sponsors: Select International Tours (selectinternationaltours.com)

Drink of the Episode: Dalwhinnie 13-Year-Old Scotch (Scotch Malt Whisky Society, “Scotland the Brave”)

Note: Listeners are encouraged to email Dave for more details about Father Peter of Prague or the pilgrimage.