In this episode of the Catholic Link podcast. Fr. Rob and Fr. George discuss the importance of creating a sacred space for prayer and contemplation. We know that each space has a certain vibe. The decorations in the space generate the vibe and put us in a specific mindset. The same is true for our prayer. To have a space dedicated to prayer that has sacred images puts us in the proper mindset. These images and spaces remind us of who we are and what we want to be: namely, saints. Fr. Rob and Fr. George assemble a list of possible things to include in your sacred space: 1) a crucifix, 2) blessed candles, 3) an image of Mary, and 4) some form of incense. These elements will create a space to help us pray and contemplate more fully.
Previous Episode
Listen to the previous episode) where. Fr. Rob, Fr. George, discussed the recent comment of Pope Francis that says that all religions are pathways to God. Some people were upset at this comment, but fail to recognize the tradition of the Catholic Church in this area. Fr. George appeals to the Early Church Fathers where they encountered non-Christian cultures and had to evangelize to them from a blank slate. He references St. Justin Martyr who studied philosophy and later converted to Catholicism. St. Justin said that Catholicism is the true philosophy and that other philosophies and religion have seeds of Catholicism in them. Those seeds of truth when nurtured grow and allow an individual to encounter the full truth in Catholicism.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father unless through Jesus. So whenever someone raises their heart to God in prayer they come to the Father through Jesus, consciously or unconsciously. Regardless of where someone is in their faith journey, it is Jesus who is leading them to himself. This is not to say all religions are equal. All religions have some rays of truth, but the fullest experience of truth is in the Catholic Church.
Links
To listen to more Catholic Link podcasts, click here).
View the Catholic Link YouTube page here).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catholiclink…) Twitter: https://twitter.com/catholiclink_en) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catholiclin…)
The Catholic Institute of Technology) sponsors this episode. The Catholic Institute of Technology is an American university located in the scenic Alban Hills of Castel Gandolfo, CatholicTech is a leading institution for scientific research and technical education. As a community of saints, scholars, and scientists, we are uniquely positioned to serve the Church and society.