Catholic Latte

On Jan. 9, 2021, Fr. Eric was interviewed on Instagram Live by David Patterson of Yes Catholic with regards to his vocation story.  Fr. Eric’s testimony was followed by a question-and-answer period based on questions submitted in advance, as well as those raised during the actual interview.   
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Fr. Eric does an extended reflection on the TV mini-series “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020) starring Anna Taylor-Joy as a chess prodigy who rises through the ranks of the chess world in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.  Topics covered include the controversial passage about wives and husbands in Ephesians 5, the model of marital love embodied by the Holy Family, and how a proper relationship of love and intimacy between men and women can lead to authentic human flourishing. 
In his discussion on Eph. 5, Fr. Eric draws upon a commentary by Fr. John Riccardo: https://stanastasia.libsyn.com/august-25-2012-4-pm-mass-at-olgc.  Fr. Eric also cites a reflection by Sister Miriam James Heidland of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity on a sculpture of the Holy Family called “A Quiet Moment” by Timothy P. Schmalz.  Here is link to the entirety of her reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBGOhk6iSE.
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Fr. Eric does an extended reflection on Walt Disney’s “Frozen” to show how the film can be used to explain the Christian story of salvation history in a fun and accessible way. Topics discussed include the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, Original Sin and its effects, the imagery of ice being a metaphor for the reality of sin, and our inability to save ourselves and our corresponding need for a Savior.
Other issues discussed include the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the sacraments of the Catholic Church.
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Our podcast begins a new season with an extended reflection on the film “Wonder Woman 1984” (2020), starring Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins. Topics include the primary theme of rejoicing in and corresponding with the truth; and the significance of patience, diligence and corresponding to the truth when it comes to becoming the person that God is calling us to be.
Fr. Eric also reflects on the primacy of “being” as opposed to “doing,” the significance of the Incarnation and Original Sin, the importance of giving Christ everything and holding back nothing in the pursuit of intentional discipleship, the need to trust and believe that God will never be outdone in generosity, and the fact we are part of something bigger than ourselves,
Other issues discussed include spiritual detachment as a prerequisite to finding our freedom in Christ; the light of Christ which illuminates the path of conversion, the connection between our sins and our past woundedness; and the importance of being fully convicted of God’s love for us to stem our inordinate attachment to wealth, pleasure, power and honor.
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In a world where our hearts often aspire for the quick and decisive coming of Jesus Christ, such that He might intervene with regards to our various problems and concerns, Fr. Eric expounds upon the Presentation of the Lord (Lk 2:22-40).  Topics discussed with regards to this story include how the child Jesus is being presented in the Temple by the Holy Family as the Lamb of God who has come to bring about the salvation of the world; the necessity of walking the path of suffering love to become an effective Christian witness, as opposed to being a cause of scandal; and the need to preserve with prayer, fasting and joyful expectation until the pending return of the long-awaited Messiah.
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On the occasion of the Nativity of Our Lord, Fr. Eric draws upon Pope Francis’ reflections on St. Joseph in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (Dec. 8, 2020) to give some insight as to how we might approach the current global pandemic in light of our faith.  Issues discussed include St. Joseph’s attentiveness to the duty of the present moment, the reality that the world is sustained by people who are often overlooked, and the need for a solid prayer life grounded on the Word of God.
Other topics include God’s tendency to speak to St. Joseph in his dreams; the importance of giving ourselves time and space to allow for a better assessment of our various problems and difficulties; the need to allow the truth to reveal itself in an atmosphere of peace, serenity and calm; and the fact that our inner peace must be grounded in an unshakeable faith in God’s providential care. 
Here is a link to the Pope’s letter, as published on the Vatican’s official website: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html.
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Reflecting on the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), Fr. Eric speaks about how to navigate through our various fears, emotions and concerns while working through issues of spiritual discernment.  Other topics include the God’s preference to work in the midst of simple, humble and ordinary circumstances; the need to cultivate a holy indifference; the reasonableness of our faith; and the invitation to trust the Lord based on recurring instances of God’s faithfulness throughout salvation history.
Fr. Eric also talks about the principle that God equips those that He calls, rather than simply calling the formerly equipped; and the importance of saying “yes” to God’s invitation with a spirit of joyful correspondence with His salvific designs, as opposed to a grudging acceptance.
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Fr. Eric speaks about how the mystery of the Incarnation invites us to reflect deeply on the reality of the transcendent God made immanent through the person of Christ. Fr. Eric draws upon examples from religious art, the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), and his own journey to the priesthood.
During his reflection, Fr. Eric refers to a book called Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway (Stockbridge: Marian Press, 2020). 
Other issues discussed include the challenge to resist the temptation to run away from God when He makes Himself close, as well as the importance of asking the right questions when it comes to matters of discernment and doing God’s will.
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One of the most famous passages in the Bible which is often cited in the context of the Advent season is from Isaiah 40:3, where the prophet says: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”  Fr. Eric reflects on how this passage teaches us that God is not hiding in some mysterious place waiting to be found; but is actually closer to us than we are to ourselves, such that one of the primary tasks in the spiritual life is to dispose ourselves to receive the grace of God who is both coming and already present.
As a practical tip in this regard, Fr. Eric reflects on how we’re called to ignore the vast majority of thoughts which enter our minds; and to learn to be more intentional in terms of choosing explicitly to entertain the thoughts which come from the Lord and reject those which simply do not.  Fr. Eric also offers various tips on how to distinguish thoughts which come from the Lord, as opposed to thoughts which come from elsewhere.
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Given our recurring tendency to be impatient with ourselves, Fr. Eric reflects on theological concept of “the already but the not yet”: drawing upon various examples with regards to salvation and redemption, the call to discipleship, and the season of Advent. 
Focusing specifically on our inclination to look at the moral life purely in terms of external or symptomatic behavior, Fr. Eric invites us to look more deeply at our sinfulness and brokenness, mindful that God ultimately wants to heal us of our deep woundedness until we are fully restored.
As further illustrations, Fr. Eric draws upon the writings of Henri Nouwen, particularly his commentary on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32); as well as the example of Christ Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46) as He remains fully rooted in His Father’s love while being completely honest about His interior struggle. 
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