St. Josemaria Institute Podcast

“I will get up an go back to my father and say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants'” (Luke 15:18-19).While making use of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, causes the observer to stop and think about the reason why a soul is moved to repentance. Fr. Peter explains that it is the devout contemplation of the goodness of God and the returning loving gaze of our Lord upon our souls that elicits a desire for profound repentance and thus to have a conversion of heart. If we take time to really consider our actions and are honest with ourselves and with God, we can receive freedom from sin, the healing that God is offering through Jesus Christ through the priest in confession.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, invites us to come to understand the importance of the second most perfect gift that God has given us at the foot of the cross, the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, is also our Mother. He explains through her Immaculate Conception, she had been prepared for the sole purpose of helping us become children of God worthy of being saints.This generosity of God can be seen as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary, October 13, 2017, of Our Mother Mary appearing at Fatima showering us with her “Motherly Love” and asking us to let her help us by invoking her through praying the rosary. It is precisely in this act that Fr. Peter reminds us that the shortest way to Jesus is through Mary.In honoring the graces that God the Father has bestowed upon Our Beloved Mother, let us, “Sing to the Immaculate Virgin, reminding her: Hail Mary, daughter of God the Father: Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son: Hail Mary, Spouse of God the holy Spirit...Greater than y

In this podcast, Fr. Peter Armenio invites us to reflect upon the cross, particularly as a medium to connect with the Lord.  Highlighting the imprisonment and martyrdom of St. Thomas More as an example, Fr. Peter illustrates that when faced with suffering, we might be tempted to discouragement if we are not quick to embrace the cross or delight in it.  But he reminds us that although suffering is essential for growing in intimacy with the Lord, as long as we are trying to bear it alone, we will struggle.  We need to remind ourselves: “It’s not my cross, it’s his, and he does the heavy lifting."In order to grow in our love for the cross, Fr. Peter suggests listening to Jesus’ words when he told his Apostles to “watch and pray.”  The Lord is our role model in his suffering and agony, since any cross we are enduring, he also endured.  Thus he is our template for suffering; by watching Jesus, our suffering can be lessened and we can grow in deeper unity and intimacy with him through the cross.“The Cross symb

In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon the “apostolate of attraction” as the means by which we are to fulfill the Great Commission and lead others into relationship with Jesus Christ. This type of apostolate, as old as the Gospel itself and encouraged by Pope Francis, begins by our faithful witness to the love of Christ: “people need to see us as oases of joy and peace.”   It is our witness, only later accompanied by doctrine, that will prove that Jesus is real.“Whenever sanctity is genuine, it overflows from its vessel to fill other hearts, other souls, with its superabundance. We, the children of God, sanctify ourselves by sanctifying others. Is Christian life growing around you? Consider this every day” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 856). Before our Lord sent the Apostles out into the world, he gave them the new commandment of love, instructing them to remain united with him and replicate his heart. Despite any obstacles and difficulties they

Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, helps us to reflect upon the means of becoming like Christ using the story of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10: 17-22) as the model. The young man, desiring eternal life, asks Jesus what he must do. After exhorting the young man to follow the commandments, Jesus invites him to “give it all” and become his disciple. It is this invitation that Christ repeats to us as well; how is Jesus calling us to follow him more closely? One danger in the spiritual life can be to regard our life of prayer and formation as a time of personal training or self-improvement. Instead, Fr. Peter reminds us that the goal of prayer and formation is to encounter Jesus and grow more deeply in our love of him and others. By responding to prayer in this way, we will “become Christ” and our lives will be a witness to others, giving them an experience of the heart of Christ. “You lack drive. That's why you sway so few. You don't seem very convinced of what you gain by giving up those things of th

In this meditation by Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we reflect upon “hunger to know the Master” as the source for apostolic zeal and the foundation for fruitfulness in the apostolate. Although Jesus gave the mandate to his followers to bring the Gospel to all the corners of the earth, his Apostles realized that this would not be accomplished through human efforts, but rather by God working through them. As such, it is the love of Christ that motivates us in our desire for conversion and urges us in sharing him with others. St. Paul spoke of Christ as the source of evangelization throughout his writings. In his letter to the Romans (13:14), he reminds us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” as it is not us who evangelize, but Jesus who works through us. Furthermore, in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians (4:7), he explains that fruitfulness in the apostolate is not dependent on our own strengths and virtues, but on the power of God: “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect upon the “science of the cross” given by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. As the precondition for those who want to follow Christ, Fr. Peter shows how we can apply Christ’s words to ourselves and learn how to put them into practice.“He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me’” (Mark 8:34).Self-denial is often manifested through acts of mortification and fasting, yet the self-denial that Christ is addressing here is on a macro level. We are called to deny our whole persona: our minds, our wills, our hearts, our entire beings, just as Mary did in her “fiat” at the annunciation. No matter what our vocation, Christ is inviting us to put him first in our life.Although living out this type of self-denial is the work of a lifetime, it begins by cultivating the disposition of giving the Lord our entire self each day. In examining the lives of

Today in the podcast... Fr Peter Armenio, a priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the New Commandment from Jesus Christ which he issued to the Apostles before the Last Supper.This commandment is particularly difficult to follow since we are asked to love one another as Jesus loves us, which is a very tall order. How can we match Jesus’ love for us!However, Fr. Peter Armenio makes a point to note that when God issues a commandment, it is because we can live it. Do not write yourself off!“No matter how much you may love, you will never love enough. The human heart is endowed with an enormous coefficient of expansion. When it loves, it opens out in a crescendo of affection that overcomes all barriers. If you love Our Lord, there will not be a single creature that does not find a place in your heart” (St Josemaria Escriva, The Way of the Cross; Eight Station, Number 5).Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a ratin

“Each and every event of this life, without exception, must be steps which take you to God, which move you to know him and love him, to give him thanks, and to strive to make everyone else know and love him” (St. Josemaria Escriva; The Forge, no. 680). In this meditation from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to reflect upon work as a medium for prayer, using the hidden life of Jesus as an example. Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus spent many years working as a carpenter. Though nothing is written about these years, St. Josemaria considered this silence to be an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exemplifying the ordinariness which characterized Jesus’s life until he began his public ministry. Thus, when we echo the Apostles’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1) we can hear Jesus’s response through his lived example. Work is a place where we are meant to encounter God daily. The idea of “sanctification of work” is simple, but the process is not easy. Fr. Peter explains that

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to reflect upon Mary, especially in light of her Assumption, as God’s great gift to us and as our great hope. ‘Mary has been taken up to heaven by God in body and soul, and the angels rejoice.’ Joy overtakes both angels and men. Why is it that we feel today this intimate delight, with our heart brimming over, with our soul full of peace? Because we are celebrating the glorification of our mother, and it is only natural that we her children rejoice in a special way upon seeing how the most Blessed Trinity honors her” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Christ is Passing By, no. 171). As Fr. Peter explains, the Feast of the Assumption is in one sense a celebration of ourselves. God has brought Mary into heaven and her glorification emphasizes her relationship with the Blessed Trinity. But as she occupies a place of honor and gazes at God face to face, she intercedes for us and serves us as our mother. In the Assumption, we receive an invitation to optimi

Using the story of the Rich Young Man as the model, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects upon Jesus’s search for “laborers” for the harvest (Luke 10:2) and highlights the three steps Jesus gives to help us lay down our lives for him and become laborers. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments…’”  And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.”  When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Luke 18: 18-23) These three steps Jesus gives can be seen as a path leading us towards giving a total gift of self.  First, Jesus lays the foundation by reminding us that God alone is good and able to satisfy the human heart.  Next, Jesus shows that by keeping the commandments, we become free to give ourselves completely, as we are no

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, highlights Jesus’s teaching during the Sermon on Mount and invites us to reflect on “holy purity” as a means to finding true joy and freedom in our lives.Fr. Peter explains that because God is revealed as self-giving love, and holy purity is an expression of self-giving love, the more we exercise purity, the more we see God face to face.  Holy purity, therefore, liberates us to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, seeing him in prayer, suffering, and through relationships with other people.Looking at our culture, Fr. Peter examines several falsehoods placed before men and women today concerning this virtue and shows how living out holy purity in our attitudes and relationships both reflects our dignity as children of God, and leads to a happiness that far surpasses what is found by living according to society’s false ideas of freedom as license.Fr. Peter emphasizes the n

In this meditation, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects upon joy as the foundation for all evangelization and how living joy in our daily lives can lead others to encounter Christ. The particular role of the laity in bringing Christ to the world, especially in the places we live and work, requires that we not only bring the truth of the Gospel to all those who we encounter, but that we always lead with joy and witness to the happiness found in our friendship with Jesus. Fr. Peter, using the example of the saints, shows that authentic joy is not artificial, but is a happiness which results from having the fullness of joy within you. This joy is easily perceived by others and is fueled by our friendship with Jesus. In order to increase our joy, we can more intentionally abide with the Lord through the Eucharist, mental prayer, the rosary, the cross, and through our effort of the love others.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite

In this reflection from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to hear Mary’s words from the Wedding Feast of Cana, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5), as our instructions to listen and respond to Jesus’s command given during the Last Supper. “So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13: 12-15). After washing their feet, Jesus instructs his Apostles to follow his example by loving and serving each other. Referencing the lives of the saints, Fr. Peter explains that although we may not literally wash others’ feet, the attitude of service can always be present, especially in the way we interact with others. In order to grow i

On June 26th, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva. In this reflection, Fr. Peter Armenio explains the reason why the Holy Spirit moved the Church to canonize St. Josemaria so quickly. The reason he suggests is because “the Church wants us to encounter Jesus amid work” following Jesus’s own example. “Jesus’ thirty-three years!...: thirty were spent in silence and obscurity; in submission and work…” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Furrow, no. 485).“God is self-giving love…and he manifests it in work and in family relations and friendships.” So we should ask ourselves: “how do I elevate my love for Christ in my work?” Fr. Peter explains that the key to encountering Christ in our work is mental prayer— spending exclusive time with our Lord each day in conversation with Him. In this way, our ultimate aim becomes to give glory to God and to serve the needs of others.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and le

Reflecting on the scene of the Last Supper, when Jesus is “beginning to hand the baton to his followers,” Fr. Peter Armenio explains that another Divine Person begins to become more prominent: the Holy Spirit.In this reflection, we are invited to contemplate the Holy Spirit and his job “to penetrate the words of Jesus and to convert us and transform us.”“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you” (Jn 14:16-17).“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:13-15)

Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the poverty spirit we should cultivate in order to make Jesus Christ the priority of our lives. Like the rich young man in the Gospel (Mk 10:17-22), Fr. Peter explains how Jesus Christ is also asking us now:- Do you believe that only I (God) can fill you?- Do you keep my (God’s) commandments?- Do you put me (God) first? Am I (Jesus Christ) your passion?“To follow Christ — that is the secret. We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, like the first Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him. Soon we will be able to say, provided we haven't put obstacles in the way of grace, that we have put on, have clothed ourselves with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is then reflected in our behavior, as in a mirror” (St. Josemaria Escriva; Friends of God, no. 299).Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay

In this reflection from Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, we are invited to contemplate the “workshop for the first evangelization” and learn how Jesus prepared the first disciples to go out into the world as his witnesses. “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).Using the image of the vine and branches, Jesus illustrates how remaining in him is the only way to become fruitful witnesses and to be his friends. And, to remain in Jesus, as Fr. Peter explains, “implies a constant union with him”, especially through the Holy Eucharist and prayer.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Insta

In this reflection, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, invites us to take time during the Easter season to ask God in our prayer: “What is it that you want me to contemplate in light of the Resurrection?” Fr. Peter explains that we will see that we are called to bring Jesus Christ into the world in a "new way", especially through our joy— the joy that comes from making “Jesus Christ the center of our work, sufferings, and recreation.” “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you’” (Jn 15:10-12).As we contemplate the “cloak of joy surrounding the mystery of the Resurrection,” we can ask God for a “conversion of interior life.” And, the joy that overflows from our interior lives will help to draw those around us to Jesus Christ.Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that

On May 1st, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. To help us get to know St. Joseph better, Fr. Peter Armenio, priest of Opus Dei, reflects on the holiness of St. Joseph as the role model for the whole Church, especially the laity. St. Joseph is the template for the Christian vocation— the “all-star” of holiness.“We need devotion to St. Joseph,” Fr. Peter explains, “because my vocation is his vocation. He loved God with his whole mind, whole heart, and whole strength as a carpenter. He tried his very best. He made his carpentry the best. His carpentry was a medium to serve people. His work was a medium of prayer and sacrifice. And, his work was a medium of charity towards others.”Support the showTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!Let us know that our podcast is important to you: Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: www.stjosemaria.org Also, if you enjoy the podcast,