S07 Episode 16: Seized by Beauty (with Bishop Robert Barron)

Seized by Beauty (with Bishop Robert Barron)

In this episode, we have the distinct pleasure of having Bishop Robert Barron as our guest. We talk about everything from how he takes his coffee to experiences of beauty that lift us beyond the natural to a transcendent encounter with God. We also discuss how to engage with the culture and extract what is good, true, and beautiful, so that we can not only relate, but be relevant in our mission of evangelization.  

Sister Miriam’s one thing - Friends of the Bridegroom: For a Renewed Vision of Priestly Celibacy by Marc Cardinal Oullet (Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK) Michelle’s one thing - St. Catherine of Siena: The Mystic by Fr. Paul Murray (Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK), and the NFL draft. One of my favorite players went #7 in the draft - Derrick Brown, Auburn  Heather’s one thing - My dear parents and having them move in next door.

Bishop Barron’s one thing - The ESPN documentary on the Chicago Bulls: The Last Dance

Additional Resources:

Civilisation - Kenneth Clark (Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK)

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce (Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK)

Meeting with Artists - Pope Benedict XVI

Heather Khym will be a featured speaker at the TOB Virtual Conference, happening free online May 8-10! Register today to get a Premium Pass and have access to the talks after the conference is over.

Discussion questions:    

1. What struck you from the podcast?
2. What is your first memory of encountering beauty?
3. Share some experiences of beauty you’ve encountered in the culture!
4. What secular movie scene made you think about the Christian life or God?
5. What are you most passionate about right now?

Journal Questions:

1. Reflect and journal about this scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” What does it speak to you personally?
2. How can you make time each day to pause and look for beauty?
3. What are some things you find beautiful? What do they teach you about Who God is?

Quote to Ponder - The truly beautiful doesn't submit to our little whims and our little preferences. The truly beautiful stops you in your tracks and seizes you and takes control of you and doesn't let you go. - Bishop Robert Barron Scripture for Lectio Divina - Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”