Contemplata
The purpose of our lives is to come to know God, yet on account of sin the eyes of our hearts have grown blind to the presence of God. Just as Jesus healed the blind men in the Gospels, so God is now at work to heal the eyes of our hearts by the light of his grace. Contemplata is a podcast for those seeking to grow in contemplative prayer—the loving awareness of the presence of God. Fr. James Dominic Brent, O.P. is a Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Joseph.
Episodes
69 episodes
The Sorrow of Jesus | Contemplata Ep 64 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
What does Jesus teach us about sorrow?In this episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on the Second Beatitude, Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted, and how it reveals the heart of Jesus.Jesus...
The Humility of Jesus | Contemplata Ep 63 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In this episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on the First Beatitude, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, and how it reveals the heart of Jesus.From his birth in Bethlehem to his Passio...
A Portrait of Jesus (Beatitudes) | Contemplata Ep 62 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
What does it mean to be blessed? Before all else, it means being happy. In this episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., discusses how God’s own infinite happiness is shared with us through the...
The Life of Jesus | Contemplata Ep 61 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
What does it mean to share in the life of Jesus?In this episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on the extraordinary life of Christ and the gift he came into the world to share with us. Beginning with the Resurr...
Our Lord Jesus Christ — Jesus Prayer | Contemplata Ep 60 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Our lives are in the hands of the Lord. Our ability to call upon the name of Jesus helps us to give us instruction, to neutralize our fears or temptation, and to unify us with God. One way to start is through the Jesus prayer. It goes “Lord ...
Jesus, Word of the Father | Contemplata Ep 59 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
The word of God is the perfect icon of the Father. When you and I see Jesus, we come to know not only him, but his Father as well. As Jesus says, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Join Fr. James Brent, O.P., in Epi...
Jesus, Son of God | Contemplata Ep 58 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Jesus is the Son of God in a special way. As the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus’ Sonship is a mystery that can bear fruit in our spiritual lives. In Episode 58 of Contemplata, Jesus, Son of God, learn about what Jesus’ Sonship means for yo...
Listen to Jesus | Contemplata Ep 57 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Learn about how we can grow close to God in Episode 57 of Contemplata, Listen to Jesus. Through the example of the Saints like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, we can discover new ways to be receptive to the voice...
The Secret of the Upper Room | Featured Homily | Contemplata Ep 56 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Learn about how God fulfills His promises in Episode 56 of Contemplata, The Secret of the Upper Room. What should we learn from Mary’s undoubting and faithful example? What should we learn from her life of trust in God’s promises? ...
Ask It From the Eucharist | Contemplata Ep 55 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Learn about the divine graces that flow from the Eucharist in Episode 55 of Contemplata, Ask it From the Eucharist. What should we learn from this sacrament, and how should we use it to practice the beatitudes?Join Fr. James Brent, O.P....
Be Thou My Wisdom | Contemplata Ep 54 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In Episode 54 of Contemplata, Be Thou My Wisdom, we learn about the path of divine wisdom. Why is it worth pursuing? And who should we turn to, in order to participate fully in God’s plan for our lives?
A Word of Love | Contemplata Ep 53 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In Episode 53 of Contemplata, A Word of Love, we reflect on the truth at the heart of the Gospel: God loves us with an everlasting love. Drawing from Sacred Scripture, this meditation invites listeners to receive the W...
Bonus Episode: Mary, Seat of Wisdom and the Indwelling Trinity | Contemplata | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In this bonus episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and the interior life of grace in the soul. The Christian life is not only belief in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, but participation in i...
How Baptism Changes You | Contemplata Ep 52 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In Episode 52 of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., takes a closer look at something we often take for granted: what actually happens in baptism.We say that baptism gives us life, but not just the kind o...
Bonus Episode: The Mystery of the Holy Trinity | Contemplata | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
In this bonus episode of Contemplata, Fr. James Brent, O.P., reflects on the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the meaning of our lives in light of it.We were created to know God, not from a distance, but from within. Through gra...
The Church Is Holy | Contemplata Ep 51 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
There are many ways in which the Church is holy. The main source of its holiness is Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church. He unites us to himself, through his Church, through our Baptisms, and through the Holy Eucharist. Join Fr. Jame...
Bonus Episode: The Holy Eucharist and the Life of Grace
In this bonus audio from Contemplata, we turn our attention to the Holy Eucharist—the gift that stands above every other gift given to the Church.Drawing from the tradition of the saints and the Church’s ...
Watch for the Lord | Contemplata Ep 50 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Often we are attacked by distractions and temptations, which distance us from God. But we do not need to despair, because of our Baptism. The first step towards living a life of constant prayer is to develop a constant awareness of God’s act...
How to Know God's Love | Contemplata Ep 49 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
As humans we face many difficulties in our day to day lives. It is important to meditate on the presence of Jesus, and of his love, in order to be able to love in return. Loving our neighbors, and loving God through our sufferings can be hard, ...
The Real Reason to Hope | Contemplata Ep 48 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
We all struggle with daily adversities, or with lifelong hardships. Who should we turn to for consolation and hope? There is only one good answer – Jesus Christ, who has both the desire, and the power, to help us on our path to happiness and...
How To Contact God: Faith | Contemplata Ep 47 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Every time we make an act of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive new graces in our souls. Our union with the life of Jesus Christ will grow more and more. Fr. James Brent, O.P. recommends simple prayers of faith, like ‘Jesus, I believ...
Your Suffering in Christ | Contemplata Ep 46 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Our sufferings are the sufferings of the Lord. We are not isolated individuals - God’s plan is unfolding in our lives. God calls us to become another Christ in our suffering. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his ...
Contemplata Episode 45 | How to Rest in God | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
How do we grow in true humility? In this episode of Contemplata, we meditate on Psalm 131 and learn how silence, prayer, and trust in God shape the humble heart. Drawing on the image of a child resting in its mother’s arms, this reflec...
Contemplata Episode 44 | Psalm 1 | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
The Psalms point out to us the path to life. Learning how to read the Psalms in the light of Jesus can reveal layers upon layers of light - good food for contemplative souls. Watch as Fr. James Brent, O.P., leads a complete Lectio Divina of ...
Contemplata Episode 43 | How to Look on God | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
We should love righteousness, which is a right relationship with God. How should we conduct ourselves? “Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart (Wisdom 1:1).” Learn how Fr. James Brent, O.P. explains this important...