Meet Jesus in Paradise. When all seems lost, turn to Jesus with your sufferings and sorrows, just as the good thief did. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers....
Jul 26, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Control or lack there of, that is what Chapter 5 is about. It is about losing one kind of control and gaining another through trust in the guiding Spirit of God. Learn also the powerful role Fr. Michael played in helping align Fr. Jim with the Holy Spirit through this trying ordeal. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to...
Jul 19, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In chapter 4, Fr. Jim unites himself to Jesus through the Eucharist, the bread of life. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Discip...
Jul 12, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In chapter 3, Fr. Jim discusses all of his failed treatments and how those physical failures brought him spiritually closer and closer to Jesus on the cross. Continuing the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Cathol...
Jul 05, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This is Chapter 2 of the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Chapter 2 continues with Brian Patrick narrating Fr. Jim's story. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. -- Join...
Jun 28, 2023•13 min•Season 4Ep. 3
This is Chapter 1 of the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Chapter 1 begins with Fr. Jim Willig reading his own story and then the narration transitions to Brian Patrick as Fr. Jim had to step back due to his declining health. Produced by Nathaniel Stubblefield for Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry H...
Jun 21, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 2
This is the beginning of the newly produced and digitally restored version of Lessons from the School of Suffering , the audio book, originally published to tape, then converted to CD and now released digitally as part of Heart to Heart's 30th Anniversary. Part 1 Includes: Intro by Deacon Mark Duffey Dedication by Fr. Jim Willig, read by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ Word from the Publisher by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ [2019] Forward by Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ [2000] Introduction by Tammy Bundy [2000...
Jun 14, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Fr. Michael proclaims one of his favorite Gospel passages and Fr. Jim unpacks this story of Jesus appearing to two disciples as they traveled the road to Emmaus. Support Heart to Heart in our ministry: https://htoh.us/donate from Luke 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debatin...
Apr 19, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 12
A Gospel Study on Doubting Thomas by Fr. Jim Willig that combines stories of doubt with stories of love and hope. from John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father h...
Apr 12, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 11
From the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 27:11-54 Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Pilate, who questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?" But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to rele...
Mar 29, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
from Matthew 17:-1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright clou...
Mar 01, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Do we really know what that means? Listen to Fr. Jim to find out. from Matthew 5:17-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teac...
Feb 08, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This little light of mine... from Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. ... Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020523.cfm Heart to Heart Catholic Media Ministry Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disc...
Feb 01, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Tune in to Fr. Jim's teaching on one of the most recognizable Gospels: The Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. from Matthew 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righ...
Jan 24, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Even John didn't know that Jesus was the Messiah until the Spirit of God revealed the truth to him. How can we learn from John the Baptist to recognize Christ? John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known t...
Jan 10, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
from Matthew 1:18-24 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it...
Dec 13, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
John didn't have a cell phone, email address, Facebook, Twitter or any other technology or social media platform. While in prison he had to rely on his followers to seek out and gather information for him. Do you think he was surprised at Jesus' answer to the question "Are you the one who is to come...?" from Matthew 11:2-11 When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for a...
Dec 05, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Imagine going to a talk and hearing the keynote speaker introduced by someone who knew the content of the talk but not the identity of the speaker. This was John. He proclaimed the coming of the Messiah without knowing exactly who the Messiah was. Listen and learn his call to repentance. from Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice ...
Nov 28, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 2
A Gospel Study for the first week of Advent. Prepare! Christ is coming! from Matthew 24:27-44 Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will ...
Nov 22, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1
With a dramatic reading by Fr. Michael of those who mocked Jesus' on the cross, Fr. Jim focuses on the thief hanging to Jesus' right side; the thief who recognized his own sinfulness and need for repentance. from Luke 23:35-43 ...Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned just...
Nov 14, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 31
This gospel passage gives a dire warning about what is to come, but Jesus ends with a message of hope. Listen in as Fr. Jim adds his own learned commentary. from Luke 21:5-19 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here-- the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will ther...
Nov 07, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Which life is your priority? This one or the next? from Luke 20:27-38 Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out 'Lord, '...
Oct 31, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Zaccaeus went out on a limb for Jesus. Would we? from Luke 19:1-10 At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeu...
Oct 24, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 28
from Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector... Read the full scripture passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readin...
Oct 17, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 27
What does it mean to pray always? Does it mean to pray without ceasing? As Fr. Jim notes, St. Luke is giving us a little hint. The goal isn't to pray without end, but to be consistent and to persevere in prayer, regardless of the outcome. from Luke 18:1-8 ...The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for ...
Oct 13, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 26
What are you thankful for? Imagine you wake up tomorrow and all you have left are the things you were thankful for today. Now what are you thankful for? from Luke 17:11-19 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they...
Oct 05, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Fr. Jim asks: "If you could ask God for one gift or blessing, what would it be?" The apostles said, "Increase our faith." and Jesus compares their faith to a tiny mustard seed and the power even that tiny bit would bring. Can we even wrap our heads around the enormity of God and the true gift of faith? from Luke 17:5-10 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and plante...
Sep 27, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Lazarus, a poor sick man covered in sores is ignored by the rich man living near him. They both die. Who gets the royal treatment in heaven? Listen to Fr. Jim's gospel teaching to find out. from Luke 16:19-31 Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Do...
Sep 19, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 23
With one of his more dramatic readings on the podcast, Fr. Michael proclaims this story that most of us know by heart and that Fr. Jim calls "probably the greatest short story of all time." From Luke 15:1-32 ...Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country whe...
Sep 05, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Fr. Jim muses that in the animal world, the sheep are not the most wise of creatures and so for us to be compared to the sheep is not a great compliment. The sheep are often weak and foolish, a comparison that we must admit often fits us as well. Listen for Fr. Jim's redeeming lesson on our role as God's flock with Jesus as our shepherd. From John 10:27-30 Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish... Heart to Heart...
May 02, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 21
