IP#363 Fr. John Bartunek – The Better Part: The Gospels pt. 1 – Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Fr. John Bartunek – The Better Part: The Gospels pt. 1 on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

Kris McGregor and Fr. John Bartunek discuss the book series, The Better Part, which is a Christ-centered resource for personal prayer based on the Gospels. They discuss the inspiration behind the series, which originated as a directive from Fr. Bartunek’s religious order, the Legionnaires of Christ. They identified a need for a resource that would help people deepen their prayer life in the modern world.

The Better Part is designed not as a traditional scripture study, but as a tool to foster personal encounters with Christ through the Gospels. The approach is rooted in the idea that the Gospels are a place to encounter Christ and enter into dialogue with Him. The series offers a structure that guides readers through meditation on the Gospels, helping them engage in mental prayer that is personalized and unique to their own spiritual journey.

The importance of understanding Christian meditation offers a simple, yet profound, four-step process: concentrate, consider, converse, and commit. Each step is meant to help the individual enter into a deeper relationship with Christ, utilizing different aspects of the soul—will, intellect, and heart.

Fr. Bartunek also discusses the influences of various spiritual traditions, such as Ignatian, Benedictine, and Carmelite spirituality, in shaping the structure of the series.

You can find the set here.

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Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions

1. Recognizing God’s Presence: How do you cultivate an awareness of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of your daily life?
2. Embracing Silence in Prayer: How do you intentionally create space for silence in your prayer life to listen for God’s voice?
3. Trusting in Divine Providence: In what ways do you surrender your worries and concerns to God’s providential care?
4. The Role of Sacraments in Spiritual Growth: How do the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation, strengthen your relationship with Christ?
5. Deepening Your Love for Scripture: How do you make Scripture a central part of your daily prayer and reflection?
6. Practicing Gratitude: How do you express gratitude to God in your prayer, especially for the small blessings in your life?
7. Seeking Spiritual Direction: How do you seek guidance from a spiritual director or mentor to grow in your spiritual life?

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From the book description:

“Every saint and renowned spiritual director through the ages has said the same thing: if we desire to become saints, we must spend time daily in meditation. With this set, Fr. John Bartunek has created an extensive, Christ-centered resource to serve as your daily meditation companion. The Better Part offers a practical explanation of Christian meditation, as well as material to draw from during your meditations, including a Bible study on the Gospels, a survey of saints writings, and a handy guide to prayer.

As you learn to read, meditate upon, absorb, and apply the Gospels to your life, you’ll also find ways to personalize your times of prayer, allowing you to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead along the path of holiness. Open these pages to discover the methods of meditation that best suit you, develop your friendship with Christ, and experience the true Christian joy of a deep, fruitful life of prayer.”

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