Healing in the Gaze of Jesus (with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT)

·49 min·4 clips

What if you knew Christmas Day was the day you would wake up dead, and how would that change your Advent?

The episode begins with Father Mike Schmitz introducing the Advent series focused on preparing to see the Lord face-to-face. He invites Sister Miriam James Heidland, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, to discuss healing. Sister Miriam shares her background, including an encounter with a priest that awakened her to Jesus's love and led to her religious vocation. She describes her early struggles with trauma and addiction, noting that healing began in the convent when she faced her sorrowful mysteries. Sister Miriam defines healing as an ongoing encounter with God's love that brings wholeness, contrasting it with fixing or sin management. The conversation shifts to forgiveness, with Sister Miriam explaining it as choosing to let go of debts owed, using the parable of the unforgiving servant as an example. She discusses the importance of naming hurts honestly and the role of anger as a sign of injustice. Father Mike shares a story about a student who made amends for past bullying, highlighting the courage required in forgiveness. Sister Miriam references the Catechism on forgiveness from the heart, noting how the Holy Spirit can transform injury into compassion. They differentiate between forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasizing that forgiveness is always possible even if reconciliation is not. The episode concludes with Sister Miriam reflecting on preparing for death by living daily in truth and love, aiming to have nothing hidden from Jesus. Throughout, the dialogue integrates personal anecdotes, theological insights, and practical advice for spiritual growth during Advent.

As heard by us

A reflective Advent invitation to bring hurt, shame, and resentment to Christ.

The episode treats healing as something love can do, not time alone, and ties Advent to preparing to see the Lord face to face. Father Mike Schmitz speaks plainly about bringing brokenness and shame to Jesus, while also making space for hurt, injustice, anger, and resentment as…

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Why you'd press play

If you need Advent to feel like real spiritual preparation, start here.

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