Benedictine Thought & Action

In part one of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Rob De La Noval, a theology professor at Boston College. The guys connected with Rob after reading three of his articles on teaching theology published in the University of Notre Dame's The Church Life Journal. The discussion centers around the art of teaching introductory theology to modern college students and the necessity of moving away from the traditional "salvation history" approach.Rob, drawing on Lonerganian philosophy, argues that introductory theology classes shouldn't just be an introduction to an academic discipline, but an introduction to oneself that addresses fundamental human questions—such as "Why do I suffer?" and "Is there an ultimate meaning?". The trio explores the concept of "awareness of God" as discovering one's own seeking and self-presence. They also discuss the need for teachers to have the "smell of the sheep," the necessity of intellectual conversion and returning to a childlike wonder for educators, and how the current cultural zeitgeist of relativism affects the modern classroom.

In this episode, "Just John" flies solo to interview his favorite professor from Duke Divinity School, Dr. Anathea Portier-Young. They discuss her groundbreaking book, "The Prophetic Body: Embodiment and Mediation in Biblical Prophetic Literature," which challenges the traditional "logocentric" view that prophets are merely mouthpieces for a divine message. Instead, Thea argues that prophecy is a deeply embodied experience—involving eating, sleeping, healing, and even the prophet's bones.The conversation covers a wide range of "nerdy" topics, from Thea’s background as a Latin-loving classicist to the "ferocious" reality of biblical Cherubim (who are definitely not chubby babies). They explore how the physical bodies of prophets like Moses and Isaiah mediate God's presence, the connection between the Old Testament prophets and the Incarnation of Jesus, and how Benedictine asceticism might itself be a prophetic act. John also fondly recalls auditing Thea's "Biblical Bodies" class, which featured memorable discussions on everything from Metatron to Dead Sea Scrolls toilets.

In this episode, John and Jason are joined by Dr. William Portier, a renowned theologian, historian of American Catholicism, and the academic mentor who originally guided Jason into his doctoral program. As the author of "Tradition and Incarnation," a textbook used by nearly every Mount Marty student for the last several years, Dr. Portier helps the hosts unpack the complex relationship between faith and culture.The conversation begins with Portier’s colorful biography—from entering seminary at age fourteen in Alabama to navigating the chaotic, desk-less classrooms of 1970s high schools, and finally finding his home at Mount St. Mary’s University. They dive deep into the central thesis of his work: the challenge of "Americanism," which reduces religion to a private hobby rather than a shared, public reality. The discussion touches on the loss of external judgment in modern society, the "prophetic body," and the work of his daughter, biblical scholar Anathea Portier-Young.

In this special "exit interview," John and Jason sit down with Marc Long, the President Emeritus of Mount Marty University, just days before his retirement. Reflecting on his ten-year tenure, Marc shares his unlikely journey from a traffic-enforcement police officer to a higher education leader, revealing how he navigated the public demands of university presidency. The conversation delves into the Benedictine roots of his leadership style — specifically how the Rule of St. Benedict informs tough decisions like supervision, hiring and firing — and his "people-first" philosophy. They also discuss his spiritual transition from the Disciples of Christ to Catholicism, his post-retirement reading list (including a 46-hour Mark Twain biography), and John’s sudden, impulsive desire to buy a floor loom and a kiln.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into a book club discussion on "Aflame" by travel writer Pico Iyer. They explore why this book—written by a non-religious "pilgrim" who has visited a Benedictine monastery for forty years—is a valuable resource for anyone interested in silence, solitude, and the art of being a guest in another’s tradition. The conversation unpacks the book's central metaphor of fire, contrasting the destructive threat of California wildfires with the Desert Fathers' call to "become aflame" of inner spiritual life. They also discuss the "new monk" perspective and the modern struggle to endure true silence without the distraction of technology.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's fourth and final core value: Lifelong Learning. Far from being a simple endorsement of continuing education or accruing degrees, they reveal that this value is actually a translation of the obscure Benedictine vow conversatio morum—the commitment to the continual transformation of one's life. The hosts discuss the Benedictine "rule for beginners," emphasizing that true learning requires the humility to admit you are never finished and the willingness to "read" reality—nature, relationships, and oneself—with the same intensity as scripture (Lectio). They also touch on the tension between intellectual elitism and true wisdom in American culture.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's third core value: Hospitality. Moving far beyond simple politeness or "being nice," they dig into the radical Benedictine instruction to "treat every guest as Christ." They discuss the inherent difficulty of this command—noting that historically, welcoming Christ got people crucified—and share a striking story about how true intimacy and being "known" can sometimes be terrifying. The conversation covers the "germs" of community life, the necessity of conflict for "sharpening iron," and how real hospitality means holding space for others even when it is difficult.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into Mount Marty University's second core value: Community. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the etymology of the word, tracing it to the Latin munus, which fascinatingly means both "responsibility" or "role" and "gift." They use this dual meaning to explore the central tension of community life: balancing the needs of the group with the unique, irreplaceable "gift" of the individual. They share personal stories about feeling truly "received as a gift" at their university, contrasting it with other environments where people are merely "tolerated."

Hosts John and Jason begin their series on Mount Marty University's four core values by tackling the first and most foundational: Awareness of God. They discuss how this value, derived from the 10 Benedictine Hallmarks, is far more than just a religious checkbox. The conversation centers on the Benedictine practice of Lectio (reading), expanding the concept of Lectio Divina (holy reading of scripture) to include a "Lectio of life"—learning to "read" all of reality, including nature, relationships, and personal experience, to find and contemplate the divine presence. Sharing personal stories from monastic life, a pilgrimage on the Camino, and theological touchstones, they explore what it truly means to practice awareness of God.

This conversation delves into the phrase 'thought and action,' exploring its origins, significance, and implications within the context of the Benedictine tradition and broader theological discourse. John and Jason reflect on their personal experiences in seminary, the intersection of philosophy and action, and the influence of certain thinkers on contemporary thought. They also discuss the role of AI in theological discussions and common critiques of monastic life, ultimately emphasizing the importance of integrating thought and action in both personal and communal practices.

In the very first episode of the Benedictine Thought & Action pod, John Badley and Jason Heron introduce themselves and recount their friendship, their education, and the winding road that brought them to live out their vocations as beginners at a rural Catholic Benedictine university in South Dakota.