Midnight Carmelite

Do you ever sit down to pray, only to find your mind is restless, anxious, or pulled in a dozen different directions? In a world that offers instant gratification, it’s harder than ever to build the spiritual focus needed for deep prayer. We're told to "seek God," but our attachments often seek "consolations" instead. Enjoying the episode? The journey does not have to end here. Get my free guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," and discover a simple framework to turn this inspiration into a consistent daily practice at https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset. This week, we dive into the practical and powerful Carmelite concept of mortification. Far from being an outdated practice, mortification is the spiritual equivalent of going to the gym. It’s the conscious, willed denial of our small, everyday attachments—from choosing the fruit snack you don't prefer to cutting off a "doom-scrolling" session. We explore how these tiny acts of self-denial build incredible spiritual muscle, killing self-will so you can become more docile and receptive to God in prayer. In this episode, you’ll learn: What mortification truly is (and what it isn't).Practical, small ways to practice mortification in your daily life.How building "spiritual muscle" directly combats distraction and agitation in your prayer time.Why a lack of mortification is often rooted in a deeper lack of hope in God, keeping us lukewarm.

Is your prayer life more about seeking good feelings from God than seeking God Himself? Many of us fall into the subtle trap of spiritual gluttony, where our focus shifts from a loving conversation with our Creator to a self-centered quest for spiritual consolations. This attachment to feelings, rather than to God, can leave us feeling restless, frustrated, and ultimately stunt our spiritual growth. Enjoying the episode? The journey does not have to end here. Get my free guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," and discover a simple framework to turn this inspiration into a consistent daily practice at https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset. In this episode, we explore the vices of spiritual avarice (the constant need for new devotions) and spiritual gluttony (the desire to consume good spiritual feelings). Using the powerful analogy of a human friendship, we break down how seeking the "consolations of God instead of the God of consolations" corrupts the purpose of prayer and prevents the deep, authentic relationship He desires to have with us. In this episode, you will learn: The crucial difference between spiritual greed and spiritual gluttony, and how to spot them in your own life.Why chasing spiritual "highs" and good feelings ultimately leads to restlessness and frustration, not peace.How to transform your prayer from a self-centered pursuit into a genuine, loving conversation with God.A practical first step you can take this week to identify and uproot selfishness in your prayer, fostering a relationship built on faith, not feelings.

Do you ever wonder if you're actually growing spiritually, or just going through the motions? It's easy to rely on good feelings in prayer as a sign of progress, but what happens when those feelings disappear? How can you be certain you're making real progress in your relationship with God when your interior life feels dry? In this episode, we tackle one of the most crucial questions in the spiritual life: What is the one true metric for holiness? Moving beyond the unreliable measure of emotions, we explore the timeless wisdom of St. Teresa of Avila to uncover a practical, observable standard for your spiritual growth. Discover why your daily interactions with others are the most accurate reflection of your love for God and learn how to begin assessing your spiritual health with honesty and hope, rather than self-condemnation. In this episode, you will learn: Why feelings are a deceptive measure of holiness and what you should focus on instead.How St. Teresa of Avila's teaching on charity provides a clear, actionable metric for your spiritual life.Practical, diagnostic questions you can ask yourself to establish a "spiritual baseline" and identify concrete areas for growth.How to reframe your faults not as signs of failure, but as essential data that reveals a clear path forward in loving God and neighbor. Enjoying the episode? The journey does not have to end here. Get my free guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," and discover a simple framework to turn this inspiration into a consistent daily practice. Go to https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset and get your free copy today.

Have you hit a wall in your prayer life? If you feel spiritually dry or stuck, you might assume you're experiencing the famous "dark night of the senses." But what if that prayer brick wall is actually an alarm bell pointing to something much more fundamental? In this episode, we challenge the popular misdiagnosis of spiritual dryness. We explore how a "prayer brick wall" is often not a sign of spiritual advancement, but a direct consequence of a life where our actions don't match our prayers. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of St. John of the Cross, we uncover the subtle spiritual imperfections—like spiritual gluttony and pride—that can masquerade as holiness and prevent us from truly growing closer to God. In this episode, you will learn: Why the feeling of a "prayer brick wall" should be seen as an alarm bell, not a badge of spiritual perfection.How to identify key spiritual imperfections, like spiritual pride and gluttony, that St. John of the Cross warns against.The critical link between your actions and virtues outside of prayer and the actual quality of your time with God.A powerful analogy from human relationships that reveals whether your love for God is based on your terms or His. If this episode has you wondering what hidden obstacles might be holding you back, the first step is always to return to simple, honest prayer. To help you do just that, I've created a practical tool to help you start fresh tonight. It’s a simple PDF guide to help you find peace and reconnect with God—right where you are. Join Midnight Carmelite to get instant access to my guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," right here: https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset Connect with Midnight Carmelite: Website: https://midnightcarmelite.com

How do you know if what you're chasing is your own ambition or God's actual call for your life? We all struggle with discerning our true purpose amidst the noise of the world and the desires of our own hearts. If you've ever felt restless or unsure about your path, this episode is for you. After a period of personal reflection on the future of this podcast, this episode dives deep into the true nature of vocation. We explore how easily our good intentions can be compromised by pride and self-interest, using the powerful parable of the Pharisee to examine how "gratitude" can sometimes serve as a mask for spiritual ambition. This conversation is about refocusing our hearts, understanding that our primary call is to seek the Kingdom of God right where we are, in every present moment. In this episode, you will learn: The crucial difference between a God-given vocation and a self-driven ambition.How to identify the subtle ways pride can poison your spiritual life and distort your understanding of God's will.Why a heart that isn't focused solely on God is the root of feeling restless and without purpose.That true holiness is found not in abstract ideas, but in the practical, daily circumstances of your life. This episode explores what vocation is, but the real journey is in learning how to discern it in your own life. How do you distinguish between selfish desires and God's actual call? What is the first practical step you can take to move from wandering to walking with purpose? Do you sit down to pray and feel lost, distracted, and unsure where to begin? There is a simple way to rediscover calm and connection, and it only takes five minutes. Join Midnight Carmelite to get instant access to my guide, "The 5-Minute Prayer Reset," right here: https://midnightcarmelite.com/reset Connect with Midnight Carmelite at https://midnightcarmelite.com

#4: In this episode, we reflect on our own spiritual journey and identify any secondary activities or distractions that may be hindering our focus on purity of heart in relation to God's presence.

#3: In this episode, we discuss how absence relates to faith and our prayer life.

#2: In this episode, we discuss how the person of Christ acts from Christ, not from prestige or perception.

#1: In this episode, we discuss being of the same reality of those who claim to believe in Christ.

#9: Dr. Larry Chapp joins Midnight Carmelite as we discuss a range of issues, including technology and its proper use. We also talk about GS22 being the official podcast of Communio, the concept of razing the bastions, empathetic thinking, Christ on the cross, and the acceptance of being wrong.

#5: In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the Transfiguration and the Cross of Christ Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip (https://checkout.luminoustradition.com/b/cN2cQM6EhdC11Ne8ww).

#4: This season we will meditate on the Cross of Christ through Scripture and St. John of the Cross. In this episode, we discuss gaining our life by losing it with Christ. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip (https://checkout.luminoustradition.com/b/cN2cQM6EhdC11Ne8ww).

#3: This season we will meditate on the Cross of Christ through Scripture and St. John of the Cross. In this episode, we discuss how to take up your cross. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#2: This season we will meditate on the Cross of Christ through Scripture and St. John of the Cross. In this episode, we discuss how truth is a virtue and how it relates to denying ourselves. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#1: This season we will meditate on the Cross of Christ through Scripture and St. John of the Cross. In this episode, we discuss Christ as the way and the way as the Cross. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#3: In this episode, we will discuss Philippians 4 about the God of peace and thinking on good things and its relation to perseverance in prayer according to St. John of the Cross. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#2: In this episode, we will discuss the metaphysics of the Trinity according to St. Thomas Aquinas with Dr. Robert Delfino. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#1: In the season 8 premiere, Dr. Larry Chapp of gaudiumetspes22.com discuss deep theology and the lost sheep. Please support Midnight Carmelite here with a tip.

#5: In the season finale, we discuss how justice relates to Divine Providence. Please support Midnight Carmelite: leave a tip here!

#4: In this episode, we will discuss a major temptation in our relationship with God and His Divine Providence. Please support Midnight Carmelite: leave a tip here!