Good Friday Sister

The world is already rushing toward Christmas, but Holy Mother Church has something different in mind for November. Before we celebrate the birth of our King, she invites us to slow down, remember our last end, pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and consider the eternity we are all preparing for.Welcome to the first episode of our new seven-week series, From Holy Souls to a Holy Night: a journey from purification to adoration, guided by Catholic Tradition and the wisdom of the Sacred Liturgy.In today’s episode, Laura talks about the gift of time, the uncomfortable beauty of November, and why contemplating death might be the very thing that helps us live more fully. Through the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), we’ll consider what it means to be spiritually prepared, not just when we’re inspired, but in the ordinary, difficult, and sometimes painfully long stretches of everyday life.If you are ready to step out of the secular season and enter Advent differently from the rest of the world, this series is for you!Key Takeaways.Time is a gift, not a guarantee. We don’t know how much time we have, so we must be intentional about how we spend it.Spiritual readiness is built in the ordinary moments. Like the wise virgins, we need to cultivate an interior relationship with God through prayer, mental prayer, and the Sacraments.November has a purpose. Rather than rushing into Christmas, embrace this sacred season of remembrance, purification, and preparation for eternity.Key Scripture.Matthew 25:1–13: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.Matthew 25:5: As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.Luke 12:39: But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have been awake and would not have left his house to be broken into.Resources & Links Mentioned:St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Sermons of St. Alphonsus LiguoriCharles D. Fraune, Exorcising Halloween: A Guide to Sanctifying the SeasonA Special Advent InvitationWant to go deeper in this journey from Holy Souls to a Holy Night?I’ll be sharing written Gospel reflections for paid subscribers, along with an invitation to join me on Zoom to continue the conversation, reflect more deeply on the Sunday Gospel, and prepare your heart alongside me.Head over to Good Friday Sister on Substack and join me there!Want to stay in the know?Subscribe to Good Friday Sister on your favorite podcast platform.Want to support Good Friday Sister?Subscribe to Laura’s Substack. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive bonus episodes.Want to invite Laura to speak at your event?Head on over to her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit phelpslauramary.substack.com/subscribe

What if your holiness were as easy as watching what you see, hear, and speak? Today on the Good Friday Sister podcast, we continue with our five-week series: Guard Your Senses. Why does this matter? Because our senses are gateways to our heart and mind, and when we are vigilant, we transform our lives and become the saints we are called to be.In today’s final episode, we are talking about the importance of guarding our hearts and minds. But which one takes priority? The heart? Or should we guard our mind first?Here’s the thing: The Devil rarely attacks your intellect first. Oh no…he aims for your heart. He plants a spark of envy, a sting of rejection, a flash of disappointment, a moment of lust. Then he sits back and watches your mind spend the next three weeks spinning and ruminating, building an entire infrastructure of obsessive thoughts around a story that may or may not be true, but you feel it in your heart, and so your mind follows.The moral of the story? If you don’t want to lose your mind, you better guard your heart.I’d put on a fresh pot of coffee if I were you…you’re going to want to be wide awake for this one.Key Takeaways.When Scripture talks about the heart, it refers to more than the organ in our bodies that pumps blood. It is about the inner person.The call to “be vigilant” means we do not leave the door of our hearts unattended. We pay attention to what is entering, what is taking root, and what is beginning to influence the way we think, feel, speak, and live.The heart and mind are connected.We must live according to the Spirit; cultivate a mature faith. One that isn’t led by our fluctuating feelings and fleshly desires, but by the Holy Spirit.Key Scripture.Proverbs 4:23: Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life.Proverbs 14:12: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.Deuteronomy 6:5-6: Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart.Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Colossians 3:2: Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth.Romans 8:5-6: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.Ephesians 4:14: so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.Isaiah 43:4: You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.Resources & Links Mentioned:Ancient HebrewsThe Ignatius Catholic Study BibleLisa Brenninkmeyer, Walking with PurposeSt. Hesychios: “Watchfulness is a continual fixing and halting of thought at the entrance to the heart.”Sanctifica App, Morning ResolutionPractical steps to guarding your heart and mind:* Imagine your heart has a door. On that door, write: Be vigilant.* Recognize the thought attached to the feeling. Call it out. Bring it into the light.* Ask: Is what I am thinking a true thought? Does it align with God’s thoughts, or does it contradict Scripture?Want to stay in the know?Subscribe to Good Friday Sister on your favorite podcast platform.Want to support Good Friday Sister?Subscribe to Laura’s Substack. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive bonus episodes.Want to invite Laura to speak at your event?Head on over to her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit phelpslauramary.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit phelpslauramary.substack.comIt’s the number one question people ask me: what is mental prayer, and how do I do it? Well, that, and how many chickens do you have?Twenty. I have twenty chickens.But back to mental prayer.Today I thought I’d jump back behind the mic and offer a bonus episode for my paid Substack subscribers, and the topic? You guessed it. Mental prayer. Why? Because J…

What if your holiness were as easy as watching what you see, hear, and speak? Today on the Good Friday Sister podcast, we continue with our five-week series: Guard Your Senses. Why does this matter? Because our senses are gateways to our heart and mind, and when we are vigilant, we transform our lives and become the saints we are called to be.In today’s episode, we are still talking about sins of the tongue…because there are just so many! The main focus? Criticism. When is criticism constructive, when is it destructive, and when should we simply stay quiet? As usual, you can expect to leave this episode with practical advice, holy hope, and a few laughs.If you’ve been known to make a critical comment or two, pour your favorite beverage and settle in.Key TakeawaysCriticism is identifying, evaluating, or expressing disapproval of a person’s actions, qualities, choices, or perceived faults.For criticism to be constructive, it has got to be said with love, and the goal is always restoration. Never condemnation.Destructive criticism is usually characterized by a spirit of judgment and condemnation.Perfectionists tend to be overly critical.The whole point of the Christian life is not to avoid sin…but to love God.Key ScriptureProverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.Galatians 6:1: Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness.Matthew 7:1-2: Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.Romans 14:10: Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.Psalm 34:1: I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.Hebrews 13:15: Through Jesus Christ, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.Psalm 51:15: Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.Psalm 119:171: May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.Romans 15:11: And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.Hebrews 3:13: Encourage one another daily.Proverbs 12:25: An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.Ephesians 4:29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Matthew 12:36-37: I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.Resources & Links Mentioned:Matthew Kelly, The Forgotten Way: The Saint James Master PlanSeamans FurnitureFr. Gregory Pine, Training the Tongue and Growing Beyond Sins of SpeechDivine Intimacy Radio, Interview with Father Gregory PineQuestions for Prayer and Reflection* How can my words become a source of communion and connection with others?* Instead of focusing on the weeds, how can I cultivate the good in myself and others?* When I catch myself being critical, I will pause and ask…what is the desire behind my words?Want to stay in the know?Subscribe to Good Friday Sister on your favorite podcast platform.Want to support Good Friday Sister?Subscribe to Laura’s Substack. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive bonus episodes.Want to invite Laura to speak at your event?Head on over to her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit phelpslauramary.substack.com/subscribe

What if your holiness were as easy as watching what you see, hear, and speak? Today on the Good Friday Sister podcast, we continue with our five-week series: Guard Your Senses. Why does this matter? Because our senses are gateways to our heart and mind, and when we are vigilant, we transform our lives and become the saints we are called to be.In today’s episode, Laura talks about the discipline of the tongue, the power of words, and why we all need to stop complaining! But like a good Good Friday Sister, she doesn’t just tell you to stop; she shows you how.If your tongue is what’s keeping you from becoming holy, this one is for you!Key Takeaways.Our words have spiritual consequences.Behind every complaint is a lazy desire.Habitual complaining reinforces negative patterns in our minds.What if we turned our complaints into gratitude?Key Scripture.Proverbs 21:23: He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.James 3:2b-18: The Tongue is a FlameGenesis 1:3-5: And the Lord God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.John 1:14: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.James 3:9-10: With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Philippians 2:14: Do everything without complaining and arguing.2 Corinthians 2:14: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.James 1:19: Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.Resources & Links Mentioned:Father Ripperger, This Instruction Is Clear — Hold Your TongueMatthew Kelly, The Forgotten Way: The Saint James Master PlanSaint Faustina, Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Diary, paragraph 92)Good Friday Sister, Series 1: Creating a Daily Holy RhythmDebbie Downer, Saturday Night LiveFather Mike Schmitz, Ascension Press: BlindspotsCatholic Culture, Complaining? It’s a question of ProvidenceDan Burke, Avila Institute, Apostoli ViaeFather Michael Rennier, The Virtue of Being a ComplainerDerek Hughes, @alittlenudge, SubstackWant to stay in the know?Subscribe to Good Friday Sister on your favorite podcast platform.Want to support Good Friday Sister?Subscribe to Laura’s Substack. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive bonus episodes.Want to invite Laura to speak at your event?Head on over to her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit phelpslauramary.substack.com/subscribe