Podcast Summary: "Healing in the Gaze of Jesus" with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Description: Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
• Episode: Healing in the Gaze of Jesus (with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT)
• Release Date: November 28, 2024

Introduction

In this poignant episode of "The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast," Father Mike engages in a deep and heartfelt conversation with Sister Miriam James Heidland of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). The discussion centers around the themes of healing, forgiveness, and preparation for Advent, aiming to guide listeners toward a Christ-like transformation.

Sister Miriam’s Journey and Community Discernment [00:00 - 05:40]

The episode begins with Sister Miriam sharing her profound understanding that "time heals some of our wounds, but time does not heal all wounds. It's love that heals all of our wounds" (00:00). She reflects on Jesus as a model of being "fully alive," challenging herself to love others as Christ does to grow in likeness to Him.

Father Mike ties this insight to the essence of Advent, emphasizing the need to prepare oneself to "see the Lord face to face" by bringing one's brokenness and shame to God (00:13). He invites listeners to join a dedicated Advent journey on the Ascension app to deepen their spiritual preparation.

Notable Quote:

"It's love that heals all of our wounds." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [00:00]

Discernment and Community Life [02:02 - 05:40]

Sister Miriam delves into her background, highlighting her 26-year commitment to the SOLT community. She recounts a transformative encounter with a priest whose profound love for Jesus and his priesthood ignited her own spiritual awakening (02:02). This relationship underscored the authenticity of sainthood, presenting saints as real, imperfect people whose genuine love can inspire others.

Father Mike shares his own experience with SALT (Salt Community), detailing his mission trips and how serving in Belize led to significant personal conversion and growth. Their mutual respect for each other's communities sets a collaborative tone for the conversation.

Notable Quote:

"We have this idea of saints that, you know, they kind of float around and they're real people." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [02:02]

Understanding Healing: Beyond Fixing [05:40 - 17:49]

Sister Miriam articulates her ministry's focus on healing, rooted in her personal experiences with trauma and addiction. She emphasizes that healing involves confronting one’s deepest sorrowful mysteries rather than merely managing sins or pretending wounds don’t exist (07:05). Drawing from Dr. Bob Schutz, she defines healing as "an ongoing encounter with God's love and truth that brings us into wholeness and communion" (09:55).

Father Mike and Sister Miriam explore the distinction between healing and fixing. She insists that healing is not about erasing faults but about allowing God to work through our brokenness, fostering a relationship where everything is brought into the light with love (10:04). This process requires vulnerability and honesty, aligning with Jesus' example of being fully seen and loved despite His own sufferings.

Notable Quotes:

"Healing is not fixing, it's not sin management, it's not minimizing, it's not pretending it didn't happen." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [09:55]

"An ongoing encounter with God's love and truth that brings us into wholeness and communion." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [09:55]

The Role of Forgiveness in Healing [17:49 - 35:19]

The conversation shifts to forgiveness, a cornerstone of the healing journey. Sister Miriam defines forgiveness as "choosing to let go of a debt that is owed to us," emphasizing it as an act of the will rather than mere emotion (18:40). She contrasts healthy anger, which acknowledges injustice, with destructive anger driven by the desire for control (19:23).

Father Mike shares personal anecdotes illustrating the challenges and necessities of forgiveness. He recounts interactions where individuals avoid forgiveness, choosing avoidance over confrontation. Sister Miriam highlights the importance of addressing and naming hurtful experiences to transform them into compassion through God's love (30:44).

They discuss practical steps for forgiveness, including:

• Prayer: Seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance to embrace forgiveness.
• Honesty: Acknowledging and naming the hurt without self-blame or undue blaming of others.
• Offering Undeserved Gifts: Engaging in acts of kindness and restitution as expressions of forgiveness (40:57).

Notable Quotes:

"Forgiveness ultimately is an act of the will, choosing to let go, to release." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [18:40]

"The first step is admitting that you're angry, because there's no anger without appreciating hurt or an injustice." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [19:18]

Grief as Part of the Healing Process [22:00 - 35:19]

Father Mike and Sister Miriam delve into grief, recognizing it as an integral aspect of healing. Grief is portrayed as a recurring process that surfaces in different contexts, mirroring the ongoing nature of forgiveness (22:00). They discuss how grief involves "naming and lamenting" losses, transforming personal pain into prayers and intercessions for others (24:17).

Sister Miriam shares insights from the Catechism, emphasizing that genuine forgiveness does not require forgetting offenses but transforming hurt through God's grace (30:51). This transformation turns injury into compassion, allowing hearts to be fully alive and capable of genuine love.

Notable Quotes:

"Grief is part of the healing process, and that requires us to feel it." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [23:20]

"The heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [30:51]

Practical Steps for Forgiveness and Reconciliation [35:19 - 43:35]

The dialogue moves toward actionable steps for listeners struggling with forgiveness. Sister Miriam advises initiating prayer for those who have wronged us and making amends where possible without causing further harm (40:46). She underscores that reconciliation differs from forgiveness; while forgiveness is a one-way street, reconciliation requires mutual participation (43:01).

Father Mike reflects on his experience leading seminarians through forgiveness, highlighting the courage it takes to reach out and seek or offer forgiveness. They discuss the importance of internal transformation over external validation, reinforcing that forgiveness is a gift to oneself and a step toward spiritual maturity (36:03).

Notable Quotes:

"The first step is always prayer, praying for that person." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [40:46]

"Love is a one way street. Forgiveness is a one way street." – Father Mike Schmitz [43:01]

Preparing for Advent: Embracing Holiness and Facing Death [44:08 - 47:44]

As the conversation nears its conclusion, the focus shifts to preparing for Advent and contemplating death. Sister Miriam shares her perspective on death, viewing it as the culmination of a lifelong journey of healing and holiness. She expresses a desire to be fully seen by Jesus, with nothing hidden, thereby attaining a state of grace and readiness to experience eternal communion (44:08).

Father Mike resonates with this sentiment, emphasizing that preparation for death involves living authentically and embracing the healing process. Together, they affirm that true readiness lies not in being perfectly fixed but in willingly allowing oneself to be seen and loved by God despite imperfections (46:36).

Notable Quotes:

"I want everything to be seen. And the day I see him face to face, I don't want anything that I know of to be hidden." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [45:25]

"The practice of letting yourself be seen, like truly wounds and everything is part of the healing process." – Father Mike Schmitz [46:48]

Concluding Thoughts

Sister Miriam closes the discussion by affirming that the healing and forgiveness journey is invaluable, leading believers toward Christ-like holiness. She emphasizes the transformative power of living truthfully and embracing God's love, ensuring that the journey, though challenging, is ultimately "worth it" (47:26).

Father Mike expresses deep gratitude for Sister Miriam's insights and ministry, recognizing the profound impact of her presence and guidance on both the church and his personal spiritual journey (47:43). He reinforces the call to listeners to engage in this healing process during Advent, preparing to meet the Lord with open hearts.

Final Notable Quote:

"The journey is worth it. It's worth it to live in the truth of who we are. It's worth it to have our hearts fully alive." – Sister Miriam James Heidland [47:26]

Key Takeaways

1. Healing Through Love: True healing transcends the passage of time; it is achieved through the unconditional love of Jesus, which seeks to make individuals whole in every aspect of their being.

2. Forgiveness as an Act of Will: Forgiveness requires a deliberate choice to release the debts owed by others, transforming personal hurt into compassion and intercession.

3. Honesty and Vulnerability: Embracing honesty about one's wounds and being willing to be fully seen by God are crucial steps toward spiritual maturity and Christ-like holiness.

4. The Ongoing Process: Both healing and forgiveness are continuous journeys that demand persistent effort, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.

5. Preparation for Advent: The Advent season is an opportune time to reflect on one's spiritual state, engage in the healing process, and prepare to encounter Jesus face to face with an open and healed heart.

6. Transformation Over Avoidance: Actively addressing and naming one's pain prevents the accumulation of resentment and bitterness, fostering a heart that can fully love and be loved.

This episode serves as a profound guide for listeners seeking to navigate their own healing journeys, offering theological insights, practical steps, and heartfelt encouragement to embrace a life of truth, forgiveness, and divine love in preparation for Advent.