05 The Little Mermaid and Old Testament Tragedy

This episode is a meditation on gratitude. The much acclaimed Star Wars: Rogue One offers us an opportunity to reflect upon all the thankless people in our lives, people who have sacrificed to make you, you! What impact will your sacrifices make, upon generations to come?

Blurb: The four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Temperence, Fortitude and Justice) are as important as they are forgotten. Follow St Thomas Aquinas and Aragorn as they offer examples of each virtue from The Lord of the Rings.

Excerpt from episode: "An example of Aragorn’s prudence takes place shortly after Gandalf the grey is apparently slain by the Balrog inside the mines of Moria. Naturally, the fellowship are in grief and shock, unable to think rationally. After Gandalf’s fall, they are immediately ambushed by orcs and are in immediate peril. Checking his own emotions, Aragorn realises that he must now take on the role of leader and to lead the fellowship onwards. While the pastoral thing to do would be to give the fellowship time to grieve and process the loss of their mentor, the prudent thing to do would be to get up and flee the orcs while they still could. Here is the relevant scene that captures this in the movie adaptation."

All soundtracks from this episode are covers from the OST of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (composed by Howard Shore)
 

Tangled presents us a chance to explore St John Paul II's Theology of the Body! Explore his profound teaching on love, lust and eros alongside Rapunzel, Mother Gothel & Flynn. Let's follow the light!

Excerpt from episode: "I love the fact that the floating lanterns are released every year on Rapunzel's birthday, because the church actually recognises that baptism is our true birthday, for on that day we are born into the kingdom of God. So there’s a big baptism detail already.  Then there’s the thousands of light floating off and illuminating the night! Recall that baptisms traditionally take place at the Easter vigil, a ceremony which begins in pure darkness, until the first light is lit by the priest – the pascal candle, from which other candles are lit one by one, slowly spreading until the entire church is filled with light. This is totally like the lantern scene – which are lit by the king and queen first, which becomes the cue for others to light theirs and release into the night. Like the candles at the vigil, these lanterns are ultimately a sign of hope, hope that one day their lost princess would return home. In the same way, the Easter vigil candles symbolises the hope won by Christ on the cross, that we too, if we follow the light, may one day come home ... "

Soundtrack credits: artistic covers from the Tangled OST (Alan Menken): I see the Light (SamYungOfficial), Kingdom Dance Tavern version (Colm R. McGuinness). 

We can only access our inner worlds symbolically, and our myths and fairytales have always helped us do this. Explore how Atreyu's journey mirrors Bastian's real-world experiences, revealing how the real hero's journey lies within.

Soundtrack credits: tracks are borrowed from the OST of The Neverending Story (by Klaus Doldinger)

Do you sometimes feel invisible and insignificant? Join Sr Angela Uybaretta MGL as she narrates her original story "Glow". Follow this slow and dim star as she travels across the galaxy, to find the One True Light! 

"... Quietly tucked away in the heavenly sky called Stardom, lived a simple, cheerful, preciously ordinary star named Glow. She was born the tiniest star and with a hole in her heart. This birth mark was like no other for each star gave off light from their hearts. Unlike other stars who were fast and bright, Glow was slow-moving, and her light was faint and duller. Without the right amount of brightness, how could a slow dim star proclaim the work of God’s hands ... ?"

Among many things, The Last Samurai exhibits the beauty of a disciplined life and spirit. Follow the traumatised Captain Algren as he is recieved into the Samurai village and undergoes spiritual awakening.

Practical Pilgrim Exercise

• Video - Atomic Habits Summary (by James Clear)

We are all orphans in the spiritual life, and Annie offers us an image of our yearning. Journey with Annie and Mr Warbucks, as paediatric occupational therapist Karen Luzan spotlights the Catholic vocation of family!  

Learn how love leads Dante through the depths of Hell, up mount Purgatory and into the highest Heavens! Discover why The Divine Comedy is one of the most theologically significant Catholic works of all time, and one of it's greatest love stories.

Excerpt from episode: "Dear friends, how many stories do you know dare to traverse the pits of hell while also ascending to the highest heavens? In the 1200s, an exiled Italian poet wrote a very profound love story, one that is now known as The Divine Comedy. This part fiction, part autobiographical tale of a man who journeys through the many rings of hell, up the mountain of purgatory, and into the highest spheres of heaven ... is one of the most theologically and visually engaging works ever produced. In terms of its masterpiece-ness, T.S. Eliot famously wrote, "the literary world is divided between Shakespeare and Dante, there is no third." Since Dante, countless stories and movies and art and video games and romances have been inspired by his imagery – so much so dear listener, that I guarantee you’ve come across Dante even if you think you haven’t … especially in the way you visually think of hell and heaven..."

Sountrack credits
The main theme used this episode is Chaveliers de Sangrael (Hans Zimmer), with covers by Matthew Ward and the  Vienna Symphony Orchestra 

St John of the Cross' 'Dark Night of the Soul' is as much bewildering as it is misunderstood. Drawing from my own testimony, I share an original story, "The Fallen Knight" to explain the key features of the Dark Night, and why it is an indispensable gift for our spiritual growth.

Further recommended reading:
 
The Impact of God (Fr Iain Matthew): An excellent general introduction to St John of the Cross's spirituality, and his concept of Night
Dark Nights of the Soul (Thomas Moore): A brilliant read from an author who is both theologian and psychologist. De-mystifies The Dark Night, and presents it as gift.

A healthy masculine journey progesses through the stages of Warrior, King and Sage ... or so our great myths tell us! Yet, all three expressions are in crisis in the West, and the consequences are far reaching. Join Daniel-san and Mr Miyagi, re-learning the key stages of masculine initiation. 

Recommended reading on Masculine Spirituality 

Healing the Masculine Soul – Gordon Dalbey
Wild at Heart – John Eldredge
Adam’s Return – Richard Rohr