When you notice that you tend to end up as the Pharisee in one of the Gospel parables…what do you do about that?

Welcome to our most ecumenical episode ever!

Mary-Kate grew up Catholic, then married a Baptist, and now is being interviewed by Moses-Rhys who is Orthodox.

We start off talking about Orthodox Christian weddings, and go from there to reflect on our spiritual heritages, our journeys towards greater closeness with God, what do we do with the Bible, and finally - the difference between healthy spirituality, and spiritualizer parts.

As counselors, we talk about the relationship between spirituality and psychology, where they work together, and where they see things differently. We also look at how healing seems to happen, or rather - how it sometimes doesn’t seem to happen. Sometimes it seems like “praying more” doesn’t actually fix our problems.

Moses-Rhys brings in reflections on the Gospel story of Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery.

Mary Kate brings insight from the parable of the Good Samaritan.

We talk about the “Spiritualizer Parts” which we describe as those efforts we make to be righteous, and make sure everyone else is righteous too…but without a total compassion. We ponder this daring idea of getting to know why we sin or act out, rather than jumping straight to punishing ourselves.

Moses-Rhys shares about how his own struggles with “Sinful” sexual behaviors and thoughts have morphed from hating himself into being able to show love to a high-school aged part of himself that, back then, never felt seen.

Mary Kate reflects on her “Pious Part,” who can be internally viscous, and causes anxiety in church, and who is in conflict with a more joyful and exuberant part of her. This leads her to reflect on the writings of St. Paul about the Body being made of many members. This is typically understood as referring to the Church as a whole, but Mary Kate supposes that it also describes the inner life of an individual as well.

This leads to discussions about Passion, the nous, and pursuing the Inner Stillness.

Mary Kate also reflects on the hazards of following Parts and thinking it’s the Holy Spirit, while offering the more reliable approach of discerning the voice of God in the compassionate calm.

Bible Passages referenced

John 8(The Woman)

Luke 10(The Good Samaritan)

I Corinthians 12(The Many Parts)

Also referenced, the book, Altogether You, by Jenna Riemersma.

This podcast relies on the partnership of listeners - especially with dollars! Please visit www.patreon.com/outercircle to learn how to partner with the vision of this show!

Rhys Pasimio can be found through www.patreon.com/outercircle and on instagram at @newpattrencounseling and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

Mary Kate Sowell can be found at Abundant Life Counseling Services, abundantlifecounseling.com in Austin, Texas.

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