DIP "Hard Sayings of Jesus" - Part 1 RESOURCES

March 6th, 2024

Resources From Class 3/5/24
The "Hard" Sayings of Jesus and Catholic Morality Part 1 Resources

After opening small group discussion/brainstorm on the harder Church teachings for ourselves or others to grasp and be on board with, we did a meditation on John 17: 14-23. This is Jesus praying for us at the last supper. See Him praying it for you...even insert your own name in place of "them" and hear His love and desire for all people to know the truth that will bring them joy complete.

Then we quickly walked through this SLIDESHOW with various hard sayings of Jesus, until we honed in on the sexual morality teaching of the Church that we watched in the below video....

SYMBOLON PT. 2 EPISODE 8: A LOVE THAT LASTS: GOD'S PLAN FOR HUMAN SEXUALITY (must have started your free formed.org account to access this video link)

We just watched from 2 Min - 21 Minutes of the above Symbolon Episode, but please feel free to watch the full thing (we only have so much time in class, but obviously the more you dive in and the more information/instruction you get on these topics, the more you will be able to understand, accept, live and share the truth of Jesus' teachings).

We then watched the below 4 Minute Video on Pornography and its effects on individuals and society (see below in extra resources for a few of the many ministries the Church offers to help those who are struggling with pornography addiction).

Again, for time's sake we watched just a very small portion of this talk from Fr. Mike Schmitz on the topic of same-sex attraction or homosexuality and Church teaching (26 min - 32 min)...strong recommendation to watch the full video and some of the others below. I will also post the links to Courage and Encourage and other ministries that minister to those with same-sex attraction.

Additional Related Resources

CHASTITY.COM: Jason Evert's incredible website with a ton of information, testimonies, resources to help, explanations of why the Church teaches ________ (insert any and every teaching on sexual morality here). Check it out!!

BENEFITS OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
100% No Side Effects
97-99% Effective in Avoiding Pregnancy
Enhances Communication with Partner
Inexpensive
Can Help Diagnose Reproductive Health Issues: Infertility, Menstrual Cramps, Endometriosis, etc.

San Diego Diocese Website for Natural Family Planning -- classes to learn this method of family planning that is in line with Jesus' teaching

In Vitro Fertilization and Contraception
3 Short Videos with More Explanation from a societal perspective

Freedom from Pornography Resources and Testimonies

Matt Fradd shares his own testimony on overcoming pornography addiction and has a website, a few books and free programs to find freedom from pornography and masturbation. See links below.

Matt Fradd has a podcast and a youtube channel called "Victory" that helps both men and women overcome pornography. Lots of good science, lots of great testimonies and resources. Check out the 1.5 minute ad/explanation below:

Strive 21 Matt Fradd's Free Program for detoxing from Pornography -- focused on serving men who struggle

Magdala Ministries Website (a ministry focused on helping women overcome pornography)

"Good PIctures/Bad Pictures: How to Porn-Proof Your Kids" Book Link (I mentioned this one in class--written by grandmas and meant for parents to help them talk to kids about the dangers of pornography without shame as early as 3 years old -- #1 Best Seller)

Church Teaching on Homosexuality, Testimonies of those with Same-Sex Attraction and Ministries

Short 11 minute Intro to topic of Homosexuality and the Catholic Church with Jason Evert

Youth Conference talk from Mary Bielski on Church teaching regarding homosexuality and same sex attraction--very good and includes her own testimony.

Kim Zember's own testimony of living a Catholic life with same-sex attraction. (I've met her, she's an awesome disciple of Jesus and has a really powerful story in general!)

COURAGE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL: A Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them. Website resources and in person meetings available.

ENCOURAGE MINISTRIES: EnCourage is a ministry within Courage dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, and other relatives and friends of persons who have same-sex attractions. Standing by the true teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, EnCourage members support one another and their loved ones through discussion, prayer and fellowship.

Song of the Week: "The Truth" by Caedmon's Call This is a throw back to my college days, a little known, but beautiful song/prayer. The lyrics resonated deeply with me as I was wrestling with the things I was hearing about Jesus being the truth, and the only way to Heaven and all my relativistic sensibilities...one of my favorite lines ever:

"Cause we're all just as good and just as bad and just as distracted by the corners of our eyes, as our fathers were and theirs before and all those before them..."