Resistance Podcast #236: Strangers to the City with Michael Casey, OCSO

About this sermon

How can monastic wisdom help us follow Christ in everyday life? Cistercian monk and author Michael Casey, OCSO, joins Steve Cunningham to discuss prayer, detachment, contemplation, spiritual reading, and perseverance. Drawing on his book Strangers to the City and decades of monastic experience, Casey explains why Christian detachment begins with a deeper attachment to Christ. Living differently from the surrounding culture grows from embracing the Gospel and discovering the treasure worth pursuing. The conversation explores the process of conversion, the importance of genuine leisure, and the difference between freely serving God and being driven by an inner compulsion to accomplish more. Casey also discusses lectio divina: reading Scripture slowly and receptively, allowing the Word of God to reveal both Christ and the movements of our own hearts. Other themes include responding to anger without aggression, loving others without crowding them, integrating prayer with ordinary responsibilities, and approaching God honestly when we feel distracted or inadequate. Whether you are beginning again in faith or seeking greater depth in your spiritual life, this interview offers much to reflect on. TOPICS INCLUDE • Gospel distinctiveness and becoming “strangers to the city” • Attachment to Christ as the foundation of detachment • Conversion, discernment, and self-knowledge • Leisure and openness to contemplation • Overwork, motivation, and spiritual striving • Lectio divina and reading from the heart • Divine providence in daily life • Love, respect, and giving others room • Anger, aggression, and learning to step back • Prayer as dependence on God • Perseverance through the changing seasons of life 00:00 Opening 00:46 Introducing Michael Casey, OCSO 02:00 Books and the invitation of Strangers to the City 03:02 Speaking from lived monastic experience 05:10 What does it mean to be a stranger to the world? 05:58 Why attachment comes before detachment 07:27 The treasure in the field 08:06 Following Christ with Gospel distinctiveness 09:24 Conversion, zeal, and discernment 12:06 Scripture as a mirror for self-knowledge 12:40 Returning to the roots of your spiritual journey 15:32 What is genuine leisure? 17:08 A story about contemplation in Papua New Guinea 18:55 Setting aside pressure and personal agendas 20:00 Cassian’s story of the overworking monk 21:31 Inner compulsion and the motives behind good works 23:36 The art of spiritual reading 25:21 Lectio divina: Meeting Christ through Scripture 26:06 Slowing down and reading aloud 27:01 Recognizing the words that touch your conscience 27:49 Providence and the living Word of God 30:03 How do we express love each day? 31:33 Helping others and examining our motives 32:47 Balancing contemplation, service, and human needs 34:21 Anger, sadness, and the culture of complaint 36:02 Responding to anger without aggression 38:33 Step back and think before acting 40:10 Prayer within the responsibilities of daily life 42:38 Balance, moderation, and attention to the present 43:44 Praying honestly when you feel inadequate 45:12 Perseverance and the seasons of life 46:04 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 48:15 Living fully in the present moment 49:15 Final reflections and further reading BOOKS DISCUSSED • Strangers to the City • Living in the Truth • Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer • To Love This Earthly Life Get his books here https://litpress.org/Products/Author/523190 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #MichaelCasey #MonasticWisdom #BenedictineSpirituality #LectioDivina #CatholicPrayer #SpiritualLife #SensusFidelium