Ascension: Letting Go of Former Closeness

Here we are on the threshold of another Lenten season! Since the Paschal mystery is the culmination of the Lenten season, we are going to "begin with the end in mind" by exploring this great mystery of our faith and where it might be playing itself out in our own lives.  Relying on Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s description in The Holy Longing, Ruth identifies the five movements of the Paschal mystery and the inner dynamics that can help us enter more fully into our own journey of suffering, death, burial, and transformation. This episode is intended to usher you in to the Lenten season with purpose and thoughtfulness.

Mentioned in the episode: 

The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser

Music Credit:
Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist
Returning from Lent Music in Solitude

There’s still room to join us in our upcoming course, Theology that Shapes the Soul. Many Christian leaders have a well-formed theology of what they believe about God, but far less clarity about a theology of spiritual formation: how those beliefs shape the way we live and lead.

Led by Ruth Haley Barton, Theology That Shapes the Soul is a six-week guided experience for leadership groups who want to engage a biblical, theological, and spiritual framework for Christian formation—not merely as abstract ideas, but as truth to be embodied within communities. The course begins on March 4, 2026. Find out more and register here.

We’ve started a Substack! This will be “a new home for reflection, conversation, and connection with our transforming community.” Our new Substack is called “On the Journey with the Transforming Center,” and it will include thoughtful reflections from Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team, as well as alumni and friends of the Transforming Center, occasional special video teachings and guided practices, and space to interact with our content and respond with how God is working in your life through the posts. This will also be the new home of all of our podcast patron content! There will be free and paid tiers. We’d love for you to join us over on Substack.

Support the podcast! During Lent we are providing paid Substack supporters guided practices to help them journey through Lent meaningfully. Led by members of our TC alumni community, these practices include a prayer of surrender, a scripture based breath prayer, a practice of holy naming and truth telling before God, a guided meditation of one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' passion and more. Become a paid member of Substack today to receive these practices and so much more!

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

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