Filipino Cardinal “Ambo” David on hearing God's voice in the Bible

In this episode of The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J., Fr. Martin speaks with Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2024 by Pope Francis,the ministry of Cardinal “Ambo” has been marked by a deep solidarity with those on the margins, with whom he’s established 21 urban mission stations in poor communities affected by violence.  With a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Cardinal Ambo shares his Ignatian approach of “reading between the lines of scripture,” without forgetting the very important “dots” we connect through biblical scholarship. 

Timecodes:

0:00 Prayer is necessary to survive 

2:50 What’s an Ignatian approach towards scripture?

5:19 How Cardinal Ambo received his nickname and why he prefers it to “Your Eminence”

7:28 Cardinal Ambo’s early calling to the priesthood

14:05 Biblical scholarship establishes the dots, Ignatian Contemplation helps connect them

21:30 How studying Aramaic allows Cardinal Ambo to better understand Jesus

24:50 The urban mission stations that bring hope to the poor

30:40 What characterizes Filipino-Catholic spirituality?

32:30 Audience Question: How does Jesus’ resurrection change reality?

Read Fr. Jim's article on Ignatian contemplation

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

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