The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Fr. Mike Schmitz, a Christian priest, discusses the pursuit of true joy and the belief that joy comes from knowing that God is here and that you are known and loved by Him. He emphasizes the distinction between happiness and joy and the importance of choosing joy in every situation. The podcast explores the resilience of Christianity and the connection between joy and faith. It also shares stories of individuals who have found joy through prayer and devotion, and highlights how joy can be a testament to God's presence and love in our lives.

A discussion on the importance of art in society, recent incidents of art vandalism, the interconnectedness of beauty, humanity, and God, and the relationship between Christian art, the incarnation, and the interplay between love and truth in God's nature.

Bishop Barron discusses the virtue of humility and its importance in our spiritual challenges. He explores the philosophical origins of individualism and wokeism, while emphasizing the counteractive virtues of humility and stability. The podcast also delves into the transformative power of prayer and its significance in all aspects of life.

Delving into church growth strategies, the hosts discuss the significance of trust and likability, the power of prayer, and engaging with seekers. They emphasize the importance of evangelization, equipping people to answer questions, and promoting kindness. Strategies for priests and the pro-life stance are also explored.

A new Word on Fire book titled With All Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life features essays by Catholic women who offer a call to pursue what is too often excluded from our picture of femininity: the intellectual life. Full of practical advice and personal testimonies, and featuring a foreword by celebrated scholar Tracey Rowland, this collection opens readers to the endlessly unique ways for a woman to follow the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord with all her soul, with all her heart, and with all her mind. Today we share an interview with the editor of the book, Rachel Bulman, conducted by Haley Stewart, Editing Manager of Word on Fire Spark. Links With All Her Mind: A Call to the Intellectual Life edited by Rachel Bulman NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, what is the role of religion in civic life? Must we bracket religion from the political sphere? Those are pressing questions as we near the midterm elections. On today’s “Word on Fire Show,” Brandon Vogt and I discuss the relationship between politics and religion and the proper place of tolerance. A listener asks, do you have any recommendations for explaining the Eucharist to high schoolers? Links Light of the Saints by Cory Heimann and Tricia Dugat NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, today we share a recent discussion between Bishop Barron and the theologian Larry Chapp about Vatican II. The conversation ranges over several topics, including: Why evangelize? Deification through the Cross The 20th-century Biblical Renewal and the Liturgical Renewal Evangelization and the Use of Beauty Revival of Catholic Art If you missed the “Bishop Barron Presents” discussion with Larry Chapp, you can listen to that in episode #299 of this podcast. Links Larry Chapp’s YouTube channel Word on Fire Vatican II Collection NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Friends, Tertullian famously asked in the third century, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” What does philosophy have to do with theology, or reason with faith? However, on today’s “Word on Fire Show,” Brandon Vogt and I discuss a provocative new article that wonders what Athens and Jerusalem have to do with Silicon Valley. How should we understand the intersection of reason, faith, and technology? A listener asks, how do you feel about neuroscience, and how does it fit in with your understanding of the soul? Links “The Three-City Problem of Modern Life” by Luke Burgis Food for the Soul: Reflections on the Mass Readings (Cycle A) by Peter Kreeft

Friends, today we share Lesson 1 from our new Word on Fire Institute course titled “Evangelizing Protestants.” The course is taught by Andrew Petiprin, the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen Fellow of Popular Culture at the Word on Fire Institute, also a former Episcopal priest who converted to Catholicism. Andrew takes you inside several important texts that express how the Church thinks about Protestants and explain how they belong with us in the Catholic Church. You’ll look at works by St. John Henry Newman, Pope Pius IX, the Second Vatican Council, and Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. In this first lesson of the course, Andrew shares a little about his personal journey and encourages Catholics to support any Protestant friends or family members who may be discerning coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. He also draws on the particular experience of St. John Henry Newman. Andrew sees Newman as a role model for all our Protestant brothers and sisters who are considering making this step. To watch the other lessons in this course, sign up for the Word on Fire Institute today! Links Word on Fire Institute

Learn about the concept and importance of a Holy Hour, including its significance in the life of Fulton Sheen and the US CCB's national Eucharistic Revival. Explore personal experiences and routines during a holy hour, emphasizing the importance of silence and presence in front of the sacrament. Discover new books for Eucharistic Adoration and Advent, including their contents and a special discount for parishes.