The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

John Krasinski's new film, A Quiet Place, which he both directs and stars in, may at first seem like a typical thriller, with lurking monsters threatening to kill everyone in their path. But it's actually a surprisingly religious movie, as Bishop Barron explains, witnessing to the monastic response to evil, the dignity of life, and the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross. A listener asks about the next steps for someone who has said "yes" to Jesus and the Church. *SPOILER ALERT!* This episode contains spoilers so only listen after you've seen the film, or if you don't plan to see it. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's vacation 2:25 - What is the plot summary of the movie? 4:40 - Did John Krasinski intend on making this a religious movie? 6:25 - What are some of the key religious motifs presented in the film? 10:20 - How does this movie display the beauty of the pro-life argument? 15:25 - How does the Christus Victor theory of atonement become a motif within this film? 18:50 - How does the Church draw parallels with the ending of A Quiet Place? 21:40 - Question - What are the next steps for someone who has said "Yes" to Jesus/Church? Have a question for Bishop Barron? Go to AskBishopBarron.com!

In this episode, Bishop Barron recounts his visit to the headquarters of both Google and YouTube. He was there to deliver a talk to Catholic Googlers on "Religion and the Opening of the Mind." He reflects on the hungering intellect and why wealth, power, pleasure, and honor all fail to satisfy its restless longings. A listener asks why Jesus didn't appear to more people after his Resurrection. NOTE: Join the Word on Fire Community here >> http://wordonfire.org/community Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Holy Week in Bishop Barron's Santa Barbara pastoral region 2:20 - What was Bishop Barron's impression of the Google and YouTube offices? 7:00 - Why did Bishop Barron choose the topic "Religion and the Opening Up of the Mind"? 10:10 - How does Thomas Aquinas's epistemology explain the "agent intellect"?  13:40 - Why does Bishop Barron bring up Elijah and the priest of Baal while at Google? 17:00 - Why can't wealth, power, pleasure or honor be the greatest good? 25:00 - What can satisfy the questing mind? 32:30 - Question: After his Resurrection, why did Jesus show himself only to a few people and not to the Pharisees, Pontius Pilate, or to a large crowd?

This week we enjoy a live recording of Bishop Barron's inspiring Easter homily.

In this week’s episode Bishop Barron discusses an intrinsic aspect of evangelization; community. Not only is there an intrinsic need of mankind to have a community, which the Church teaches is part of man’s nature, but also the need to have a certain kind of community within the Christian life. A listener asks how we ought to distinguish between authentic conscience and what CS Lewis called "the poison of subjectivism"? BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's recent trips 3:00 - Why does contemporary culture bring a sense of isolation and loneliness? 5:45 - How do we find a balance between the autonomy of the individual and the need for community? 8:15 - What are the benefits and drawbacks of social media in community building? 11:45 - Why do humans need each other? 14:30 - How do we bolster parish community? 17:30 - What role will the Word on Fire Movement play in building Catholic community? 20:30 - What does Bishop Barron recommend for those looking for community? 22:00 - Listener Question: What is the difference between the authentic conscience and individual subjectivism?

In this episode, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt record live from the L.A. Congress, discussing Bishop Barron's keynote talk on beauty and interacting with visitors at the booth. Enjoy!

In last week's episode, we discussed the Jordan Peterson phenomenon, wondering how the Canadian clinical psychologist exploded so quickly in popularity. In this week's episode, we continue the discussion as Bishop Barron reflects on Peterson's religious views and Biblical interpretation. A listener wonders why we spend so much money on churches instead of giving it to the poor. BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction,  Bishop Barron's upcoming travels 3:10 - What does Bishop Barron like about Jordan Peterson's religious perspectives? 5:00 - What issues does he take with Peterson's work? 10:45 - What are Jordan Peterson's religious views? 16:00 - What does Jordan Peterson believe about the Resurrection and what is Bishop Barron's reaction? 20:00 - What is the connection between C.S. Lewis and Jordan Peterson? 25:20 - What can Christian evangelists learn from Jordan Peterson? 28:30 - Listener question: How can the Church spend so much money on building fancy churches when there are so many poor people in need? Bonus Resources Articles The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon (Bishop Barron) 12 Rules: The Review (Matthew Hosier) What Pastors Could Learn from Jordan Peterson (Alastair Roberts) Videos Jordan Peterson's YouTube Channel Jordan Peterson interview with Patrick Coffin about the Catholic faith Books 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Jordan Peterson) Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (Jordan Peterson)

Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist and mythology enthusiast, has exploded onto the scene, becoming the world's most popular intellectual figure in just a few short months. Who is he and what should know about him? And why have his ideas gained so much traction, especially young men? Over the next couple episodes, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the Jordan Peterson phenomenon and reflect on his work from a Catholic perspective. A listener asks whether it's fine to use secular mindfulness meditation to relieve anxiety. BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop spends time with Jim Caviezel 4:45 - How did Bishop Barron first come to know Jordan Peterson? 7:20 - Who are some of the philosophical influences of Jordan Peterson? 10:40 - Why does Jordan Peterson place such an emphasis on the Bible? 14:10 - How does Peterson view Nietzsche and our reaction to life's suffering? 24:05 - What is Jordan Peterson's reading of the Garden of Eden in Genesis? 28:15 - What is Jordan Peterson's take on Buddhism and Christian redemptive suffering? 30:00 - Why does Jordan Peterson believe you should absolutely never tell a lie? 33:00 - Why has Jordan Peterson become so popular especially amongst young men? 37:30 - Listener question: Is it okay for a Catholic to engage in secular mindfulness meditation in order to relieve anxiety? Bonus Resources Articles The Jordan Peterson Phenomenon (Bishop Barron) 12 Rules: The Review (Matthew Hosier) What Pastors Could Learn from Jordan Peterson (Alastair Roberts) Videos Jordan Peterson's YouTube Channel Jordan Peterson interview with Patrick Coffin about the Catholic faith Books 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Jordan Peterson) Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (Jordan Peterson)

The Academy Awards are just around the corner and nine films have been nominated for Best Picture. Bishop Barron has seen seven of them, and in this episode, he shares his thoughts on each. A listener asks whether free will is essential to Christianity. BONUS: Sign up for the Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> WordOnFireShow.com/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Discussing Billy Graham's death and legacy 5:00 - Dunkirk 8:40 - Darkest Hour 13:30 - Get Out 16:10 - Lady Bird 21:25 - The Post 24:10 - The Shape of Water 27:00 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 30:10 - Listener question: How essential is the concept of free will to Christianity? Bonus Resources Articles Lady Bird and the Breakthrough of Grace by Bishop Barron Videos Bishop Barron on Lady Bird

The Eucharist is at the foundation of the Word On Fire Institute. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses what it means to be grounded in the Eucharist and how all Catholics can draw closer to the Blessed Sacrament as meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence of Jesus Christ. NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wordonfireshow.com/lent Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, recap of the natural disasters in Santa Barbara County 2:45 - What does it mean to be grounded in the Eucharist? 5:00 - How is the Eucharist religiously themed as "meal"? 9:30- How does the Eucharist as "sacrifice" illuminate our understanding of Communion? 14:50 - How does the Eucharist as the "real presence" relate the power of this sacrament? 18:55 - How can we learn from the Eucharistic miracles? 21:40 - How can we better ground ourselves in the Blessed Sacrament? 24:00 - Listener Question: How can we explain God's non-competitive transcendence in light of transubstantiation? To ask Bishop Barron a question for the Word on Fire Show visit AskBishopBarron.com!

At Mundelein Seminary you'll find a statue of St. George slaying a dragon below which reads, "Athleta Christi Nobilis" —The Noble Athlete of Christ. As we head into the spiritual desert of Lent, we benefit by examining the lives of those saints who courageously embraced a life of profound asceticism and self-sacrifice. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses three great spiritual athletes from across the centuries. The listener question asks how to remain charitable when you disagree with your interlocutor. NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wordonfireshow.com/lent Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, the Churchill movie 2:45 - What is a spiritual athlete? 6:25 - Why is St. Anthony of the Desert a great spiritual athlete? 9:55 - Is there something wrong with living your entire life in the desert? 12:25 - What can Thomas Merton teach us about the purpose of asceticism? 16:45 -Why is St. John of the Cross a great spiritual athlete? 20:00 - What is the Dark Night of the Soul? 24:30 - Why is Pier Giorgio Frassati a great spiritual athlete? 28:25 - Listener Question: How might we remain charitable with someone we passionately disagree with? To ask Bishop Barron a question go to www.AskBishopBarron.com