Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “Brother from the Blessed Mother” VanVickle is unfortunately not with us today. Just before Christmas, Dave’s wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer, so please storm heaven with your prayers for Amber VanVickle and their family! Today is a short episode about the meaning of generosity in the Christian life. We don’t usually hear about generosity until tithing time, but generosity extends far beyond dollars. We need to practice generosity at all times, especially when it comes to our prayers and participation in the Church. Snippet from the Show Generosity is not God asking too much of us, it is God asking for a fraction of what he has already done for us. SHOWNOTES 2 Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Philippians 2: 5-8 - Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. GoFundMe for the VanVickle family Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Happy New Year! We’ve got five resolutions for Catholics who want to continue to spread the Good News in 2020. 5 Resolutions for Catholic Evangelizers Read a Gospel a week. Read The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard. Begin the practice of mental prayer. Look for one chance each day to evangelize by listening first, and then maybe speaking. Pray the Memorare each day asking Mary to bring people to you, so you can introduce them to her Son. We want to hear from you! Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe and email us at eksb@acensionpress.com with your comments and questions—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

On this glorious Christmas day, I, Gomer, give an abbreviated recap of King Herod’s dark, violent, and corrupt history. It was in the face of this proud ruler who did anything to secure his worldly power and wealth that God sent the most humble Christ-child. This Christmas, remember that no matter how small and insignificant you might feel, your “yes” to God will allow Christ to be born into this proud and haughty world in which we live. As a practical takeaway, meditate on this reality while praying the words of Mary’s Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name; And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” **Snippet from the Show **God always works through the hidden, the small, and even the despised things of this world. Resources Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get on our email list! Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer for the People 1 Maccabees and 2 MaccabeesSupport Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Wolf of Main Street” VanVickle and I wrap up our Advent series on repentance. We talk about interior repentance and how that shows up through things like fasting, keeping Fridays a day of penance, forgiving others, serving the poor, and constantly reorienting our lives towards Christ. We can’t buy heaven with these acts, (the cross of Christ is our salvation) but true repentance will always show up in our words and deeds. Snippet from the Show “Penance is not about paying for sin, it’s about being more free to surrender to what God is doing in your life.” Get the shownotes! Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe or email us at eksb@acensionpress.com Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

I, (Dave VanVickle), have no nickname today, because sadly Gomer isn’t here. (He’s OK, he’s just been sick.) So I’m continuing our conversation about repentance solo. I want to talk about what repentance looks like in Scripture, especially Zacchaeus’ repentence in Luke 19, and how we can incorporate continual repentance and conversion in our day-to-day lives. _Snippet from the Show “God is not just calling us away from sin, but also to accept this beautiful new life in the kingdom; to see the world, the poor, and our brothers and sisters through the eyes of Jesus Christ.” _ Get the shownotes! Text EKSB to 33-777 to subscribe! Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Giraffe” Van Vickle and I (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) start off nice and easy by talking about the darkness in the Church right now … and then we ease into our main topic for this Advent season—repentance. The repentance aspect of Advent is highly neglected but extremely important. Most people like to focus on the love of God made man (which is huge, don’t get me wrong) but what is the proper response to this great love? Repentance. So, how do we repent, why do we repent, why is Advent a season of repentance? Snippet from the Show Our entire Theology revolves around repentance because it’s not Jesus overlooking our sins, it’s him dying for us so that we may be transformed. Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list!Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

You’ve probably heard people say that evangelization is proclaiming the gospel and using words when necessary. Well, Dave “Roaring Lion” VanVickle and myself (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) have a problem with this phrase—it only covers one aspect of evangelization. There’s a whole other big part of evangelization where you use words. A big reason we reduce evangelization to the interior life is because there is fear involved with proclaiming the Gospel and talking about Jesus. We’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, of being rejected, so we just say, “well as long as you’re living like a disciple, you’re good.” But we’re not. Introducing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes many, many different forms. You don’t have to do all of them all the time, but we’re pretty sure both words and actions will be involved. Snippet from the Show “There were all kinds of people who were not apostles who followed Jesus. We’re called to encounter Christ in others” SHOWNOTES Saint Francis of Assisi - “There’s no use walking somewhere to preach unless your walking is also your preaching.” Evangelii Gaudium, 165 - “We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats.” Frank Sheed - “It’s the union of man with God and Christ Jesus.” Jesus Visits Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) - “Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Saint Mother Teresa - “Do you want to change the world? Go home and love your families.” Five Practical Takeaways Talkie-talkie: Pick a person and tell them about a change Christ has made in your life. Walkie-walkie: Don’t gossip this week. At all. Literally. Talkie-talkie: Invite a co-worker or acquaintance to grab a coffee and get to know them better. Walkie-walkie: Fast for one day and donate the money to charity or your parish. Talkie-talkie: Ask a person what Christ has done in their lives. Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Perpetual Penitent” VanVickle and I (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) are talking about something we all know, but few people truly understand—God’s love. We’ve heard, “God loves you” just enough to make us content with the thought of it, and totally unfamiliar with the radial depth of that reality. By looking at some passages in the Bible (the woman at the well, the Good Samaritan, the conversion of Zacchae′us the tax collector) we discover the beautiful truth of God’s love: that he knows us through and through, and loves us more deeply than we can comprehend in this life. (Something to look forward to in death, am I right?) _Snippet from the Show What we desire most of all is to be known, and loved. Because if you are loved, but not known, that’s superficial and weak. If you’re known, but not loved, that’s our greatest nightmare. _ Get the shownotes! Text ESKB to 33-777 or email us at eksb@acensionpress.com Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “The Dandy” VanVickle and I are talking about a different approach to evangelization: philosophy. A lot of people respond to the kerygma alone, but some really need a rational argument to understand the reason for belief in God. So today we dig into natural happiness. To be brief, the idea is that nothing in the world can completely satisfy us, because we were made for something eternal, which is God. We also talk a bit about parish bureaucracy and the hierarchy of the Church. Let’s just say you should pray for your parish. What do you think about philosophical approaches to evangelization? Do they work? Are they helpful? Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave. Snippet from the Show “Your spouse is not sufficient to make you happy. They are a human person and your heart has an infinite longing that only an infinite God can fulfill. So if you demand your husband or wife to complete you, you are asking them to be God for you. That’s unrealistic.”Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Dave “He Stole My Eggo” VanVickle and I are coming up with answers faster than the dusty magic 8-ball that’s probably still in your attic somewhere. We’re addressing your quick questions about parish life and evangelization including: What’s the deal with stewardship parishes (parishes where your salary is on record so they’re sure you’re tithing fully)? How can I make discipleship tracks in my parish? How can I talk about Jesus when talking in general is hard enough? ... (I'm an introvert) And how can I be a good witness when the first contact I have with someone is about sexual morality? Snippet from the Show “It’s easier to give money than it is to give your whole life.” Five Practical Takeaways Look for ways to bring the Holy Spirit into your daily job or hobby. Look at local events and go to one of each: Kerygma, Catechesis, and Conquer. Kerygma event - retreat or a speaker at your parish Catechesis event - Bible study or other learning opportunity Conquer event - outreach event at your parish, or volunteering opportunities Five Minute Exercise: Go on YouTube and find videos that fall into the Kerygma, Catechesis, and Conquer categories above and maybe send them out. Ascension Presents has some good ones for you! Intercessory Prayer: Prayers for Catholics involved in OBGYN and family medicine. Introverted ways to evangelize: Do it online! Head over to Brandon Vogt’s Strange Notions and read up, or consume “Classical Theism Podcast” and share it out there on your social feeds. We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.Support Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)