Avoiding Babylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The mystery of the Eucharist stands at the heart of Catholic faith and worship—yet how deeply do we truly understand it? Diving into the rich theology of Christ as the Bread of Life, we explore the profound reality that in receiving Holy Communion, we encounter Jesus Himself—body, blood, soul, and divinity.Starting with the Gospel account of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, we uncover how this miracle foreshadowed the even greater miracle of the Eucharist. When Jesus declared, "I am the living bread that has come down from heaven," He wasn't speaking metaphorically but revealing a truth that would become central to Christian worship for millennia. Through careful examination of both Scripture and Catechism teachings, we explore the three-fold reality of the Eucharist: making present the sacrifice of the Cross, imparting grace to nourish our souls, and pledging future glory.Throughout history, Eucharistic belief has faced challenges—from medieval disputes to Protestant Reformation denials of the Real Presence. Yet God consistently raised up defenders like Thomas Aquinas and inspired Eucharistic miracles to reaffirm this central truth. We consider practical ways to deepen our Eucharistic devotion during Lent, including spending time in thanksgiving after Mass and revisiting catechetical teachings. As St. John Vianney reminds us, "If we realize the value of Holy Communion, the three divine persons dwell in our soul. It is a miniature heaven." Join us in rediscovering the transformative power of recognizing Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Spiritual combat isn't primarily waged on dramatic battlefields but in the everyday moments of family life. This reflection for Day 27 of Lent examines how the home serves as our essential training ground for virtue.Drawing from St. John's Gospel account of Christ speaking about the temple of His body, we explore the parallel between Christ's suffering and resurrection and our own spiritual journey. The reading reminds us that just as Good Friday leads to Easter Sunday, our daily crosses lead to spiritual transformation when embraced properly.St. Padre Pio's wisdom resonates powerfully: "It is in the family home that we best learn to practice self-denial." Yet modern lifestyles have significantly diminished our time at home. Where generations before naturally developed patience and forbearance through constant proximity, today's families scatter to schools, workplaces, and activities. When frustrations arise, technology offers immediate escape rather than challenging us to work through relational difficulties.This Lenten reflection challenges us to reconsider our approach to family life. Are we seeing the irritations and challenges as burdens to avoid or opportunities for growth? Bishop Chevro counsels us to "stifle right away the movement of impatience that is pushing you to say something regrettable." These small, moment-by-moment choices form the real battleground of spiritual combat.As you journey through Lent, consider how your family interactions might be your most significant opportunity for spiritual growth. Practice accepting contradictions with faith, enduring others' faults with patience, and persevering in spiritual commitments despite challenges. In doing so, you'll discover that the cross leads not just to suffering, but ultimately to resurrection.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Rejoice! Even in the midst of Lenten discipline, the Church invites us to pause and glimpse the joy waiting on Easter morning. Laetare Sunday—marked by rose vestments replacing the penitential purple—arrives precisely when many of us have settled into the rhythm of our Lenten commitments but might need encouragement for the journey ahead.This episode explores the profound spiritual wisdom behind this "joy Sunday" that occurs right at Lent's midpoint. Drawing from St. Thomas Aquinas, we examine how true Christian joy flows naturally from growing charity in our hearts. As we've weakened the "old man" in us through three and a half weeks of spiritual discipline, we've simultaneously strengthened our union with God—and that itself becomes a legitimate source of joy. The challenges of modern living receive particular attention as we discuss how today's "argument culture" conditions faithful Catholics toward defensiveness and contention. Social media, news cycles, and even family gatherings have become battlegrounds where we feel constantly compelled to fight for our beliefs. While defending truth remains essential, this episode offers a gentle correction: "We can't fight for everything." Instead, Laetare Sunday calls us to foster joy by focusing on the graces we've received rather than dwelling on negativities.Practical resolutions round out our discussion: making Sundays truly restful, improving our thanksgiving after Communion, avoiding unnecessary arguments, and turning away from what traditional wisdom calls "birds of ill omen"—those constant sources of bad news and apocalyptic predictions that rob us of peace. In our digitally connected age, this might mean logging off Twitter, stepping away from news consumption, and getting outside with loved ones.Ready to reclaim genuine Christian joy amid your Lenten journey? Listen now and discover why St. Francis de Sales famously said, "A sad saint is a sad excuse for a saint."Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!What happens when mercy meets judgment? The Gospel story of the woman caught in adultery offers a masterclass in Christ's approach to sin and sinners. When the Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus, demanding her stoning according to Mosaic Law, they thought they had created the perfect trap. Instead, Jesus turned their judgment back on them with his famous words: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."This powerful Lenten reflection explores how Jesus models the perfect balance between acknowledging sin's gravity while showing compassion toward sinners. Contrary to popular perception, Jesus wasn't treating sin lightly when He refused to condemn the adulterous woman. Rather, He hated sin so profoundly that He became incarnate specifically to take it upon Himself. His mercy toward the sinner exists alongside His uncompromising stance against sin itself—a nuanced position we struggle to maintain today.Perhaps surprisingly, our modern challenge isn't that we judge too much, but that we've abandoned proper judgment altogether. We're called to distinguish between judging actions (which we should do) and condemning persons (which we shouldn't). This principle applies especially to Church leaders, whom we can hold accountable without assuming malicious intentions. As Thomas à Kempis wisely notes, "In judging others, we expend energy to no purpose... but if we judge ourselves, our labor is always to our profit." The most effective way to change the Church isn't through bitter criticism of others but through personal transformation. Join us for this challenging Lenten meditation that calls us to examine our hearts and extend to others the same mercy we so readily seek for ourselves.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The journey of faith isn't meant to be a solitary one. Through the compelling story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, we discover a profound truth about our own spiritual lives: genuine faith naturally overflows into apostolic action.When Jesus speaks of "living water" to this woman, He's referring to the gifts of the Holy Spirit that purify, sanctify, and bring salvation. What happens next is remarkable - upon recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, she immediately leaves her water jar behind to share the good news with others. She becomes an apostle without hesitation, without extensive training, without a theology degree.This spontaneous evangelization reveals something essential about authentic faith: it naturally seeks to spread. As St. Margaret Mary reminds us, "I must be all divine, all love, and then I will be able to light others with this fire." Our primary apostolate comes not through elaborate arguments or perfect knowledge, but through charity and good example that attracts others to the divine flame within us.Being "visibly Catholic" in today's world requires courage - the willingness to pray publicly, abstain from meat on Fridays, or simply live differently than the surrounding culture. These small acts of faithfulness create natural openings for deeper conversations. As we progress through this Lenten season, let's embrace our call to be everyday apostles, combating our desire for human respect and instead boldly living out our faith in ways that make others curious about the source of our hope. Join us in exploring how the simplest acts of faith can become the most powerful form of evangelization.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!What happens when Catholic content creators remove their masks and speak from the heart? In this revealing members-only conversation, we explore the messy reality behind Catholic media partnerships and the profound spiritual journeys that unfold behind the scenes.The discussion opens unexpected doors as Nick shares his aspirations to potentially run for governor of Texas one day, prompting a candid conversation about balancing public Catholic commentary with future political ambitions. This leads to thoughtful reflection on when to speak boldly and when restraint might be the wiser path.Most powerfully, a raw testimony emerges about personal transformation through unexpected means. "This show saved me from drug addiction," one host reveals, explaining how the commitment to regular broadcasting became God's instrument for maintaining sobriety and spiritual growth. "I haven't had a slip-up in three years... not one," he shares, attributing this directly to the grace that flowed through this ministry.Perhaps most revealing is the honest account of a controversy that nearly destroyed the podcast entirely. The hosts recount how a disagreement about co-sleeping spiraled into such tension that they continued broadcasting for months while barely speaking off-air. This story of conflict and eventual reconciliation demonstrates the real human relationships behind Catholic media—complete with hurt feelings, harsh words, and the beautiful mess of forgiveness.Throughout the conversation runs a thread of genuine friendship, spiritual growth, and commitment to serving others through content that matters. As Catholic media continues to expand, this behind-the-scenes look reminds us that authentic discipleship happens not on perfect platforms but in the crucible of real relationship.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Halfway through our Lenten journey, we encounter perhaps the most challenging spiritual practice of all - forgiveness. Drawing from Luke's Gospel where Jesus heals the sick with his touch, we explore how Christ serves as the divine physician for our spiritually ailing souls. Just as he prescribes humility for pride and meekness for anger, Jesus offers us healing – but with an important condition.The key to receiving divine healing lies in our willingness to "forgive from the bottom of our heart all offenses we have received." This echoes the Lord's Prayer where we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. The spiritual mathematics is simple yet profound: the measure we use for others will be used for us. This creates urgency to uproot all animosity, resentment, and bitterness before they harden our hearts beyond repair.Modern life has made forgiveness increasingly optional. Unlike our ancestors who lived in interdependent communities where reconciliation was necessary for survival, we can easily avoid those who've wronged us. We purchase goods from anonymous sources and maintain superficial relationships that never require the vulnerability of true forgiveness. But this convenience comes at a steep spiritual cost. Perhaps even harder than forgiving others is asking for forgiveness - our pride often prevents us from admitting wrongdoing, causing us to become defensive rather than humble. As St. Vincent de Paul reminds us, "Nothing pleases God without charity," especially when we acknowledge our shortcomings and reconcile with our neighbors. Will you join me in praying for those who've hurt us, learning to ask forgiveness sincerely, welcoming others' requests for reconciliation, and preventing bitterness from taking root in our hearts?Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!What happens when those meant to guide us spiritually become sources of our deepest wounds? Today's powerful Lenten reflection tackles the challenge of maintaining goodwill when facing disappointment within the Church itself.Beginning with the Gospel account of the Pharisees challenging Jesus about handwashing, we explore the timeless problem of religious hypocrisy – honoring God with lips while harboring corrupt hearts. Jesus' rebuke echoes through centuries, speaking directly to our modern struggles with institutional faith.The meditation candidly acknowledges the pain many traditional Catholics experience: "We're spiritually abused children of the church." This raw honesty frames the central struggle – how to remain joyful in faith when those who should nourish it seem to undermine it instead. Unlike martyrs facing brief but intense persecution with heaven clearly in view, today's faithful endure what feels like an endless tunnel of disappointment without knowing if or when conditions might improve.Yet within this struggle lies our spiritual challenge: maintaining magnanimity and eutrapelia (good humor) despite circumstances that naturally breed bitterness. The reflection offers practical resolutions for combating ill will: focusing on goodness rather than flaws, struggling against despair by celebrating whatever good remains, bringing pleasantness to our environments, and avoiding hasty judgments.Most powerfully, we're reminded that the Church, though currently "sick," remains Christ's bride and body. Our response to this sickness should not be bitterness but hopeful perseverance. As we approach the halfway point of Lent, consider how you might cultivate goodwill even when facing spiritual disappointment. Can you find joy in your faith today, especially in the places where it seems most difficult?Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Is modern Catholicism failing young men? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we tackle the controversial topic of gynocentric Catholicism and why increasing numbers of young men feel alienated from religious spaces.The catalyst for our discussion was a viral photo of Catholic influencers that sparked debate about representation, masculinity, and the "optics" of Catholic content creation. While we're careful not to attack individuals, we explore the crucial broader conversation: why do many young Catholic men feel that mainstream Catholic content doesn't speak to them?We dive fearlessly into topics often considered taboo in polite Catholic circles: the feminist influences that have seeped into Catholic messaging, the diminishment of male leadership, and the reluctance to address women's responsibilities in marriage while freely discussing men's duties. This imbalance creates a vacuum that figures like Andrew Tate exploit by offering a distorted version of masculine identity.Our guests Josiah and Mike Pantile bring powerful insights about what young men are seeking in authentic Catholic teaching. They highlight the importance of presenting Catholicism as compatible with natural masculine virtues - strength, protection, leadership - while rejecting both toxic masculinity and effeminate Christianity.Perhaps most valuably, we discuss practical solutions: how men can reclaim their role as spiritual leaders in their homes, set appropriate boundaries, mentor younger men, and present a compelling alternative to both secular culture and hyper-traditionalism.This conversation isn't about turning back the clock or diminishing women's dignity. Rather, it's about restoring balance and presenting the fullness of Catholic teaching on gender complementarity in a world desperately seeking authentic models of masculinity and femininity. If you're concerned about the future of faith among young men, this episode offers uncomfortable truths and hopeful pathways forward.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The Sacred Heart begins to beat. The Word becomes flesh. Heaven touches earth in the womb of a virgin. The Annunciation marks that singular moment when God's redemptive plan dramatically unfolds through Mary's simple yet profound "yes."Today's meditation focuses on Mary's fiat—"Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word"—exploring how her lifelong habit of faithfulness prepared her for this cosmos-altering moment. We discover that sanctification hinges not on grand gestures but on consistent fidelity to grace in life's smallest details. As Saint Bernadette reminds us, whatever trials or sacrifices God may ask, we're called to respond with Mary's loving surrender.The true marvel emerges when we explore the Golden Legend's revelation about March 25th throughout salvation history. This single date witnesses Adam's creation and fall, Cain's murder of Abel, Melchizedek's offering, Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, John the Baptist's beheading, and according to tradition, Christ's crucifixion. J.R.R. Tolkien, recognizing this profound pattern, deliberately chose March 25th for the Ring's destruction in his epic mythology. This cosmic symmetry—where humanity's beginning, fall, and redemption align on a single date—reveals God's meticulous authorship of salvation.How might your daily "yeses" transform your spiritual journey? Join us in celebrating this extraordinary feast by attending Mass if possible, praying the Angelus at noon and 6pm, and perhaps substituting today's Rosary with the Joyful Mysteries in honor of this momentous event when divinity clothed itself in humanity, setting in motion our redemption.Support the showSponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/Also sponsored by Quest Pipe Co. Get your St Isaac Jogues pipe here: https://questpipeco.com/discount/Amish?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fst-isaac-jogues-limited-edition********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssSpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylonRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon