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 simplicity of a child's faith stands at the heart of today's Lenten reflection. Drawing from Matthew 21:16 — "Out of the mouth of infants thou hast perfected praise" — we witness a powerful Gospel scene where children recognize Jesus as the Messiah while learned Pharisees remain blind to what unfolds before them. What prevents these educated religious leaders from seeing what comes naturally to children? Pride and jealousy have plunged their hearts into darkness.For traditionally-minded Catholics, this presents a striking challenge. Many of us excel at learning the intellectual aspects of our faith — memorizing catechisms, studying theological works, mastering doctrinal nuances. Yet Christ reminds us that knowledge alone isn't the goal; rather, it should lead us toward the simplicity and openness of a childlike heart. This Lent offers the perfect opportunity to examine whether our spiritual sophistication has inadvertently erected barriers between ourselves and authentic communion with God.Prayer emerges as the essential practice for cultivating this childlike disposition. We explore practical ways to integrate prayer throughout daily life — carrying a rosary for unexpected moments, offering quick "ejaculatory prayers" during routine activities, and establishing family prayer traditions that help children maintain their natural openness to God. Most importantly, we discuss breaking free from the cultural conditioning that has taught many Catholics to keep their faith private and invisible. Children don't yet feel awkward making the sign of the cross in restaurants — and neither should we. As we approach the Ember Days this week, let's embrace the traditional practices of fasting, abstinence, and prayer with childlike simplicity, gratitude and trust.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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 smoke and mirrors of modern politics has never been more apparent than in our post-2024 election landscape. In this riveting conversation, Anthony and Kale explore the concept of "kayfabe" – a wrestling term describing staged events presented as authentic – and how it perfectly captures the theatrical nature of today's political scene.The discussion begins with a shared sense of unease about Trump's surprisingly smooth 2024 election victory compared to the contested 2020 results. Why did institutional resistance seemingly evaporate overnight? How did DEI programs across government and corporations disappear so quickly? These abrupt shifts suggest we might be watching a carefully choreographed performance rather than authentic political processes.Drawing fascinating parallels between professional wrestling and political theater, the conversation examines how both Trump and his opponents understand the power of spectacle. From the controversial Trump Gaza video to the theatrical confrontation with Zelensky, politics increasingly resembles entertainment with predetermined heroes, villains, and dramatic arcs. The hosts warn against getting swept up in the emotional satisfaction of "dunking on the libs" without critically examining substantive policy outcomes.The conversation takes a profound turn when comparing Trump to Pope Francis – both disruptive figures who create daily drama in their respective spheres. Both have generated entire industries of commentators trying to explain or critique their actions, and both have fundamentally altered the institutions they lead. As Pope Francis's health declines, the hosts consider what the next papal transition might reveal about deeper divisions within Catholicism.Throughout this thought-provoking exchange, Anthony and Kale challenge listeners to maintain critical distance from political theater without falling into cynical nihilism. They remind us that authentic cultural renewal comes not through political figures but through communities centered on transcendent principles that outlast any administration.What reality are we actually witnessing behind the political performances? Listen to this essential conversation to sharpen your discernment in an age of sophisticated kayfabe.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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 through Lent begins with a powerful reminder that this sacred season is fundamentally about conversion. Drawing from the prophet Ezekiel's portrayal of the Lord as the Good Shepherd, we're invited to recognize how Christ seeks out His lost sheep, binds up what is broken, and restores what is wounded.A sense of spiritual urgency permeates this meditation as we contemplate the sobering reality that our time for conversion is finite. "One day, time will no longer exist for us and we will no longer be able to do penance. It will then be too late." These words cut through complacency, challenging us to approach each day of Lent with intentionality rather than carelessness. The mercy of the Good Shepherd will eventually give way to the justice of the Just Judge, and only what we've done for the love of God will carry eternal weight.At the heart of authentic conversion lies the inseparable connection between love of God and love of neighbor. We're called to concrete expressions of charity—consoling someone experiencing difficulties and offering prayers and sacrifices for those distant from faith. The meditation concludes with pastoral wisdom for those concerned about loved ones who have fallen away: more than theological arguments or persuasive reasoning, hearts are prepared for conversion through our faithful prayers and penances.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!During this first Sunday of Lent meditation, we explore what it truly means to enter into our own forty days in the desert – not just through fasting, but through the powerful practice of prayer and spiritual withdrawal.Drawing from the day's Mass readings in the traditional Roman rite, we examine how biblical figures like Moses and Elias spent their forty days in profound spiritual retreat, preparing us to understand Christ's own desert sojourn. Their examples remind us that Lent isn't merely about giving something up; it's about creating sacred space where God can speak to our hearts. As St. Augustine wisely noted, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee" – and Lent offers us the opportunity to rediscover that rest.But what does a spiritual desert look like in our hyperconnected world? Unlike medieval peasants who could physically withdraw, we face unique modern challenges. This meditation offers practical suggestions for prayer that fit within contemporary life: morning and evening devotions, spiritual communions, rosary recitation, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and attending traditional practices like Stations of the Cross. Rather than scrolling before bed, we might pray Compline. Instead of a lunch break scrolling social media, we could sit in silence before the tabernacle. These small shifts create powerful openings for divine encounter.The three Ps of Lent—Penance, Prayer, and People (almsgiving)—must remain in balance. We easily remember to eat fish on Fridays, but do we remember to pray? This Lent, accept the invitation to withdraw from digital noise, secular distractions, and worldly preoccupations. Create your own spiritual desert—not of emptiness, but of divine fullness. Your forty days await.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!Have you ever considered how a single careless word can spread beyond your control, wreaking havoc you never intended? The first Saturday of Lent invites us to examine one of our most common yet destructive spiritual ailments—sins of the tongue.Drawing from Mark's Gospel, we reflect on how Jesus healed the sick with just the touch of his garment, prompting us to recognize our own spiritual infirmities. The meditation focuses particularly on our tendency toward gossip, detraction, and calumny—sins that might seem minor but cause irreparable damage. St. Philip Neri's brilliant illustration of this truth comes alive as we hear about the penitent told to pluck a chicken and then gather all the scattered feathers, an impossible task mirroring the irretrievable harm of our careless words.What makes this reflection particularly powerful is its unexpected relevance to our digital lives. As I reflect on my own social media habits, I realize how platforms like Twitter have supercharged our ability to commit these sins, allowing us to instantly broadcast potentially harmful statements to thousands. The meditation's warning that "in every society, none are more to be feared than those who speak ill of their neighbor" takes on new urgency when we consider how digital gossip erodes the very trust our communities need to survive.The five practical resolutions offered—from not involving ourselves in what doesn't concern us to avoiding all insulting words—provide a challenging Lenten practice for anyone seeking spiritual growth. Whether you're struggling with everyday gossip or finding yourself caught in cycles of online criticism, this meditation offers both the uncomfortable mirror of self-recognition and the hopeful path toward healing our speech.Subscribe to join our Lenten journey as we continue tomorrow with reflections on prayer for the First Sunday of Lent, and share your own experiences of taming the tongue in our increasingly digital world.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!Prayer changes our hearts. Penance disciplines our bodies. Charity connects us to other people. These three pillars form what Father Troadec calls "the three Ps of Lent" - the essential spiritual practices that transform this season from mere ritual into profound renewal.As we navigate the early days of our Lenten journey, we're reminded that abstinence from meat on Fridays isn't optional during these forty days. But deeper than following rules is understanding why these practices matter. Prayer acknowledges we cannot overcome sin through willpower alone. We need divine grace to see the world and others as Christ does. Penance recognizes our hybrid nature as embodied souls whose physical appetites often lead us astray. By disciplining our bodies, we free our spirits to soar.The challenge before us is balance. Many Catholics fixate on "giving up chocolate" while neglecting prayer. Others might fast rigorously but forget almsgiving. This Lent, examine which pillar needs strengthening in your spiritual life. Consider attending Stations of the Cross at your parish, a powerful devotion that connects us to Christ's Passion while fulfilling our call to deeper prayer. Whatever resolutions you make, remember they serve to bring you closer to the One who suffered for love of you.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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 landscape of religious conversion is shifting dramatically. While mainstream Catholicism struggles with retention, Catholic apologetics is surging online with remarkable success among Protestants. This episode explores this fascinating reversal and delves into why traditional Catholic arguments are resonating powerfully with modern audiences.Gideon Lazar, a Jewish convert to Catholicism and expert on creation theology, joins us to examine how the coherence of Catholic teaching on controversial topics provides a compelling alternative to Protestant fragmentation. We explore how positions on evolution, contraception, and moral teaching demonstrate Catholicism's consistent internal logic that appeals to those seeking theological depth.The conversation takes a surprising turn as we discuss the challenges Jewish converts face when entering the Catholic Church. Should ethnically Jewish Catholics maintain cultural practices or completely abandon their heritage? This leads to a profound discussion about identity, tradition, and how the Church might create space for Jewish expression while maintaining doctrinal integrity.Throughout the episode, we confront challenging questions: Why are Protestant pastors beginning to incorporate traditional Catholic practices like Lent while Catholic leadership sometimes abandons them? How might a renewed emphasis on creation theology strengthen Catholic identity? And what does the future hold for Catholic-Jewish relations?For anyone interested in apologetics, theological debates, or understanding the shifting dynamics between religious traditions, this conversation offers invaluable insights into how ancient truths continue to captivate modern seekers despite an increasingly secular culture.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!A transformative conversation unfolds today, guiding us through the spiritual renewal that Lent offers. We focus on the essential practice of examining our conscience as a path toward deeper healing and connection with God.  ResolutionsLet us take greater care in our examination of conscience.Let us make a good act of contrition, regretting our sins profoundly.Let us look for our predominant fault and make a concrete resolution to struggle against it.Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!This episode invites listeners to embark on a transformative Lenten journey starting with Ash Wednesday. We explore the profound significance of acknowledging our mortality through the powerful reminder, "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." Our discussions delve into structured daily readings designed for spiritual growth, combining biblical insights with meditations to deepen faith.As we navigate our individual journeys, practical resolutions guide us toward a richer spiritual life. This includes suggestions for fasting and self-denial, emphasizing that the path to renewal requires personal commitment. By understanding both historical and contemporary practices, we open ourselves up to a shared experience of Christ’s passion, fostering humility and accountability while promoting a deeper connection with God.Join us in this meaningful dialogue as we reflect on our resolutions, confront our fears of mortality, and embrace the call to share in Christ’s suffering. Together, we set out to enrich our hearts this Lent, cultivating a spirit of transformation as we anticipate the celebration of Easter. Don’t miss out on this engaging discussion and the chance to deepen your faith during the Lenten season. Listen, reflect, and share your thoughts with us!Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: 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!Prepared for a rollercoaster ride of humor and insights? In this episode, we're sharing an outrageous dental visit filled with miscommunication and a series of unexpected twists—think root canal gone wrong, revealing some common stereotypes along the way! After the laughs, we tackle a serious topic: the rise of young men returning to the Catholic Church. We jump into a discussion about Father Mike's recent Fox News interview, analyzing how cultural shifts influence faith engagement among younger generations, particularly young men.Our conversation also critiques the recent film "Conclave," illuminating how its depictions reflect the complex dynamics within the Church today. This leads us to explore Lent's significance—which many see as a time of spiritual training aimed at penance and sacrifice. Enjoy witnessing how humor interweaves with reflective dialogue, all while challenging and questioning traditional perceptions. Be sure to tune in, share your stories, and immerse yourself in a conversation full of thought-provoking insights and engaging banter! Don't forget to subscribe for more laughs and meaningful discussions as we navigate life, faith, and everything in-between!Support the show********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon