The powerful parable of the Prodigal Son offers us a profound invitation to examine the quality of our repentance this Lent. As we reflect on this wayward son who squandered his inheritance in "riotous living" only to return humbled and broken, we're challenged to consider: Do our confessions truly lead to conversion?
St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests who spent up to 18 hours daily hearing confessions, offers us this sobering insight: "There are many who go to confession and few who convert." Even in 19th century France, with its deeply Catholic culture, the Curé of Ars recognized that many approached the sacrament without true contrition. How much more relevant is this warning today? We can easily fall into treating confession as having a "revolving door," presuming on God's mercy while secretly planning to return to the same sins. True repentance requires not just acknowledgment of sin but a firm resolution to amend our lives.
Yet there's profound hope in this message too. St. John Vianney also reminds us that "God forgives a repentant sinner faster than a mother snatches her child from the fire." When our contrition is genuine, God's forgiveness is immediate and complete. This Lent presents the perfect opportunity to deepen our approach to confession and extend our spiritual focus outward by praying for someone who needs to experience reconciliation with God. Prayer and fasting often accomplish what our best arguments cannot. Who might return to God's embrace through your dedicated prayer this Lenten season?
https://angeluspress.org/products/toward-easter
Sponsored 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=1
https://www.avoidingbabylon.com
Merchandise: https://shop.avoidingbabylon.com
Locals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.com
RSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss
SpiritusTV: https://spiritustv.com/@avoidingbabylon
Have you ever wondered what happened after the Book of Acts closes? The story of Christianity's explosive growth through the ancient world might be the most thrilling chapter in Church history you've never fully explored.
Joshua Charles, founder of Eternal Christendom, takes us on a captivating journey through the grand narrative of salvation history, revealing how Greek philosophy, Roman order, and Hebrew revelation converged at the perfect moment for Christ's arrival. This isn't just ancient history—it's the story we're still living today.
Discover how the early Church Fathers understood prophecy unfolding before their eyes as pagan temples fell and Christian altars rose across the empire. Learn why St. Thomas Aquinas identified "obedience to the Roman Church" as the mysterious restrainer mentioned in Scripture, and why this matters for our current moment.
The conversation ventures into fascinating territory as Joshua addresses the recurring biblical motif of older and younger brothers—from ...
Christ is risen! The glorious transformation we've been preparing for through forty days of Lenten sacrifice has arrived, but what happens to our spiritual journey now?
This meditation explores the profound significance of Eastertide—not merely as the end of Lenten disciplines but as the beginning of a new way of living. From the triumphant moment when "light has triumphed over darkness," we are called to understand that Easter isn't about abandoning our spiritual progress, but redirecting it toward a fuller expression of our life in Christ.
As St. Paul reminds us, being "risen with Christ" means elevating our desires toward heaven while detaching from mere earthly satisfactions. For newly baptized Catholics, this season marks their first days in the faith, while for all believers, it offers a time to balance joyful celebration with continued spiritual growth. The Easter octave specifically highlights this transition as we learn to live out the new life received in baptism.
The meditation offers ...
Have you ever wondered what happened after the Book of Acts closes? The story of Christianity's explosive growth through the ancient world might be the most thrilling chapter in Church history you've never fully explored.
Joshua Charles, founder of Eternal Christendom, takes us on a captivating journey through the grand narrative of salvation history, revealing how Greek philosophy, Roman order, and Hebrew revelation converged at the perfect moment for Christ's arrival. This isn't just ancient history—it's the story we're still living today.
Discover how the early Church Fathers understood prophecy unfolding before their eyes as pagan temples fell and Christian altars rose across the empire. Learn why St. Thomas Aquinas identified "obedience to the Roman Church" as the mysterious restrainer mentioned in Scripture, and why this matters for our current moment.
The conversation ventures into fascinating territory as Joshua addresses the recurring biblical motif of older and younger brothers—from ...
When evangelical leader Charlie Kirk declared "the antidote to feminism is our Lady," Catholics across social media took notice. His surprising admission that "we as Protestants and Evangelicals under-venerate Mary" has sparked intense conversation about whether the prominent conservative commentator might be on a path toward Rome.
The statement represents a significant theological shift for Kirk, who went on to praise Mary as "a phenomenal example and a counter to so much of the toxicity of feminism in the modern era." While careful not to overstate what's happening, we examine this moment through a Catholic lens, exploring how devotion to Mary has historically led many Protestant thinkers toward Catholic teaching. Reports that Kirk has been attending weekday Mass with his wife add an intriguing dimension to the discussion.
We also revisit Michael Knowles' earlier conversation with Kirk about Catholicism, analyzing the challenges of interfaith dialogue when trying to balance ...
This is not only disgusting it’s infuriating on so many levels. 😡
https://reduxx.info/gay-man-who-crowdfunded-surrogacy-journey-with-husband-revealed-as-child-sex-offender/
This was published in May when Pope Leo XIV was recently elected Pope. I think it’s worthwhile to read this now to help us possibly gain an insight to how Leo XIV will lead The Church going forward. I maintain a cautious and hopeful optimism about him. Give him time to settle into his new and heavy office.
https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/what-pope-leo-xiv-dissertation-tells-us
