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."
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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
