Avoiding Babylon
Spirituality/Belief • News • Comedy
Catholic channel and podcast focused on community, eutrapelia, and good cheer. We discuss news and topics but try to do so in a way that leads to hope, not despair. We try to remind ourselves and those who enjoy the channel that being Catholic is a joyful and exciting experience. Above all, we try to bring humor and joy to the craziness of this fallen world.
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Live Streamed on April 5, 2025 10:02 AM ET
The Historical and Typological Enmity of the Elder Brother

What if the key to understanding Jewish-Christian relations has been encoded in Scripture from the very beginning? Father James Mawdsley takes us on a profound journey through biblical typology, revealing how the recurring pattern of elder-younger brother relationships throughout the Old Testament illuminates our present circumstances and points toward future reconciliation.

Through careful examination of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and ultimately Jesus and Adam, Father uncovers the divine blueprint for healing the ancient enmity between Judaism and Christianity. This isn't merely academic theology—it's a roadmap for navigating today's most contentious religious and geopolitical challenges.

The conversation ventures into controversial territory as Father Mawdsley challenges mainstream narratives about historical antisemitism and questions the conventional understanding of 20th-century events. Yet his approach remains deeply rooted in Catholic theology and Scripture, consistently emphasizing that the ultimate goal is reconciliation rather than retaliation. He distinguishes sharply between acknowledging hard truths and harboring hatred, reminding listeners that Jesus himself confronted Jewish religious leaders while praying for their conversion.

Perhaps most compelling is Father's passionate defense of traditional Catholic liturgy, particularly the pre-1955 Holy Week ceremonies. He explains how these ancient rites contain profound theological truths in every gesture, word, and ritual timing—truths illuminating our relationship with heaven and our Jewish elder brothers. His conviction that liturgical restoration must precede the healing of religious divisions offers a perspective rarely heard in contemporary discussions.

Whether you're interested in biblical typology, Catholic-Jewish relations, traditional liturgy, or simply seeking deeper theological insights, this conversation will challenge assumptions and open new pathways of understanding. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration that ultimately points toward hope—the hope of a glorious restoration of the Church and the long-awaited reconciliation between brothers separated by history but united in God's eternal plan.

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Toward Easter - Daily Readings & Meditations for Easter 2025 - Easter Sunday

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 ...

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Toward Easter - Daily Readings & Meditations for Lent 2025 - Day 46 / Holy Saturday

The sacred stillness of Holy Saturday holds a unique place in our spiritual journey - that profound pause between the Crucifixion and Resurrection, where we are invited to contemplate the mystery of Christ's rest in the tomb. Through ancient liturgical texts and thoughtful meditation, we explore this day not as empty waiting, but as fertile ground where the seed of Resurrection quietly germinates.

"Today I am plunged in anguish, but tomorrow I will break my bonds." This powerful antiphon sets the tone for our reflection on what appears as defeat but secretly harbors victory. We join Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus at the hasty burial of Jesus before walking through the profound symbolism of the Easter Vigil ceremonies—the blessing of new fire, the lighting of the Paschal candle representing Christ risen, and the gradual illumination of darkness as this light spreads throughout the congregation.

The beautiful paradox of Holy Saturday emerges as we contemplate both loss and anticipation. "The ...

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Toward Easter - Daily Readings & Meditations for Lent 2025 - Day 45 / Good Friday

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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/


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Hi everyone! I am new to the community. I grew up atheist and now I am looking for a good sources to educate myself.

Some Catholics criticise Ignatius study Bible for having a lot of Protestant slop in it.

Can you recommend any great editions of study bibles?

I am looking to have a deep foundational understanding of the Scripture.

Fr. Z unboxes his pre-1955 Roman Missal:

❌💻 📱
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