Sunday Catholic Word is the only podcast that looks at the Sunday Mass readings and focuses on the details that are relevant to explaining and defending the Catholic faith.
The Sunday Catholic Word podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and its relevance to the Catholic faith. Hosted by Karlo, this podcast offers concise and clear explanations of various topics, leaving listeners eager to dive into his books for even more clarity. While it's understandable that advertising is necessary in a free podcast, it doesn't detract from the overall value of the content provided. Despite this minor inconvenience, the podcast is definitely worth subscribing to.
One of the best aspects of The Sunday Catholic Word podcast is Karlo's ability to approach the readings with an apologetic lens. By delving into the "why" behind the "what," he helps listeners truly grasp the significance of each passage. The Bible is known for speaking to different individuals in unique ways, and this podcast adds an extra sprinkle of understanding that enhances the beauty presented in Mass. Karlo's contextual explanations of challenging biblical passages are especially commendable, urging listeners to view Scripture as a whole rather than adopting a literalistic interpretation.
Another aspect worth highlighting is how this podcast makes Mass more applicable beyond just Sunday church services. It equips listeners with a better understanding of the readings and empowers them to engage in meaningful discussions with fellow Christians. The ability to take these lessons and apply them in daily life sets The Sunday Catholic Word podcast apart from others.
However, there are no perfect podcasts, and The Sunday Catholic Word certainly has room for improvement. While Karlo does an excellent job providing insights into various topics, some listeners may find themselves yearning for more depth on certain subjects. Fortunately, Karlo's books offer further clarification, but it would be beneficial if he could delve deeper into certain topics within the actual podcast episodes.
In conclusion, The Sunday Catholic Word podcast is highly recommended for practicing Catholics looking to strengthen their faith and gain a better understanding of Scripture. Despite occasional limitations on depth due to time constraints, Karlo's ability to explain complex concepts with conciseness and clarity is truly commendable. By contextualizing difficult passages and providing an apologetic lens, this podcast enhances the Mass experience and equips listeners to engage in meaningful discussions with other Catholics. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic or just beginning your journey, The Sunday Catholic Word is a must-listen.
Jesus' Ascension reveals He's alive—and still offering His sacrifice in heaven. Discover the biblical roots of the Mass and more.
Acts 15 shows the early Church had a Magisterium. Plus: what Jesus meant when he said, “The Father is greater than I.”
Were there bishops in the early Church? What will happen to the world at the end of time? And is love truly necessary for salvation?
Does John 10 prove "once saved, always saved"? Karlo Broussard unpacks Jesus' words about His sheep & shows why they don't support eternal security.
Could the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus be explained by hallucinations? We explore why details like shared meals, disprove the hallucination theory
Did Jesus institute confession in John 20:23—or was he just telling the apostles to preach? We answer Protestant objections and defends the Catholic view.
Are there better explanations than the resurrection of Jesus? This Easter episode takes on the most common alternative theories
Jesus gave Peter a unique mission at the Last Supper—but was it leadership? Discover how Luke 22 supports the Catholic view of Peter as the first pope.
Paul says we receive righteousness from God in Philippians 3—does that mean it's only a legal declaration? Reading from the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year C
Explore how the manna in the Old Testament points to the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Discover why the Eucharist, the New Manna, can't be just a symbol.
Does 1 Corinthians disprove the Real Presence in the Eucharist? Explore how this passage supports, rather than contradicts, the belief in the true presence
Discover whether justification is a one-time event or an ongoing process in this Second Sunday of Lent (Year C) episode of the Sunday Catholic Word.
Does Romans 10:8-13 support faith alone, or is baptism necessary? Does Jesus' temptation in Luke 4:1-13 affirm sola scriptura? 1st Sunday of Lent Year .…
Dr. Karlo Broussard discusses the Deuterocanonical status of Sirach and many more apologetical themes on the readings for the 8th sunday in ordinary time.…
In today's episode, we focus primarily on the second reading for this upcoming 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. The relevant topic detail relates to whether the of Jesus' resurrection bodily or merely spiritual.…
This weeks Gospel reading from Luke 6:17, 20-26 coversthe related apologetical topic is the historical reliability of the Gospels in general.…
Episode 116: Year C – 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time In today's episode, we focus on five details in the readings for this upcoming 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. The first two details are found in the first reading, taken from Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8. The related apologetical topics are repetitious prayer and the theme of purification by fire, which relates to the doctrine of Purgatory. The next two details come from the second reading, taken from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. The apologetical topics that come to the fore are the historicity of Jesus' resurrection and man's cooperation with grac…
Episode 115: Year C – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord In today's episode, we focus on several details from the first and second readings, along with the Gospel, for this upcoming Feast of the Presentation of the Lord that are related to apologetical discussions. One detail comes from the first reading, taken from Malachi 3:1-4, and the related topic is Purgatory. Another detail comes from the second reading, taken from Hebrews 2:14-18, and the apologetical topic that this detail relates to is the theory of penal substitutionary theory. The remaining details, three in total, com…
Episode 114: Year C – 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time In today's episode, we focus on six details in the readings for this upcoming 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. The first detail is the whole of the first reading, taken from Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, and 8-10. It's not necessarily a detail that comes up in apologetical discussions. But it does serve an apologetical purpose insofar as it gives biblical justification for the Catholic Liturgy of the Word. The next three details come from the second reading, taken from 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. The relevant apologetical topics are the intercess…
Episode 113: Year C – 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time In today's episode, we focus on one detail found in the Gospel reading, taken from John 2:1-12, which is the Wedding Feast at Cana. The related apologetical topic is Mary's sinlessness and her role as the New Eve. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here Hey everyone, Welcome to The Sunday Catholic Word, a podcast where we reflect on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings and pick out the details that are rel…
Episode 112: Year C – The Baptism of the Lord This upcoming Sunday is The Baptism of the Lord. And the Gospel reading for this feast during Year C is Luke's account of the event, taken from Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. There are several things that we could focus on. But the one detail that we will be attentive to in today's episode is the Father's message: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” There are a few challenges to Jesus' divinity that arise from this statement. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Me…
Episode 111: Year C – The Epiphany of the Lord This upcoming Sunday is The Epiphany of the Lord, for which the readings are the same as the previous two years. The first reading is taken from Isaiah 60:1-6. The second reading is taken from Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6. And the Gospel is taken from Matthew 2:1-12. Given that we've already covered much of the apologetical material present in these readings for Years A and B, in this episode we provide a brief survey of the material already covered and simply highlight two extra details that we haven't covered thus far: the identity of the magi an…
Episode 110: Year C – Feast of the Holy Family, Year C In this episode, we focus on a four details in the readings for this upcoming Feast of the Holy Family, Year C that are relevant for apologetical and theological discussions. The first detail comes from the first reading, taken from Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, and the related apologetical topic is whether we Christians can still incur a debt of temporal punishment after justification. The second and third details come from the second reading, taken from Colossians 3:12-21, and the related topics are the headship of the husb…
Episode 109: Year C – 4th Sunday of Advent In this episode, we focus on several details from all three readings for this upcoming 4th Sunday of Advent. The first detail comes from the first reading, which is taken from Micah 5:1-4a. The relevant apologetical topic is Jesus' Messiahship. The second detail is found in the second reading, which is taken from Hebrews 10:5-10, and the relevant apologetical question there is whether this text supports the “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Finally, in the Gospel reading, taken from Luke 1:39-45, there is a cluster of details that all relate …
Episode 108: Year C – 3rd Sunday of Advent In this episode, we focus on details from each of the readings for this upcoming 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C. The first detail, which is found in the first reading, taken from Zephaniah 3:14-18, is the prophecy of the day for Israel to rejoice, the theme for Gaudete Sunday. The related topic, so I will argue, is Jesus' divinity. The second detail comes from the second reading, taken from Philippians 4:4-7, and the related apologetical topic is the intercession of the saints. One of Paul's exhortations seems to conflict with the Catholic practic…
Episode 107: Year C – 2nd Sunday of Advent In this episode, we focus on four details that are significant for apologetical discussions. The first two come from the second reading, which is taken from Phil 1:4-6, 8-11. The relevant topics that these details give opportunity to reflect on are the Intercession of the Saints and the possibility to lose the gift of salvation. The last two come from the Gospel reading, which is taken from Luke 3:1-6, and the relevant topics are the Historicity of Luke's Gospel and the Divinity of Jesus. Readings: Click Here …
Episode 106: Year C – 1st Sunday of Advent In this episode, we focus on four details in the second reading and Gospel reading for this upcoming first Sunday of Advent, Year C. The second reading is taken from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2 and the details there, so we argue, relate to the nature of justification as interior righteousness versus the forensic model. The two details in the Gospel reading, taken from Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, gives opportunity to reflect on Jesus' reliability as a prophet and the Protestant notion of “once saved, always saved.” Readings: Click Here …
Episode 105: Year B – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe In this episode, we focus on the readings for the last Sunday of Year B, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The details that are relevant to apologetical discussions come from the first and second readings—Daniel 7:13-14 and Revelation 1:5-8 respectively. The topics that these details give opportunity to reflect on are Jesus' Messianic Kingship, which is the theme of the Solemnity, and Jesus' Divinity. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday…
Episode 104: Year B – 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on four apologetical details in the readings for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. The first detail comes from the first reading, taken from Daniel 12:1-3. The apologetical topic is the reality of hell. The second detail is found in the second reading, taken from Hebrews 10:11-14, 18, and the relevant topic is the “once saved, always saved” doctrine that some Christians profess. Finally, the last two details that we will focus on come from the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 13:24-32, and the relevant to…
Episode 103: Year B – 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on six details that relate to apologetical conversations found in the Mass readings for this upcoming 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. Four of the six details come from the second reading, which is taken from Heb 9:24-28. The topics that come to fore are the Sacrifice of the Mass, the scope of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, Purgatory, and Mary's sinlessness. The last two of the six details come from the long version of the Gospel reading, taken from Mk 12:38-44. The related apologetical topics are Catholic litur…
Episode 102: Year B – 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on three details that have significance for apologetical discussions. The first two come from the second reading, which is taken from Hebrews 7:23-28. The relevant topics are the Sacrifice of the Mass and the intercession of the saints. The detail from the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 12:28b-34, relates to the topic of justification and its relation to love. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here Hey everyone, Welcom…
Episode 101: Year B – 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we look at one detail from the second reading, taken from Hebrews 5:1-6, and the whole of the Gospel reading, which recounts the story of Jesus healing the blind Bartimaeus, recorded in Mark 10:46-52. The apologetical topic that relates to the detail in the second reading is the nature of the Mass as the Sacrifice of Christ. The topic of focus for the Gospel is the historicity of Jesus as a healer. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here…
Episode 100: Year B – 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on several details found in all three readings for this upcoming 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. All the details converge together on a single apologetical theme: the nature of Jesus' atoning sacrifice. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here Hey everyone, Welcome to The Sunday Catholic Word, a podcast where we reflect on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings and pick out the details that are relevant for explaining an…
Episode 99: Year B – 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus solely on the Gospel reading for this upcoming 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, which, at least the long version, is Mark 10:17-30. There's no major detail that requires an in-depth study. However, there are several details that have some relation to apologetics, even if only in a cursory way. The related topics are the divinity of Jesus, God as the source of our goodness, the causal role good works play for our final salvation, the gratuitous nature of the gift of salvation, and the radical teaching of Jesu…
Episode 98: Year B – 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we look at three details in the readings for this upcoming 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. Two of the three come from the second reading, which is taken from Hebrews 2:9-11. Both details pertain to the topic of Jesus' divinity. If Jesus is God, so it's asked, how can he be “lower than the angels” and “made perfect”? The third detail comes from the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 10:2-12 and it has to do with the topic of divorce and remarriage Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Ca…
Episode 97: Year B – 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on three details in the Mass readings for this upcoming 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. The first is found in the first reading, taken from Numbers 11:25-29. The relevant apologetical topic is Baptism. The second and third details come from the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48. The two apologetical topics are the possibility of salvation outside the visible boundaries of the Catholic Church and Jesus' teaching on the reality of Hell. Readings: Click Here …
Episode 96: Year B – 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on four apologetical themes for this upcoming 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. The first theme, which is the nature of justification as interior righteousness, comes from the entirety of the second reading, which is taken from James 3:16-4:3. The other three themes map on with specific details from the Gospel reading, which is taken from Mark 9:30-37. The topics are as follows: the divinity of Jesus, the Papacy, and the good of children. Hey everyone, Welcome to The Sunday Catholic Word…
Episode 95: Year B – 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, there are four apologetical details that we focus on that come from the readings for this upcoming 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. The first two are found in the first reading, which is taken from Isaiah 50:5-9a, and it has to do with Jesus being the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the suffering servant. The third detail comes from the second reading, which is taken from James 2:14-18, and the relevant apologetical topic is the role works play in our salvation. Finally, the detail that we will focus on in the Gos…
Episode 94: Year B – 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on several details that come from the Gospel reading for this upcoming 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, taken from Mark 7:31-37, two of which tie into the first reading, taken from Isaiah 35:4-7a. The key apologetical themes for the details that tie into the first reading are Jesus' Messiahship and Divinity. The other details in the Gospel reading give rise to the opportunity to talk about the historical reliability of the event recorded in this Gospel reading, which is Jesus' healing of the deaf man, along …
Episode 93: Year B – 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on several details found within the readings for this upcoming 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. One detail comes from the first reading, which is taken from Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8, and the related topic is the Ten Commandments as an expression of the natural moral law. Another detail comes from the second reading, taken from James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27, which relates to the topic of God's immutability. James teaches us that God cannot change. But the question arises as how we are to reconcile this with other p…
Episode 92: Year B – 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we continue our study of Jesus' Bread of Life Discourse in John 6. The portion of the discourse that makes up the Gospel reading for this upcoming 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, is verses 60-69. Like in last week's episode, the question is whether Jesus intended his teaching to eat his flesh and drink his blood to be taken literally or figuratively. We argue for a literal interpretation. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here …
Episode 91: Year B – 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on the Gospel reading for this upcoming 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is the exchange that Jesus has with the Jews concerning his command to eat his flesh. The passage is taken from John 6:51-58. The key apologetical topic, of course, is the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here Hey everyone, Welcome to The Sunday Catholic Word, a podcast where we reflect on the upcoming Sunday Mass…
Episode 90: Year B – 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on one detail from the Gospel reading, taken from John 6:41-51, continuing the theme of the Eucharist. That one detail is Jesus' comparison of the bread of life that he will give, which is the Eucharist, and the Manna in the wilderness. This revelation of the Eucharist as the New Manna, so I argue, supports the belief that the Eucharist cannot be merely a symbol of Jesus' body and blood, but must be Jesus' body and blood. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Cathol…
Episode 89: Year B – 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on one detail in the Gospel reading, taken from John 6:24-35, that pertains to the Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is Jesus' metaphorical use of the images of eating and drinking. For many Protestants, such a metaphorical use is the key to unlocking the meaning of Jesus' instructions to “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood” later in John 6. But we argue this is not the case. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here H…
Episode 88: Year B – 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on two details, both of which come from the Gospel reading for this upcoming 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, taken from John 6:1-15, which is John's account of the feeding of the five thousand. One detail, Jesus' question to Philip, gives rise to the topic of the historical reliability of John and Luke's Gospels. The second detail, the fragments picked up after the crowd ate, pertains to the Eucharist. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise?…
Episode 87: Year B – 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on two details in the readings for this upcoming 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B. The first detail is found in the second reading, taken from Ephesians 2:13-18. The relevant apologetical topic is that we as Christians are no longer bound by the ceremonial precepts of the Old Covenant, which would include the Sabbath. The second detail is in the Gospel reading, which is taken from Mark 6:30-34. The relevant topic, which isn't all that apologetical in nature, is the Church's teach…
Episode 86: Year B – 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focuse on three details in the readings for this upcoming 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, one of which comes from the second reading, taken from Ephesians 1: 3-14. The relevant apologetical topic is the gratuity of the initial grace of salvation. The other two details are found in the Gospel reading, which is taken from Mark 6:7-13. The first detail has to do with the topic of Jesus' authority over unclean spirits, which he gives to the apostles. The second detail is the report that th…
Episode 85: Year B – 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday of Catholic Word, we focus on one detail from the Gospel reading for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, taken from Mark 6:1-6—namely, the mention of Jesus' brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude, along with his “sisters.” Obviously, the topic of concern is the Catholic belief of Mary's perpetual virginity. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here …
Episode 84: Year B – 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode, we focus on three details for this upcoming Sunday Mass Readings. Two of the details come from the first reading, taken from Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24, and both have to do with theological questions concerning death—God's causal relation to it, and its relation to the fall of Adam. The third detail is Jesus' raising of Jairus' daughter in the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 5:21-24, 35b-43, which is the shorter version that leaves out the story of the hemorrhaging woman. The apologetical topic is the historicity of the stor…
Episode 83: Year B – 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on three details from the second reading and Gospel reading that are relevant for doing apologetics. The detail in the second reading, taken from 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, is Paul's teaching that in Christ we are a new creation. The topic that comes to fore here is the nature of justification as intrinsic righteousness. One of the details in the Gospel reading, taken from Mark 4:35-41, is Mark's report of Jesus calming the winds and the sea. As we will see, when read in light of the Old T…
Episode 82: Year B – 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this episode of the Sunday Catholic Word, we focus on three details in all, two of the three coming from the second reading, taken from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10. The relevant apologetical topics are Purgatory and the causal effect that our good works have on receiving eternal life at judgment. The third detail, found in the Gospel reading Mark 4:26-34, relates to the topic of Sacred Tradition. Readings: Click Here Looking for Sunday Catholic Word Merchandise? Look no further! Click Here Welcome to The Sunday Catholic Word, a podca…