Podcasts about Magisterium

How can Catholics respond to Sedevacantist claims and Jehovah's Witness interpretations of Scripture? Why does the Bishop of Rome hold primacy over the Bishop of Antioch? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we tackle these challenging apologetics questions, explore how to clearly defend the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, and offer strategies for helping LGBT youth remain connected to the Church. We also discuss the spiritual significance of choosing a saint's name at Confirmation and how to distinguish authentic Magisterial teaching from personal theological opinion. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:21 – How should one approach an apologetic conversation with someone who holds a Sedevacantist position? 08:24 – Why doesn't the Bishop of Antioch hold the same authority as the Bishop of Rome? 15:39 – How can the Catholic interpretation of Ecclesiastes 9:5 be explained in response to Jehovah's Witnesses? 24:19 – How can the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity be clearly defended? 42:53 – What can be done to help prevent LGBT youth from leaving the Catholic Church? 48:37 – What is the significance of taking a saint's name at Confirmation, and how does it relate to the saint? 51:26 – How can Catholics distinguish between teachings of the Magisterium and personal theological opinions?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, guest Alex Jurado from “Voice of Reason” tackles thoughtful and challenging questions from callers exploring Catholic teaching and doctrine. Topics include the true meaning of the word anathema, biblical support for confession to a priest, and how to explain the seal of confession in difficult moral situations. Alex also addresses concerns about biblical contradictions, the authority of the Magisterium, and how to interpret Matthew 16:18 in Protestant-Catholic dialogue. Listeners ask about papal authority in light of the Pope Vigilius controversy, proper church etiquette for seekers, and what the Church means by salvation through “faith working through love.” Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:41 – What is the correct meaning of the term anathema, and how can misunderstandings about it be addressed in conversation? 11:55 – Where does the Bible support the practice of confessing sins to a priest? 17:10 – How can the Catholic teaching on the seal of confession be explained to those who find it troubling, especially in serious moral cases? 23:39 – In John 7:8–10, does Jesus contradict Himself? How should this passage be understood? 28:50 – How can someone considering Catholicism come to trust the authority of the Magisterium? 31:51 – How can Catholics respond when Protestants interpret Matthew 16:18 as referring only to the invisible Church? 35:54 – How does the controversy surrounding Pope Vigilius and the Three Chapters not contradict the doctrine of Papal Supremacy? 44:40 – For someone exploring Christianity, what is appropriate attire for attending Church, and when is it acceptable to enter a church to pray? 49:42 – What does the Catholic Church mean by salvation through “faith working through love,” especially for someone transitioning from Islam to Christianity?

Alex Jurado, known online as Voice of Reason, is a Catholic apologist and content creator with one of the most recognizable voices in the space. A former teenage catechist and seminarian, he began creating videos in 2023 and quickly gained a global audience. In 2024, he debated Dr. James White in his first public debate and later appeared on The George Janko Show, sparking major conversations around Catholicism. Alex now creates content, leads pilgrimages, and continues his work in apologetics and dialogue.

The magisterium of the Church, the Pope and the bishops, set teachings for us to live by.  While to some, this may seem overbearing, in reality, living within the rules they set allows us to live in the great freedom that Christ gives.  Come, follow us: Parish Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube  |  Spotify Music

A homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year C 5/25/2025

Matthew Harvey Sanders speaks to Fr Toby about the possibilities and pitfalls of AI and why he founded Magisterium AI.THE FRIARSIDE airs live on Radio Maria on Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:15am and is rebroadcast at 11:15pm on the same days. Our Priest Director Fr Toby reads through a spiritual book, pausing and providing commentary as he goes.If you enjoyed this programme, please consider supporting us with a one-off or monthly donation. Visit RadioMariaEngland.uk/donations/ to find out more. It is only through the generosity of our listeners that we are able to be a Christian voice by your side.

Acts 15 shows the early Church had a Magisterium. Plus: what Jesus meant when he said, “The Father is greater than I.”

Episode 131: 6th Sunday of Easter | Year C In today's episode, we focus on two details in the first reading and one detail in the Gospel reading that are relevant for doing apologetics. The details in the first reading, which is taken from Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, relate to the topic of the magisterium and […]

Did Jesus started the Catholic Church? Credible Protestant objections to the Papacy? The difference between the Deposit of the Faith, the Catechism and the Magisterium? Join us for Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Justine Callis was raised in a Christian home, and became a successful gymnast. Her athletic pursuits led her to Arizona, where she plugged into an Evangelical megachurch and her faith began to grow. She also worked in Evangelical campus ministry at Arizona State, where she was coaching. When she met Catholics who were on fire for their faith, it shocked her; she'd thought Catholicism was a “dead religion.” She began to explore Catholicism, especially the doctrine of the Eucharist and the concept of a Magisterium, and over the course of two years of prayer and study, discerned that God was calling her to become Catholic.

Did Jesus started the Catholic Church? Credible Protestant objections to the Papacy? The difference between the Deposit of the Faith, the Catechism and the Magisterium? Join us for Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

This week on Respect Life Radio, we welcome author and theologian Patrick O'Hearn. A devoted father and holder of a Master's degree in Theology, Patrick has authored seven impactful books on faith and spirituality. In this episode, he discusses his latest work, The Truth About Hell: Through the Wisdom of Jesus, Mary, and the Magisterium, co-authored with Dan Burke. A reminder needed at a tie such as this, Patrick highlights our ability to live in true freedom as sons and daughters of the Father comes from learning the truth our purpose on Earth. Together, they explore the often-avoided topic of eternal destiny with clarity, compassion, and fidelity to Church teaching. Don't miss this powerful conversation grounded in truth and hope. To purchase his new book visit: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-truth-about-hell/

Fr. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show: Can you define what it means to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit?  Will the Magisterium have a study to weed out heretics acting against the true Church Of Christ? What should people who struggle with doing venerations of divine mercy images do to properly venerate a divine mercy image?  How do I know if I have been excommunicated? If the priest is opening the tabernacle during "peace" or as we say Agnus Dei, should we be kneeling? When we walk by the open tabernacle with a luna inside, should we genuflect?  What is the church's guidance on the use of Extraordinary Ministers? Can bishops mandate which reading materials are being used during mass? What are ways to prevent LGBT people from leaving the church? Is it a sin to not disclose that I am on occasional smoker on an insurance questionnaire? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father! If you enjoy Ask A Priest Live and the other great Catholic programs from The Station of the Cross, please consider making a donation of any size to support our apostolate! As a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, your donations are tax deductible and help us to continue spreading the Gospel to the airwaves for years to come! To donate, call 1-877-711-8500, visit thestationofthecross.com, or use your iCatholicRadio mobile app! We also offer a great assortment of thank-you gifts, which can be viewed at thestationofthecross.com! Thank you for your generosity.

In this episode of Say Yes to Holiness, host Christina Semmens speaks with Brooke Joiner, co-founder and CEO of Catholic Owned, a platform dedicated to connecting Catholic consumers with businesses that align with their faith. Brooke shares her journey of conversion to Catholicism, the inspiration behind launching Catholic Owned, and the importance of supporting fellow Catholics through intentional spending. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of building a faith-based business, the significance of spiritual practices, and the future initiatives of Catholic Owned, including the Eastertide shopping guide.TakeawaysBrooke Joyner is a convert to Catholicism and co-founder of Catholic Owned.The mission of Catholic Owned is to connect Catholic consumers with businesses that share their values.Brooke's journey involved a significant pilgrimage that inspired the launch of Catholic Owned.The platform started as a digital magazine to test the market for Catholic businesses.Vetting businesses involves adherence to the Magisterium and personal faith practices of owners.Spending money wisely can support Catholic families and communities.Users can nominate businesses to be included in the Catholic Owned network.The Eastertide shopping guide offers curated gifts for various occasions.Catholic Owned aims to build a new Catholic economy by fostering community support.Brooke emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices in her work.Sound Bites"We need to do something better.""If we can't even help our own people, what are we doing?""Our dollars have power.""You can nominate businesses that you know of in your area.""The Eastertide shopping guide is a curated collection.""We are seeing that Catholics really care about this.""It's a very long game.""We are building the new Catholic economy."Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Catholic Owned and Its Mission 03:11 Brooke Joyner's Journey to Catholic Owned 05:52 The Birth of Catholic Owned 09:14 Pilgrimage and Inspiration 12:08 Launching the Digital Magazine 14:59 Vetting Catholic Businesses 18:08 The Importance of Spending Wisely 21:05 Nominate and Expand the Network 24:00 Eastertide Shopping Guide Overview 26:47 Future Initiatives and Growth Plans 29:59 Challenges and Rewards of the Journey 33:11 Spiritual Practices and Their Impact 35:58 Final Thoughts and Call to Action For more information about Brooke and Catholic Owned, go to: https://catholicowned.com/introduction

We're live with Brooke Joiner, co-founder of Catholic Owned, talks about a new Catholic app and Easter guide, Stephanie Weller Hanson, author of "A Dark and Desperate Race", talks about her book and Patrick O'Hearn, Catholic author of the books "The Truth About Hell: Through the Wisdom of Jesus", Mary, and the Magisterium and "Saints in All Shapes and Sizes".

Today on Respect Life Radio, we're joined by Dominic Cingoranelli—a cradle Catholic, a revert to the faith, and an Oblate of St. Benedict. Recently retired from a career in management consulting within the CPA profession and beyond, Dominic and his wife of many years strive to live according to the three pillars of Church authority: Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. Dominic authored an article highlighting the importance of upholding the dignity of every person we encounter, and the serious harm caused by gossip and slander. In this episode, Deacon Geoff and Mr. Cingoranelli explore the vital role of cultivating a culture of virtue—one that is born in the silence of prayer. To read Dominic's article, visit: https://catholicstand.com/damaging-the-reputation-of-others.

April 24th, 2025:  Easter Thursday - You Need the Magisterium & the Sacraments to Evangelize; St Mary Magdalene Finally Sees Jesus; Easter is a Combat Stupendous; The Importance of the Church & Praying Together 

In this week's episode, I take a look at some of the historical influences & inspirations that went into my new book GHOST IN THE ASSEMBLY. This coupon code will get you 25% off SILENT ORDER: OMNIBUS ONE at my Payhip store: SILENT25 The coupon code is valid through April 7th, 2025. So if you need a new book to read for spring, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates   Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 244 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is March 21st, 2025, and today we are looking at some of the historical influences that went into Ghost in the Assembly. Before we get into that, we will do Coupon of the Week and an update my current writing and audiobook projects. And then Question of the Week, which we did have time for this week.   This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook of Silent Order: Omnibus One at my Payhip store. That coupon code is SILENT25. I'll have the links and the coupon code in the show notes. This coupon code is valid through April 7, 2025, so if you need a new book to read for these spring months, we have got you covered.   Now an update on my current writing projects. I am 44,000 words into Shield of Battle, the fifth book in the Shield War series. I'm hoping to have that out towards the end of April, if all goes well. A reminder that the Shield War series will be six books, so Shield the Battle will be the second to last one. I have also started on the sequel to Ghost in the Assembly, and I am 4,000 words into that, give or take. I had originally planned to call this book Ghost in the Assassins, but I thought that sounded too similar to Ghost in the Assembly. So the fifth book in the Ghost Armor series will be called Ghost in the Corruption. A reminder that Ghost Armor will be six books long and Ghost in the Corruption will be the fifth of six books, so the second to last book in that series as well.   In audio news, recording has started for Shield of Deception and Ghost in the Assembly. Shield of Deception will be excellently narrated by Brad Wills and Hollis McCarthy will excellently narrate Ghost in the Assembly. I expect both of them will probably be out sometime towards the end of May if all goes well, given how long it usually takes to record an audiobook.   In Stealth and Spells Online news, I am 68,000 words into the third and final book in this trilogy. Once Ghost Armor and Shield War are complete, then I will hopefully release the final book in the Stealth and Spells Online because I've been working on that as a tertiary project for quite a long time now. So that's where I'm at with my current writing and audiobook projects.   00:02:17 Question of the Week   Now let's move on to Question of the Week. Question of the Week is of course designed to inspire enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question, what is your favorite style of fantasy setting (like a more high fantasy, one like Middle Earth or the Forgotten Realms, urban fantasy like the Dresden Files or Kate Daniels or more steampunk like Everon and so on)? No wrong answers, obviously.   And as you can imagine this inspired quite a few responses.   Perry says: Hyperborea! Lankhmar is up there as well. Setting where magic is rare, and usually dangerous or evil. The first edition of the Forgotten Realms (the grey box from the ‘80s) was great. Enough detail to let you use the setting, lots of room to make it your own. Then all the Forgotten Realms novels started to appear with the release of the second edition in the ‘90s and everybody in the world suddenly had powerful magic at their fingertips. Elminster, the Seven Sisters, Drizz't, and others took the appeal right out of the setting for me.   Joachim says: I like the Spelljammer Campaign setting best. A lot of great modules. It seemed it was not overly successful. A shame. I had a campaign running in this setting with some people who liked it. In addition to the Spelljammer modules, you can easily transfer any normal module centered on a small town onto an asteroid.   Evan says: A huge Sanderson Cosmere fan here, especially Stormlight Archive. I like the magical progression tied in to character development, with a bit of mystery of how things work or an unknown that takes time to unwind or tease out.   Justin says: My problem here is separating the settings from the authors. Given that near impossibility, I would cast my vote for high fantasy with a bit of techno/steampunk mixed in. Example – Andre Norton's Witch World.   Bonnie says: I seem to gravitate towards the swords and sorcery genre like Frostborn, but I also enjoyed the urban fantasy/Nadia and the other genres. I have to thank you for introducing me to all of these.   Michael says: Okay, Jonathan, that's the second time I've noticed you indicating a preference for sword and sorcery saga where a barbarian hero travels between corrupt city states and now I really, really want you to write this. And yeah, that's definitely my favorite type of setting too.   Simone says: Definitely urban fantasy. Even in your books, which offer an unusual variety of fantasy settings, I find I enjoy the Cloak series the best.   Roger says: Being an old fogey, I prefer high fantasy always. Can't seem to get my head around urban fantasy. It jars with me.   John says: While I enjoy all settings, I'm also a traditionalist and want a non-industrial, non punk setting without some sprawling empire, more like the aftermath of empire with multiple successor states.   Jonathan T. says: Personally, Star Wars has always been fantasy in a science fiction setting, and that remains a personal favorite. Other than that, I suppose I'm for high fantasy, although I'm not opposed to high fantasy slapstick either such as the Wuntvor trilogy. At some point I must try again to surmount the obstacle known as The Wheel of Time.   Catriona says: Epic and high fantasy are my favorite, enjoy Dark Fantasy, too. Urban fantasy is a hard pass for me.   Juana says: Sword and sorcery, parfait gentle knights, medieval societies, historical fiction like Doyle's The White Company and Sir Nigel. Wherever Nadia lives.   Justin says: Sword and sorcery, magical creatures/beasts. Definitely needs different environments like cities and wild mountains and forests. Not sure what genre that is, but that's what I like.   MG says: High fantasy.   Brandy says: I like ones with a clearly defined map. Sometimes it seems like the world wasn't thought about clearly, so it makes it hard to imagine and I find those stories the least successful. The ones I go back to repeatedly, the ones I read over and over or pimp out to other authors or groups are those I feel like they have a great structure and map, even if it's added on to later. So high, low, or middle, I just really just want the author to tell a great story and make it a great one.   Speaking as an author myself, I really dislike drawing maps, but fantasy readers really like maps, so that's why I have been doing more and more maps lately.   Pauline says: Urban fantasy is definitely my favorite.   Jeremy says: High Fantasy is my favorite. However, my favorite fantasy author is Terry Brooks. His series is Low Fantasy based on Earth. I found out years after reading the series LOL.   For myself, I think my favorite would be a pre-industrial setting with a lot of city-states and various dangerous magic, like you have a barbarian hero wandering from city-state to city-state with monster infested ruins and wilderness between them. When he gets to the city states, he can fight corrupt sorcerers, arrogant nobles, and thieves guilds, and then move on to a new adventure in the next book. So basically a sword and sorcery style setting. So that's it for Question of the Week.   00:06:30 Main Topic of the Week: Ghost in the Assembly: Inspirations and Sources (Note: Spoilers for Ghost in the Assembly!)   This week and now onto our main topic, Ghost in the Assembly inspirations and sources that went into the book. I should mention that this episode contains mild spoilers for Ghost in the Assembly. So if you have not finished reading Ghost in the Assembly yet, stop listening and go finish reading Ghost in the Assembly.   So I thought it would be interesting to talk about some of the ideas and influences that went into Ghost in the Assembly. I have to admit, it took me a few years of thinking between Ghost Night and Ghost Armor to figure out how to write more Caina stories because Caina had become a political figure by the end of Ghost Night and political figures typically do bad things for personal advancement and then lie about it. That is in some ways the essential definition of a political figure. This of course, is hard for a writer to use as a sympathetic protagonist.   Of course, I eventually realized the way around this, the success of a political figure cannot be judged by their personal morality or even their political morality, but by the results of their decisions. Did they do the most for the greatest good of their people? Therefore, I just needed to write a political figure who did somewhat sketchy things (like subverting the Kyracian houses via buying up their debt) in the name of the greater good of the people (defending them from the impending attack of the Red Krakens).   I frequently said that if you want to write a good fantasy novel, you should try to stick to about 15 to 25% of the actual harshness of the past. I don't think you want to go full Grimdark, but you don't want your fantasy world to be indistinguishable from a typical 21st century parliamentary democracy because I think that kind of defeats the purpose of fantasy where you want to visit a world that is eldritch and strange and at least somewhat different than our own. So for Ghost in the Assembly, I went to about 15 to 25% of the experience of ancient Greek democracy. For the entire time that New Kyre and the Kyracians have been in the series (Ghost in the Storm was way the heck back in 2012 and the Kyracians were mentioned before that), they've always been very loosely based on the democracy of ancient Athens. In fact, the very name Assembly of New Kyre comes from ancient Athens, where the gathering of voting citizens was called the ecclesia, which translates into English as assembly. Interestingly, this is also the origins of the word ecclesiastical in terms of a church since one of the first words for the church was ecclesia in the sense of the assembly of the believers in Christ.   Athens wasn't the first ancient Greek democracy, but it was one of the most successful. It was also one of the democracies that self-destructed in the most spectacularly dramatic fashion possible. The Athenians decided to convert the Delian League from an alliance of city-states into their own private empire. A demagogue convinced them to waste enormous resources attacking Syracuse and Sicily, which ended disastrously. The Athenians were eventually defeated by the more militaristic Spartans.   People have debated for centuries whether or not this means democracy is inferior to the Spartans' harsher system, but that overlooks the key fact that a few decades later, Athens, Sparta, and all the rest of the Greek city-states were conquered by the Macedonians anyway. I suppose the actual historical lesson is that a city-state, regardless of its government, is no match for a larger centralized state with better leaders and better military organization. In fact, historically city-states tend to eventually get subsumed into larger political entities. If they last for a long time, it tends to be because of geography (like in ancient Greece) or because of weak and or remote central authority like the medieval Italian city-states, which were ostensibly under the authority of the Holy Roman emperor but in practice tended to do whatever they wanted. Places like modern Vatican City tend to be special exceptions.   Caina's criticism of the assembly of New Kyre in the book is that it is not as egalitarian as it pretends and is easily swayed by both demagogues and bribes. The Athenian assembly of citizens had both these problems, but far worse. You needed to have a substantial level of property to be allowed to vote, and there were numerous examples of the votes swinging on bribes or last minute orations. The Athenian assembly was easily swayed into making bad decisions, such as supporting the disastrous attack on Syracuse during the Peloponnesian War that was the start of Athens' downfall.   In Ghost in the Assembly, Lady Eirenea Tritos is one of the nine chief magistrates of the city, but in an Athenian democracy, women were not allowed to vote and most definitely were not allowed to hold political office. The ancient Greeks in general did not have a very high opinion of women. One Greek orator said that men had wives to produce legitimate heirs, concubines to attend to the body's “daily needs”, and prostitutes for pleasure.   Because of things like that, I thought a setting with a hundred percent of the harshness of ancient Greece would be off-putting to the reader. So as I said, I shot for between 15 and 25% of the actual harshness. New Kyre is definitely richer, better governed, and less elitist and chauvinistic than the ancient Greeks. That said, New Kyre isn't an egalitarian place. Nobles have vastly more rights and money than commoners, and both nobles and commoners own slaves and only the poorest commoners own no slaves themselves. Indeed, slavery is so common in New Kyre that the other nobles see Kylon's decision that House Kardamnos will have no slaves as a sign of malevolent and sinister foreign influence.   Kalliope's fear that she could be dispossessed and Kylon simply take her children is very real. If Kylon wanted, he probably could keep Kalliope from seeing Nikarion and Zoe ever again, though that would inevitably put him in conflict with Lysikas Agramemnos and Calliope is charismatic enough to powerful allies to her side. If Kylon did in fact refuse to allow Kalliope to see their children, he might well set off a civil war. But Kylon, who lost both his parents when he was young, doesn't want to deprive his children of a loving mother.   Of course, the ancient Greeks never had to fight the Red Krakens and orcs. The Red Krakens, the Caphtori, are kind of written like snake-worshipping Vikings. In fact, Caphtori are inspired by the “Sea Peoples”, pirates that seem to have contributed to the collapse of Bronzes Age civilization. Historians argue endlessly about the impact of the Sea Peoples or whether they existed at all, but if they did exist, they might well have been proto-Ancient Greeks, perhaps Mycenaean in origin.   Since having one ancient Greek-esque group fighting another would've been confusing in the book, I made the Caphtori/Red Kraken more like Vikings, which I suppose is a bit of historical anachronism, but Ghost Armor is a constructed world with elves, orcs, and sorcerers, so it's not like I'm writing period accurate historical fiction here.   So these are some of the influences that went into Ghost in the Assembly. I don't have any grand concluding point here. Those were just some of the ideas I thought about and went into the story. Though I should mention that for a while I was a graduate student in medieval history and I hated the experience so much I left and went into IT instead. That said ,decades later it has proven a useful source of plot ideas for fantasy novels, so it worked out in the end.   One final note, a reader suggested that Kalliope Agramemnos and Mardun Scorneus might hook up in later books. And I have to admit, I laughed at that suggestion. Kalliope would react with dismay at the thought of marrying anyone other than an extremely high ranking Kyracian noble, and at the prospect of marrying Kalliope, Mardun would think about it, fake his death, and flee back to the Empire, preferring to take his chances with the Magisterium rather than Kalliope. Anyway, thank you to everyone who has read Ghost in the Assembly. I am very grateful that so many people have enjoyed the book.   So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all back episodes of the show on https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.  

Today's Topics: 1) Reasons Cardinal McElroy should not be the Cardinal of Washington, D.C. https://www.complicitclergy.com/2018/08/11/bishop-robert-walter-mcelroy/ 2) McElroy's appointment to Washington was a seriously misguided political move https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2025/01/mcelroys-appointment-to-washington-is-a-seriously-misguided-political-move/ 3, 4) Sexual abuse victim writes an open letter to Trump, Vance, and legislators https://www.complicitclergy.com/2025/03/09/sexual-abuse-victims-open-letter-to-trump-vance-and-legislators/

(3:16) Bible Study: Ezekiel 18:21-28 The mercy of God and the justice of God are not unopposed. Matthew 5:20-26    --Righteousness has to do with the nature of God and it's oriented to the good of the other. (19:48) Letters: What is the Church's position of cremation? What do you think about Eucharistic Ministers dipping their hands in alcohol? Question about being Jewish but not believing in God? What is the difference between surrender and resignation? Is celebrating marriage while in mortal sin, another mortal sin and is the marriage invalidated? Father answers these and other questions. Send him a letter at simon@relevantradio.com (32:27) Break 2 (31:25) Word of the Day: Virtuosness (33:07) Phones: Nicole-where can I find prohibition of gambling in the Bible? Bernadette-Thank you Fr. Simon. I love your program. every comment makes sense. David-gambling. Matthew 7:6 is a verse that can be used against gambling. Shane-how do I discern questions that the Magisterium has not answered yet? Lucia-Catholics gambling? Catechism of Catholic Church catechism of Catholic Church. CC2413

Episode 165 - In this episode, Father Sean Danda and Nathanael Rea discuss the importance of reading the Bible through the lens of the Church's teachings, particularly focusing on the document Dei Verbum. They explore the nature of Scripture, the role of Christ in revelation, and the relationship between Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. The conversation emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God through Scripture and the importance of obedience to faith.Read the Dei Verbum document here: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

2/20/25 6am CT Hour - Fr. Brice Higginbotham/ Bishop Donald Hying John, Glen and Sarah give an update on Pope Francis health, Hamas releasing deceased, Team USA in hockey and robot umpire. Plus, What's That Sound. Fr. Brice breaks down the "why's" of Lent and help us to understand why we fast, need community and more. Bishop Hying explains what the Magisterium of the Catholic Church is and why we follow Tradition and not just the Bible.

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings join Elle Grover Fricks to lay the groundwork for another series of Talmudic conversations in Matthew.“Dei Verbum” — Pope Paul VI, November 18, 1965Magisterium — WikipediaA Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus, Volume I, by John P. MeierEarly Jewish Messianism in the New Testament — “Introduction” by Serge RuzerJudah ha-Nasi — WikipediaBEMA 107: Donkeys and Rabbis

Logical Bible Study is now producing 2 new podcasts. This announcement provides some basic info about these new offerings and how to access them. Access ⁠The Voice of the Magisterium podcast here⁠ or from any standard podcast app. ⁠The Magisterium Update podcast ⁠is available to Patreon supporters at the Superfan Level or above.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has details on President Trump's Executive Order restricting transgender treatment for minors and Travis Curtright discusses Thomas More's example of holiness. We also talk AI and Deepfakes with Mike Dougherty.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer has details on President Trump's Executive Order restricting transgender treatment for minors and Travis Curtright discusses Thomas More's example of holiness. We also talk AI and Deepfakes with Mike Dougherty.

In continuation of our series on Sacred Scripture, Justin Hibbard dives into Dei Verbum paragraph 12, which gives nine aspects of Catholic Biblical Interpretation. In this episode, you'll learn more about each of these principles: 1. Scripture is God's Word inspired to humans through humans. 2. Authorial intent. 3. Phenomenological language. 4. Form criticism. 5. Historical-grammatical criticism. 6. Canonical criticism. 7. Interpretative tradition of the church through the ages. 8. The development of doctrine. 9. The living Magisterium.Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTubeSHOW NOTES:* On the Journey, Episode 151: How Catholics Interpret Scripture - Dei Verbum, Part IV* Dei Verbum (1965)* Bible in a Year Podcast* Ignatius Catholic Study Bible* The Great Adventure Catholic Bible* Catholic Answers: Did the Church Chain Up the Bible? Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

Logical Bible Study is now producing 2 new podcasts. This announcement provides some basic info about these new offerings and how to access them. Access The Voice of the Magisterium podcast here or from any standard podcast app. The Magisterium Update podcast is available to Patreon supporters at the Superfan Level or above.

In today's “In Brief'' section, Fr. Mike reviews the relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, emphasizing that both make up the single deposit of Faith. He also explains how the Magisterium is able to interpret authentically and authoritatively the Word of God. Lastly, he reminds us that the way the Church prays and lives, reveals who the Church is. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs are 96-100. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Wisdom Nutrition https://trywisdomnow.com/toddStock up on Wisdom for 33% off plus free shipping. Visit trywisdomnow.com/todd.Alan's Soaps https://www.alansartisansoaps.comUse coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/toddMake Bonefrog Cold Brew at home!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com)Don't miss the next live Webinar Thursday January 30th at 3:30pm pacific.  Sign up today by calling 866-779-RISK or go to KnowYourRiskRadio.com.Renue Healthcare https://renue.healthcare/toddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit renue.healthcare/ToddA body-positivity influencer is dead at 27. I do want to point out that fat is not healthy, and I want to do that carefully. A California woman was paid $750K a year to help create deadly fire conditions. Also, did Mel Gibson have good reason to say the Catholic church and the Pope is surrounded by Child Molesters?Episode   Links:Imagine being a Doctor,  scrubbed and ready to perform surgery on a breast cancer patient and you get a call from UNITED Healthcare asking if the patient really needs in-patient stay? Unbelievable.Influencer Killadamente, who boasted 6M followers on Instagram, dead at 27DEI: LA Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quinones makes $750,000 per year. Listen to her explain how LA ran out of water. One job…Mayor Karen Bass: "I've seen the devastation firsthand. These fires across our region have changed lives forever. The days ahead will be challenging but we WILL get through this crisis, together. Thank you to all the first responders who are working day and night doing everything possible to protect Los Angeles."Governor Ron DeSantis just absolutely torched this reporter and came to Trump's defense when they attacked Trump over the criticism of Gavin Newsom. This may be his best moment yet.Mel Gibson says the Pope and the Vatican are Surrounded by Child Molesters — He Believes the Catholic Church is Now a Counterfeit Paralle Church that runs an Entirely Different Religion Heretical New Ways Ministry ‘delighted' with appointment of pro-LGBT McElroy as DC archbishop; Cardinal Robert McElroy brings with him to the nation's capital a lengthy, disturbing history of promoting views at odds with the Magisterium of the Church.Pope Francis' remarks on sex abuse ring hollow after appointing McElroy as DC bishop; While Pope Francis may call for better protection of the young and vulnerable, his elevation of Cardinal Robert McElroy as Archbishop of Washington, D.C., demonstrates that his actual regard for them is somewhat different to what his words suggest.

How do we come to accept the binding truths of the Faith? Fr. Mike explains how the dogmas of the Faith are boundaries designed to help us know God and ourselves accurately. He invites us to see these boundaries as lights along our path that enable us to love God and fully do his will. If we can understand that these dogmas are guided by love, we can come to receive them as gifts for the salvation of our souls. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 88-95. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Fr. Mike breaks down the Catechism's teaching that divine revelation consists of both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition and emphasizes why both sources are of equal importance in the Faith. He also clarifies the difference between Apostolic Tradition and ecclesial traditions. Lastly, Fr. Mike encourages us to receive with docility the teachings and directives of the Magisterium of the Church, trusting in the authority of the Pope and the bishops. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 80-87. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In this episode of The Tent Making Christianity QCQ Podcast, the team answers the question "What is the Magisterium?".  

Justin Hibbard continues our series on Sacred Scripture by examining how Catholic authority is supported by Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. How do Catholics understand this dance between these three aspects, and how does every Christian and Christian denomination actually operate similarly to the Catholic Church?Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTubeSHOW NOTES:* 7th Day Baptist Belief on the Sabbath* 7th Day Adventist Belief on the Sabbath* Dei Verbum* The Didache * St. Ignatius' Letter to the Magnesians * St. Justin Martyr's First Apology* An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine by St. John Henry Newman Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

Questions Covered: 1:00 – Why are the people attending the Latin Mass starting to lean towards denying the pope and those in the Novus Ordo leaning towards affirming him? 22:27 – Who writes the footnotes in the bible? Is it the Magisterium? 32:28 – In John 3:16 the Protestant translation says, ‘should not perish' but in the Catholic version it says, ‘might not perish.' Which is more correct? 37:05 – My best friend and I both left the Church and now I'm making my way back. How do I approach her especially on topics like salvation when she doesn’t seem to care? 48:09 – I work for a company that sells Plan B and occult items. I have no say in the selling of these items. Should I look for another job? …

Fr. Mike focuses on the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch and how it demonstrates the importance of having guidance when reading Scripture. Although God's Word is infallible, we can easily misunderstand it without proper interpretation, which is why we have the Magisterium of the Church. Lastly, Fr. Mike also touches on the role of persecution in the life of the Church, and St. Paul's encouragement to abide by the law of love. Today we read Acts 8, Romans 13-14, and Proverbs 27:15-17. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Attachment needs, problematic God images, parts, systems, love, and security – no one brings these together quite like seasoned Catholic psychologist Peter Martin in this episode.  Join us as Dr. Martin weaves together the leading edges of conceptual thinking and practical application to provide you a lifeline to grip on to and by which you can climb to a new plane of being as he integrates the four dimensions of personal formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.  Dr. Martin brings in the best of secular research and theory, firmly grounded a in a fully Catholic understanding of the human person and in Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Church.  He also provides copies of aids he has developed, the Level of Attachment Security in Spiritual Relationships (LASSR) and the Spiritual Support Worksheet–2 in the YouTube description.  Check out our channel InteriorIntegration4Catholics on YouTube, see us in action, take in Dr. Martin's slides, and subscribe!  https://youtu.be/GCJyeakw7-w

In this episode of The Tent Making Christianity QCQ Podcast, the team answers the question "What is The Magisterium?". 

Michael Lofton covers the comments of a synod of bishops father who says the deposit of faith cannot change. He then examines what the deposit of faith is per Scripture and the Magisterium and then considers the question if it can change.

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the extraordinary Justine Callis from The Theology of Conversion. She shares her journey from a staffer at a non-denominational, Evangelical Mega Church to a Catholic convert – and what drew her in. Her story – of learning about the Eucharist, the magisterium, the Early Church and more – is the story of so many converts but the incredible MIRACLES that accompanied her along the way make for some AMAZING stories. Including one about Dr. Scott Hahn and the beginning of their amazing friendship!For more from Justine check out Theology of Conversion on Instagram:Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patron Co-Producers. Thanks to Eli and Tom, Kelvin and Susan, Stephen, Victor and Susanne, Phil, Noah, Nicole, Michelle, Jordan, Jon, James, Gina, and Eyram.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin for inspired interviews with Catholic Christians living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

No folks, we're not endorsing any candidates. We're not even talking candidates. Instead, we try to thread the narrowest needle ever threaded by discussing why elections do and don't matter, what Catholics need to consider every time we head to the polls, how to fund common ground with those who disagree with us, and what matters most the day after Election Day … all without talking about the actual people running in 2024. Do we succeed? You'll have to listen to find out. Show Notes:First, as promised, here is Emily's more succinct and clear answer to one of the questions we discussed on the podcast: Is it a sin to vote for someone who is pro-abortion?The Church's answer is, “It depends.” If you vote for someone who is pro-abortion because they are pro-abortion, yes, it is a sin. The U.S. Catholic Bishops explain:“A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning, or racist behavior, if the voter's intent is to support that position. In such cases, a Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil,”(Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship—Part 1, 34).On the other hand, if both candidates are pro-abortion, and you vote for the candidate who seems best on other issues, that is not a sin. Your vote wouldn't have made any difference in abortion policy, so other aspects of a candidate's platform can become the deciding factor. Alternately, if the prospect of voting for either candidate violates your conscience, you can make the decision to not vote for either.If, however, one candidate is pro-abortion and one candidate is pro-life, it gets more complicated.In general, under most circumstances, the Church teaches that Catholics should not vote for a politician who supports abortion if they have a pro-life option. But if the candidate who is against abortion is for other policies that are grave moral evils—say, launching a pogrom against the Jewish people or reinstituting Jim Crowe laws—Catholic voters who prudently and prayerfully weigh the moral evils supported by both candidates can decide the pro-abortion candidate is the less horrible option and vote that way in good conscience. They also can take into consideration whether they believe the anti-abortion candidate is sincere in his commitment to oppose abortion and capable of doing anything to effect change in that area. Again, from the U.S. Catholic Bishops:There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position even on policies promoting an intrinsically evil act may reasonably decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship—Part 1, 35).Note: Your reasons for choosing a pro-abortion candidate over an anti-abortion candidate must be rooted in the anti-abortion candidate's support for other truly grave moral evils that together equal or outweigh the evil of abortion. Not liking a candidate's personality, not liking the candidate's proposed changes to Medicare or student loan financing, not wanting to be associated with a certain candidate or party—none of that is sufficient. Grave moral evil on the level of the slaughter of the innocent in the womb is the measuring stick.Ultimately, though, unless you're supporting a pro-abortion candidate for their views on abortion, the Church trusts you to form your conscience in accord with Church teaching and make the best decision you can, given the knowledge you have. If you think you decided poorly, for the wrong reasons, with insufficient thought, or with disregard for Church teaching, Confession is the quickest way to rectify your situation.Other Important QuotesQuotes: [T]he Church's Magisterium does not wish to exercise political power or eliminate the freedom of opinion of Catholics regarding contingent questions. Instead, it intends—as is its proper function—to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, particularly those involved in political life, so that their actions may always serve the integral promotion of the human person and the common good (Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, “The Participation of Catholics in Political Life,” 6).“When all candidates hold a position that promotes an intrinsically evil act, the conscientious voter faces a dilemma. The voter may decide to take the extraordinary step of not voting for any candidate or, after careful deliberation, may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods,”(United States Catholic Bishops Conference, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” 36)“Moral conscience, present at the heart of the person, enjoins him at the appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil. It also judges particular choices, approving those that are good and denouncing those that are evil. It bears witness to the authority of truth in reference to the supreme Good to which the human person is drawn, and it welcomes the commandments. When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can hear God speaking,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1777).“Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed. In all he says and does, man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be just and right. It is by the judgment of his conscience that man perceives and recognizes the prescriptions of the divine law,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1778). “The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country," (United States Catholic Bishops, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” Introduction, Revised November 2023). Also Mentioned:“The Way Forward After Dobbs,” by Ryan Anderson“Stupid Is As Stupid Does: Politics, Prudence, and Priorities,” by Emily Chapman Get full access to Visitation Sessions at visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Audio Download Questions Covered: 05:08 – Is it accurate to put scripture and tradition in the same level of authority? 08:49 – Why should we believe the magisterium over a Protestant pastor? 20:11 – What gives priests and bishops authority to consecrate the Eucharist? 29:31 – How does a Catholic reconcile 1 John 2:27 and […]

Audio Download Questions Covered: 01:48 – How can I trust that the whole of tradition is divine revelation rather than a false doctrine of human beings? 12:00 – What about people who feel so close to God, what about their authority? 18:51 – What's the relationship between James and Peter and the authority of the […]

“The moral life is spiritual worship,” says the Catechism. From the Church, we receive moral guidance, with the Magisterium safeguarding and passing down authentic Christian moral teaching through the generations. This teaching reminds us who we are and how we should be, though it may sometimes deeply challenge us. In its prophetic role, Fr. Mike tells us, “the Church must both console and convict.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2030-2036. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In today's show Dr. Anders touches on: Ecumenical Bible studies, the culture problem in parishes, Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic, who makes the Magisterium and more.

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the indefectible Dr. Larry Chapp to talk about the heart of what draws Catholic converts into the Catholic Church – the truth, beauty, and goodness – and what sucks when those things don't seem to exist in the way they ought to in day-to-day, on-the-ground Catholicism. With Dr. Chapp's trademark clear-eyed perspective, we talk about divisions in the Church, what happens when the truth of Catholicism is tested against fringe ideas on the left and the right, and what to make of those in places of authority who seem to speak out of both sides of their mouths. We tackle the beauty of the liturgy, the problematic nature of some Latin Mass communities, and the trouble with suppressing something beautiful without encouraging anything to grow in its place. And, finally, we talk about the goodness of Catholicism – and what happens when it fails to live up to its own standard. With respect, poignancy, and a good helping of Dr. Chapp's no-holds-barred straight shooting, we have an absolutely fantastic conversation about those things that are drawing in Catholic converts, what sucks when they fail to live up to expectations, and why y'all should be Catholic anyhow. For more from Dr. Chapp check out his YouTube channel and website.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patron Co-Producers. Thanks to Eli and Tom, Kelvin and Susan, Stephen, Victor and Susanne, Phil, Noah, Nicole, Michelle, Jordan, Jon, James, Gina, and Eyram.Support the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

In today's show Dr. Anders takes us more deeply into the Magisterium of the Church, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the reason for the two species and more.

Like anything stepping into leadership requires training.  Stepping into Christian leadership requires that we not just be skilled but also ethical and holy.  How to integrate these two worlds?  How to integrate our spirituality, our faith, and the realism of the world of business?  The Church's Magisterium put forth a wonderful document that outlines a way forward.  By educating Christians in the principles of Christ, and in the use of the virtues, she points forward a way for us to not only do business but to lead.   Register for the AUDEO Masterclass:  https://saintjohninstitute.org/event/audeo-masterclass-business-owners-and-top-level-leaders/

Read OnlineJesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.” Matthew 13:24–25This parable begins in a very good way. It states that good seed was sown. In other words, the pure Gospel was preached into good soil. This should be understood as any situation where the preacher is truly effective and where the Gospel reaches many ears and is planted in many hearts. This is worth rejoicing over. But this parable quickly points out that those responsible for guarding the good soil in which the Word of God was planted, failed in their duty to protect it. As a result, the “enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat.” In other words, the evil one also had sown his lies into the hearts of those who heard the Word of God, and those lies took root and began to grow.This is a clear description of the world we live in today. First, it's a description of the hearts of many Christians who have heard the Word of God and have responded, only to also struggle with doubts, confusions and lies sown by the evil one. But it is also a clear description of the world as a whole and even of the Church on earth. There are many divisions within societies and even within the Church. There are many competing voices. And among those whose hearts are good soil, it can be hard to distinguish between that which is from God and that which is a subtle deception from the evil one.The weed referred to in this parable is called cockle. Cockle was a weed that, as it grew, looked much like wheat. It was very difficult to distinguish from wheat until the grain began to appear. But when the grain did begin to appear, it was clearly distinguishable. And if the cockle were to accidentally be ground in with the wheat, it would cause nausea when eaten.The parable is quite clear. The lies that the evil one sows in the hearts of the faithful, those with fertile hearts, are very subtle, especially at first. It is easy for those subtle lies to confuse us. The evil one rarely succeeds in misleading the faithful through grave and obvious errors. Therefore, he deceives with small errors. As a result, the error is often not understood until much later as the fruit is born. The result is division, confusion, conflict and the like—conflict within our own souls, within our world and even within our Church.What is the solution? Vigilance. We, as followers of Christ, must be exceptionally vigilant in regard to that which we allow our hearts to receive. Just because something sounds good at first doesn't make it good. This is why we have the Scripture, the Magisterium of the Church and the teachings of the saints. We must constantly examine all that we allow into our hearts, our families, our world and our churches in the light of the pure and consistent teachings of our faith. And when we see divisions, this is a clear sign of some subtle error that has crept in. In the end, at the harvest time, when we all face Christ our Lord at our judgments, He will separate the good from the bad. But for our part, vigilance is essential so that only the pure seed of God's Word is received by us and sown by us. Reflect, today, on your own soul as fertile ground. What “seed” is sown there? What do you allow to penetrate your heart and take root? Are you vigilant, remaining attentive to the ways that the evil one tries to mislead you through subtle lies and errors? Ponder these questions honestly, and if you find conflict and confusion in your life, look more deeply at the source of these troubles. If there are lies that you have allowed into your own life, then turn them over to our Lord so that He can remove them at the proper time. Most holy Word of God, You are the living Word who sows seed upon the fertile ground of our Hearts. You plant Yourself in the hearts of those who believe so that Your life can bear good fruit in the faithful. Please sow the seed of Your Word in my own heart, dear Lord, and protect me from the deceptions of the evil one. As You do, I pray that You bring forth an abundance of good fruit through me. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Parable of the Sower, via flickr

Can bishops dissent against the magisterium? Or, are they obliged to assent to what the magisterium teaches? Michael Lofton examines the profession of faith that bishops and cardinals make and consider if dissent against the magisterium is a violation of their own promise to hold to the profession of faith.